Cancer...
 

Some days life is truly a b!tch.

Just found out one of our adopted "family" just got diagnosed w/metastatic pancreatic cancer. Her family helped my wife's family to get started when first came to the US. She and hubby built themselves up from zero and have two lovely children, the eldest just starting nursing school. 55 years old, and probably won't last through the end of the year:(

A friend of mine is dealing with pancreatic cancer right now. He's only in his mid-40s. Sucks.

My sympathies.

Mike

Pancreatic cancer is particularly deadly. Tough luck getting that.

Sorry.

My uncle was a big, strong outdoors fellow until his fortieth birthday. Started to complain about stomach- and back pains. Turned all yellow. Lost almost 60 lbs and died within six months from symptom debut. Same diagnose. Awful, just awful.

Cancer sucks, lost my brother and my 1st wife to it four yrs ago. Three weeks apart. Like Livi, same thing with my bro. he was one of the toughest guys i knew, within 7 months it ate him away to nothing.

I'm very sorry, that's horrible...

Where's all the money we are dumping into cancer research going?

One of the men I worked with had that. Terrible.

Pancreatic and Liver Cancer are allmost 100% fatal, as the symptoms don't show until its too late. Also the region of the body is difficult to operate or diagnose.

Re: Cancer...
 

My old man is in chemo for prostate cancer currently.

So far he's doing OK with it.

I lost my Father to pancreatic cancer and my boss (and good friend) lost his Wife to pancreatic cancer 2 years ago. He has since established a foundation to help needy families faced with this disease with financial assistance for bills, groceries, cab fare to appointments etc. Info can be found at www.pan-cancerfoundation4eva.com My prayers go out to all dealing with this horrible disease. Craig

Peter,

I feel for you! From my family, wishing your family the best.

We know about this all too personally as well.

Guys thanks for the kind words. Somewhat amazing that so many of you have had an experience with this malignancy. It really is not that common, but it is bad, only thing worse is cancer of the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma) in terms of rapidity of progression and demise.

Like so many of your experiences, she was a tough lady too. Not steriod tough, but never say die tough. She was hurting for a while (after a gallbladder surgery) and was taking 15+ Aleve a day because she thought she should be getting back to normal sooner. She didn't want to bother the MD acting like a wuss.

Craig, thanks for the link. Maybe it'll be useful for others here too.

Makes me want to cuss. A lot.

Art, I feel your pain, a very close friend with the same cancer, I'm heading up to help move his stuff as they sold the house and I have to sell off his car stuff:(
Cancer really SUCKS, I lost my Grandmother to lung cancer, my favorite Aunt is currently battling it, and I already lost one very good friend back in June to Cancer and I'm not ready to lose any more:(

Art -
I'm very sorry to hear this. I was diagnosed with a very treatable form of cancer last month and went through the full range of emotions. During my treatment orientation, I was truly amazed at how many people will be affected by a form of cancer during their lives.

This can definately be draining on ALL parties, not just those being treated- Does your local cancer centre have a program or couselling to help families and friends of those that are suffering from this disease?

Regards,
Andrew M

Local Hospice can be great help they helped our family when my mom was battling cancer. It eventually took her life but the support of caring Hospice workers greatly made her life better. Good luck.