Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

Elizabeth Gonzalez55 said:Hey everyone,

I’m just checking in today to share where my head and heart are at right now.

I’ve been following this American melanoma forum for quite a while now, and every single day there are people popping up who have fought their way through—survivors who have lived 5, 7, 10, 16, 28, or even 35 years since receiving the most terrifying diagnoses imaginable. If I didn't read all these stories, all these life journeys, I might actually think everything was lost, that hope had run dry.

In a way that feels almost masochistic, I’m actually glad we were hit with melanoma specifically—this type of cancer that can't just be wiped out by chemo or radiation, but requires pure faith and grit to face.

So, to everyone reading this: believe, hope, and for heaven's sake, do not give up. Don't let those people in white coats shut you down when they tell you it's over; they don't know the half of it. When I first joined this forum, Angela Wright told me something repeatedly that remains absolutely true to this day: no matter what happens, do not be afraid. Fear only feeds the beast; it gives it strength. No matter how brutal things get, these are precious moments where we can fully show up for our loved ones and pour all that positive energy into them.

So, my fellow fighters, keep your heads up and push forward. I am convinced that one day soon, a cure will be found, and we will be remembered as the pioneers of a new era in human history. Until then, we have plenty of work to do—I don't know about you, but I've already got my application and paperwork ready, along with the will and intention to get involved with the New Day Association. I hope to see us all meeting up there very soon! :-)

🙏Queen !!!
Thank you so much for this!
Today, slyseal28 was on Catholic Radio (she was incredibly engaging but also pretty intense, talking just like a seasoned politician😍—she's formidable, you guys really need to meet her). We also have an article posted publicly on the portal online, and next week we’ll be on NBC. Things are finally starting to pick up momentum for us. We’re working on connecting with other associations and foundations and expanding into other states. We have meetings scheduled for tomorrow and next week... everything is moving so fast and so positively. We’re even hoping to secure some local office space from the city, which would make organizing our meetups so much easier. I am honestly so thrilled about all of this.👍
We’ll be calling a meetup very soon.

Angela Wright said:🙏Queen !!!
Thank you so much for this!
Today, slyseal28 spoke on Catholic Radio (she was absolutely fascinating and quite formidable, carrying herself with the poise of a seasoned politician😍, truly intimidating—you all really need to meet her). We also have a feature on the public portal openly, and next week we’ll be on NBC; things are certainly picking up momentum for us. We are working on connecting with other associations and foundations to expand our reach into other states. We have several meetings scheduled for tomorrow and next week... everything is moving along quite rapidly and positively. We are even hoping to secure some municipal space from the city, which would make organizing gatherings much easier. I am genuinely thrilled about all of this👍
We will be calling a meeting very soon.

Wonderful! Simply wonderful! >>And so the wheels are turning<< might be the phrase to use!!!! I am still buried under my university coursework, but I promise to get more involved starting Sunday or Monday, and I will finally submit my application! Please forgive me for being a bit slow to respond, but please know I am thinking of you all and you have my full support! It is especially meaningful because when my mother was going through her darkest moments, the Gea Association in San Francisco helped her face everything and realize she wasn't alone in fighting this grueling illness!

Kisses and... I know you will succeed in everything you set out to do!

Elizabeth Gonzalez55 said:Hey everyone,

Just dropping in to share what’s been on my mind today...

I've been spending a lot of time reading through American forums for melanoma survivors. Every single day, you see people who fought through it all—people living 5, 7, 10, even 35 years after those terrifying diagnoses. If you read all those life stories, you might start to feel like everything is lost and hope is gone...

In a weird, almost masochistic way, I’m actually glad we were hit with melanoma specifically. It’s this type of cancer where chemo and radiation aren't the answer, so you really have to rely on faith and pure hope...

So to everyone reading this—please, believe, keep hoping, and don't you dare give up. Don't let people in white coats tell you it's over, because they honestly can't know for sure. When I first joined this forum, Angela Wright told me something so many times that it stuck with me as the absolute truth: no matter what happens, don't be afraid. Fear just feeds the beast and gives it strength. No matter how hard things get, these moments are precious... they're times when we can fully commit to our loved ones and pour all that positive energy into them.

