Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

slymoose4 said:Just so you know—Dr. Johanna Budwig's book, *Cancer: Problem and Solution* (translated from German and English), is actually in print. You can find more details here:
http://www.johanna-budwig.de/_litera...ie_loesung.htm
http://www.nexus-book.com/html/the_book1.html

Forum members get a 20% discount.

Best regards,

Is that available in any bookstore in the city? I'd start reading right this second... after all, who knows what tomorrow brings?🙂

Angela Wright said:Oh my, how awful😠

Just ignore them—there’s nothing but noise and empty talk here. You mentioned he's recovering well... isn't that what truly matters?! As far as I know about medical terminology—and please excuse me if I'm off—the "terminal phase" for any cancer is usually declared the moment metastases are diagnosed. Yet, we have seen people in that exact stage fight their way back—look at cases like ruggednomad182, for instance. Don't let yourself spiral into worry; your dad's condition remains the same as it was yesterday or the day before, and all this chatter they're spewing won't change a single thing about his reality. Let it go—you simply cannot afford that kind of negative energy right now.

And what about the absolute fact that in America, brain tumor patients are basically lied to straight to their faces? They're told their recurrences can't be treated with Temodal—which is standard practice everywhere else—simply because the tumor doesn't respond to Temodal during a relapse. And why? Just because Medicare won't foot the bill since Glioblastoma is deemed incurable. Who cares if a person could gain even a little more precious time here on Earth with their loved ones?
This country is a total circus.👎

What infuriates me most is this attitude—this playing the victim...
Oh, so I'm supposed to have, what, some "strong connection" to fix this?!?!?!
How devastating must it be for those who have absolutely no one....😠 😲
I can barely even type out everything I'm thinking without feeling like I should just march over there and start firing away at everyone.😠

Linda Campbell your father passed away from lung cancer—if remembering that isn't too painful right now—I would ask you to tell me where he was diagnosed and how long he lived with it?
Believe me, it still hurts deeply, and I suspect it will continue to ache as long as I draw breath. But thank God, I live off the beautiful memories of him, and that is what sustains me. If there is any way I can be of help here, I am at your service. My father’s lung cancer was discovered in March, and he passed away in November. It was some kind of "small cell... something," and by then, it had already spread to the lymph nodes. He started chemotherapy at the Cancer Institute, which he actually tolerated quite well; the cancer shrank by about 40%, and they even suggested surgery, though he declined. Following that, he underwent radiation, which essentially destroyed him. Since he chose not to have the operation—and we didn't push him, as it was his own personal decision—we took matters into our own hands and purchased a specific chemotherapy called Taxol, which wasn't on the standard list at the time, because we had heard it was highly effective and might extend his life for a while. In the interim, while we were waiting for his blood counts to stabilize so he could begin treatment, it metastasized to his brain. He fell into a coma and passed away. Thank God he didn't suffer for long. However, I must admit, what disappointed me most in this entire ordeal was that my father was terrified of everything; he simply gave up. He didn't fight at all. Today, I feel fortunate that there are so many options available for mitigating the side effects of chemo and radiation, as well as for boosting the immune system—options that simply didn't exist back then. But I truly believe the will to live is paramount. I know a cousin of mine whose sister had half a lung removed due to carcinoma ten years ago, and she is still here today, working like a woman possessed. [/RIGHT]

Linda Campbell said:Linda xyotac passed away from lung cancer; if it isn't too painful to revisit right now, I’d really appreciate it if you could tell me where he was diagnosed and how long he lived after that.

