Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

Hey everyone! First off, I just want to send so much strength and courage to all of you and your families. I haven't caught up on all the posts in this thread yet, but I wanted to share something that I found incredibly helpful—something that wasn't really brought to my attention until much later.

Basically, people fighting cancer often struggle to eat much and deal with a lot of nausea for all kinds of reasons. One thing that can really help is using a nutritional supplement called FRESUBIN. You can get it with a prescription, and it comes in those little 0.2L cartons that look a bit like milk. I believe it costs about $5.00 per unit if you're looking for it without a prescription. Usually, you have to order it ahead of time, but the staff at the pharmacy near downtown is super helpful.

The main goal is to make sure the patient doesn't lose too much weight and manages to keep some energy up, no matter how tough things get. This stuff is nutritionally balanced and really easy to consume. Just a heads-up though: don't leave it sitting out open for too long because it spoils quickly, so be careful.

Nobody ever mentioned this to me; I actually stumbled upon it by accident while searching online. That’s why I felt the need to share it with everyone—maybe it’s already been discussed here, or maybe not. I’m rooting for you all and wishing you so much luck and strength to push through. Sending you guys so much love.

Hey everyone,
I’ve been gone for a while. Honestly, things have been pretty rough. My dad passed away on January 10th after dealing with some brutal pain for a few days. Everything just took a sudden, sharp turn for the worse... It was devastating, and honestly, it still feels that way. He left us only eight months after my mom, who fought cancer for twenty days before losing her battle. They diagnosed him with a tumor about three and a half months ago. At least they’re together now, even if I’m feeling incredibly sad—actually, "sad" doesn't cover it. I feel completely numb.
Anyway, I want to be here to support you all in this fight. Despite everything I've been through, I truly believe winning is possible. You have to try every single avenue; there are just too many success stories out there to ignore. So please, just keep pushing and keep fighting. Never, ever give up!

Sending my deepest condolences, I am so sorry,😢
You’re a seriously brave soul, being able to step up and comfort others while you're dealing with this kind of heartbreak. Thank you for that.
Death isn't the end... They're together somewhere better now, living on forever through the love you carry. Sending you all the strength in the world,🙂

Things are pretty rough on my end lately... Dad's been stuck in the hospital since Sunday after the paramedics picked him up. What really gets under my skin is how the doctors here won't tell us a single thing. He's weak, vomiting, getting these massive dizzy spells, and his head is killing him. He needs an emergency CT scan, but of course, the machine at our local hospital is broken.😠Mom is meeting with his doctor today, so we'll see what happens. I can't even get over there to sit with him because my job is breathing down my neck about overtime—nobody around here has any empathy, honestly. Anyway, greetings to all the fighters out there, hang in there,👍

Laura Kelly91 said:Hey everyone,
I’ve been away for a while. Unfortunately, some really bad things happened. My dad passed away on January 10th...

Mary, I am seriously so sorry about your dad. I can't even wrap my head around what you're going through, especially having to face this twice. Hang in there, okay?

Laura Kelly91 said:My dear friends,
I’ve been away for a while. Unfortunately, some terrible things have happened. My father passed away on January 10th, after suffering through several days of agonizing pain. His condition just took a sudden, sharp turn for the worse... It was horrific, and honestly, it still feels that way. He left us only eight months after my mother, who fought cancer for twenty days before losing her battle. He was diagnosed with a tumor just three and a half months ago... At least they are together again now, even though I am endlessly grieving—or rather, I feel completely numb.
Now, I want to be here to support you all in your fight. Despite everything, I truly believe that victory is possible. We have to try everything; there are just so many success stories out there. So please, keep pushing and keep fighting. You can never give up!

Please accept my deepest condolences. I am so, so sorry for your loss...

We are standing right here with you... just as you are with us...

crimsonmason44 said:The situation here is pretty grim... My dad’s been stuck in the hospital since Sunday after the paramedics picked him up. What really gets to me is the total lack of communication from the doctors; they aren't telling us anything. He’s so weak, constantly vomiting, dealing with intense vertigo and headaches. He needs an urgent brain CT, but the scanner at our local hospital is broken.😠My mom is meeting with his doctor today, so hopefully we’ll get some clarity then. I can't even go see him because my job expects me to pull extra hours all day—nobody there seems to have any empathy for what we're going through. Sigh... Hang in there to all the fighters out there, stay strong.👍

We're standing right there with you...

