Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

ruggednomad182 said:When you look at the woods ahead of you, you still won't see any trails. Once you stumble upon that first one, the others start appearing, and then you just have to figure out where they lead. I know a guy who hit fifty and is living life at full throttle now. He’s constantly skydiving or hanging off a paraglider, even though he had a stroke and still deals with some mild issues on his left side. He’s got a massive social circle and tons of friends. You don't have to go skydiving, obviously, but there's always something out there to get you hooked on.

Honestly, this is great. You have no idea how much this helped me. I probably won't be jumping out of planes anytime soon, but I'll try something a little more low-key... like actually having a normal life, for starters.
thanks for that....

🙂)))

Jesse Fowler82 said:Angela Wright and everyone else, thanks again...

Don't mention it. Just focus on getting healthy—don't just sit there, take action, and God will help you out. Once you're back on track, life gets good again, including intimacy and starting a family.😁 You'll see—there will come a day when neither of you even thinks about a medical bag...😁
I really hope you took a look at that video I linked for you. This woman is a true testament to what’s possible, and her husband is proof too; he met her exactly as she is, and it didn't stop him from falling head over heels and building a life with her.
I am absolutely certain that your strength and your drive are going to be the very things that make someone fall deeply in love with you.😍

Angela Wright said:No worries, just focus on getting better. Don't let yourself slip—keep pushing, and God will help you out. Then there'll be love and kids in your future.😁 You'll see. One day, neither of you will even think about a medical bag...😁
I really hope you watched the video at the link I sent. This woman is such an inspiration to all of us, and so is her husband. He met her exactly like this, and it didn't stop him from falling in love and starting a family with her.
I’m certain your strength and willpower are exactly why someone is going to fall head over heels for you.😍

All I know is that God and I pulled me through those four months in the hospital. I just kept praying everything would turn out okay. And He listened, because luckily, it wasn't cancer like everyone assumed... As for falling in love at my age? Hmm... maybe. We'll see. By limiting my own expectations, I actually opened things up. Now that I'm finally healthy, I can actually give someone what they deserve—without the pain, the endless doctor visits, the nonsense, and the limitations.

A movie?.. Unbelievable. That's why I thanked you. Seeing stuff like that makes me realize I'm actually one of the healthiest people on the planet. Of course, there are always worse situations out there. I feel for them, but seeing their stories gave me the strength to try and get my life back on track properly.

The worst part is starting from scratch at 35. Your partner leaves you, your job lets you go because you were out for four months, and you're stuck on disability while it plays out. Friends look at you with pity, which is the last thing I need. My head is constantly spinning; I can't even sleep a single night without a dose of Xanax because my mind won't stop racing.

But the stuff you're telling me, and what I read here—these videos—they give me strength. Not to mention, I have total faith that life is going to get better. Even if I hadn't been sick... but I am healthy now.

Thanks again.

Jesse Fowler82 said:The only thing I know for sure is that he and I pulled through those four months in the hospital together; I just kept praying he’d be okay. And he listened to me, because thank God, it wasn't cancer like everyone assumed it was... As for falling in love at my age... well, who knows? Maybe. But look—by limiting my expectations, I actually opened up more possibilities. Now that I'm finally healthy, I can actually show up for someone special and give them what they deserve, without the constant pain, the endless doctor appointments, the nonsense, and the physical limitations....

Filmic?.. That sounds unbelievable. Honestly, that's why I thanked you. When I see stories like that, I realize I'm probably one of the healthiest people on the planet, and of course, there are always worse situations out there than mine.... I feel for those people, truly, but seeing their struggle gave me the strength to start organizing my life properly....

The hardest part is having to start from scratch at 35. Your partner leaves you, your job lets you go because you were MIA for four months, and then you're stuck on disability while things settle down. Friends treat you with this pitying look, which is the last thing I need. My head is constantly spinning; I can't even get a single night of sleep without a dose of Xanax because my mind keeps playing these intense mental movies....

But hearing things like you're saying, reading stuff here, and watching videos like that—it gives me strength. Not to mention, I have total faith that life is going to get better. Even if I hadn't been sick... but I am healthy now....

Thanks again.