So, my fellow fighters, keep your heads up and stay brave. I truly believe that one day soon, a cure will be found, and we’ll be the pioneers of a whole new era in medical history. Until then, we've got work to do! I don't know about you, but my application and check are already ready to go. I'm so determined to get involved with the New Day Association, and I hope to see you all there soon! :-)

That’s the spirit! Love that mindset!

I actually follow some American forums for ovarian cancer too, and I draw so much strength from all the success stories. It keeps me updated on everything happening globally while I wait for that big headline... the day they announce a cure for carcinoma!
I truly believe it's coming soon, and until then, we just have to hang in there and fight with everything we've got for every single new day (UNKNOWN, right?)
I actually mailed off my application and check yesterday!

By the way, for anyone who still wants to join us but hasn't signed up yet, you don't have to deal with the hassle of mailing in paperwork anymore. You can just handle everything online by filling out the digital form at the exact same link where that old PDF used to be.👍

My dear friends,

I haven't been posting here as often as I’d like because things have been incredibly busy with the New Day Association and the website, but please know I am reading everything you all write. I wanted to update you that the Association is working at full throttle. We are actively recruiting members and designing brochures and pamphlets that will cover the essentials: basic info on malignant diseases, various treatment options, and even socio-psychological advice on navigating life while dealing with cancer.
We’ve actually just welcomed a prominent professor from the University of Chicago School of Economics into our ranks; she’s been fighting breast cancer for six years now. She has spoken out several times about the hurdles patients face and has expressed deep frustration with the state of oncology here in America. You might have even seen her in the news.
I also want to share that we are reaching out to public figures who have recognized our determination, our grit, and our sheer willpower.
Furthermore, we have been invited to testify before the US Congress, where we intend to voice the most critical issues facing patients. In doing so, we will make sure to address problems that affect everyone battling malignancy—we aren't going to limit ourselves to just one specific diagnosis. Our stance is simple: whether it's carcinoma, sarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, or brain tumors, everyone faces similar struggles. If we want to fix this, we have to stand together. We need to raise our voices as one unified front so we can finally be heard. This won't change unless we insist upon it...
Regarding support, we certainly need it—everything from financial assistance to educational materials regarding illnesses, treatments, and side effects. We truly need you.

To everyone who has joined us so far: thank you so much. Within the next 15 days or so, you’ll receive your membership cards sent directly to your homes. Also, sometime this month, we’ll be organizing an in-person meetup at a garden in Washington, D.C., where we can meet face-to-face and discuss both the challenges and the solutions. For those who can't make it, we will arrange an online gathering instead.
That’s all for now.

Warm regards to all the fighters, the members, and even those who haven't joined yet—please keep writing and sharing information, because a single piece of info might be exactly what someone else needs to survive.

slyseal28 said:My dear friends,

I haven't been posting here as frequently lately due to an increased workload regarding the Association and our website, though I do follow your updates religiously. I wanted to share that the Association is operating at full capacity; we are recruiting members and designing brochures and flyers that will cover essential information about malignant diseases, therapeutic options, and socio-psychological guidance for living with such conditions...
We have even welcomed a prominent professor from the University of Chicago School of Economics as a member, someone who has been fighting breast cancer for six years. She has spoken out multiple times regarding the obstacles patients face and has expressed profound dissatisfaction with the state of oncology in America. She has appeared in the media on several occasions.
Furthermore, I want you to know that we are bringing together public figures who have recognized our determination, persistence, and strength.
We have also been invited to the US Congress, where we intend to present several of the most pressing issues faced by patients. In doing so, we will ensure we address problems common to all those battling malignancy, rather than limiting ourselves to a single diagnosis. Our position is that cancer patients encounter similar hurdles, and if we truly wish to resolve them, we must unite. Whether it is carcinoma, sarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, or brain tumors—we will raise our voices together so that we might finally be heard. These problems simply won't be solved unless we insist upon them...
Regarding support, it is certainly necessary, ranging from financial assistance to printed educational materials concerning diseases, treatment modalities, and side effects. We need you.

