Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

Grace Fowler said:Hey everyone!!
So, I’m back after finishing yet another round of immunotherapy and ECT over in Germany. Everything went better than expected, and my doctor is actually really pleased with how I'm responding..:-)) .On Monday, I’m heading off to London just because I feel like it. These last few months have been pretty rough, and now I’m finally ready to let loose and enjoy myself...
Dear slyseal28, I was truly saddened to hear your latest news regarding the recurrence. I could try to recount every single emotion swirling in my head right now, but based on my own experiences, once that initial shock subsides, an even deeper sense of defiance takes root. You find this extra reservoir of strength to fight this thing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed tightly for you, but I genuinely believe you’ll come out on top once again. To anyone else feeling stuck in the thick of it, I’m sending hugs and a massive surge of positive energy.. Sincerely, Vasa din :-)

Grace, that is wonderful news! Have an amazing trip and soak up every minute!

And you're absolutely right—that defiance is already kicking in, and we're moving forward in this fight against this monster! We're armed and ready, and all three of them are going down!

Thanks to everyone for the support, love you all!🙂

Grace Fowler said:Hey everyone!!
Just checking in after finishing another round of immunotherapy and ECT back in Germany. Everything went better than expected, and my doctor is super happy with how I'm responding... :-)) I'm heading to London this Monday just for fun! These last few months have been pretty rough, so now it's time for me and my little one to go out and celebrate... oyeeee...
Dear fighters, I was so heartbroken to hear the latest news about the relapse. I could let all these emotions swirling in my head take over, but based on what I've been through, once that initial shock wears off, you find this incredible surge of defiance and extra strength to fight this thing. I'm crossing my fingers hard for you, but I truly believe you'll come out on top again. Sending hugs and tons of positive energy to everyone feeling stuck right now... Warmly, your Dina :-)

Dina... you inspire me! How do you manage to shift us all into high gear with just a few words? Bravo, just keep charging ahead!
Have an amazing time with your little one—and your hubby, of course!

🙂I am honestly so thrilled that the treatment went well and that the doctor is pleased with the results.👍

slyseal28 said:Hey Grace Fowler, such amazing news! Hope you have the best time... enjoy every second!

You said it! That stubborn streak is already kicking in, and we're charging right back into the fight against those creeps... We've got everything we need, and all three of them are going down...!

Thanks everyone for all the support, love you guys!...🙂

Way to go, slyseal28... that's how you do it! 😠You guys seriously have no idea who you're dealing with!...
Hey, Pigeon...👍

Sadly, some bad news to share. Linda Peterson37's dad passed away yesterday. He was honestly the bravest man I've ever known...

Karen Fox36 said:Dear Fiza, your post managed to make me laugh and cry all at once.
Things here haven't changed much since day one; my mom is doing relatively well, so I don't have much of an update for you all. We're heading in for an MRI soon, so we'll see what the actual situation looks like then. Wishing everyone lots of luck and strength in the fight. Best regards.

Dear Karen, I'm so glad to hear there's some positive news for a change. I'm really hoping those MRI results come back looking good.
Sending you sooooooo much luck.🙂

Sandra Evans13 said:Dear Fiz, please accept my sincerest and deepest condolences....

Thank you, dear.

My deepest, most sincere condolences. 😢

Grace Fowler said:Hi everyone!!
So, here I am after another round of immunotherapy and ECT from Germany. Everything went better than expected, and my doctor is actually quite pleased with how I'm responding... :-)) . On Monday, I’m heading off to London just for the fun of it. These last few months have been pretty rough, so now it's time for me to finally let loose and enjoy myself...
Dear slyseal28, I was truly saddened to hear your latest news regarding the recurrence. I could try to dwell on all the emotions swirling in my head right now, but based on my own experience, once the initial shock wears off, a certain stubbornness takes over—a renewed strength to fight this damn thing. I'm crossing my fingers for you, but I truly believe you'll come out on top this time too. Sending hugs and plenty of positive energy to everyone feeling stuck right now. Warmly, your Dina :-)

I am honestly so glad to hear everything went well. Have an amazing time in London. My partner and I are getting ready to head to Tenerife on the 28th; I definitely need a proper break after everything that's happened.🙂

My deepest condolences... 😢

Amanda Miller69 said:Give it a shot in Chicago, maybe over at Rib, seeing Dr. Majerović. He runs his clinic on Wednesdays from 12 to 3 PM. He actually performed my mother's surgery—he's an expert abdominal surgeon. Sadly, my mom's procedure was just too much, and after fighting this for two years through all the chemo, she was just too weak to pull through... she passed away on Saturday. I truly believe he might be able to save your mom, though, because he told me back when we first started this battle nearly two years ago that if we'd caught it earlier, we could have saved her. Sending you guys so much luck.🙂

First off, Fiza—I am so, so incredibly sorry for your loss. My heart really goes out to you... losing that fight is devastating, but honestly, looking at how things are playing out with this whole Bingo thing, maybe there’s some kind of sign there somewhere...
Thank you so much for reaching out to help others even while you're going through such a brutal time yourself. You’re a real fighter, just like so many people in this group.
I’m actually heading to see Dr. Majerović this Wednesday with all my test results in hand—thanks so much for the tip! I’ll probably end up waiting around all day if I have to, just to make sure he can squeeze me in.
That’s really the only lead I’ve got right now, so in the meantime, I’ve been scouring the internet trying to find anything useful, but it’s so hard to find actual names or honest opinions about doctors when it comes to this specific stuff. I checked the staff pages at Dubrava Medical Center first since they have a decent reputation, but I have no clue who to ask or if a surgeon would even see me without a formal referral... plus, I hear the surgical waiting lists there are absolutely endless...

