Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

Lara, I'm so sorry for your loss 😢

Hey, just wanted to ask...

I came across some Noni syrup that's supposedly good for easing chemo side effects and nausea
Anyone have any advice?

Also, has anyone heard of Simex clinics?

I make it a point to head over to the Simex clinic every single year for my routine physical.

I find myself joining this > as well, though under very heavy circumstances. My father recently underwent surgery for colon cancer, where an ostomy bag was required, and he is now beginning the recovery process. Tragically, the diagnosis has revealed metastases in his liver and abdominal cavity that are inoperable; in other words, the cancer has already spread significantly. This devastating news was shared with my mother and me today. My father isn't fully aware of just how dire the situation is, which, perhaps, is for the best right now. He had suspected something was wrong for quite some time, but unfortunately, he avoided seeking medical testing, and now we are facing this reality. My mother and I are completely devastated; when I went to see him at the Mayo Clinic earlier, I could barely look at him for more than two seconds without breaking down in tears. I am painfully aware that the prognosis is poor, but I wanted to ask if chemotherapy might still be effective in this stage—specifically, if it can act to slow down the progression or prevent further spreading? Before the surgery, he actually felt relatively well, aside from some digestive issues that were his primary cause for concern.
I am deeply afraid of the grueling ordeal my father may have to endure, and the emotional toll it will take on all of us.
Please, give us the strength to get through this. 🙂

Sarah Morgan7 said:I’m jumping into this discussion because my family is currently walking through a nightmare. My dad just underwent colon surgery where they had to install an ostomy bag, and now we’re staring down the barrel of a long recovery. To make matters worse, the doctors told my mom and me today that the cancer has already metastasized to his liver and the abdominal cavity. It’s non-operable—basically, the cancer has already spread too far to cut it out. We received the heavy news today, though my dad doesn't fully grasp the gravity of the situation yet; honestly, it might be better that way for now. He had a nagging feeling something was wrong for a while, but he kept putting off the diagnostic tests, and now we're left dealing with the consequences of that delay. My mom and I are absolutely devastated. When I went to see him at the Mayo Clinic earlier, I could barely look at him for more than a few seconds without breaking down. I know the prognosis isn't great, but I have to ask: in a case like this, can chemotherapy actually do anything to halt the progression or at least slow it down significantly? Before the surgery, he actually felt relatively okay, aside from some digestive issues that were the first red flags.
I’m honestly terrified of the absolute agony my father might have to endure, and the sheer weight of what we’ll all go through right alongside him.
God, give us strength! 🙂

I need some help here. Get on... www.zanovidan.hr.
Sign in to the forum. You’ve got an entire thread dedicated to colon cancer here, packed with everyone else's firsthand experiences.

I feel you... maybe I can brighten up your evening just a little bit and offer some hope. About 14 years ago, I went through two surgeries—they replaced my knee with a prosthetic—and I endured 11 rounds of chemo. My mother just couldn't withstand it all and passed away... but everything turned out fine for my dad. Because of him, I’m 26 now, living a good life, working, and putting in extra hours at my university studies. And after every single exam, you know who I call to share the victory? It isn't a girlfriend or a boyfriend; it's my dad. I owe him everything.

So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everyone here; please find the strength to fight for your children, your parents, and your grandparents.

My mom started losing her hair this morning. Even though we’d talked about it and mentally braced ourselves for this, seeing it actually happen was still such a massive shock. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty lost right now—maybe it’s best if we just shave it all off immediately, but I don't know, I can't make a smart call on this. I'm planning on getting her a wig, so does anyone have any advice on what to look for when shopping? What should we be paying attention to, and what kind of price range are we looking at?

quietraven0 said:My mom started losing her hair this morning. Even though we discussed this and tried to mentally prepare ourselves, seeing it actually happen was still quite a shock to her system. I’m honestly torn—maybe it’s best to just shave it all off right now? I don't know if I'm making the right call. I plan on getting her a wig, but does anyone have advice on what to look for when shopping? And what kind of price range should we expect?

Honestly, it is best to just shave it all off immediately.
If you let it fall out naturally, you'll end up with hair all over the house that you can never seem to get rid of. Besides, seeing a single clump of hair left in your hand or on a pillow is far more traumatic than just looking at a bald head; you eventually just get used to the sight of a shaved head.
There is simply no way to predict how someone will truly react to hair loss. I personally thought I would be totally unfazed by it, but when that first strand stayed in my hand, I spent the entire day crying like it was a torrential downpour. 😢

quietraven0 said:My mom started losing her hair this morning. Even though we talked about it and tried to mentally prepare, seeing it actually happen hit her really hard. Honestly, I'm torn—maybe it’s better to just shave it all off right now? I don't know what the smartest move is. I'm planning on getting her a wig, but does anyone have advice on what to look for when shopping? Also, what kind of price range are we talking about here?

She might be able to get a wig for free through insurance as a medical necessity. Just ask her oncologist.

feralridge3,
Thanks for the advice. We’re actually heading to the salon tomorrow to just shave it all off—might as well get it over with. Her birthday is coming up in about ten days, and we’ll have people over who don't know she's sick, along with some relatives she hasn't seen in ages. I'm also going to look into getting her a wig; she already mentioned she'd like one. I'm not sure what kind of coverage or discounts insurance might provide for that, so I'm meeting with a specialist tomorrow to figure it out.

By the way, how's your hair situation coming along? Has it started growing back yet?
I know some people think this is trivial—arguing about hair when there are much bigger things at stake—but honestly, if I were in her shoes, I'd find this incredibly difficult. Even if there isn't physical pain involved, the psychological toll can be absolutely crushing. But we'll adapt. Every cloud has a silver lining, so that's the mindset we're trying to maintain.

quietraven0 said:feralridge3,

So, how’s the hair situation looking on your end? Has it started growing back yet?
I know some people think obsessing over hair is trivial—that it's just cosmetic—but honestly, if I were in those shoes, I’d be struggling too. Even if there isn't any physical pain, the mental toll can really weigh you down. But we'll adapt; every setback usually leads to something better, so that's the mindset we have to maintain.

Her hair is going to grow back much thicker and stronger, and there's a good chance it might even curl up more than before.

Angela Wright,
We just got some paperwork back, but since we were seeing a substitute GP—they didn't really know much beyond saying it was some kind of discount form. Is this what you were talking about, or am I looking at something else entirely?

Angela Wright said:Her hair would end up way thicker and stronger, and there's even a chance it might get some natural curls.

That would be amazing😉

[QUOTE=larazg;22489057]she passed away... in her sleep.... 🙂
there aren't enough words to describe my grief... I feel like my heart is actually going to break 🙂
.... this pain is just unbearable[/QUOTEP

Please accept my deepest condolences; hang in there. I know even the most resilient people find this weight heavy at first, but in time, the sharpness of the grief and the sting of the pain will become easier to bear...

,,sending prayers''[/QUOTE]

quietraven0 said:Angela Wright,
we got some paperwork, but our primary care doctor was actually a temp covering for someone else, so she didn't really know much beyond saying it’s a voucher for a discount. Is that what you’re talking about, or something else?

I honestly can't say. Just read whatever is printed on it. Some wigs are totally covered, while the slightly higher-end ones require a small out-of-pocket payment, but we're talking maybe $67 extra.
If you happen to be in New York City, there's a fantastic wig shop Downtown that accepts those vouchers.

Angela Wright,
thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly.
we're heading straight to that shop in Downtown tomorrow, so I'll let you know how everything goes.

Sarah Morgan7 said:I've also found myself drawn into this discussion. My father just underwent surgery for colon cancer; they had to install an ostomy bag, and now he’s entering the recovery phase. Unfortunately, the cancer has already metastasized to his liver and abdominal cavity, areas that aren't operable—in other words, the cancer has spread quite extensively. My mother and I were given this devastating news today. My father isn't fully aware of how serious the situation actually is, which, perhaps, is for the best right now. He had suspected something was wrong for a while, but unfortunately, he avoided getting any diagnostic tests done, and now we are facing the reality of the situation. My mother and I are completely devastated; when I looked at my father in the hospital earlier, I could barely hold it together for two seconds without breaking down. I know the prognosis isn't good, but I am wondering if chemotherapy can still be effective in this stage—specifically, if it can act to at least slow down the progression or prevent further spreading (prior to the surgery, he still felt relatively okay, despite some digestive issues that were his main source of suspicion).
I am terrified of the immense suffering my father might endure, and what our whole family will have to go through alongside him.
God, please give us strength! 🙂

I am so incredibly sorry you are going through this with your dad. While it's clear the cancer is at a very advanced stage, chemotherapy can sometimes help slow the progression (though that depends heavily on the specific drugs prescribed and his age, given how metabolism changes over time). You, your father, and your mother have a difficult road ahead, and sadly, much of it will be painful. It is vital that you stay by his side and make the most of the time you have together, helping him however you possibly can. Beyond that, please remember this space is always here if you need to vent or seek advice. Hang in there.

quietraven0 said:So, how is your hair doing lately? Has it started growing back yet?
I realize some people might think it's trivial to discuss hair—that it’s a superficial concern—but honestly, I think anyone in this situation would find it incredibly difficult. Even if there isn't physical pain, the psychological toll can be absolutely crushing. Still, we adapt. We try to look for the silver lining in every dark cloud, so that's the mindset I'm attempting to maintain.

Once a month, I just shave my entire head. It’s been a full year since I finished radiation treatment. In the spots where my hair didn't fall out entirely, it grew back flatter; along the outer edges of the radiation zone, it came back thicker and curlier, but in the areas where the radiation was most intense, it stays thin and patchy. 😢Can anyone actually even begin to imagine what that looks like? 🙄
I keep holding onto the hope that it will all grow back, but I've recently started considering getting a wig.
That said, I have become quite accustomed to wearing scarves and being without hair.
And, truthfully, there is a certain practicality to having no hair at all. 😁 Before my tumor was discovered, I had hair that reached halfway down my back. Think of all the time, the shampoos, the conditioners, the various treatments... all that effort. Now, I don't need any of that; a simple baby shampoo does the trick. 😍

velvetorca12 said:The same goes for me... perhaps I can brighten your evening and offer a glimmer of hope... about 14 years ago, I underwent two surgeries. They removed my knee and replaced it with a prosthesis, and I endured 11 cycles of chemotherapy... my mother simply couldn't weather it all and passed away... but everything was fine with my father... which is why I am now 26, happy, working, and studying full-time; after every exam, you know who I call to share the joy... not a friend, nor a boyfriend, but my own dad... I am so grateful to him...

So, I am keeping my fingers crossed for everyone; please find the strength to fight for your children, your parents, and your grandparents...

How can one even process this every single day? To be so young while carrying such an immense history of resilience... 🙂 someone who hasn't faced illness doesn't even grasp how to cope with it, let alone realize the sheer depth of love from those who stand by us every single day...

Just keep moving forward through life—with courage, joy, and strength...

quietraven0 said:My mother started losing her hair this morning. Even though we discussed it and tried to mentally prepare ourselves, seeing it actually happen was quite a shock... Perhaps it would be best to just shave it all off immediately, though I am certainly no expert on the matter. I intend to buy her a wig, but does anyone have any advice on what to look for during the purchase? And what kind of price range should we expect?...

My mother has lost her hair twice now, and each time we simply waited until it reached the point where hoping it would stop seemed rather futile... We keep a pair of clippers at home, so she has simply trimmed whatever remained herself on each occasion. Regarding wigs—we both purchased ours through specialized medical suppliers. The first one cost us about $1,400, while the second was around $700; aside from the price difference, there wasn't much perceptible distinction, as both were completely worn out after two or three months of daily brushing and adjusting...😢

With the second one, she finished her treatment in May of this year, and today she has about half an inch of her own thick hair growing back.

The first time she had to face reality—that her hair would fall out and her appearance would be further compromised—it was truly harrowing. There were no words sufficient to comfort her, until she eventually found solace in the thought that once the chemo sessions were over, everything could look better again... During her second round of chemo, out of a sense of solidarity, I shaved my own hair down to about half an inch, and I have maintained that same length ever since. Naturally, it provides her some relief to see me right there beside her. Currently, we are just letting our hair grow out, laughing at the fact that we occasionally have to trim it so we don't look like complete wrecks, while my father inevitably lets out a cry of "again?"...🤣

We did manage to get a discount on the wig through her medical insurance, though I cannot recall the exact percentage... (the prices mentioned above were the full amounts without any discounts applied).