CancerCompass message board discussion started by Eddy P. on 7/19/2003 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,329,0.htm Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ 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 Eddy P. Sat, 19 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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 August Z. Mon, 21 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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. Eleanor F. Wed, 30 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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 August Z. Thu, 31 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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. Misty B. Thu, 31 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT Dear Misty. I am so sorry to about your Mother. I'm sure this is tearing you apart. I also took care of my Mother for 2 yrs. I lost my job because of this. I also lost my Brother a few months later. Now my I am taking care of my Husband. He was also diagnosed with this SCLC. He never smoked. However, he worked for a printing Co. for 42 yrs. and was exposed to a lot of toxins. All I can say to you is, I know it's tough for you and your Family right now. Remember your Mother is going through a tough time also. Please do everything you can for her. You will never regret it. I hope your Husband is supporting you because you need all you can get. Very few people think about the Caregivers. I am so glad you have very strong faith. This will carry you through. Please let us know how you and your Mother are doing. God bless you all. Anna August Z. Sat, 02 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT How is your husband doing? My mom has good days and bad days. I don't regret taking care of her and my dad (he is disabled, so cannot do a lot around the house) since I believe it is my responsibility to care for my family. However, seeing her continue to smoke and hurt herself is very hard on me. I fight feelings of sadness and anger over it. Yet, I love my mom and know how hard this is on her and my dad. I hope that you are hanging in there as well. Illness is so very hard to cope with sometimes, but God will get us through it somehow. I read recently that if life were perfect here on earth, why would any of us want to go to heaven? Something to ponder... Misty B. Sat, 02 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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 Barbara B. Mon, 04 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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 Angie S. Mon, 04 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi Misty, Just wanted to say hi and ask how your Mother is doing. If you ever need to talk to anyone, please send me a message. Take care, Anna August Z. Wed, 06 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi Eleanor, I am sorry I am long in answering. Was glad to hear from u. How old is your husband? Did they operate on him to remove any of the Cancer? They can't operate on me because of my health, but I am taking Chemo and Radiation. The Chemo has really made me sick on my stomach. But they give me 3 different kinds of meds when I take Chemo and enough for two days after I get home. I think it is starting to work. I didn't throw up last week when I had Chemo and I take it tomorrow and hope I have good luck. If you go to webmd.com they have some really good info on lung cancer. What kind does your husband have? Mine is non-small cell. It is the slower spreading kind. Answer when ever u like. Eddy Eddy P. Wed, 06 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi, Eddy. My name is Oby and I just read your message. I also read the replies, and I see that some women have recommended 'support groups,' which is exactly the same thing that I want to recommend to you. I have been attending support groups since I got out of the hospital after I was operated on for ovarian cancer 3 years ago, and Eddy, they have been a real life support for me! I will also be celebrating my 10th year anniversary in Alcoholics Anonymous this coming December. The 'support' that I found in AA is the same 'support' that I've found in cancer support groups. In other words, there is simply NO WAY that you can explain to someone who is NOT an alcoholic how it 'feels' to be an alcoholic! The same goes for cancer -- there is simply NO WAY that you can explain to someone who does not have cancer how it 'feels' to have cancer! Thank God that there are so many support groups available to 'us' now. Some of them are strictly for certain types of cancer -- like breast cancer, for instance. However, I have always attended support groups where people have all different sorts of cancer. There are so many ways you can go about finding local support groups. Call the hospitals. Ask you doctor or social worker. Call the churches. I'm not sure, but there might also be a Wellness House or Wellness Community in your area, or even a Gilda's Place. There is so MUCH support out there for you, Eddy -- but you have to make the effort to find that help. Lastly, I must tell you that in the support groups that I have gone to I have felt 'blessed' to be there. Why? Because I have met people with so much spirituality, so much strength, humor, and love. People that I would never had the opportunity to meet if I had not had cancer! In other words, I have felt 'honored' to be able to meet and share with these wonderful people. By the way, I have lived by myself for the past nine years -- and I am 70 yrs. 