🙂

shadowmason6 said:First off, Fiza—my heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry you’re losing this battle, but look, maybe this whole thing with Bingo is trying to tell you something after all...
Thank you for helping others despite what I assume is an incredibly difficult time for you right now. You’re a true fighter, much like many others in this group.
I’m heading to see Dr. Majerović this Wednesday with my test results—thanks so much for the recommendation! I'll be prepared to wait all day if necessary just to get a moment with him.
That was the only lead I had, and in the meantime, I’ve been scouring the internet for any useful info, though it’s surprisingly hard to find specific names or reviews on doctors regarding this particular issue. I initially checked the Mayo Clinic website (it seemed highly reputable), but I’m stuck on who to actually ask for and whether a surgeon would even see me without a formal referral... plus, it looks like their surgical waiting lists are miles long.

Just hang in there. If you can't catch him in the outpatient clinic, try heading over to the third-floor surgical ward in the old wing; you can usually corner him there around 9:00 AM most days.
It’s been exactly one week since my Mommy passed away, and the only thing getting me through is knowing she isn't suffering anymore and that she's back with my Dad. Honestly, I feel like a puppy that’s been kicked out of a car and left on the curb—just abandoned and miserable—even though my boyfriend and my aunt are showering me with affection. Once you lose your parents, you basically become an orphan. I know this feeling will eventually fade, but right now, it’s just heavy.
Today is also Bingo day, so we'll see how that plays out. My left palm has been itching, which is supposed to mean money is coming my way, but knowing my luck... it’s a toss-up.
Good luck, sending a big hug.

Please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of your father...

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

Linda Peterson37, I am just so incredibly sorry about your father.
We’re going to pull through all of this—I truly believe that—and I told Sabi once that nothing in this life would ever break me again. But honestly? Today is just one of those days where everything feels heavy; there's just been too much sad news hitting me all at once...

Amanda Miller69 said:🙂

Just stay persistent. If you can't catch him in the ambulance bay, try heading over to the 3rd floor surgical ward in the old wing; you can usually track him down there around 8:30 or 9:00 every single day.
It’s been exactly one week since my Mommy passed away, and honestly, the only thing keeping me going is knowing she isn't suffering anymore and that she's back with my Dad. I feel like a puppy that was kicked out of the car and left behind—just abandoned and pathetic—even though my boyfriend and my aunt are absolutely showering me with affection. Once you lose a parent, you just feel like an orphan. I know this feeling will eventually fade, but right now, it’s just heavy.
I also played some Bingo today, so we'll see how that goes. My left palm was itching earlier, which is supposedly a sign that money is coming my way, but knowing my luck... it's unlikely, yet...
Good luck, sending a big hug.

Of course, I didn't win a single cent at Bingo. Maybe I should keep playing... I know it's totally irrelevant to the topic, but anything to take my mind off this sadness for a moment.😉

Linda Peterson37, I am so incredibly sorry. 😢
I'm honestly so proud of you. You handled this with the kind of grit and strength that most people just don't possess—it takes a truly brave soul to face something like this. Your dad would be so proud of you. Sending you love; please take care of yourself.🙂

Dear Linda Peterson37, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss....

Lindsay, I am so incredibly sorry for what you're going through.😢
Sending you a massive hug and my deepest, most sincere condolences.🙂

I was wondering if anyone could reach out to me regarding leiomyosarcoma—I’ve been battling this tumor for a while now, and honestly, I feel like I've tried just about every treatment option out there without much luck. If anyone happens to have any insight or even just some shared experience, I would really appreciate the help. Thanks so much.

Amanda Miller69 said:It’s been exactly a week since Mom passed away, and honestly, the only thing keeping me sane is knowing she isn't hurting anymore and that she's finally back with my dad... I just feel like a puppy that someone kicked out of the car and left on the curb, totally abandoned and miserable, even though my boyfriend and my aunt are showering me with so much love right now. When you lose a parent, you basically just become an orphan. I know this feeling will fade eventually, but right now... it's just heavy.

I can only imagine what you're going through... I barely even knew my own dad. He died when I was only four, so my mom was basically my entire world, my whole foundation. Just the thought of facing the reality that I could lose her too—it's brutal.
I really believe it takes time, and having good people around you will help you get through those rough patches. Lean on them for now and just keep being strong!
🙂