Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

Angela Wright said:Guys, I really need to reach out because we aren't seeing the level of engagement we hoped for regarding our association membership.😢 We all agreed a long time ago that this organization was necessary, yet now that it actually exists, the response has been pretty quiet. Just keeping the website running is becoming a significant expense, and we haven't even begun to tackle the actual projects we need to launch. For instance, we need to print educational pamphlets about various illnesses and treatment options to distribute at local hospitals and clinics. A few of us enthusiasts are more than happy to volunteer our time to write all those materials ourselves for free, but obviously, we can't print them for nothing. Please don't let everything fall apart right after we've put in all this hard work to get started. Help us help you.🙂 Even if you don't want to officially join, you can still support us by donating whatever you can spare—even just a couple of dollars makes a difference. You can also help by spreading the word or lobbying for the cause wherever you can. Both individuals and businesses are welcome to contribute or join.

We met this past Saturday with a very prominent oncologist who shared some statistics that honestly blew my mind. Among other things, he noted that we are essentially on the brink of an epidemic. Current data suggests that one in three people will deal with certain types of cancer... hello? One in three! If you think about a family of three, statistically, one of them is going to be affected. The new oncology departments recently established in major cities were designed to handle the patient volume we saw fifteen years ago, but today, the demand for capacity has skyrocketed. We have to do everything in our power regarding prevention, education, and eventually providing support when someone gets sick, and doing all of that is incredibly expensive.
Please, everyone, I’m asking you to listen and show a little more enthusiasm. Those of you most affected by this should be the ones feeling this most deeply. There was so much interest when we first mentioned forming this group, but since then, only about six people from this forum have actually signed up.
The ten of us are going to have a very hard time moving forward alone. It’s taking a toll on our personal lives and our jobs, but we don't regret a single second because we know we are doing the right thing.
Please, reach out. We are completely open to any suggestions you might have. This is YOUR association.

You have my full support. I'm signing up right now, and if there is anything I can do to help from here in the Midwest, please let me know and I will do everything in my power. BEST REGARDS

Angela Wright said:Everyone, I feel compelled to mention that we are quite disappointed by the lack of interest in joining our association...😢 We all reached the consensus ages ago that this organization was necessary, yet now that it actually exists, the response has been underwhelming. Simply maintaining the website incurs significant costs, and as for the actual projects that need execution... well, they are stalling. We intend to print informative brochures regarding diseases and treatments to distribute at local hospitals and clinics, and while a handful of us enthusiasts will gladly volunteer our time to write these materials for free, printing them is certainly not a zero-cost endeavor... Please, let us not allow all this hard work to crumble right at the starting line. Help us help you...🙂 . To support us, one does not even need to be an official member; simply donating whatever amount one can spare—even if it is just a few dollars—is sufficient, as is spreading the word or lobbying wherever possible to increase awareness for the association. Even corporations can join as donors...

We met this past Saturday with a very prominent oncologist who provided us with data that was truly hair-raising. Among other things, he noted that we are essentially on the precipice of a cancer epidemic. Current statistics suggest that one out of every three people will face certain forms of cancer... hello... one in three! If you take a family of three, statistically, one of those members will fall ill. The recent expansion of oncology departments in major US hospitals was designed to handle the volume of patients seen fifteen years ago; today, the demand for capacity has surged far beyond those projections. We must work tirelessly on prevention, education, and eventually providing aid when illness strikes, and all of this comes with a staggering price tag...
Please, everyone, show a bit more attention and enthusiasm; those of you most affected by this issue are expected to be the most sensitive to it. There was much more engagement when we first announced our intention to form this group, yet so far, only about six people from the forum have stepped forward...
The ten of us will find it difficult to carry this burden alone. Our private lives and careers are suffering as a result, though we do not regret a single second because we know we are doing the right thing...
Do reach out; we are open to any and all suggestions. This is YOUR association...

I have expressed my support virtually, but I must apologize for not having contributed materially yet; I am currently facing a chronic shortage of time and can barely leave my house given the sheer volume of work I have... But... I will make an effort in the coming days...

Thank you for the reminder!

Thanks for the reminder, Angela Wright. I actually filled out my application last week, but getting to the post office is impossible when I'm stuck at work all day. I’ll get that application sent off ASAP,😉Because this is a huge deal!!

My dad hasn't improved much; he's still in the hospital dealing with some intense vertigo, so he can't even walk. The CT scanner is still out of order, obviously, but they're driving him to New York City today for an MRI. Hopefully we'll have some actual answers after that. I'm pretty scared...

crimsonmason44 said:Thanks for the reminder, Angela Wright. I actually filled out the intake forms last time, but I just haven't had a chance to swing by the post office since I'm stuck at work all day. I'll get those sent over ASAP.😉
Because this is seriously HUGE!!
My dad hasn't improved; he's still in the hospital, and his vertigo is so bad he can't even walk. The CT scanner is broken again, obviously, but they're transporting him to New York City today for an MRI instead. Hopefully, we'll have some actual answers later today. I'm terrified.