Karen Fox36 said:Hey there, my fellow fighters,
I was chatting today with a woman who’s been staying at the hospital with her mom, and she mentioned using wild cyclamen root. Apparently, there’s this old guy named Luke over in Mexico who provides these roots to be brewed as tea or used as compresses on the affected area on day 21. Just a heads up—this guy isn't some shady character looking for a payday like most others; he just asks for enough to cover the costs of gathering the roots. I’ll try to dig up some actual details over the next few days and let you guys know. Anyway, my mom is doing great. Honestly, I really think that medicine from Cetinje she’s been taking for four months is doing the trick. I see people talking here about blood sugar spikes from steroids... my mom’s sugar is sitting at 7, and that’s after she polished off a whole bowl of grapes last night...

So, I actually went to visit this Luke guy myself—he lives in Stalac, near Krusevac. And honestly? I wasn't exactly blown away. The guy is like 80 years old and won't admit to modern medicine even if his life depended on it. He thinks the whole "Dr." system is total garbage and believes he was sent straight from God to Earth or something. Everyone who's sick just sits around the same table, and he spends the whole time lecturing everyone about current politics in Mexico... there is zero privacy whatsoever (assuming anyone would actually want a private conversation, which clearly isn't happening there).
When you ask how much you owe him, they basically say nothing, but because you have some manners, you can't just walk away without giving him something, so you just toss him some cash. The root thing is for day 21, but first, they tell you to come back for the next batch, so some people end up visiting him six, seven, maybe eight times...
The absolute kicker, though, was when his daughter told me she had surgery for breast cancer. When I asked if she drinks his little root tea, she just goes, "Nope, I don't." I swear, I just stood there totally stunned. But hey, if anyone still wants to give it a shot, I'll do my best to track down a phone number for you.

Things are pretty rough on our end right now... Dad has been stuck in the hospital since Sunday after the paramedics rushed him in. What really gets to me is how none of the doctors will actually tell us anything; they just leave us hanging! He’s so weak, constantly vomiting, dealing with terrible dizzy spells, and his head is killing him. He needs an urgent brain CT scan, but of course, the machine at our local hospital is broken... 😠Mom is heading in to talk to the doctor today, so we'll see what happens. I can't even go visit him because I'm stuck working extra hours all day long—it's like nobody at work has any empathy at all, honestly. Ugh... Sending love to all my fellow fighters out there, hang in there! 👍

Honey, stay strong! Try to be by his side as much as you possibly can, because trust me, nobody at your job is going to thank you later for staying late while your dad is lying in a hospital bed. You have to look out for yourself and your dad! Kiss

Laura Kelly91 said:My dear friends,
I haven't been around for a little while, and unfortunately, some really terrible things have happened. My dad passed away on January 10th after suffering through several days of intense pain. Things just took such a sudden, sharp turn for the worse... it was truly awful, and honestly, it still feels that way. He left us just eight months after my mom, who fought against cancer for twenty days before she lost her battle. He had been diagnosed with a tumor about three and a half months ago... At least they are together again now, even though I am feeling endlessly sad—actually, more like I've just gone completely numb.
But now, I want to be here to support all of you in your own fights. Despite everything I've been through, I truly believe that winning is possible, and we have to try every single avenue because there are so many beautiful success stories out there. So please, just keep pushing and keep fighting, because you can never, ever give up!

Oh my God, losing both parents in only eight months! If it absolutely had to happen this way, then I suppose it's better that it happened quickly so they didn't have to suffer for longer. Hang in there, and please know that they are living on through you!

Laura Kelly91 said:My dear friends,
I’ve been away for a while. Unfortunately, things have taken a devastating turn. My father passed away on January 10th after enduring several days of excruciating pain. His condition took such a sudden, sharp decline... It was horrific, and honestly, it still is. He left us just eight months after my mother, who fought a twenty-day battle against cancer. He was diagnosed with a tumor only three and a half months ago... At least they are together now, though I am left in a state of endless grief—or perhaps more accurately, total numbness.
Now, I want to offer you all my support in your own battles. Despite everything I've endured, I truly believe victory is possible. We must exhaust every single option; there are simply too many success stories out there to lose hope. So please, keep pushing and keep fighting. Giving up is never an option.

Please accept my deepest condolences; I am so incredibly sorry. I know exactly how you feel because I have walked that same dark path myself—both my mother and father were tragically lost to carcinoma. I fought alongside both of them until the very end. I realize there are no words that can truly comfort you right now, but believe me when I say that, eventually, the weight becomes easier to carry once you learn how to live in a world without them. Hang in there. Best regards.

Laura Kelly91 said:Hey everyone,
I’ve been off the grid for a while. Unfortunately, things have taken a devastating turn. My dad passed away on January 10th after suffering through several days of excruciating pain. His condition just spiraled out of nowhere... It was horrific, and honestly, it still feels that way. He left us just eight months after my mom, who fought cancer for twenty days before losing her battle. He was diagnosed with a tumor only three and a half months ago... At least they're together now, though I am beyond heartbroken—actually, I feel completely numb.
That said, I want to be here for you all in this fight. Despite everything, I truly believe winning is possible. We have to try everything; there are just too many success stories out there to ignore. So please, keep pushing and keep fighting. Never, ever give up!

😢 My heart breaks for you.
Mila, I am so incredibly sorry. Life can be brutally, unforgivably cruel sometimes. You are such an incredibly strong person, even if you feel like you're falling apart right now. I really hope you aren't facing this alone and that you have people surrounding you who love you. If you need anything at all, or if you just need someone to listen, please reach out.
Take care of yourself.

Laura Kelly91 said:Hey everyone,
I’ve been away for a bit. Sadly, things have been really rough lately. My dad passed away on January 10th after struggling with terrible pain for a few days. Everything just took a turn for the worse so suddenly... It was awful, and it still feels that way. He left us just eight months after my mom, who fought cancer for twenty days before she lost her battle. He was diagnosed with a tumor three and a half months ago... At least they're together now, even though I'm just feeling completely numb and heartbroken.
Now, I really want to be here to support you all in your fight. Despite everything, I truly believe winning is possible. We have to try everything, especially since there are so many success stories out there. So please, just keep pushing and fighting—never give up!

Sweetie, please accept my deepest condolences. My heart goes out to you because, just like some others here, I lost both of my parents to cancer, and then I ended up facing it myself. Please stay strong, for your own sake. This is so hard, and you won't ever forget what happened. But remember, you did everything you could for them, which was what mattered most... Now, as soon as you can... please try to move forward and focus all that strength on yourself and your own healing.

Anonymous said:I finally got an answer, and apparently, they can't include people who have already undergone surgery or other therapies because they supposedly take a sample during the operation??? That sounds ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!! And Elizabeth Gonzalez55 and Amy Hayes28, were you guys offered this even though you had surgery and treatments beforehand?

No, my dad didn't have surgery because his tumor is positioned in a way that makes surgery impossible, and he hadn't started radiation yet because we were stuck waiting for our turn!
I am truly sorry, but it is entirely possible they only accept patients who haven't been treated yet.😢

Laura Kelly91 said:Hey everyone,
I’ve been gone for a while, and unfortunately, it’s because some truly terrible things have happened. My dad passed away on January 10th, after struggling through several days of agonizing pain. His condition just took a sudden, sharp turn for the worse... it was horrific, and honestly, it still feels that way. He left us only eight months after my mom, who fought a losing battle against cancer for twenty days. He was diagnosed with a tumor just three and a half months ago. At least they’re together now, though I am beyond heartbroken—to be honest, I feel completely numb.
Look, I want you all to know that I am standing right there with you in this fight. Despite everything we’ve been through, I honestly believe that winning is still on the table. We have to exhaust every single option and leave nothing on the field—there are just too many success stories out there to ignore. So, keep pushing, keep fighting, and whatever you do, never, ever throw in the towel!

Take my sincere condolences.😢

My dad is being discharged from the hospital today and sent home.😢
They’re telling us that radiation therapy actually made things worse.
The tumor is just spreading, and on top of that, he’s dealing with burns and diabetes..
There isn't anything they can do anymore; whether he goes home or stays, what does it even matter? What's the point?
This is total bullshit... what are we supposed to do now???
It’s just like that—nothing left to do, he just goes home... takes his insulin and waits!!!
And then what?? Just wait to die or something???

Amy Hayes28 said:My dad is finally getting discharged from the hospital today. He's heading home.😢
Word on the street is that the radiation levels have only gone downhill from here.
The tumor is just spreading, and on top of that, we're dealing with burns and diabetes. It's a mess.
There’s absolutely nothing left for me to do here. Let them go home... just let them pack up and head out. What am I supposed to do? How does it even work? Where do they go from here? It doesn't matter.
Dammit... now what?
It’s as simple as that—there’s really no other way. Just send them home... they can take their insulin and wait it out.
And what? Are we just supposed to sit here and wait for them to die or something?

There just has to be some kind of alternative.😢
I know that feeling all too well. If he had just gone for the immunotherapy, radiation would have remained a last resort. But now? Now we’re playing a completely different game.😢
I’m at a loss for words. I honestly don't know what to tell you.
Is it up and running?

Laura Kelly91 said:My dear friends,
I have been away for a while, and unfortunately, things have taken a very dark turn. My father passed away on January 10th, after enduring several days of unimaginable pain. His condition declined so suddenly... it was devastating, and honestly, it still is. He left us just eight months after my mother, who fought a losing battle against cancer for twenty days. He was diagnosed with a tumor only three and a half months ago... At least they are together now, though I find myself feeling an endless sort of sadness—or perhaps more accurately, a total numbness...
Now, I want to offer you my support in your own battles. Despite everything, I truly believe that victory is possible if one tries every avenue; there are simply too many success stories out there to ignore. So please, keep pushing and keep fighting; one can never afford to give up...

Dear,

Thank you for finding the strength to reach out and offer us words of encouragement during what must be your most difficult moment. I am so deeply sorry that life has been so cruel to you, leaving you without both parents in such a tragically short window of time; I struggle to find the right words to express my condolences. I cannot begin to fathom the weight of the grief you are carrying, but I trust you are brave enough to face this fight just as you said... because, as you noted, it is a fight worth having...

Stay strong! Kiss

Laura Kelly91 said:Hey everyone,
I’ve been away for a while, and unfortunately, things have been pretty grim. My dad passed away on January 10th after struggling with some terrible pain for a few days. Everything just took such a sudden, sharp turn for the worse... it was devastating, and honestly, it still feels that way. He left us just eight months after my mom, who fought cancer for twenty days before she lost her battle. They diagnosed him with a tumor about three and a half months ago... at least they're together now, even though I'm feeling an endless kind of sadness—or maybe more like I've just gone completely numb.
But now, I want to be here to support you all in your fight. Despite everything I've been through, I truly believe that winning this battle is possible; you really have to try everything, especially since there are so many inspiring success stories out there. So please, just keep pushing and keep fighting, because you can never give up.

Please accept my deepest condolences. 🙂

Mike Tyson, I am so incredibly sorry. My heart goes out to you.

Laura Kelly91 said:Hey everyone,
I’ve been gone for a while—things have just been... awful. My dad passed away on January 10th after dealing with some pretty brutal pain for a few days. Everything just went downhill so fast... It was devastating, and honestly, it still feels that way. He left us only eight months after my mom, who fought cancer for about 20 days before she lost her battle. They diagnosed him with a tumor three and a half months ago... At least they're together now, even though I'm just... I don't know, completely numb from the sadness.
But look, I want to be here for you guys and support your fight. Despite everything hitting me at once, I truly believe winning is possible. You have to try everything—there are so many success stories out there. So please, just keep pushing and keep fighting. Don't you dare give up!

Mike !!
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I really hope you find the strength to get through these next few rough days.
Grace Fowler