You’re going to be fine, and you won’t be alone.😘 Just keep telling yourself that. Make it your North Star.👍

While I was looking into ways to manage MS, a friend from the States mentioned something called Naltrexone. It’s easy to get, isn't expensive, and you just take it in tiny doses—around 3 to 4.5 mg a day. Originally, this stuff was used at high 50 mg doses to help people kick addictions like alcohol or smoking.
It’s wild how much people online claim this is a miracle for MS, but what really caught my eye was how it supposedly helps with all kinds of autoimmune issues, including cancer:

http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/#Wh...een_useful_for

I checked with our local pharmacies immediately, and they told me it's not available here in the US. However, you can actually pick up a 28-count pack of 50 mg tablets through Union Square within about a week for around $115.

I hope this info helps someone out,

Angela Wright said:My mother is doing terribly. She’s mostly just sleeping—we can barely get her awake long enough to even attempt a meal. I honestly feel like the end is very close. There is this strange, unsettling sense of peace surrounding her right now; it's hard to put into words, but I can just feel it.😳

😢
I truly admire your courage. Hang in there—sending you my very best.

Hang in there, Angela Wright... I truly admire you so much...😘

Did one of you guys mention some bioenergetics practitioner from (I think) Indianapolis??
I can't seem to find that thread anymore, but I'm positive I read about her here!
Could someone please PM me her number or contact info? 🙏
Thanks

Amy Hayes28 said:Did anyone here mention a certain bioenergetics practitioner from (I think) Indianapolis???
I can't seem to track down the thread again, but I'm positive I read about her on this board!
If anyone has her number or contact info, could you please send me a PM?🙏
Thanks

Sent you a PM😉

I had intended to step back from these discussions entirely, but here I am—doing this for Jesse Fowler82.

Speaking from direct experience, I can tell you that what you are facing isn't actually the core issue. Your physical capacity remains unchanged, doesn't it? The hurdle here is purely emotional, or rather, psychological in nature.
I personally know someone who was sexually active even after undergoing the exact same procedure you did. You will encounter all sorts of people in life—some more perceptive than others. There is no guarantee regarding the temperament of the people you meet, regardless of whether you are in perfect health or have undergone a medical intervention of this kind.

In time, you will adapt. Eventually, you will master the nuances of which adhesives and pouches work most effectively, learning the specific intervals required to change them safely so you don't have to worry about a leak or a sudden detachment. Of course, mastering this takes time (and you’ve only been dealing with a stoma for a month; please, take it easy on yourself, man—give yourself some grace!). You will adjust, and it will become a manageable part of your reality. And as for odors, there truly is no unpleasant smell (take my word for it), so there is nothing to fear there. Please don't think I'm mocking you—I would never dream of such a thing—but you can even use a barrier cream or plug, which might even allow you to swim in the ocean, let alone be intimate.

I hope my delivery doesn't come across as harsh; that is certainly not my intention. I simply want to urge you to be patient with yourself, because things will settle down. Naturally, this isn't an ideal situation, but it is far from the tragedy you are making it out to be. Life is a beautiful thing, and people are even more so. I would give anything if the person I loved were living with a stoma right now instead of being six feet under. Believe me, the only thing that truly matters is that you are free from the illness. This is merely a small detail that you will eventually navigate. So, please, stop the self-pity. There are much heavier burdens to carry than this. OK?

And yes, one more thing—nobody is going to hand you anything in this life, not you and certainly not me. You’ll have to fight for whatever you want to make happen, in every single aspect of existence. Both you and I, without exception. Three days of miracles is more than enough for anyone. As time marches on, people will gradually understand you less and offer you less sympathy. And honestly, that is perfectly normal. You would react the exact same way if the roles were reversed. So, go ahead—mourn, cry it out, and then simply return to living your life. Okay?

Seeking advice or sharing personal experience?
We're dealing with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to the bones—likely metastases. We’ve been getting almost zero information from the doctors, and honestly, it feels like they've already checked out on us... His overall condition is poor, and he has absolutely no appetite. Right now, we're trying teas, noni juice, and reishi mushrooms. Does Lisa have my permission to start using Beta-glucan without consulting a doctor first?

velvetmarlin18 said:Is this advice or personal experience?
Aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to the bones—likely metastases. We're getting almost zero information from the doctors, and honestly, it feels like they’ve already checked out on us. His general condition is poor; he has absolutely no appetite. We're trying teas, noni juice, and Reishi mushrooms. Is it okay for Lisa to start using Beta-glucan without checking with a doctor first?

