Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

slyseal28 said:How could a benign tumor ever cause metastases?

You mentioned the PET/CT came back clear, which feels so strange... what exactly was the diagnosis they gave you?

I think there might have been a misunderstanding; I was simply wondering if it's actually possible for a benign tumor to trigger edema?
The doctors suggested that the spot on the brain was a metastasis, which sent us on a frantic search for a primary tumor, yet we couldn't find anything at all—every single test result has been absolutely perfect.
He went to Denver this morning for a PET/CT, and the results were wonderful; everything looks clear, and that area in the brain isn't showing any activity anymore.
I find myself questioning everything because this feels like such a miracle!
Part of me is constantly anxious that they'll eventually admit they made a mistake.
If that was even a metastasis to begin with, where did it come from?
There was no biopsy performed since they didn't perform surgery, so I am just holding onto the hope that it was truly a benign tumor...

Hi everyone!
For us, the only issue lately has been some occasional dizziness. His last dose of Temodal was back in August. Since then, everything has been quiet—which is exactly what we’re praying stays that way for as long as possible... We've been doing a lot of walking, staying away from the city whenever we can, and just trying to make the most of every single day—lots of laughter, too. He even managed to bounce back from chickenpox that he picked up at daycare, which honestly surprised me given how well he handled it. I read through all of your stories every day; you guys are such a huge source of strength for us. Even if I don't post often, just know I'm here every day, following along with everything...

slyseal28 said:...

Or honestly, if anyone knows the right place to direct this question...
Where can I file a formal complaint or publicly call out someone holding the position of "Director of a nursing home" who brutally insults a family member just for coming in to submit an application for a vulnerable loved one seeking placement in that very facility?

Amanda Williams64 said:Or anyone who might know the right place to take this question...
Where can I file a formal complaint, or better yet, put someone on a public pillar of shame? I'm talking about a "Director of a nursing home" who brutally insults a family member just for coming in to request placement for a helpless loved one.

Can you walk me through what happened? How would you ideally want to handle this—through the local news, via our forum, or maybe a talk show segment? It’s hard to give you a straight answer without knowing the specifics of the situation or how much exposure you're looking for.
Feel free to reach out to me directly; I'll do my best to help you navigate this... 🙂

wanderingranger3 said:You misunderstood me. I'm just asking if it's actually possible for a benign tumor to cause edema.

It's absolutely possible. Any growth in or on the brain acts like a physical intruder, pushing against the surrounding tissue, which then reacts by swelling up with fluid—that's your edema.

Amanda Williams64 said:Or anyone who might know the right place to take this...
Where can I file a formal complaint or publicly put someone on blast—specifically an individual acting as a "director of a nursing home"—who brutally insults a family member just for showing up to request placement for a disabled loved one in their facility?

Go to the Department of Social Services. But honestly, don't hold your breath; you’ll just end up spinning your wheels. And whatever you do, don't go public with it unless you have witnesses to back you up, otherwise, they could sue you for libel.

Tomorrow, carcinoms.com should be featured in The Morning News as a web feature—it’ll be on the penultimate page, right under the weather report. Fingers crossed!

slyseal28 said:Tomorrow, carcinoms.com should be featured in The Morning News as a web feature—look for it on the second to last page, right under the weather report. Fingers crossed!

😍 👍

slyseal28 said:Tomorrow, carcinoms.com should be featured in The Morning News as a web feature—it’ll be on the penultimate page, right under the weather section. Fingers crossed...

I am eagerly anticipating picking up The Morning News tomorrow morning. It seems things are finally gaining momentum, albeit slowly... and I find myself quite pleased by the progress...😍

slyseal28 said:Tomorrow, carcinoms.com should be featured in The Morning News as a web feature—it’ll probably be on that very last page, right under the weather report. Fingers crossed, everyone! Let's stay positive!

Way to go, just keep pushing forward! 👍

This is getting hard... I’ve been reading through everyone's posts for a while now, feeling like a bit of a "spy." I feed on your good news, but then I just sink when I read the bad ones.
My mom's pancreatic cancer metastasized to her liver after just two months... We were already in total shock when they told us after her surgery that she might not even make it through the day, because they "lost" her three times during the procedure. I can't even describe how much I cried back then. I honestly thought I wouldn't see her again or even get to hug her. But we made it through that. She’s doing fine and looks great. So how can she have cancer?!!!!!
She understands there's cancer, but she doesn't grasp what metastasis means, and of course, she doesn't know those horrific medical prognoses. She isn't doing chemo or radiation, since they told her it wouldn't help anyway.
It is so difficult to watch someone who still has energy, looks healthy, has no symptoms or pain... She’s even hungry.
I had hope, but I feel like I'm losing it. I'm just letting go. Today, I'm depressed. But this isn't who I am!
She’s taking so many things. B17, Reishi, colloidal silver, apricot kernels, Noni syrup, nettle... I'm even considering energy healers. I don't know anymore.
We finally felt like we were "stabilizing"—I mean, if she has cancer, you can still live with it; there are no metastases, everything else looks clear. Then, out of nowhere, yesterday happened.
"It's not good," the doctor says...
And I have to pretend to be happy and upbeat, when all I want to do is run into her arms and scream, "Mom, help me!" Right... she's supposed to be the one helping me!!!
I've entered the dark chambers of my temple; tears and fears are becoming my demons.
Sometimes I escape to the rooms of my childhood, because those demons can't follow me there...

What can I say... I've always told people that before they say something stupid to their loved ones—before they fight or insult them—they should stop and think. They need to realize there will come a day when they are begging to turn back time, wishing they hadn't said certain things or perhaps *should* have said them. I guess I need to think that way too... As if time could be reversed. Just a little more.

I feel like a sailboat on the open ocean being hit by winds from every direction, and I don't know how to handle the sails. The waves are slamming me from all sides, spinning me in circles... God, please help me set my sails and catch my wind.

My name is Sorrow.

Hannah Thomas28 said:It’s just so heavy... I’ve been reading through your posts for a while now, almost feeling like a silent observer, nourishing my spirit with your beautiful news while grieving alongside you over the bad.
My mother’s pancreatic cancer metastasized to her liver after just two months... We were absolutely shell-shocked when they told us after her surgery that she might not even make it through the day, because they had to "lose" her on the operating table three times. I can't even describe how much I cried back then! I truly thought I wouldn't see her again, let alone hold her. But we made it through that. She’s doing well and looks wonderful. So how can she possibly have cancer?!!!!!
She knows about the cancer, but she doesn't know about the metastasis, nor does she understand those terrifying medical prognoses. She isn't undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, since the doctors say it won't help her.
It is so difficult to watch someone who still has energy, who looks healthy, shows no symptoms or pain... She’s even hungry.
I held onto hope, but I feel it slipping away. I'm just surrendering to it all. Today, I am feeling depressed. But this isn't who I really am!
She takes so many things. B17, Reishi, colloidal silver, apricot kernels, Noni syrup, nettle... I’m even considering looking into energy healers. I honestly don't know anymore.
We had finally managed to find some sense of stability—thinking that since there is cancer, one can still live with it, especially since there are no metastases and everything else looks clear. And then, out of nowhere, yesterday was a complete disaster.
"It's not good," the doctor says...
And yet, I have to pretend to be cheerful and upbeat, when what I really want to do is run into her arms and scream, "Mom, please help me." Instead, she’s the one trying to help me!!!
I have entered the dark chambers of my own temple, where tears and fears become my demons,
and sometimes I flee to the rooms of my childhood, because those demons can't follow me there...

What can I even say? I’ve always told people that before they say something foolish to their loved ones, before they fight or insult them, they should stop and think—knowing that a day will come when they'll be begging to turn back the clock, wishing they hadn't said certain things or perhaps wishing they had said what needed to be said. Perhaps I need to think that way too... As if time could be reversed. Just a little more time.

I feel like a small sailboat on the open ocean being battered by winds from every direction, and I simply don't know how to handle the sails; the waves strike me from all sides, spinning me in circles... God, please help me set my sails and catch my wind.

My name is sorrow.

I know how hard this is for you... Every single day is a battle, but miracles do happen. Have faith, and if it isn't meant to be, your angel will be waiting for you in heaven.

Hannah Thomas28 said:I’m struggling... I’ve been reading through everyone’s posts for a while now, feeling like a bit of an interloper—feeding off your beautiful news while mourning your tragedies.
My mother’s pancreatic cancer metastasized to her liver after just two months... We were absolutely shell-shocked when they told us after her surgery that she might not even survive the day, because they "lost" her during the procedure three separate times. I can't even describe the weeping! I truly thought I wouldn't see her again, let alone hold her. But we pushed through that. She's fine now and looks wonderful. So how can she possibly have cancer?!!!!!
She knows about the cancer, but she doesn't know about the metastasis, and of course, she isn't privy to those horrific medical prognoses. She isn't undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, because the doctors say it won't help her.
It is agonizing to watch someone who has energy, looks healthy, shows no symptoms, no pain... she's even hungry.
I had hope, but I feel it slipping away. I’m just surrendering. Today, I am consumed by depression. But this isn't who I am!
She’s consuming everything under the sun. B17, reishi, colloidal silver, apricot kernels, noni juice, nettle... I’m even considering energy healers. I don't know anymore.
We had finally managed to "stabilize"—since there's cancer, one learns to live with it, especially since there are no metastases and everything else looks clear. Then, out of nowhere, comes yesterday's blow.
"It isn't good," the doctor says...
And yet, I have to play the part of the cheerful, upbeat daughter, when all I want to do is run into her arms and scream, "Mom, please help me." Instead, she's the one trying to help me!!!
I have retreated into the dark chambers of my own temple; tears and terrors have become my demons.
Sometimes I flee to the rooms of my childhood, because the demons can't follow me there...

What can I say... I've always told people that before they lash out at their loved ones with stupid words, insults, or anger, they should stop and realize there will come a day when they are begging to turn back the clock—to take back what was said or to say what should have been said. And here I am, thinking the same way... as if time could be reversed. Just a little more time.

I feel like a sailboat caught on the open ocean, battered by winds from every direction, and I simply don't know how to trim the sails. The waves crash against me from all sides, spinning me in circles... God, please help me set my sails and catch my wind.

My name is Sorrow.

Stay strong; you have to. It is incredibly difficult when the roles of parent and child are reversed. You simply have to learn how to exist within it. Look at her and learn from her. When I was going through my darkest hour watching my own mother fight, I realized she was actually much stronger than I was, and
that is where I drew my strength. Every bout of nerves and every knot in my stomach before walking into her room vanished the moment I saw her face—smiling and bright, without fear. In those moments, I wanted to beat myself up for my weakness. Hey, we are healthy, we have to be the strong ones... I know it's hard... but you must. This is your mother, and for all the good she brought to your life, you have to give everything you have back to her now. I wish you perseverance in this fight, and I wish you strength, energy, and above all, a recovery for your mother.

Ancica, you have the same name as my mom😢 I know exactly what you’re going through, but let me tell you something... nothing ever turns out quite the way we expect it to. My mother endured so much more than any prognosis ever predicted. There is still so much you can do for her. Honestly, look into finding a bioenergetic specialist or a herbalist—you can find plenty of great folk healers all over the US. I personally know a guy living in NYC, a biochemist whom doctors had basically given up on, so he started treating himself. He gathered certain herbs, concocted his own liquid remedy, and healed himself. Now he helps others. People come to him with their diagnoses, and he crafts specific tinctures for them. I can look into his name and let you know.
You have to live strictly in the here and now. Tomorrow is a total mystery; it doesn't even exist yet. You have to frame things in your head this way, otherwise, you'll just snap, and that won't help anyone. Our loved ones get sick, and eventually, everyone passes away, but we have to keep moving forward with our lives regardless. Keep that in mind every single day, and always ask yourself what your mother would say or advise you to do.
The strength is inside you. Don't be afraid of anything; you can handle whatever God puts in your path, no matter how insurmountable things feel right now. This is coming from a soul that has suffered deeply and felt exactly what you are feeling at this very moment. And don't forget, you aren't alone.
Hang in there, hugs

Hannah Thomas28 said:It’s just so hard... I’ve been reading through everyone’s posts lately, almost feeling like a "spy," feeding off all your beautiful news while mourning the bad ones.
My mom’s pancreatic cancer metastasized to her liver after just two months... We were in total shock when they told us right after surgery that she might not even make it through the day, because they "lost" her during the procedure three times. Oh, how I cried back then! I truly thought I wouldn't see her again or get to hug her. But we pushed through it, and look at her now—she’s doing well and looks wonderful. So how can she still have cancer?!!!!!
She knows about the cancer, but she doesn't know about the metastasis, and of course, she isn't aware of those horrific medical prognoses. She isn't doing chemo or radiation, because the doctors say it won't help her.
It is so difficult to watch someone who has energy, looks healthy, shows no symptoms or pain... She’s even hungry.
I had hope, but I feel like I'm losing it. I'm just surrendering to it. Today, I am just depressed. But this isn't really me!
She’s drinking so many things. B17, reishi, silver water, eating apricot kernels, noni juice, nettle... I'm even thinking about looking into energy healers. I honestly don't know anymore.
We had finally managed to "stabilize" things—I mean, since there's cancer, you can learn to live with it, especially since there aren't metastases and everything else looks clear. And then, out of nowhere, comes this blow yesterday.
The doctor says, "It's not good"...
And I have to sit here and pretend to be smiling and upbeat, when all I want to do is run into her arms and scream, "Mom, please help me!" Ugh, if only she could be the one to help me!!!
I’ve retreated into the dark chambers of my own temple; tears and fears have become my demons.
Sometimes I escape to the rooms of my childhood, because the demons don't follow me there...