Believe me, it still hurts like hell, and honestly, it probably will as long as I'm breathing. But thank God, I live off the beautiful memories of him, and that’s what keeps me going. If there is any way I can help, I'm here. My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in March, and he passed away in November. It was some kind of "non-small cell... something," and it had already spread to his lymph nodes. He started chemotherapy at the Cancer Institute, which he actually tolerated quite well, and the cancer shrank by about 40%, so they suggested surgery. He refused. After that, he went through radiation, and that absolutely destroyed him. Since he wouldn't do the surgery—and we didn't push him, it was his call—we ended up buying some special chemo called Taxol on our own (it wasn't on the standard list back then) because we heard it worked wonders and might buy him some more time. While we were waiting for his blood counts to stabilize so he could start it, the cancer metastasized to his brain. He fell into a coma and passed away. Thank God he didn't suffer for long. But I have to admit, what crushed me during this whole ordeal was seeing my dad so terrified; he just gave up. He didn't fight at all. Looking back, I'm just glad there are so many options now for managing side effects from chemo and radiation, as well as immune support—back then, we didn't have nearly as much. But I truly believe the will to live is everything. I know a cousin of mine has a sister who had half a lung removed due to cancer ten years ago, and she's still going strong today, working like a woman possessed.

It’s such a shame he didn't go for the surgery.😢
Look, in my opinion, your father wasn't actually to blame for being afraid. His reaction was completely natural, normal, and expected. Very few people actually possess that sheer defiance and strength required to face something like this head-on without flinching. I truly believe cancer mortality rates would drop significantly if we actually addressed the human psyche. Your father needed a specialist who could sit down with him and guide his mindset toward the right path. Those kinds of therapists usually come as part of the package when you get the diagnosis paperwork. Your dad was essentially a victim of a broken American healthcare system that lacks any sensitivity to these subtle psychological struggles.
Now, you have the chance to join us in building the website that Charles Edwards8 started. It’s going to be a resource containing information on therapists who specifically work with people who have the same profile as your father. Through your own experience, you have a real opportunity to help someone else's dad facing the exact same struggle.👍

Of course I want to be part of this conversation. Unfortunately, I’ve gained quite a bit of experience in this area, and I'm only 34. My father passed away from lung cancer, and my mother is currently battling stomach cancer. Back when my father first fell ill, we didn't have the internet, modern immunomodulators, or any of the resources we have now. And doctors? Well, I've learned that they are often just doctors—meaning their first instinct is usually to deliver the worst news possible. They tend to corner you in hallways or passing by, listing every conceivable complication that might occur. When you hear that kind of prognosis, you naturally go into survival mode and dig in. But the truth is, no two cancers are identical, and no two people face them the same way. Everyone, please, stay strong, keep fighting, and keep your loved ones in your prayers. Tuesday is the feast of St. Anthony! I attended Mass today, and it provided such a profound sense of peace and calm.

My father passed away from lung cancer, and honestly, I feel like it was a medical failure. They caught it when it was just a tiny speck, but because it happened during the holidays, he was bounced from one doctor to another, and by the time he actually started treatment in the ninth month, it was already too late. Where’s the justice in that? He still fought for another year and a half after that, though. I've never seen anyone with such an incredible will to live, and I wanted so badly to stay alive right alongside him—he was all I had. I couldn't even allow myself to be weak in front of him, not for a second. Looking back, I think that in those moments, we as family members aren't the priority; it's all about the ones fighting the disease. If you put yourself in their shoes, knowing something is growing inside you and literally eating you alive... it's heavy. I hated that cancer like it was a living, breathing thing with its own mind, always staying one step ahead of us, like it knew exactly where to strike.

It’s been a minute since I’ve been around here, but first off, I really want to send my sincere condolences to Brenda Richardson33.