'young.' Don't give up, Eddy! Get on that phone today and start finding out about support groups in your area. I love you, my 'sister,' Oby in IL Oby T. Fri, 08 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi Oby T, I enjoyed reading your reply and the first thing I want to tell you is that next month I will be celebrating 10 years of being Alcohol Free. And it really feels good. I never went to AA, but I did a lot of praying and God answered my prayers.If it wasn't from God I would not be alive today. And I know he will help me through this. But I have also taken your advice and I have a meeting with the oncolgy social worker on Monday after my Radiation treatment. I am going to get the name of some Support groups and also I want to talk with a counsulor. I would like to keep in touch with you and if you would like. Thank you for your help. Eddy Eddy P. Fri, 08 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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 M. Sat, 09 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT You are not alone. God is with you all the time. You could talk to him anytime. He loves you. He's your refuge. He is your friend, your protector and everything! He wants you to talk to him like he is there at your side. God brings you peace and love. I also recommend watching the 700 Club. It really makes a big difference. May God be with you always. Oby Honey C. Tue, 12 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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 Barbara B. Tue, 12 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT 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 Diane M. Tue, 12 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Dear Eddy P, I would be happy to talk with you. I am 41 years old and was diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer on April 23rd. I am sorry that your family cannot be there for you, however I have found that there is a lot of support around for our disease. About a week after I was diagnosed I picked up a flier in the doctors' office for a cancer group for survivors. I called the number on the flier and spoke with a lovely woman. I told her that I was not a survivor, that I had just been diagnosed. She told me that you are considered a survivor from the day you are diagnosed with cancer. I went to the meeting and met a lot of nice people and from that meeting I found out about a Relay for Life event in my area. I went to the event after a radiation treatment feeling real tired and weak. I was surprised at all of the positive energy from cancer survivors who have been through so much. I soon came to believe that others who have this awful disease find a strength and dignity to help others. Do you have friends or some kind of a support system? I hope that you write back soon. I am a friend on your side. Praying for you, Sue Susan F. Sun, 17 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi! I currently live in North Carolina, but my very favorite aunt in the entire world has 4th stage Lung Cancer and she lives in Portsmouth Ohio. She is about to complete her first round of chemo. The Cancer is in her lungs and liver. Her provider is telling her they can probably get rid of the lung, but not the liver. I was wondering if anyone knew of a place that would consider removing the cancerous part of her liver and if that would give her a chance to survive longer? I don't know much about her treatment, only that she is very tired, lost her hair and has not vomited once during the entire treatment phase. She's scared...and I'm petrified. I would gladly take the time off and take her anywhere that may be able to help her live. Have a blessed day, dani Sissybug Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT Hi Eddy, My name is Russ. I lost my father last year to Small cell lung cancer and cannot imagine why your son has become disconnected. I was with my dad when he passed in Hospice, and even secured his coffin closed before we buried him. I would be happy to be a friend to you and maybe even speak with your son. I live in Portage County in northeast Ohio. Russeli Mon, 25 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT You know what Mrs. Eddy, God has healed you. do you know how? how he has healed you? He has healed because you have just told him all your problems, troubles and he has answered them all through Jesus Christ his Son Amen. Eddy will have like to stay with you and talk to you all day, making you feel whole again. And you know what God is setting you free now from bonages set before you. Alway feel God is in your present whenever you are feel lonely, continually to praise him for your salvation is near you already. You are not alone Eddy, even if your children are not there. you dont need them for they have theirs to live, you need Jesus now to feel your strenght and might with his holiness. I was searching for written bible messages to be sent to my friend and coming across you needing a friend to talk to, and the friend is Jesus! Believe in him and you are made new again Eddy. Please receive my love, for you are made whole with the blood of Jesus Christ, Amen! Omals Wed, 18 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT Just wanted to know how you were doing. I just now read your email; first time I seen this website and read you messege and wanted to tell you you are not alone in your thoughts. I understand you. Please let me know how you are doing ok? how are you feeling? Lizzzzzz2006 Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT I have seen that many of the members of this site answered you, so you are not alone!!! I will resume telling you something: in my family 3 members had cancer and something i learnt from those experiences, even if I am only 23 years old: cancer can be defeated. It is true, that , as you said, the doctor did not want to do the surgery or something like that, but you have to search other solutions for your illness( something like teas, natural cures, I don't know, ONLY IF  a surgery is not possible) If not you have to know that you still have a great friend: God. I don't know if you are a religious person but you should start believing in God and praying him, It helps a lot. My mother had breast cancer and she made it, she is now recovered , and my uncle had lung cancer, he had a surgery , and after it all the doctors told us he will live only 6 months, but he is still alive after 3 years. Good luck and have faith! Marina1983 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/31/2003 August Z. wrote: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              Dear Anna please do not give up god is with you and your husbend he determens who go and who stay not the docter.My dads doctor allso dosent help he makes it seems like there is no hope when there is.My dad allways say "I dont got no cancer the docter got the cancer I am heald in the name of jesus' Please just pray god well take care of u and your husbend and rember the docter aint allways write he is reading from a book and is studing on people   god bless           shadae of 12 years daugter Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT