Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

Hey, I honestly think our best move is just to tune out Emilli and indigo22 entirely! Angela Wright — you gave them such a stellar response, seriously, you are always our absolute rock!!!! 🙂 Anyway, let’s get back to what really matters... checking in on the health of our loved ones.
Nancy Hernandez43, I’m feeling a little scattered right now and I can't quite remember if you already posted about how Mom's checkup went or if she hasn't had it yet? There are just so many posts flying by that I lose my place sometimes! Maybe it would be a super helpful idea if we all included the specific type of cancer in the thread title? It would save me from having to scroll back through old posts just to figure out what everyone is talking about, since having that quick reminder right there in the subject line would be so much easier. Or am I just being forgetful? 😵

brightgardener8 said:Sorry everyone, I’m going to pivot away from these weekend-only threads for a moment...

Ever since my sister was reading one of Blaise's posts over the phone on Friday night just to give us a laugh, I've been counting down the days until Monday so I could check in here (yeah, yeah, I'm stuck without internet at home because I can't stand AT&T and I'm waiting on a different provider to get to my street).

So, as of Friday, Mom and I are officially roommates.
And even though it was just a move from one neighborhood in Chicago to another, Mom acts like she’s relocated to rural El Paso... or maybe Afghanistan... depending on her mood!
Whenever she watches the news and sees men carrying weapons, she turns to me and asks if there's any "unrest happening around here" too...😲

She stares out the window and complains that she thought being on the 4th floor would give her a better view of the Mississippi River.

I even got a compliment because she thinks the choir and orchestra playing in my living room are wonderful—something she never had back in her day—since some program called "svirac moj" or whatever it was was on TV...🤣

Slowly, we're learning her specific language and her way of making weird associations; sometimes I catch myself having an "aha moment" after a few hours because I finally grasp what she actually meant by some nonsense she just blurted out.

And no matter how heavy or serious things get, my sister and I truly found ourselves laughing out loud with Mom several times this weekend.

I want to say this to anyone who is sick, or whose loved ones are struggling, but still has enough of their wits about them to find joy in these moments—not to diminish anyone's pain, of course. This intersection of physical decline and mental fog is honestly one of the hardest things a person can endure.

On the flip side, with almost all types of cancer, you deal with the physical pain and the crushing awareness of the diagnosis and the grim prognosis; since Mom isn't aware of any of that, I sometimes wonder if it might actually be better this way.🤷

I stumbled upon a great old post by Angela Wright. Thank you again for the advice; it hits the nail right on the head.

We're going through something very similar with Mom. Sometimes we can have a perfectly coherent conversation, but most of the time, she’s living in a world entirely her own. Generally speaking, Mom isn't aware of how serious the situation is... Even though she hasn't been mobile for nine months now, she'll constantly bring up things like what she's cooking for dinner or the gardening chores she needs to do tomorrow... Sometimes she sees people we can't see, or mentions events that never happened. Despite everything, just like before the cancer and the loss of mobility, she's still our same old Mom who worries about us (her kids, her husband, her mother...) much more than she ever worries about herself (we practically have to bribe her to eat a second cookie, which she'd normally refuse just so she could leave it for me...). More often than not, though, we find ourselves laughing along with her, trying to steer her mind away from the negative stuff...

Nancy Hernandez43 said:sad, here's the sad part

...and that's just the one case that actually made the news.
Honestly, I've heard about similar situations way too many times, and I've even personally witnessed people acting like that toward kids.

Jerry Smith11 said:Our little Mo (13 years old) has been at Children's Hospital in El Paso for the last 7 days. It's soft tissue sarcoma near her left hip. We're just waiting on the biopsy results to come back in the next few days...

Please... help us. Once we get those results, what's our move? Should we just trust the doctors and pray to God, or...? I feel like we need a second opinion—but who do we even turn to? Can anyone give us some info?

Right now, some amazing people from the Krijesnica foundation are helping us out. I found Fajterica and her story, which was really eye-opening. Zanovidan.hr has also been a huge help for info on their site, though I can't get onto their forum right now...

This is all so new, so raw, and honestly, it's just too much. As parents, we're in total shock. But we're trying to keep our heads up and realize we have to start fighting. We just know we can't do this alone.