Just gonna briefly touch on what northernfox9 said.
Your username pretty much says it all, so regardless of the messy, undefined stages you're going through right now—believe me, I've been there myself when I couldn't even wrap my head around my own feelings.
I’ve written quite a bit about how doctors deliver news. They often jump straight to giving these shocking prognoses based purely on statistics, yet on the flip side, they tend to gloss over crucial details regarding the disease itself, treatment options, diagnostic steps, and so on.
It’s only human to fight in every way possible to find connections—strong or weak, it doesn't even matter—but that’s exactly where the trap lies. My wife, Mary, is actually heading in for another round of chemo tomorrow under a brutal protocol (it's a combo of two of the least selective cytostatics out there today), and since we both work in healthcare, we kind of have this automatic reflex to hunt for "connections." We do, but we try our best not to pull that thread too hard because we know that if we start asking verbally, we’ll just get flooded with a mountain of useless, counterproductive info.
Angela Wright put it perfectly when she mentioned how, in cases like this, information often gets passed around through hearsay.
My advice? Primarily, you should monitor your dad's health yourself while maintaining regular, direct conversations exclusively with his oncologist.
To give you an idea, a neighbor came to me over ten years ago with her results, asking me to "take a look." If I had actually taken it upon myself to predict what was written there, that poor woman would have barely survived a month based on those papers.
When someone mentions "stage four" cancer, you absolutely have every right to demand a real explanation.

As far as I know, the concept of a "terminal stage" for illnesses, including cancer, isn't even clearly defined here in America (I'm not sure if hospices in the US have a strictly defined term for it), but within this group—aside from the fact that I deal with it personally at work
—under certain laws in various states, a general practitioner can issue a certification
stating that a patient has about six months left to live. Now, that’s a massive topic that deserves its own deep dive, but it's such a multidisciplinary issue that it doesn't make sense to stretch it out too much on this specific subforum. Personally, I don't support that kind of thing, and luckily, it's not really feasible here, so the term "terminal stage" mostly stays within the walls of medical institutions—even if not everyone in there is totally clear on what it actually means.

I really have to weigh in on what slymoose4 said.😠

Seriously, using an entire thread just for free marketing? I think that’s not only against the rules but honestly just kind of tacky.
It’s pretty sad to see you pitching your business, your buddies, or whoever else this way. There are much better, more decent ways to go about it. It's simple: pay up and you get the promo. Honestly, I don't think anyone was actually impressed by a 20% discount. Anyone who actually knows anything about the book's subject matter—and I've shared my own take on it somewhere—isn't going to fall for such cheap and unprofessional marketing stunts.

Hey everyone, I just wanted to hop on here and let you know I’m rooting for you all in this brutal fight. I know what it’s like to deal with this kind of heavy stuff, even if my situation looks a little different from yours. My dad has been battling a severe, incurable illness for 16 years now—it’s left him completely disabled—and he barely managed to pull through last summer by the skin of his teeth. It’s just one year after another like that. Hang in there, stay strong!

My dear friends,

Thank you all so much for the supportive posts. I just wanted to say that my father was a true warrior; he fought a grueling illness for ten years and never once gave up. I will always remember him for his courage, his grit, and his sheer will to live. Unfortunately, the tumor was simply stronger than his resolve, and he lost his final battle. His funeral was beautiful and filled with the kind of dignity he deserved—so much so that I actually felt his presence there, as if he’ll be watching over us from now on, our guardian angel making sure no harm comes to us. I know he is still with us, and because of that, I don't fear anything. The pain is here and will likely remain for a long time, but I know it's better this way; he doesn't have to endure that horrific suffering anymore. It's a heavy thing, being fully aware of everything while being so incredibly ill...

Brenda Richardson33 said:My dear friends,

I want to thank you all so much for the supportive posts. I just really wanted to say that my dad was a true warrior; he fought a brutal illness for ten years and never once threw in the towel. I’ll always remember him for that sheer bravery, that relentless fight, and his absolute hunger for life. Sadly, the tumor was simply stronger than his will and his struggle... he lost his final battle. His funeral was beautiful and filled with the kind of dignity he truly deserved. It was so moving that I actually felt like he was right there with us—like he’s our guardian angel now, watching over us and making sure no one can cause us any harm. I know he’s present, and because of that, I’m not afraid of anything. The pain is here, and it’ll probably stay for a very long time, but I know deep down it’s better this way; he doesn't have to endure that horrific suffering anymore. There is a specific kind of cruelty in being fully aware of everything around you while being so incredibly sick.

😘 🙂
Try to get some rest. Honestly, it would be good if you could just get away somewhere for a bit—somewhere to clear your head and just decompress. As much as death is a massive shock and pure agony, I’m sure there’s a sense of relief in there too, knowing that the struggle is finally over.

My mother is heading home this Friday, coming straight to my place so I can look after her. She’s had half her abdomen surgically addressed—specifically her stomach, gallbladder, and spleen. When I spoke with the doctor, he essentially gave me the bare minimum, summarizing the procedure by saying they only removed a portion of the stomach. He basically told me he was giving her only as much information as she could emotionally handle, and suggested we shouldn't mention certain other test results... even though everything else came back perfectly clear aside from the stomach area. I honestly don't understand this practice of withholding the full details of a procedure. Should she not know exactly what happened so she can be more careful moving forward? Or is it simply because every individual has a fundamental right to know exactly what doctors have done to their internal organs? My mother is an incredibly brave, resilient woman; she remains exceptionally steady on her feet and fully understands that she has faced stomach cancer. So, you tell me, where does the wisdom lie in keeping her in the dark?

Linda Campbell said:My mom is heading home this Friday, straight to my place so I can look after her. They’ve basically removed half her digestive tract—stomach, gallbladder, spleen, the whole works. I talked to the doctor, and he basically gave me the bare minimum, just enough to keep her calm; he told her they only took out part of the stomach, though I really only shared what she could actually handle. He suggested we don't mention the other findings either... even though everything else came back clean except for that stomach area. Honestly, I don't get why they won't just be upfront about the full scope of what was done. A person needs to know so they can take better care of themselves moving forward. Plus, everyone has a right to know exactly what doctors did to their own bodies. My mom is an incredibly brave, powerhouse of a woman; she’s still standing tall and fully aware that she fought stomach cancer. So, you try being smart about it.

He probably just told her whatever he felt "safe" saying. Only time will tell if the procedure actually worked. This is a nightmare situation, I truly get it😳. Has anyone actually sat down and explained the nutrition side of things to her yet? Like, what she’s allowed to eat now and all that?
How is she holding up physically? Is she able to walk around okay?

Angela Wright said:He probably just told her what he "could" do. Only time will tell if those efforts actually bore fruit. It’s a harrowing situation, I know😳. Has anyone actually given her a clear roadmap for nutrition yet—what she can eat, what to avoid, and so on?
How is her physical state right now? Is she able to walk?

She’s doing okay. Since it’s been 15 days since the surgery, she’s getting up on her own, heading to the bathroom, taking short walks, and things of that nature. However, they weaned her off the amino acids and glucose two days ago, so she’s feeling quite weak at the moment. She arrives at my place tomorrow. They gave her a tiny bit of guidance regarding her diet (very, very little), so I’m mostly navigating this myself—gathering intelligence from our own community here on the forums! Together, we are stronger.

Linda Campbell said:She’s doing okay. Since the surgery was about 15 days ago, she’s getting up on her own, heading to the bathroom by herself, taking walks, and things like that. However, they took her off those amino acids and glucose two days ago, so she’s feeling pretty weak right now. She’ll be arriving at my place tomorrow. They gave her very little advice regarding nutrition—like, almost nothing—so I’m mostly flying solo, gathering intel from our community here on the forums! We're stronger together.

Look, she’s going to be fine because she’s in good hands.🙂
I just hope she tries to relax as much as possible and views this whole thing as something she actually has under control. Did they mention if she’ll need radiation or chemo since there's still some tumor left?

I have an appointment scheduled with the oncologist next Saturday. It looks increasingly likely that chemotherapy will be the next step on the agenda. Based on the latest scans, there isn't a trace of the tumor left anywhere else; everything appears clear. The lymph nodes, intestines, and even the bile ducts and spleen—all of which were previously affected—show no signs of it. The tumor was strictly localized to the stomach.