Look, try not to spiral before you have the results. An MRI is going to give them a much clearer picture than that CT scan ever could anyway.
Listen, if it turns out to be the absolute worst... just let us know.

Timothy Perez86 said:Hey everyone, I’m checking back in. Honestly, I don't even know what to think anymore. A few days ago, they confirmed my dad had a stroke. That’s why his entire right side is paralyzed, even though he can still grip things pretty hard and move his left hand just fine. But all of this just makes everything more complicated, and I’m feeling lost. He’s already dealt with so many health issues. Because of this stroke, his third surgery is being pushed back, which means there's a real risk of that aneurysm rupturing again. He’s mostly just sleeping, though he is opening his eyes more frequently now. He still hasn't spoken. I’m terrified, and I honestly don't know what to do. I can't help but blame the doctors for everything else that went wrong—they refused to send him for an unknown scan after the first surgery, and even when he complained about having the same intense pain he had before the operation, they didn't listen. Poor guy is just exhausted; they're struggling to even find a vein for his IV... I'm only 15, and I feel like I have no one to turn to or talk to about this. On top of everything, school is driving me crazy because I can't focus at all; I'm just a total wreck. I don't want to dump all this on you guys, but I just needed to vent to someone. Wishing you all good health and strength in whatever you're fighting through.

Oh, honey,😢
Tell me, who else is helping look after your dad besides you? Which hospital is he at?
Look, complications like this can happen with an aneurysm regardless of how skilled the doctors are. So much depends on the condition of the vessel itself and his overall physical state. That’s going to dictate his recovery, too. Recovery from a stroke is definitely possible, but it’s a slow process. Once he stabilizes a bit, he’ll likely head to a rehab center in a place like Colorado for physical therapy.
I really hope your school is being lenient and showing some understanding given everything you're going through.

Megan Perez67 said:I am fully behind you guys. I'm signing up right now, and if there is anything at all I can do to help from out here in the Midwest, just say the word and I'll do everything in my power. BEST REGARDS

Look, you can actually accomplish quite a bit for the Midwest while staying right there in the Midwest.👍 Once you're officially a member, I'll get you connected with some other folks so you can hash things out among yourselves. We need to identify the biggest headaches facing the region so we can take those issues public and try to fix whatever we can.

Hey there, you mess...
Thanks for the smile—though as for that hairy, scruffy face, you're starting to look a bit like Zuckerberg... we're basically in the same boat here. Hang in there and stay strong! 👍

Nancy Thomas18 said:Hey everyone. I see some of you are having great days and others... well, not so much. That's just life—it can be pretty messy and unpredictable. Personally, things are getting a lot less "hairy" over here since I started chemo 🙂, but hey, we manage.
Taylor Swift, I'm pulling for you—I know everything is going to turn out fine because you're an absolute powerhouse. We aren't backing down!

I appreciate everything you all have done up to this point, but unfortunately, my mother passed away early this morning. I wish the rest of you a much happier conclusion

Charles Newman said:I’m so grateful for everything we've shared here, but unfortunately, my mother passed away early this morning. I wish the rest of you nothing but better endings.

I am so sorry... please accept my deepest condolences.

Charles Newman said:I really appreciate everything you guys have done, but unfortunately, my mother passed away early this morning. I wish the rest of you a much happier ending.

Charles, I am so incredibly sorry.😢😢 Dear God, may she rest in peace.

I don't know if you even have the strength to type right now, or if it's even appropriate for me to ask, but if it is, can you tell me how things unfolded after those messages last night? Did you end up calling 911 again? It was honestly so frustrating watching them hesitate to start that IV drip immediately. I couldn't even sleep because I kept obsessing over it.😢

Thanks for the support!
Things didn't really change—whenever my dad asked if she wanted some water, she’d just open her mouth and drink from the syringe.
I couldn't bear to watch anymore, so I went to my girlfriend's place to sleep. She passed away this morning. 😢
Honestly, I don't even know what to say—I'm just numb.

Charles Newman said:Thanks for the support.
Things were stagnant. When my dad asked if she wanted water, she actually opened her mouth and drank from the syringe.
I couldn't bear to watch anymore, so I went to stay with my girlfriend. She passed away this morning.😢
Honestly, I don't know what to say. I'm numb.