She can! And I'll say it again: I highly recommend Native propolis. (I know, I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but I truly believe my mom defied all odds just by sticking with Native propolis).
For the appetite issue, you might try Pikovit syrup or the tablets, though the syrup is usually better. We had an old uncle who completely bottomed out and lost his appetite entirely. My aunt was absolutely devastated; she was practically inconsolable, and we thought it was only a matter of time before things took a turn for the worse. We bought him some Pikovit, and it literally brought him back from the brink... unfortunately, my aunt passed away despite him being quite full of life. That's just how unpredictable life is.

When it comes to cancer, there are no guarantees—you just have to keep moving forward and fight!😘

p.s. Don't even bother asking the doctor about glucan. They'll most likely just shut you down and tell you you're throwing money down the drain. For most of them, conventional medicine is the beginning and end of everything a person can hope for.

I can't thank you all enough!
You guys have been absolutely incredible and so quick to jump in.👍
It is honestly such a relief to know there's a place where you can actually find straight answers and real support when you need it!
😘

Ivanica, stay strong... hang in there!

Amy Hayes28 said:Did someone here mention some kind of bioenergetic healer from (I think) Indianapolis???
I can't seem to find the post anymore, but I'm pretty sure I read about her here!
If anyone has her number or contact info, could you please PM me? 🙏
Thanks

Actually, could I get that healer's number too?
Thanks in advance!

velvetmarlin18 said:Is this advice or personal experience?
Prostate cancer is racing forward and has apparently spread to the bones. We're looking at metastases. We've received almost zero useful information from the doctors; frankly, it feels like they’ve already checked out on us. His general condition is deteriorating, and he has absolutely no appetite left. We are currently trying teas, noni juice, and reishi mushrooms. Is it safe for Lisa to start using Beta-glucan without consulting a doctor first?

Regarding Beta-glucan... In our case, we started giving it to my mother ten days before her surgery for stomach cancer—two doses of 500 mg. By the tenth day after the procedure, she began taking Beta-glucan on her own initiative. Since she doesn't have a stomach anymore, she just dissolves it in water and drinks it on an empty stomach in the morning. You have to understand, this is a polysaccharide; it isn't a drug or even a standard vitamin, so it shouldn't cause harm. We made sure to consult with both a nutritionist and the professionals at the pharmacy. From what I have seen firsthand, Beta-glucan was incredibly helpful for my mom. She still takes it to this day.

Thanks a million, everyone!
I'll check back in with you all in a few days...

Amy Hayes28 said:Did anyone here mention some kind of bioenergetics practitioner from (if I recall correctly) Indianapolis???
I can't seem to find that thread again, though I am absolutely certain I read about it here somewhere!
If you have her number or contact info, would you mind sending me a PM? 🙏
Thanks!

Could you send me a PM too? I'm based in Indianapolis. Thanks!

Susan Harris89 said:Oh, and one more thing—nobody is going to hand you anything in this life, not you and not me. You'll have to fight for whatever you want, period. Both of us, no exceptions. Three days of drama is plenty. People are going to understand you less and feel sorry for you less as time goes on. That’s just how it works. You'd react the exact same way if the roles were reversed. Mourn it, cry about it, and then get back to living. Got it?

Thanks for being real with me. I'm still pretty new to all this, so I'm basically just trying to wrap my head around it day by day. I met this guy at the hospital, a bit younger than me dealing with the same mess, and he told me, "Look man, at least the surgeon didn't cut off your junk, just your guts..." 🙂... So from here on out, my health is the only thing that actually matters. Everything else? Take it or leave it.

At the end of the day, I'm finally putting myself first.

It's a long story, but honestly, if I had prioritized myself years ago, I wouldn't be in this position. But hey, who knows? Maybe I'll tell that story on one of these forums eventually... Believe me, nobody is worth sacrificing your health for, though unfortunately, I learned that lesson the hard way.

Take care and thanks again.