Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

I was wondering if anyone knows how long it usually takes to get results back for tumor markers (specifically for testicular cancer)?

I know that when my mom was being tested for ovarian cancer, her results were ready the very same day—though they did take about a week to arrive at our house via mail.

Is the process generally the same, or does it work differently in this situation? I guess it might depend on the hospital or something else entirely... maybe?

I’m feeling a bit anxious because we are supposed to go in this Monday to "check" the markers, and I am really curious about how long this whole WAITING game is going to last.

Thanks in advance for any answers or information you might have.

Sending positive vibes to everyone in this thread.
Best wishes to all,

I ended up on this site because I want to help a friend who just got diagnosed with lymphoma. Her finances are a total mess, so we've started chipping in, but the money isn't coming in nearly as fast as the disease is moving. Does anyone know if it's actually possible to crowdfund help online? (I saw a story recently about an animal rescue that raised $59 in just ten days through the web).
Anyway, hi to everyone here. Wishing you all strength and persistence.

(I've been scrolling through old posts from the beginning, jumping around, and honestly, my heart aches seeing some people fighting so hard while others just argue about God. PLEASE, just let everyone find their own version of God within themselves!)

gentlegull17 said:I originally stumbled onto this site hoping to help an acquaintance who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. Her financial situation is incredibly dire, so we’ve started chipping in what we can, but frankly, the fundraising is moving much slower than the disease itself. Can anyone tell me if it's actually possible to solicit help online? (I recently saw on some animal rescue websites that they managed to raise $59 for a shelter in just about ten days).
On a side note, I wanted to send my best to everyone here; I wish you all immense strength and perseverance.

(I've been reading through these posts chronologically, skipping around a bit, and honestly, it breaks my heart to see some people fighting so bravely while others just sit around debating the existence of God. PLEASE, just let everyone find their own version of God within themselves!)

Try reaching out to the media; the fastest way to get traction is to have the story picked up by a newspaper or a news station. If you need any specific journalist contacts, just let me know.

To all our dear supporters,

We are thrilled to introduce the fresh, updated face of our CNN website.

Please, feel free to share your thoughts on the new layout. We are more than open to constructive criticism—and, of course, we won't turn away any compliments 😁!

The entire redesign was handled by the phenomenal creative team over at Dobbin LLC in Washington, D.C. They have a stellar track record with similar projects, having previously developed sites for both the Ana Rukavina Foundation and the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

Keep in mind that work on the site is still very much ongoing. We are currently finalizing several pages and fleshing out the glossary and disease index. So, if you stumble upon a section that feels incomplete, just know that some very hardworking people are currently behind the scenes making it happen. 😉

Hello everyone!

I’ve been spending the last few days reading through your posts. Honestly, the sheer amount of love, sincerity, and compassion radiating from your words is nothing short of amazing. You’ve truly moved me...

I’m facing a bit of a situation and was hoping to get some advice or recommendations from this group.
It concerns my father. He just tested positive for occult blood. His doctor has scheduled him for a gastroscopy next week, followed by a colonoscopy just two days later.
From what I’ve gathered regarding occult bleeding, it seems to be almost universally linked to colorectal cancer.
Does anyone here have experience dealing with a positive occult blood test where it turned out not to be something malignant? What does this test actually signify in the grand scheme of things? Should I be panicking right now? How am I supposed to process all of this?

Thanks in advance

slylynx76 said:Hey everyone!

I’ve been scrolling through your posts for a few days now. Honestly, the sheer amount of love, sincerity, and compassion radiating from these words is staggering. You guys have really moved me...

I’m facing an issue myself and could really use some advice or recommendations.
It involves my father. He just tested positive for occult blood. His doctor scheduled him for a gastroscopy next week, followed by a colonoscopy just two days later.
From what I’ve gathered about occult bleeding, it’s almost always linked to colon cancer.
Has anyone here dealt with a positive occult blood test where it turned out *not* to be something malignant? What does this test actually signify? Should I be panicking right now? How am I supposed to handle this?

