Need Someone To Talk With

I am a 60 year old woman and I have Emphysema (I only have 1/3 of breathing) and I have had heart failure, Had three stents put in my arteries in March 2003 and in May I was told I had lung cancer. A spot on my left lung and one in the lymph nodes and in my right lung in a lymph node. I have lived in Ohio for 25 years (I am a widow) and my son talked me into moving to Maryland. Now he will not come visit me after he found out about the cancer and I feel as if I am all alone. I have one daughter down here and she works all the time. From 10 in the morning till 8 at night. I would just like to talk with someone that has Cancer or has been through it. My doctor says I have less than 5 years because I cannot be operated on. I would like any answers, Thank You, Eddy

Dear Eddy, You are never alone. This site is just the best in the world. You can send messages to me as often as you need to and someone will always support you. My Husband was also diagnosed with Lung Cancer, Dec.,2000. It helps to talk to someone. God Bless.
Anna

I only have a few minutes right now. My husband is going through chemo now with lung cancer and while we are a little younger than you we understand. I would be happy to chat with you at the address above. We are scared and confused and I am OVERwhelmed and crazy and depressed and everything you can think of. Talking with others who KNOW helps.

Dear Eleanor & Eddy
I know how you both feel. My Husband and I are also scared to death. We just don't know what our future holds for us. I don't care if your 20 or 100. Nobody deserves this awful decease. I even prayed that this decease would leave his Body and enter mine. I am being realistic and am prepared for the worst. However, I will not give up hope. I don't like our Oncologist, which doesn't help. I suggested IP6 to him and he doesn't think it would be good for my Husband. How does he know unless he tries it? My Husband also will not seek a 2nd opinion. I'm afraid he has given up hope of ever beating this. Please keep us updated. Eleanor, there are many support groups at many Hospitals that you can get support for yourself. Call some and find out what they have to offer. Even if you call your Park District in your Town, they might at least get you out of the House somehow. It's terrible to face this alone. God bless you both.
Sincerely, Anna

This is such a hard disease. My mom is going through it now. She is only 56. I have been traveling back and forth to be with her 2 1/2 hours away almost every week for days at a time. I just got back after being away for 7 days while she was hospitalized for blood clots that resulted from her last radiation therapies. It is draining on me physically and emotionally, having to be away from my home and husband and taking my 18-month-old daughter along. I'm also frustrated because she has smoked for 30-some years and won't quit. If she doesn't stop smoking, none of these treatments will help. God is the only one holding me up right now, so my best advice for all of you is to lean on Him. Get closer to Him with prayer and Bible study. Accept Jesus as your savior if you haven't already. Knowing that Heaven awaits me after the pain of life brings me so much peace. I hope you will know that peace as well.

Eddy,
I feel bad you think you are all alone because your children can't be with you. You need to know that there are many of us survivors out there for you to talk to. I am a 20 year breast cancer survivor with my 4 recurrence. I am going thru chemo for the 4th time in 5 years, but I try and not let it totally ruin my life. I know there are so many people out there that care about me, that I need to keep fighting this rotten disease. You need to know that too. Its not just your family, but your friends, the people you meet on the street or in the stores that all have their own lives but care about you.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!...Barbara

Dear Eddy, So sorry you are going through this. I have kidney cancer. Is there anyway you can return home to where you were? Did you have a support group there? Maybe you can join a support group now. Call the American Cancer Society and perhaps they can also assist you with coping. Its too bad your children are having such a difficult time withyour illness. I will pray for you and hope you stay strong and are able to find some support. Call your local church. Maybe you can also receive palliative care. Usually your local Hospice service has it available. It is NOT hospice care, but they can give you supportive care like nurse, social worker, chaplain. Look into it. You may qualify. It is for people with life threatening illnesses, but are not near death and have longer than 6 mnths to live.
My prayers are with you, God Bless you. Sincerely, Angie

Hi Barbara, I'm Diane. I was diagnosed with lung cancer last sept. This is my first time on this web site. I was reading the messages and came across yours. You sound like you've got a really good attitude towards your diagnosis. You seem like a really strong woman and I wish you good luck with your treatments. Stay strong!

Diane,
Thank you for the nice words. When I was reading these messages, it really upset me to think someone is feeling all alone going thru cancer. You really need a strong group of family and friends to help pull you thru. I hope you are doing well. Are you currently in treatment?. Barb

Barb, I'm not going through any treatments now. I did the chemo and radiation and now I'm just going back every 2 mos. for visits. I don't know how I feel about that. I felt better when I was going to chemo and getting my blood tested weekly. At least I was doing something. This wait and see scares me!!! I'm taking my two sons on vacation in 2 days. We’re going to have a great time and I'm going to try to forget about everything. Like I could... Take Care. Diane