Oh, John, I am truly, deeply sorry😢. Look, if we're talking about bile reflux, it would have been nearly impossible to pull her back at that stage anyway, but still—it feels incredibly cold and unprofessional that they didn't administer that IV. It wouldn't have changed the outcome, but it would have made her more comfortable. John, you did everything you possibly could with the knowledge you had. If the medical staff dropped the ball somewhere, that’s on them, not you. Don't let guilt eat at you or carry this burden on your shoulders. We all knew from the start that our loved ones were facing something critical; often, it just boils down to trying, hoping, and clinging to any tiny shred of a chance we can find. Your mom passed away at home, surrounded by people who love her and stayed by her side until the very end, just like mine did. That matters. That’s huge. And please, don't let the fact that you went to be with your girlfriend instead of staying haunt you—I'm certain your mom would have wanted exactly that for you. It's good that you have someone close to lean on. My Gogo meant the world to me during his illness, especially when Mom passed.
Hang in there. If you need anything—advice, a listening ear, or just someone to vent to—reach out. I actually started a new topic in the psychology section when my mom died, so feel free to post there whenever you feel ready. It really helped me through.🙂

Charles Newman said:I want to thank you all so much for everything up to this point, but unfortunately, my mother passed away early this morning. I wish everyone else a much happier ending.

Please accept my sincere condolences.

Angela Wright said:So, for you and anyone else looking to jump on board, if you head over to the association's website at www.zanovidan.hr, there's a link right on the homepage for the PDF application form and our bank account details.
As soon as we get about thirty people together, we’ll arrange a meetup somewhere so we can all actually meet face-to-face and figure out how to divvy up responsibilities based on what everyone is good at. The association really needs to establish local chapters in other cities and towns across the country too, because honestly, the need for this kind of support is even greater in those smaller communities. We’re planning to hit up some media outlets in the next few days, which will probably help boost the response a bit.
Let's go, folks, this is a fight for everyone!👍

@administrators and moderators:
would it be alright if I added the link to the association's website in my signature?

I just paid my membership dues via online banking, and I'll fill out the entry form and mail it off tomorrow.

Regarding the link, I think Polly mentioned it could work as For a New Day where it's just a "click on the link" situation.
I don't know why I'm being such a pain. 🙄

As for everything else, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to write before Friday when I have my checkup. Maybe I'll just end up venting because I'm losing my mind. I look at the people around me—at work and everywhere else—and they seem so deaf and blind, so selfish and fearful, and as long as things stay that way, of course the number of these kinds of horrors is going to keep growing. And others, too. 👎 Everything about it just fills me with resentment.👎

Melissa Kim45, hang in there! 🙂

George, I am so incredibly sorry.

Charles Newman said:Thank you all so much for everything, but unfortunately, my mother passed away early this morning. Wishing the rest of you a much happier ending.

My condolences... you're facing some incredibly hard days ahead...

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU...

Melissa Kim45 said:I just paid my membership fee through online banking, and I’ll fill out and send the application tomorrow.

Regarding the link, I think Polly mentioned it works starting Tomorrow—it’s basically just a "click on the link" situation.
Honestly, I have no idea why I was being such a jerk. 🙄

As for everything else, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to write before Friday's checkup. Maybe I'll just end up venting because I'm losing my mind. Looking at the people around me—at work and in general—it feels like everyone is deaf, blind, selfish, and terrified. As long as things stay this way, there's no doubt the number of horrors like this will keep climbing. And other stuff too. 👎 Everything about this whole situation just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.👎

Look, fine, things aren't great, but this current era definitely makes everything feel even bleaker. What matters is how we carry ourselves and fight back against it all. I've been feeling pretty heavy lately, too.🤮 I can't wait for the sun and spring to actually show up. That's usually when my spite kicks in and helps me function better.
I hope your mom is still holding up well and still "spoiling" you guys.😉

Thanks for the heads-up regarding the mistake. I'm going to go fix that right now.👍

Megan Perez67 said:You have my full support. I'm joining the group, and if there is any way I can help from out here in the Midwest, please let me know. I will do everything in my power. BEST REGARDS

Nano, there is hope. She already had surgery. You know my doctors wouldn't even consider opening her up... but Dada is such a strong, spirited person...
With God's help and all of us who love her, she's going to win this..
Hang in there....🙂

Charles Newman said:Thank you all so much for everything up to this point, but unfortunately, my mother passed away early this morning. I wish the rest of you a much happier conclusion...

I had truly hoped that things would take a turn for the better by morning, but life rarely follows our expectations. It is profoundly difficult to face yet another battle lost. Please accept my deepest condolences, and I hope you find the strength needed for the days ahead. No matter how heavy the grief feels, try to remember that she continues to live on through you...

Hang in there.

Charles Newman said:Thanks for the support, everyone.
Things hadn't changed at all. When my dad asked if she wanted some water, she actually opened her mouth and sipped it from the syringe.
I couldn't bear to watch anymore, so I went to my girlfriend's place to sleep. This morning, she passed away.😢
Honestly, I don't even know what to say. I'm just numb.

My sincerest condolences.😢
🙂