Thanks in advance

I’m not an expert on occult bleeding, but I do know that bleeding doesn't automatically equal cancer. More often than not, it's just hemorrhoids.
How should you handle it? Live one day at a time. Don't try to sprint ahead into the future, because that just drains your emotional battery and kills you prematurely—besides, things rarely turn out exactly how we imagine they will. Right now, you're essentially operating in the dark, but everything being done is meant to clear the fog and find the truth. Once you actually get the results, if there is indeed a problem, you deal with it THEN. At that point, you can look at all the options and start tackling the issue head-on. That is the only healthy, logical way to approach life, especially when it comes to medical scares.
Life offers zero guarantees and zero certainty. We just create these little illusions of security so we can carry the weight of existence without collapsing. The sooner you realize that and accept it, the easier it will be to face even the worst scenarios life throws your way.

I find myself agreeing with the post above 🙂

But I suppose I should add—that sense of uncertainty regarding such massive quantities...
I am fully aware of my own limits—what I can handle and how much I can take; I understand the waiting and the anticipation, yet there is still this part of me that just wants to grasp everything right now, in this very second...

I have played out countless scenarios in my head. I guess that is just how my mind works. And then, sometimes, I offer myself this little bit of false comfort—thinking, okay, if I have mapped everything out, then I will know exactly how to react or what to do when one of those scenarios actually unfolds.

The truth is, I’ve gone a bit numb, even though I’ve mentally rehearsed every single possibility...

I can’t help but laugh at myself now...

Still, I am getting back up—it feels like a phoenix rising from the ashes (or maybe just a bird getting back on its feet, haha)—and even if it sounds a bit like some cheesy political slogan, we move forward...

Yesterday marked a sort of turning point regarding my mother... First, she went in to have her blood drawn, having to pay $28 for those marker tests. But really, what is money compared to the hope that this analysis might actually show she's doing well?

She doesn't speak about her fears or her pain; instead, she just breaks down internally... She won't even see a therapist because her "therapists" are cigarettes, piles of scribbled-on paper, and the occasional glass of wine with friends. Naturally, all of this weighs heavily on us at home, yet no one seems willing to sit down and talk to her or warn her against her own tendencies...

At the last check-up, the doctor advised my father that it was time for a PET/CT scan, given that a full year has passed since the surgery. Upon hearing this, my mother insisted it wasn't necessary. My father, bypassing her objections, arranged for the imaging in New York City, and as soon as we visit the oncologist at Avian next week, we will know if it truly was required... Still, she hardly says a word, though you can see the terror in her eyes, and that PET scan is absolutely necessary.

Before we left for New York City, I couldn't help myself; I tried to reach into her psyche in a rather blunt way to understand why she keeps everything bottled up... It turns out she isn't afraid of finding cancer again or facing a new battle; she is afraid of what people say about cancer and how painful their struggles were. When I asked why she stays silent, she gave me an answer I never expected... She told me she sees how hard we are all working for her, how much attention we give her to create the impression that she is dying, and it hurts her... So, she says nothing, so that we don't sense her fear of death and so she doesn't burden us. After two hours of talking, I realized just how difficult it is to inhabit the skin of someone fighting cancer, and now I admire all of you true warriors even more...

Anyway, all the results arrived today, and every single value is within the normal range, including the markers—and her hemoglobin is at a respectable 147! Both of us struggle with anemia, but it seems she is currently at the peak of her physical strength... I suggested she relax a little and talk things over with her father, but she said she still doesn't feel capable of discussing everything running through her mind. I also warned my father to step back just a little, so her anxieties might subside...

That is all from me, and I truly hope that some sunshine and clarity find all of you warriors very soon... I am thinking of you all... hang in there

mistyridge5 said:but I have to add, sometimes that uncertainty regarding huge amounts...
I’m fully aware of my own limits—what I can handle and how much I can take. I understand the waiting game and the constant anticipation, yet there's still this part of me that just wants to seize control of everything right this second...