We are endlessly grateful for every word and every bit of help.
Thank you, kind souls.
Mo's parents
email: zaMaluMo@gmail.com

You'll get a ton of information directly from the docs at Children's Hospital. Our daughter actually went through treatment there for Neuroblastoma. I know Neuroblastoma shares certain cell types with some types of sarcoma, but honestly, I don't know much about sarcomas other than they are treatable and that major surgeries for stuff like that often happen at specialized centers abroad.
The oncology department at Children's follows the latest medical protocols used across America and the rest of the world. Thanks to the doctors there, Krijesnica, and a few others, whatever is cutting-edge overseas reaches them pretty quickly.
There are several other parents at Children's dealing with similar situations who have been there for a while. Don't be shy—just go ahead and ask them for guidance or even just to hear about their experience.
Prayer definitely helps. Keep your head up and just keep moving forward. You’ll be in my thoughts and my prayers.

Hello, everyone...
I don't even know where to start; this could easily turn into a novel...
It’s hard to trace the beginning of all this, so I’ll just start with how things feel right now, and the reality of my situation.😢
I'm 23 and living alone with my mother, who has MS. I love her deeply; she’s the only one who truly looks out for me. My father and I are divorced, and frankly, they both prefer fighting over talking—they treat me like a messenger for their insults rather than asking how I am. My sister lives far away and hasn't visited in three years. It's a completely dysfunctional family. I enrolled in college in Chicago, but I had to drop out to come back and care for my mom. There were options here too, but I lost myself somewhere between my ambitions, my desires, and the sheer exhaustion of it all. My life doesn't look like anyone else's, and I don't blame her for that, but I am endlessly depressed, just soul-crushed. I have nobody. No one to open up to. No one in this family actually cares about anyone else. All my father does is tell me that I'm her hostage, and that because of her, I'll never be happy. My sister never asks how I am; she just says she's "thinking of me."
Please, don't tell me how much harder it is for her. I once wrote a long post on MSU about her and how much I admire her strength. I'm not spoiled, nor am I close to it... I do everything a person can possibly do; I fulfill every single duty without fail. Opportunities to study abroad come my way, but I can't take them. We have a large extended family, but there's no point counting on them—they don't call, and they don't care. My grandmother passed away from MS at 58, and my mother is already 56.🙂🙂🙂🙂
Sometimes it feels like dying would be easier than living like this. I can't say anything to her because it’s always about her; she's a difficult, possessive person, and my relationship is suffering immensely because of it. I have no choices left. I don't have the strength to endure these constant spasms, the strength to face the fear, or the strength to keep being the strong one for everyone else.
I spend my nights crying for her, nights terrified for her, and nights weeping while wondering how she's holding up.
I am 100% there for her, always. But I have no one. I just want my family to care, to ask me a question, to tell me things will get better or that I'll find happiness, but I get nothing. Once, when I finally spoke up, my father used it against us, attacking my mother by saying I'd end up with a nervous breakdown and that I was killing her. You cannot imagine her reaction to that... In every moment, I am the one held responsible for everything.
I'm out of strength. Please, help me...

gentlegull55 said:Hey everyone...
I don't even know where to start; I could write a novel here...
So, this is basically how it all began—I’ve already lost track of the details, so I’ll just start with how I feel and what my life looks like right now.😢
I'm 23 and live alone with my mom; she has MS. I love her deeply, and she’s really the only one who ever looks out for me. My dad is in the picture too, but they're divorced, and honestly, it's a mess... they both seem to prefer fighting and using me as a middleman to trade insults, rather than actually asking how I am. Then there's my sister, who lives far away and hasn't come to visit in three years. It's a completely dysfunctional family. I enrolled in college back in Los Angeles, but I had to drop out because I had to move back home to take care of Mom. There are colleges nearby too, and I could have made something work here, but I just got lost in my own dreams, ambitions, and the sheer exhaustion of it all. My life doesn't look like anyone else's, and I don't blame her for that, but I am endlessly depressed and my soul just feels sunken. I have nobody. No one to open up to. Nobody in this family actually gives a damn about anyone else. All my dad does is tell me that I'm Mom's hostage and that I'll never be happy because of her. My sister never asks how I am, she just says "I'm thinking of you."
Please don't tell me how much harder it is for her. I wrote a massive thread on MSU about her and how much I admire her strength. I am not spoiled, not even close... I am everything a caregiver can be; I fulfill every single duty without fail. Opportunities to go study abroad come my way, but I can't take them. We have a large extended family, but I can't rely on them for anything—they don't call, they don't care. And my grandmother died from MS when she was only 58, and Mom is 56 now.🙂🙂 🙂 🙂
I feel like it would be easier to just die than to keep living like this. I can't say anything to Mom because it's always about her; she's an incredibly difficult and possessive person, and my relationship is suffering terribly because of it. I have zero choice in anything. I don't have the strength to deal with these constant spasms anymore, I don't have the strength to live in fear, and I just don't have the strength to keep being "strong" for everyone else.
I cry myself to sleep at night because of her. I spend my nights terrified for her, and then I spend more nights crying while wondering how she feels.
I am 100% there for her, through everything, always. But I have no one. I just want my family to care, to ask me a question, to tell me things will get better or that I'll eventually be happy, but I never hear it. Once, when I finally spoke up, my dad used it against us; he attacked Mom, saying I'd end up with a nervous breakdown and that I was killing her. You can't imagine how she reacted to that... In every single moment, I am the one at fault.
I'm at my breaking point. Please, help me...

Oh honey, I am so incredibly sorry you're going through this, but you don't have any other choice: you have to start looking out for yourself.
You say no one cares, but they should, and you need to make that very clear to them—without holding back. You and your sister share equal responsibility for your mother. The fact that she "thinks of you" or that your dad tells you that you're a "hostage" isn't enough. Your dad is just stating the obvious, and your sister is essentially washing her hands of the whole situation. Lay out your perspective to them: tell them that in all of this, there is no room for you, and that you are sacrificing your entire life when you shouldn't have to—especially since there are options. Believe me, there are ways to handle this, from hiring a professional caregiver to finding a facility where Mom can get the specialized care she needs. I don't know what your financial situation is like, but if your father is truly your father, he should step up for your sake, not just hers. Call your sister out and tell her you expect her to step up. Of course, this doesn't mean you'll be totally "free" from your duties toward your mom, but a fair distribution of the load has to happen.
No matter how much like a dead end this feels right now, it actually isn't. You just need a bit of organization and some solid logistics to get things running smoothly again.
Protect yourself wherever you can and get back to working that fax machine. This situation with your mom could drag on for years, and it would be absolute madness to put your entire future on hold until she passes away. That’s not being sane, and honestly, I don't understand why the people around you don't see that.
Crying about how bad things are won't change anything. Sit down and think realistically about what you can actually control. At the Department of Health, there's a Commission for Palliative Care whose main job is ensuring financial assistance for families caring for terminally ill relatives. Look into that. I doubt it's a massive windfall, but when you're broke, every little bit helps. There are also plenty of volunteer organizations, like Hospice, where volunteers step in for a few hours a week to sit with the patient so you can run errands. That kind of relief is vital. Plus, as a terminally ill patient, she has the right to a home health nurse who can visit daily, provided her primary care doctor recommends it.
I'm certain you'll meet many others in the exact same boat, so try to squeeze every bit of useful advice out of those connections. Join an MS support group; there must be plenty of them out there. Through those groups, you can also ask for specific types of help.
The reality is what it is, but you are going to do everything in your power to change it. So, get moving and fight!😘

Hey everyone,

I feel compelled to bring this critical information out into the open!

There is a natural cure for cancer being suppressed and actively hidden because it simply wouldn't generate any profit for the big players.
Please, take a moment out of your day to look through these links.

On the cover-up of natural cancer treatments:
http://www.galaksija.com/planeta/vitamin_B17.htm

A documentary regarding apricot kernels and apples—which can actually fight cancer. There are about ten different parts to this series.
!!!YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST WATCH THIS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6xR5ilBSo8

A vision of a world without cancer (alternative therapies):
http://www.worldwithoutcancer.org.uk...ictherapy.html

Case studies on those healed by Laetrile and apricot kernels (book):
http://www.realityzone.com/lch.html

More books focused on the topic of cancer recovery:
http://www.realityzone.com/healnut.html

The Jason Val case:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCQWf...eature=related

Best regards to everyone on the forum!
Ann.

It’s a grim situation, all things considered.
I find myself in complete agreement with Angela Wright; you can't just swap out your own life, and you certainly shouldn't spend it indefinitely being a servant to someone else's needs. No one can give you a timeline on how long this misery is going to last, and there’s really no logic in being the only person suffering through this entire ordeal. You have to seek out support, whether that’s from various non-profits that might offer even a shred of assistance or from your own family. I realize how incredibly difficult this is—I know your mother is your whole world and you'd do anything for her—but keep this in mind: if everyone eventually walks away, you're the only one left standing. That’s why you need to try to prioritize yourself; if you can't put yourself first, at least try to move yourself up from the very bottom of the list.
I tend to comfort myself with certain phrases, even when they feel hollow, clinging to the idea that after the worst storm passes, the sun eventually has to break through.

So, dig deep and pull from whatever scrap of strength you have left. Grit your teeth and make some noise. Make it clear to your sister that she isn't just your mother's shadow, and tell your dad straight up that you need help. Something has to give.

🙂Hey there, I’m back. It’s been a while since I’ve posted—life just got busy, and honestly, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. It might sound a little strange, but whenever I come on here and read some of the heavy news, I get hit with this wave of anxiety. My mom just finished her first round of chemo; she’s dealing with some nausea and a certain kind of restless nervousness that seems to rub off on all of us, but overall, she’s holding up pretty well. Seeing her strength really gives me hope that things are going to turn out okay. My heart goes out to everyone else who has lost loved ones recently; I’m sending my sincerest condolences to all of you.
I did have one quick question: I already sent in my application and membership dues, so I was wondering what the next steps are and how I can start helping out? Sending love to everyone!

Hey everyone.
It’s been a while since I checked in here. For a minute there, I actually felt like things were turning around. My dad finally got out of the hospital after two surgeries for stomach cancer, and honestly, I felt like we could finally breathe again. Like maybe the worst was over.
But chemo starts tomorrow. I haven’t been able to think about anything else, and reality is hitting me hard again. We have to fight, but I’m stuck in this loop of doubt. Should we stay put here for his treatment, or should we just pack up and head to Aviano right away? I’m terrified I'll make the wrong call. Are the chemo protocols even the same there? I want the absolute best for him, but our bank account isn't exactly overflowing. We’ll do whatever it takes, but I don't want to blow our entire future on a move that might be unnecessary. I can't afford to mess this up and live with the regret. It's exhausting having to carry this decision alone; my mom has her own long-term health issues, so she's not exactly a reliable sounding board. Dad is leaning entirely on me. He’s staying upbeat and optimistic, but he seems a bit foggy—like he’s only processing the good news and tuning out the rest. I just sit there, watching him, listening to him, soaking up every second of our conversations, while a voice in the back of my head keeps screaming: "I will do everything humanly possible to make sure you're okay."

Carol Sanchez2 said:Hey, I honestly think it’s best if we just tune out emilli and unknown. unknown—that was such a sharp response you gave them, you really are our rock in this group... 🙂 Let's get back to what actually matters... how our loved ones are doing.
Nancy Hernandez43, I'm feeling a bit scattered today, so I can't quite remember if you mentioned whether Mom already had her follow-up appointment or if it's still pending? There are so many threads moving at once that I lose my place sometimes. Perhaps it would be helpful if we all included the specific type of cancer in our thread titles; I find myself scrolling back through old posts quite often just to refresh my memory on the context, whereas having it right there in the subject line would serve as an immediate reminder. Or perhaps I'm just becoming forgetful...😵

First of all, thank you for asking! To be honest, I can no longer keep track of exactly what I’ve posted or when... but Mom did finish her check-up. She doesn't have to see the oncologist again until June, at which point they will likely just run some blood work. No need for a CT scan or an ultrasound, for instance.

She's doing well, pushing forward, getting her life back... she even announced today that she's preparing for her own solo art exhibition ;-)

If anyone had told me twelve months ago exactly what this journey would entail, I wouldn't have believed them... But here we are. Even when things feel terrifying and it seems like there's no way out, it is absolutely worth the fight...
stay strong, keep fighting... kisses

Nancy Hernandez43 said:You might feel like you aren't that tough, but honestly, with a dad like yours—who was clearly your biggest cheerleader through everything—you probably learned how to be resilient without even realizing it.

Now I’m starting to think that, maybe. Exactly. I guess I just never picked it up...

My dad was incredibly overprotective growing up. I realized a while ago that it mostly stemmed from the fact that his own father wasn't really around for him—he missed out on having an active father figure entirely during his childhood. I guess he was just trying too hard to compensate for his own past by constantly stepping in to correct every little mistake, probably thinking he was fixing his own upbringing through me.

He raised me to be completely insulated from reality. Looking back, that sense of security he instilled in me feels incredibly forced and artificial. It was this constant, overwhelming idea that nothing bad could ever happen to me, and that nobody would ever be allowed—or even capable—of touching me.
I just need to give him a call.
It’s always been this way, and I guess it’ll stay that way too.
Looking back, I guess he fed my sense of entitlement a million times over. It wasn't even that he failed to set boundaries; it felt more like he actually wanted me to turn out exactly this way.

It wasn't some primitive or old-school upbringing. I was raised with a pretty modern, democratic mindset. In my family, I always had an actual seat at the table when it came to making decisions. People actually bothered to ask for my input—what I thought, what I wanted, how I felt—and they usually took it seriously. I suppose you could say I’ve been treated that way since I was a kid. bitnaEven my mom—who’s an educator—used to get into arguments with him about it. She’d tell him he was going too far, that he couldn't just be this best friend who fulfills my every whim. She felt I actually needed him to be a parent instead. fatherI guess if I actually need to get this done— authorityFair enough. on He was an authority figure to me, too. A real authority, I guess.
I guess authority—which I’ll probably figure out eventually once I actually get through college—doesn't really stem from fear. It comes from something else entirely.

For instance, I’ve never actually been hit once in my life. Not even close. He basically made it a rule for everyone—my mom, my grandmas, pretty much everybody—that nobody was allowed to discipline me. What kind of... By using physical force. You aren't going to be able to work her like a pack mule. I still remember when he absolutely lost it on my grandma after picking me up for our beach trip. I started bawling the second I saw him, screaming that she’d been hitting me—though, to be fair, she’d only given me a quick swat on the backside a few days prior because I was being stubborn about eating my green beans. He ended up getting into this massive blowout with her, and there I was, just clinging to his pants and enjoying the show.
He ended up taking me out to his place on the lake, where he spent the entire summer trying to teach me how to water ski. I was just a little kid back then—pre-school age, really—and he had me attempting it on full-sized adult skis. I suppose he just liked hearing himself laugh and yell while I struggled. Nice work. While I was falling.

He actually taught me how to ski before I even mastered my multiplication tables. He also managed to pull me out of piano lessons—which I absolutely hated anyway—and signed me up for tennis instead. Then, he’d end up ducking out of his meetings just to catch my practices. He'd just sit there on the bleachers, shouting from the sidelines. Nice job.Whether that beverage hit me square in the face or just missed by a foot or two, I guess it doesn't really matter.
It seems like you might have cut off your message there. I'm not quite sure what you were trying to say, but if you want to finish that thought, I'm all ears. Nice work. He was yelling so convincingly that I actually thought I was winning...

I guess he was just trying to instill some of that self-confidence and security in me—the kind of stuff he clearly lacked growing up. Maybe he was just overcompensating for his own childhood.

I think that once he realized just how much his own upbringing had messed him up, he overcompensated by trying to make sure I wouldn't go through the same thing. He went overboard trying to mold me into some kind of "normal" person... but apparently, a few things still slipped through the cracks. Some of the stuff that was actually supposed to make me resilient enough to handle things... well, it seems I missed out on those parts. his Strength isn't exactly a reliable foundation to build on, I guess.

And so I don't have to feel this way anymore...

So, what now?

----------------------------------------------

I posted this about a week ago... Back then, he was still conscious. I eventually decided it felt a bit selfish to keep dragging these thoughts through this thread—I didn't want to drown everyone else in my own nostalgia when there are people here dealing with much bigger issues.

Now my dad... he’s just sleeping...
That's what they tell me, anyway, since he actually banned me from coming over before the weekend even started.

It's only been a few weeks since I found out that anything was even...
It’s only been two weeks since we had that dinner together..

Just a few weeks... and here we are...
Everything feels completely empty now.

Sorry again to everyone on this thread.
I realize you probably have much better things to do than read my childish little "essays." But I don't. I just feel this need to write down the things I can't seem to say out loud...
And this forum has become a second home to me... so, I guess I'm just overusing it.

Sending my best and a hug to everyone...

cosmicridge5 said:Look, I’m sorry—again—to everyone following this thread.
I realize you all have much better things to do than wade through my childish little "essays." But I don't. Writing is just a necessity for me. It's how I process everything I can't find the words to say out loud...
And since this forum feels like a second home to me... well, I guess I'm just overusing it.

Sending love and hugs to everyone...

Keep writing, honey, just keep writing! No two people are the same, and everyone carries their own heaviest burden. We all have the right to scream about how much our own pain hurts, including you. Nobody has any right to judge you for that, and I'm pretty sure nobody here will.
I won't lie to you and say things will get better, because that would be hypocritical and selfish. All I can say is that, given the circumstances, at least they aren't in pain anymore. I've always found myself desperately clinging to that one tiny shred of comfort.
I'm right here with you.🙂

vividraven12 said:Hey everyone!

I feel this deep, urgent need to bring this vital information out into the light of day!

There is a natural remedy for cancer being kept under wraps—suppressed, even—simply because it wouldn’t generate any profit for the big players.
Please, I beg you, take a moment out of your busy lives to look through these links.

On the cover-up of natural cancer cures:
http://www.galaksija.com/planeta/vitamin_B17.htm

A documentary about apricot kernels, apples... things that actually fight cancer—there are about ten different parts to it.
!!!YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST WATCH THIS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6xR5ilBSo8

A world without cancer (alternative therapies):
http://www.worldwithoutcancer.org.uk...ictherapy.html

Cases healed with Laetrile and apricot pits (book):
http://www.realityzone.com/lch.html

More books on the subject of healing cancer:
http://www.realityzone.com/healnut.html

The Jason Vale case:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCQWf...eature=related

Sending my best to everyone on the forum!
Anna.

Hi there. Even though I don't post here all the time, I am right here with you every single day, reading every single thread. I just wanted to briefly share my own experience regarding Vitamin B17 and highlight what needs to be taken alongside it for it to be truly effective. My mother has been using it since New Year's. It isn't that I'm convinced it's some kind of miracle cure—though I'm hopeful—but since we really have nothing left to lose, I decided we should give this a try.

So, here is the list of everything she is taking:

-30 apricot pits (we get them imported from the United Kingdom)
-Vitamin E, 800 IU
-Vitamin C, 2500 mg
-Zinc, 25 mg
-Multivitamins and minerals (magnesium, calcium, Vit D, etc.)
-Pancreatin enzyme and bromelain
-Pumpkin seeds, due to the Vitamin B15 which is incredibly important
-Plenty of freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices (including apple, pear, grapefruit pits, and more...)
👍

Hey everyone!

I haven't checked in for a while—not really sure why, maybe just because things have been relatively calm on our end lately. But I'm always lurking and reading,😉 and honestly, I'm just so grateful this community exists. It really helps us all keep pushing forward.

Like I mentioned before, my dad is holding up pretty well. He’s eating a ton,😁 he isn't in much pain or anything like that. We're actually in a bit of a lull right now between radiation treatments; he finished his first six rounds, and he’s got another six scheduled for late March. After that, we go back for more full scans. His last lung scans after the twelve chemo sessions looked good—the tumor shrunk down to about 18mm, so his doctor was actually pleased and decided to try and wipe it out with radiation. There aren't any new metastases either, and since they cleared those brain lesions, everything looks clean there too.🙂 👍
Anyway, that's the update from me. Hang in there and stay strong through whatever you're fighting!! Love you guys.

Thanks for all the support. I’ve been getting a ton of DMs from people on this thread, which is honestly really kind of you all. You guys 🙂 are great.

I had a bit of a breakdown last night... I can manage to get through the day, but once everything quiets down in the evening, it just hits me.

My dad is doing a little better today 🙂

Everyone,
our non-profit organization has officially launched a project titled "knowledge against cancer," which encompasses the following initiatives:
-printing educational brochures entitled "support for those with malignant diseases," a 24-page color booklet featuring illustrations that covers the basics of navigating a diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiation, managing side effects, practical self-care tips, and ways to support loved ones;
-distributing the "support for those with malignant diseases" brochure to oncology clinics throughout the USA;
-organizing support groups for those facing malignant diseases, including their families and friends;
-developing and maintaining our website , which serves as a central hub for communication for anyone seeking help, providing specific information regarding various cancers and treatment options available both here in the USA and abroad.

The brochure will include:
-Brief, general overviews of malignant diseases;
-Guidance on handling a diagnosis and the necessary steps to take before treatment begins;
-Details on chemotherapy, its side effects, and practical advice on how to manage them;
-Information on radiation therapy, its side effects, and specific instructions for patients undergoing radiation;
-General advice and emotional support for those battling cancer;
-A directory of non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting those with malignant diseases;
-Contact information for relevant healthcare institutions;

Why am I bringing this up here?

I have always felt that in a vast ocean of technical data—mostly dense medical jargon—there ought to be a few beautiful, warm, and genuinely human thoughts. Just a sentence or two of honest, real substance to ground the reader.

And that is where you come in. We are asking you to join us in making this project a reality. Please share your feelings and reflections here on the forum—whatever you experienced (or are currently experiencing) during the journey: the moment of diagnosis, the days spent in chemo or radiation, hospital stays, or even conversations with your inner circle... anything at all. Of course, caregivers (spouses, partners, friends, children, parents—anyone standing by a patient's side) are more than welcome to contribute their own perspectives on the illness.

Please try to keep your quotes relatively brief so they fit naturally within the layout and flow of the brochure.

To give you an idea, here are a few examples:
"When the oncologist told me it was cancer, everything went black and white; there was just this ringing in my ears. I couldn't see him, and I couldn't hear him."
"I felt like I was losing grip on my own life."
"Maintaining a positive outlook and a resilient spirit is part of the healing process."

We look forward to hearing from you... and thank you. If you don't mind, please post your quotes here

cosmicridge5 said:Thank you all so much for the support—I’ve honestly been flooded with private messages from people on this thread, you guys are seriously wonderful, everyone is just so 🙂)

I totally broke down last night... I can manage to get through the day, but then evening rolls around, everything goes quiet, and that's when it hits me...

Dad is doing a bit better today 🙂

Honey, you are so incredibly strong! Your words really prove that, because you’re seeing everything for what it is—you understand your upbringing, both the good parts and the messy bits, and you're facing the reality of Dad's health head-on. I've been right there in your shoes, feeling like I was living under a glass dome, and once Mom got sick, I suddenly realized just how fragile everything actually is. Mom and Dad are my absolute rock in this life, and the thought that one day they won't be here...
The fact that you can step back and see the big picture like this just shows how much grit you have!!! Better days are coming, I promise, but until then, I am sending you so much strength. You aren't alone in this, not by a long shot!🙂

Hey everyone.
Unfortunately, my family is dealing with a serious illness too, which is why I'm here. Reading your posts helps me feel less alone in this 😢
A month ago, my dad had surgery for colon cancer. They removed about a foot of his colon and successfully reconnected everything. His AT&T scans looked fine before the operation, but his markers spiked afterward. We just got a new scan back, and unfortunately, it shows two metastases in his liver. He started chemo immediately.
From what I understand, chemo can shrink liver metastases, but it won't make them disappear—they can only be surgically removed if they're small enough.
Has anyone dealt with something similar? Any advice or even just a word? I’m trying to process this massive weight of sadness. I know we're looking at Stage IV and the prognosis isn't great, but I'd love to hear any success stories that might give me some hope.

Regarding the chemo, does it make sense to take supplements to boost his immune system? This all happened so fast that I'm still scrambling to learn the ropes. I've even heard people mention fungal treatments—anyone have experience with that?

I really appreciate any help or advice you can offer.

I’ve been scouring forums and websites for days now, just desperately looking for some kind of silver lining regarding astrocytomas. I'm specifically hunting for personal stories from people who actually beat it, or at least figured out how to live a decent life after a diagnosis. But honestly? I'm finding nothing. Here's the situation: a family member is battling a Grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma—it's a recurrence of a Grade 2 that was partially resected and treated with Gamma Knife about three years ago. This recurrence is inoperable. The doctors suggested whole-brain radiation plus Temodal, but they aren't being optimistic at all. In fact, since Medicare doesn't cover Temodal for this specific grade, the doctor literally told us we're just throwing money down the drain because the treatment won't work anyway 😲😲 I mean, WTF? Are we just supposed to throw our hands up and wait for the worst to happen?! Obviously, we aren't just giving up—money isn't our biggest worry here—but we are desperate to hear from someone who has walked this path and is still with us. If anyone on this forum knows someone we could reach out to—someone willing to share a positive experience and give us even a shred of hope regarding this specific type of tumor—we would be incredibly grateful. Feel free to shoot me a DM; any info at all is a lifeline right now!

🙏🙏