Linda Campbell said:She has an appointment with the oncologist next Saturday. It looks like she'll be starting chemo. Based on the scans, there's nothing left of the tumor—everything is clear. The lymph nodes, intestines, even the bile and spleen that were affected, are fine; the tumor was strictly limited to the stomach.

Well, if that's the case, things are looking up then.👍
She really needs to start taking Native Propolis in heavy doses right away just to weather the chemo without getting hit too hard. To make it easier on her digestion, she should just open the capsules and mix the Propolis with an AB culture in a bowl, then stir it well with a spoon. That’s exactly how I do it for my mom since she can't swallow pills anymore.
You know what I've noticed with my mom? Her breath is completely fresh in the morning, even though her teeth are in pretty bad shape. I honestly think the Propolis did wonders for her oral and stomach flora.👍

I’ve been off the grid for a few days, gathering facts and impressions so I can present the reality of the radiation situation as accurately as possible. We also went in for a check-up with a specialist who dropped some truths on us that were honestly quite shocking. When we asked him if we were allowed to share this information online, he just told us to go right ahead. So, here it is:

1. Regarding linear accelerators—the machines used to treat tumors located deep within the body—there are only two in all of the US serving our area, one at Petrov Hospital and another at the Cancer Institute. While the Petrov Hospital website claims they have two accelerators, in reality, only one is actually operational.
Meanwhile, a single hospital in a city like Ljubljana has eight of these linear accelerators! Eight versus two. It’s staggering.

2. Take a major hospital, like one of the big university centers; they might send a monthly bill to Medicare for radiation services totaling $333333. Annually, that amount reaches $4000000. That translates to roughly 1,600,000 Euro. A single high-end linear accelerator costs about 2,500,000 Euro. You don't need to be a math genius to see how quickly that investment pays itself off. Every hospital receives certain funds from the government, and every hospital decides where to allocate those resources based on what they deem necessary. But shouldn't acquiring this kind of equipment be a priority? As citizens paying into the healthcare system, we have a right to quality, accessible treatment, and we have a right to ensure we're getting the absolute most value for our money.

3. Furthermore, the capacity of a machine like that is typically around 50 radiation sessions—meaning 50 patients. Yet, on our current linear accelerator, they are performing about 100 radiation sessions every single day! That's 100 patients being pushed through a single machine.

We have to do something. We need to support the doctors who are truly fighting to help ordinary people like us. Most importantly, we need to help ourselves by staying informed and vigilant about how the money we fund for our healthcare system is actually being spent.

I’m struggling to find the right words to properly describe the specialist we saw. He is a true fighter and a humanitarian at heart, but even he is powerless against the system. This is why we need the help of volunteers. He isn't the only doctor who realizes there is a massive problem here, but doctors cannot change the system without our voices behind them.

What are your thoughts?

Angela Wright said:Well, hopefully things turn out alright then.👍
She really ought to start taking Native Propolis in heavy doses immediately if she wants to endure chemo without constant misery. To make it easier on her digestion, just open up the capsules and mix the Propolis into an AB culture in a bowl; let her stir it thoroughly with a spoon. That is how I manage my mother’s regimen, since swallowing pills has become such a struggle for her.
I have actually noticed something interesting regarding my mom—she has absolutely no bad breath in the morning, even though her dental health is quite poor. It seems to me that the Propolis has done wonders for balancing her oral and stomach flora.👍

Could you please explain exactly what this Native Propolis is good for? I am uncertain if it is safe for my mother, given that her stomach has been removed. She would need to check with her doctors first. She can have honey, but only in very small amounts. She is incredibly frail following the surgery. How is your mother doing? Is there any sign of improvement?

You should really look into the details regarding Propolis. I was actually thinking about getting some for my dad, but apparently, it isn't a silver bullet for every ailment. My father had an issue with his kidney—they actually had to remove it—and the doctors were very clear: people with kidney disease or anyone dealing with impaired renal function shouldn't be taking it!