To everyone who has joined us thus far, thank you so much. Within the next fifteen days, you should receive your membership cards at your home addresses, and later this month, we plan to organize a gathering in Washington, D.C., where we can meet in person and discuss both the challenges and their potential solutions. For those unable to attend, we will arrange an online meeting.
That is all for now.

Warm regards to all the fighters, the members, and those just observing—please continue to write and share information, as a single piece of knowledge can be life-changing for someone.

Bravo! I am certain that all of this will resonate deeply, not merely because of the influence of public figures, but because of the sheer volume of the collective voice!
kisses

My mom passed away this morning at 10:05, just three and a half months after her diagnosis... Even though I know I'm going to miss her terribly and will probably see her in my dreams far too often, there's a part of me that feels relieved. She's finally at peace now—no more pain, and she doesn't have to struggle just to take a sip of water anymore...
The hardest moment so far was watching them carry her out in her casket, but I know the absolute worst is still ahead of me when we lay her to rest. I've been leaning on painkillers all day just to get through, but I'm hanging in there somehow... Anyway, sending my best to everyone and wishing you all nothing but the best..

Anonymous said:My mom passed away this morning at 10:05, just three and a half months after her diagnosis...

I am so deeply sorry. Sending you strength and wishing you peace during this time.

Anonymous said:My mother passed away this morning at 10:05, just three and a half months after her diagnosis... While I know I’m going to miss her terribly—and I suspect she’ll be visiting my dreams quite often—there is a certain sense of relief in knowing she is finally at peace. No more pain, no more struggling just to take a sip of water...
The hardest moment so far was watching them carry her out in the casket, but I know the truly devastating part is still ahead when we lay her to rest. I've been leaning on medication all day just to get through, but I'm hanging in there somehow... Anyway, sending my best wishes to everyone else..

My deepest condolences. I am so incredibly sorry... We are standing right here with you.

Anonymous said:At 10:05 this morning, my mother passed away... it’s only been three and a half months since her diagnosis. While she is going to be missed terribly—and I suspect I will see her in my dreams far more often than I might expect—there is a certain sense of relief in knowing she is finally at peace, free from the pain and no longer struggling just to take a sip of water...
The hardest moment so far was watching them carry her out in the casket, though I know the true weight of it is still ahead when we lay her to rest; I've been leaning on medication all day just to stay upright, but I am managing somehow... Anyway, sending my best wishes to everyone...

The days ahead are going to be incredibly grueling, but you have always been resilient—you will find a way through this. My deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. She will continue to walk beside you through life, perhaps even through your dreams...

kisses

The One, my deepest condolences!

Hey man, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss,😢
I really hope you find some strength to get through these next few days. Hang in there, and please reach out whenever things feel too heavy... Like you said, she’s found her peace somewhere beautiful now, and she’ll live on forever through the love you have for her..

The One😢
I’m so sorry. Honestly, I am incredibly proud of how you’ve managed to push through all of this. These upcoming days are going to flash by in a heartbeat.
I know that doesn't mean much right now, but you're going to pull through, and things will get better. Your mom is always going to be right there by your side, watching over you.
Hang in there, and reach out if you ever need to talk.

The One!, please accept my sincerest condolences.

Thanks, everyone 🙂 It’s honestly such a shock how fast everything moved. Just this past summer, she was practically healthy—I mean, she already had it inside her, but there were no symptoms, and now, suddenly, she’s just gone... Last night, I even had that feeling twice where I thought she was calling out to me...
I can't even bring myself to cry anymore. I just feel this heavy, gnawing ache and a hollow emptiness deep inside, and I can't stop seeing my mom in my mind. I never even got the chance to properly say goodbye, and now I’m haunted by the memory of yesterday morning. Before I headed off to work, I reached out to touch her cheek with my cold hands, and she just jolted and started coughing, even though she had been so peaceful right before that. 😢 These are hands down the worst days of my life. There is so much more I want to tell her, to hold her tight one more time, to kiss her, to just talk to her... I feel like I'm in a trance; I just can't wrap my head around the fact that she isn't here...

Anonymous said:Thanks, everyone. 🙂 It hit me like a freight train how fast everything moved. Just last summer, she was practically healthy—I mean, she had it inside her then too, but there were no symptoms. Now, she’s just gone... Last night, twice, I actually felt like she was calling out to me...
I can't even bring myself to cry anymore. There's just this dull, creeping ache and a massive void inside me, and I can't stop seeing my mom in my mind. I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye, and now I feel terrible because yesterday morning, right before heading to work, I touched her cheek with a cold hand, and she jolted and started coughing when she had been so peaceful just moments before. 😢 These are hands down the worst days of my life. There is so much more I want to tell her, one more tight hug, one more kiss, just one more conversation... I'm living in a trance; I just can't wrap my head around the fact that she isn't here...

That numbness you're feeling is actually just a defense mechanism. It's how the body and soul react to trauma. You did forgive her properly. You were by her side until the very end; she wasn't alone, she was loved, and she passed away in the warmth of her own home. Is there any better way to go than at home surrounded by family? You will always feel that urge to tell her things, to hug her, to be near her, and everything will always feel surreal because of how she left and the fact that she's gone... I talk to my mom constantly about where I am and what I'm doing. At 6 PM, I'll have "our" coffee, and then I just talk to her in my head, pray for her, or ask her for inspiration to solve some problem I'm facing... she's still here. Sometimes I feel her so strongly it feels like I could almost reach out and touch her.

The One—honestly, my heart just goes out to you. I truly feel for everyone dealing with a loss like this, because if I'm being real, I know it's my turn one day too...

Anonymous said:Thanks everyone 🙂 It just completely blindsided me how fast everything moved. Last summer she was almost still healthy—even if she already had it inside her, there were no symptoms, and now... she’s just gone. Last night, I actually felt like she was calling out to me twice...
I can't even cry anymore, I just feel this hollow, sneaky ache and a massive emptiness inside, and my mom is constantly in my mind. I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye, and now I feel so guilty because yesterday morning, right before heading to work, I touched her cheek with my cold hand and she jolted and started coughing, even though she had been peaceful before that 😢 These are hands down the worst days of my life. There's so much more I want to tell her, one more tight hug, one more kiss, just to talk to her... I'm in a trance, I just can't wrap my head around the fact that she isn't here...

I am so sorry, please accept my deepest condolences!
Everything happened so incredibly fast that it’s honestly hard to process that she’s gone.
But, she’s still here! Now she’s an angel watching over you always, and I really don't want to see you hurting like this. Try to look at it that way... And please, never blame yourself for touching her with a cold hand or for her coughing and being restless. Honey, that’s just how it was meant to be, and it would have happened regardless of your touch. But with that touch... you said goodbye, and she let you know she felt it!

Hey everyone, I honestly don't even know who else to turn to, so I just stumbled onto this forum while surfing the web last night!
My best friend's mom was diagnosed with a malignant ASTROCITOMA—it's a star-shaped brain tumor—about 7 months ago. It was 4.9cm, so they went in to remove it, but it looks like they didn't get all of it... She was in really bad shape after the surgery, couldn't even move without a physical therapist helping her out, but she actually recovered! But then, about a week ago—7 months since the surgery—an MRI showed the tumor came back and spread. Now it's 5cm!!!
I've been reading up on Dr. Arsenic and Paladin over in Washington, D.C., and also about that alternative practitioner from Mexico you guys were mentioning... How do I even get in touch with them? And if you have ANY experience at all regarding what to do or what kind of alternative medicine you use, PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!

To the guy whose mom passed away—please accept my deepest condolences. Just remember that death is only the beginning. Hang in there.....

Anonymous said:My mother passed away this morning at 10:05, just three and a half months after her diagnosis... While the void she leaves behind is immense and I know she will haunt my dreams—perhaps too often—there is a certain sense of relief in knowing she is finally at peace. The agony has ceased; she is no longer struggling for even a single sip of water...
The hardest moment thus far was watching them carry her out in her casket, but I fear the true breaking point is still ahead when we lay her to rest. I’ve been leaning heavily on medication all day just to stay upright, but I am managing somehow... Anyway, my best wishes to everyone here..

My deepest condolences,
believe me, better days will eventually arrive... one day... just grit your teeth and push through... you've already learned how to do that once before..