What can I even say... I always used to tell everyone that before they do something stupid to their loved ones—like yelling or being rude—they should stop, think, and realize that a day will come when they’ll be begging to turn back time so they wouldn't have said certain things, or perhaps should have said them. So, I guess I need to think that way too... As if time could ever be turned back. Just a little bit longer.

I feel like a sailboat out on the open ocean being battered by winds from every direction, and I just don't know how to handle the sails; the waves are crashing against me from all sides, spinning me in circles... God, please help me set my sails and catch my wind.

My name is Sorrow.

Dear Hannah, I know how heavy this is for you, and I know that pain and sadness feel like waves crashing over you without end... That grief is powerful, but you are stronger, and your love for your mother is even more powerful... And because you love her so much, you fight and you push back...
Please, don't lose hope!!
The advice I received here, which helped me immensely, was to live one day at a time. Be grateful for every single day, and focus only on the day you actually have with your mother (don't dwell on what "won't be," because that just hurts too much and pulls you away from the present moment).
I don't know if my own story can encourage you...
The doctors basically "wrote my mom off" in the third month; both the surgeon and the oncologist were saying it was a miracle she was even alive...
And even now, the doctors are still surprised...
She hasn't been fully healed, but she is still here... We are still fighting...

I'm sending you all my positive energy and a huge hug!
Hang in there!

Angela Wright said:Ancica, you actually share the same name as my mom!😢 I truly understand the weight you're carrying right now, but if I can offer one little piece of perspective... nothing ever turns out quite the way we imagine it will. My own mother endured so much more than any doctor ever predicted. There is still so much heart and soul you can pour into her care. Honestly, why not look into a bioenergetic healer or a herbalist? You know, the US is absolutely full of them, and there are some incredibly talented folk healers out there. I personally know about this man living in NYC—I think he was a biochemist whom the doctors had basically given up on, so he decided to take his health into his own hands. He gathered certain herbs, whipped up his own medicinal tinctures, and ended up healing himself! Now, he spends his days helping others; people come to him with their diagnoses, and he crafts custom tinctures just for them. I’ll see if I can dig up his name and let you know.
The secret is to live entirely in the here and now. Tomorrow isn't even a guarantee, so don't let it weigh you down. You have to frame things that way in your mind, otherwise, you'll just burn out, and that doesn't help anyone. Our loved ones get sick, and eventually, we all face the end, but we have to keep moving forward on our own life paths, no matter how hard it gets. Just hold onto that thought every single day, and always ask yourself what your mom would tell you or advise you to do.
You have so much strength inside you, so please, don't be afraid. You can weather anything God puts in your path, no matter how insurmountable everything feels right now. I'm telling you this from a soul that has suffered deeply and felt exactly what you are feeling in this very moment. And please, never forget, you aren't alone in this.
Hang in there, sending hugs!

Dear Ivanica, you are such an inspiration to all of us.
How have you been holding up lately?

Thank you so much!
You’re like sunlight breaking through the gray clouds of ignorance I've built over my own ocean of grief. I know I'm drowning in it, but I also know I have to hit rock bottom just so I can kick off the floor and swim back to the surface.
I'm changing, I can feel it... I guess transformation always requires a little pain.

Angela Wright, if you happen to hear anything about a bioenergetic healer or someone like that...

Michelle Hernandez43 said:Dear Angela Wright, you've always been such an inspiration to us all.
How have you been holding up lately?

I'm doing alright. I just got back home from St. Louis today. Mom had a beautiful send-off at the house. It was tough, honestly, but at the same time, I felt this massive wave of pride for her—so many people showed up, and so many were genuinely moved to tears. She was truly loved.
Every now and then, the sadness hits me hard, but I somehow manage to pull myself together each time. She’s still right here with me; I can feel her presence.

We laid my Grandfather to rest today. He was more than just family; he was a second father to me and my greatest pillar of strength.
I honestly don't know how to navigate this world without him. Everywhere I turn, I’m met with the quiet remnants of our shared battle—the various medications he relied on, everything I used to prepare for him, his prescriptions, medical reports, and even his glasses. If I could, I would simply flee to Mars just to find some peace.

Carol Ramirez said:We buried my Grandfather today. He was like a second father to me, my absolute rock.
I honestly don't know how to move forward. Everywhere I look, there’s just a reminder of everything we went through—his pill bottles, all the meals I used to prep for him, the prescriptions, the lab results, his glasses. If I could, I’d just run away to Mars.

I can only imagine what you're going through... I am so incredibly sorry. My deepest condolences.