That’s exactly why you need that higher perspective. Deep down, we’re always going to be those small, vulnerable little chicks, exposed and unprotected by nature. We feel the fear, and we are fragile, but we also carry this massive, untapped strength and an incredible capacity to adapt. The key to the room where that power lives is Confrontation. Confrontation is nothing more and nothing less than an act of pure will.

Mistyridge, let's keep moving.👍

Nancy Hernandez43 said:Yesterday was a massive turning point with my mom. First, she went in to get her blood drawn. She had to shell out $28 for the tumor marker tests, but honestly, what’s money compared to the hope that these results actually show she's doing okay?

She doesn't talk about her fears or the pain; she just internalizes everything and suffers in silence. She won't even see a therapist because her "therapy" consists of cigarettes, piles of scribbled-on notebooks, and a few coffee dates with friends. Of course, all of this creates tension in our house, but it’s like nobody wants to confront her or warn her when she's making mistakes.

At her last check-up, the doctor warned my dad that it's time for a PET/CT scan since it's been a full year since the surgery. When he brought it up, Mom reacted by saying it wasn't necessary. My dad went ahead and scheduled the imaging in New York City behind her back, and once they visit the oncologist at Avian next week, they'll know if it was truly required. Even though she isn't saying much, you can see the terror in her eyes—and that PET scan needs to happen.

Before we left for New York City, I couldn't help myself; I tried to push through her defenses in a somewhat blunt way to understand why she keeps everything bottled up. It turns out, she isn't afraid of finding cancer again or facing another fight; she’s afraid of how people talk about cancer and how painful those stories are. When I asked why she stays silent, she gave me an answer I never expected. She told me she sees how hard we are all working for her, how much attention we're giving her to make it seem like she's dying, and it hurts her. She stays quiet because she doesn't want us to feel her fear of death or burden us with it. After talking for two hours, I realized just how incredibly difficult it is to be in the shoes of someone battling cancer, and it makes me admire all of you true fighters even more!

Anyway, the results came in today and everything is within normal limits, including the markers, and her hemoglobin is sitting at a fantastic 147! We both struggle with anemia, so it looks like she's at the absolute peak of her health right now! I told her to relax and talk things through with her dad, but she said she still doesn't feel ready to open up about everything crossing her mind. I also warned Dad to dial back the intensity so her anxiety levels might drop.

That's all from me. I really hope some sunshine and clarity find all you warriors soon! I'm thinking of you all! Hang in there.

Nancy Hernandez43, those are wonderful news😍. Your mom needs time. Just give her as much love and support as possible. Tell her she has the right to be honest about what's bothering her and let her set the rules for how everyone behaves. She has that right.
I remember about ten years ago, my mom went through a very depressive episode. The company was struggling, she hit menopause, and life was just hitting her from every angle; she just couldn't face it or deal with things head-on. Her cousin’s wife, who happens to be a doctor, took her to see a very well-known specialist for autogenic training. Back then, people wouldn't have gone to her, just like your mom might not go now. But it gave her confidence; it helped her realize that you don't have to be "crazy" to see a professional—sometimes you just need a blueprint to start tackling the mounting problems in your life. It truly helped her, and those were some of the best ten years of my mother's life.
Maybe your mom needs a starting point too, even though she's in a completely new situation.
Hang in there. I'm sending big hugs to both you and her. Cherish each other. You have all the time in the world on your side. I hope it stays that way for as long as possible.🙂

Angela Wright said:Who could possibly find this news anything but wonderful...😍 Mom needs time to process things. Just offer her as much love and support as you can manage. Tell her she should feel free to speak openly about whatever is bothering her and set some boundaries for how everyone should behave. She is entitled to that.
I recall about ten years ago when my own mother went through a particularly depressive episode. Her company was facing some major hurdles, she was dealing with menopause, and life was just throwing everything at her all at once; she simply couldn't find a way to confront the chaos. A family friend, who happens to be a doctor, actually took her to see a very prominent woman for autogenic training. If she hadn't been such a well-known figure, an older generation probably wouldn't have even considered seeing her. It gave my mother a certain sense of confidence, realizing that one doesn't necessarily have to be "crazy" to seek out a psychiatrist or a psychologist, but rather that people simply reach a point where they need a framework to begin addressing the accumulated problems in their lives. It truly helped her, and those turned out to be the best ten years of her life...
Perhaps your mother also needs a model to follow, especially since she finds herself in such a completely new situation.
Hang in there, and I am sending both you and her a huge hug. Cherish each other. You have all the time in the world on your side, and I sincerely hope it stays this way for as long as possible. 🙂

Your posts always bring me a fresh sense of optimism, a new perspective, and a renewed desire to be more resilient for my mother's sake. We are going to scale back the constant attention for a while so she can relax slightly and slowly return to her normal routine. She has gradually returned to work, which keeps her occupied enough to keep the negative thoughts at bay. There will be an exhibition of her artwork soon, which will undoubtedly shift people's perceptions...

I believe the most important thing right now is ensuring all the test results come back clear, and once everything is finalized, I am planning a surprise for her. 😍 Up until now, she has truly shown how much she wants to give to both my brother and me, constantly showering us with things... it has actually become a bit embarrassing, and I keep telling her she’s overdoing it, though we both accept everything just to see her happy...

We keep fighting; there is no giving up!👍 Kisses to everyone!

Nancy Hernandez43, truly wonderful news 😍

I remember how incredibly difficult it was for my mom to ask us for anything after her surgery and chemo—even something as simple as a glass of water. She just wasn't that kind of person; she wouldn't even stay in bed if she had a minor virus, the flu, or some inflammation... But back then, her body was just "broken," even though her spirit remained absolutely captivating.

I know there was one time when she confessed to me how much it hurt her to feel like she was making things harder for us just because she was struggling herself. We both ended up laughing so much during that talk while sharing our fears. She told me, "I’m going to fight, all the way to the end!"

Even today, I am still so inspired by that spirit of hers—it stays with me constantly, always in my heart and my thoughts.

We eventually learned to loosen up a bit and not "jump" at every single sigh she made; we just lived our lives. Going in for those marker tests would bring uncertainty for that specific day, but in the days leading up to it, the word "marker" didn't even exist in our vocabulary. It wasn't that we were turning a blind eye—we were all very aware of the situation—but she decided (and for our sake too🙂) that those markers wouldn't dictate our lives or turn everything into fear.

Nancy Hernandez43, yes, we keep fighting 👍

mistyridge5 said:Nancy Hernandez43, truly wonderful news... 😍

I recall how incredibly difficult it was for my mother to ask us for anything after her surgery and chemo, even if it was just a simple glass of water. She wasn't that kind of person; she wouldn't even stay in bed for a common cold or the flu... But back then, her body was simply broken, though her spirit remained absolutely captivating...

I remember one time she confessed to me how much it pained her to feel like she was a burden to us because she was struggling. We both laughed so hard then, sharing our deepest fears... She told me, "I will fight this until the very end!"

Even today, I am still moved by that indomitable spirit of hers, which stays with me constantly, tucked away in my heart and my thoughts...

We eventually learned to loosen our grip and stop reacting to every single sigh of hers; we just lived our lives. Going in for bloodwork results brought uncertainty only on that specific day; in the days leading up to it, the word "markers" didn't even exist in our vocabulary. Not because we were ignoring reality—we were acutely aware of the situation—but because she decided (for herself and for us🙂) that those "markers" would not dictate our existence or turn our lives into a landscape of fear...

Nancy Hernandez43, yes, we keep fighting... 👍

we really ought to establish some rules, whether they are mentioned or not, to minimize the influx of thanks. My mother used to declare publicly that she feared nothing and would gladly chat with anyone about her journey, yet when we actually asked her to say something or offer help... one could sense there was a significant gap between what she said and what she could actually do...

But regardless... THANK YOU! We continue the fight, with the same strength! 😍

I honestly just had to go back and re-read my own words—mostly just to scrape together a little more strength and courage, I guess...

I actually just finished talking with the doctor. It looks like chemo isn't going to be our path forward... so now, I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping the CT scan results come back okay.

mistyridge5 said:I was just re-reading my own words, trying to scrape together whatever little bit of strength and courage I have left...

I actually had a conversation with the doctor earlier. It appears chemotherapy isn't an immediate certainty for us... so now, I am simply holding onto the hope that the CT scan results come back clear.

Hang in there, and I truly hope you check back in soon to tell us that the CT scan looks good! May you find strength at every moment, every single day...👍

Hey Hannah Wells30 if you happen to know where I can pick up that water around here, let me know—maybe just shoot me a DM? I’m really trying to avoid sourcing it from Heaven.
THANKS!

Reading through all your posts about how hard everyone has fought—and seeing that some of you are still battling alongside your loved ones—it’s honestly making my own will to keep fighting start to flicker... This forum and the other one really mean the world to me. To be honest, I had a moment the other day where I just told myself, "enough is enough" when it comes to treatment. I have two chemo cycles left, but I'm just completely out of strength, out of money for the supporting meds, and honestly, just out of heart for it all. My son has been right by my side since day one, but he nearly lost it when I told him this. That said, I do have four vials of Aloxi left over, so if anyone could use them, please just send me a private message!

Nancy Thomas18 said:Reading through all your posts about how hard you've fought—and seeing that some of you are still battling alongside your own families—it’s honestly draining my will to keep fighting too. This forum, and the other one, really mean a lot to me. To be blunt, I told myself the other day that I’m done with treatment. I have two chemo cycles left, but I’m just tapped out. I don't have the strength left, the money for the supporting meds, or the heart to keep going. My son has been by my side since day one, and he nearly lost it when I told him this. On top of that, I have four vials of Aloxi left; if anyone needs them, please DM me privately.

Don't mess with me.😲Stop talking such nonsense.🙂If you need actual support and real help, ASK FOR IT! We are here, and organizations like the National Organization for Rare Disorders exist specifically for people in your exact situation.
Look, people take out loans for absolute garbage, but you can at least go into debt for something that nobody will ever hold against you: your own health and your life. If you need a hand, speak up. We will organize a fundraiser or set up a dedicated account for you. Do not give up, ever! Once you get healthy, you'll have all the time in the world to work, make money, and pay it all back.
Honey, I know things are incredibly heavy right now, but you knew from the jump that this was going to be a brutal fight. You have a shot at getting better, so keep swinging. Think about everyone else who was given zero chance and fought anyway.

cosmicsurfer7 said:Hey Hannah Wells30 if you actually know where I can pick up that water here in the States, let me know—send a DM. I’d rather not try sourcing it from Heaven.
THANKS!

You're better off trying IP6 & inositol. It's clinically studied and shows incredible results for managing chemotherapy side effects and cancer treatment itself.
You can reach out to Dr. Jordan Peterson at 098331240.
You won't regret it.

Nancy Thomas18 said:Reading through all your posts about how hard everyone’s been fighting—and seeing that some of you are still battling this alongside your own families—it honestly makes my will to keep fighting just start to flicker out... This forum, and that other one too, they really mean everything to me. To be honest, I told myself the other day that I’m just done with the whole treatment thing. I’ve got two rounds of chemo left, but I just don't have the strength anymore, and the money for all these extra meds is gone, and my spirit is just... spent. My son has been right by my side since day one, but he absolutely lost it when I told him this. Anyway, I have four vials of Aloxi left, so if anyone actually needs them, just shoot me a private message.

Look, if you’ve managed to hang in there this long, you HAVE to find a way to dig up just a little bit more strength! I’ve been reading your stuff since the moment you joined, and from the very beginning, your grit and that absolute refusal to back down have been such an inspiration to me. Of course your son reacted that way... I mean, what kind of person would give up? You can't do that to him, and you definitely can't do that to yourself!
Your progress gives me strength, too. My mom is fighting this exact same thing. She hasn't even started her chemo yet...