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• Living with cancer

• August 19, 2010 1:37 p.m.

  This is for Judy. During my second 6 rounds of chemo for a reoccurence, my friends and family surprised me with a healing quilt. Each person had made a quilt square with a scripture, an inspirational saying, a word or picture to inspire and comfort me. I took it with me to each chemo session and felt strengthened and surrounded by love. Others in the chemo room always asked about it and commented on it and I had the opportunity to share the story of my healing quilt. Weekly cards are also nice when you don't feel like talking after chemo. Praying the best for your sis. Nancy

  - Nancy

• August 11, 2010 10:04 a.m.

  hi everyone . just wanted to say ive had 4 operations for cancer.the first one was tumours on bladder three one with cancer next was another operation to finish taking out the cancer. one year later cancer again the bladder was taken out and prostate also very devastating because sexually was active and now it doesnt get hard . after that i noticed a spot on my temple went to private clin ic and had a tumour with cancer. they opened it up and supposedly took it all out . im doubful about taking it all out . oh well . now i noticed a mark on my nose dont like the looks of it . will check it out.all i can say i had a positive attidude and still going big adjustments for me and my family . good luck to all of you

  - john

• August 9, 2010 12:44 p.m.

  Hello, you wonderful cancer survivors! I have a sister who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, and will be undergoing her first chemotherapy treatment this week. I live far away, and I want to do something nice for her before every treatment. I've thought of videos and books, possibly soft socks, bubble bath, etc. I've been trying to find suggestions on the web for good ideas for "loving support in a box" that I can send her. Any suggestions for what people did for you during treatment that was particularly helpful, touching, or funny? I'd love some creative ideas! I'll be phoning my sister and giving as much support as I can from far away, but I'd really like to have a special box that she can take for each treatment and open while she's sitting there for her six hours! Thank you!

  - Judy

• August 5, 2010 6:37 p.m.

  JEFF, I think there is hope for recovery from prostate removal. I had bladder cancer and they also had to take the prostate. I was a "once a day" guy before the cancer. Unfortunately, the surgeon had to cut some nerves during the 7 hour surgery. It has been 8 months now and I am working on solutions. Viagra and the like didn't work. Next is vacuum therapy which gets an erection but it doesn't last. The rubber bands that come with the pump are painful and I don't think they work in maintaining an erection. My next step is Alprostadil cream available on the internet and my Urologist says he can do implants and THEY WORK! I am waiting to end chemo this month but still doing the vacuum therapy. My advice is to Google it on the internet and discuss it with your doctor and most of all be determined to get back to normal. I am hoping the cut nerves will regenerate with time. I can obtain a "dry" climax with the prostate gone and it isn't half bad but it would be better if I had a good erection. Don't give up! I am extremely thankful for all the people who wrote about their experiences as survivors. It is interesting that most (95% or better) were women. As a survivor I am most thankful to God for His mercy and for my friends who have prayed for my healing. God is sovereign and can heal if he wants. We just need to make sure we belong to Jesus then turn the whole episode over to The Great Physican and be at peace with whatever comes. God is good and God care

  - Nathan

• August 4, 2010 3:58 p.m.

  I hope to find some guidance here. My boyfriend is 49 and Dx with lung cancer. He was given 5 yrs and we are on our sixth year now. He has these boughts of coughing blood up for about 2 days and is very fatigued days after until he gets back his strenght. My question is: which Vitamins are the most important to be taking at this stage. He seems to be super weak at times, but lays concrete for a living and goes to work each day as if he feels on top of the world, just to come home beyond exhausted and not breathing well at all. I am trying some home remedies, such as Vegan Diet and Organic foods as well as carrot juice. He is very private and doesnt talk much about this. Typical as some men try to continue to be "tough". I am very worried about him. He says there is no since in going to the Dr. Im thinking its because he feels there is no hope. He has no health insurance and I think thats plays a big part in him not wanting to go. What can I do to help him? I want to marry him so he can get on my insurance, but he says they wont cover him as he has a pre-existing condition and there in no time to fight it...every minute of my day is spent in prayer...please, I would be most greatful for some advice. Thank You in advance..Trisha in Utah

  - Trisha

• August 3, 2010 9:19 p.m.

  my sister recently finished her chemo treatment for breast cancer. a few weeks after her treatments she developed what is sometimes called chemo brain. her regular physician saw her last week and said she had seen many patients who have undergone chemo treatment but she had never seen anyone with symptoms as bad as my sister's. she was very concerned and she wants her to have neurological testing done. my sister is 59 years old and in good health but she is showing signs of dementia. she is very concerned about herself, cries often and almost unstopable at times. her husband or someone else must stay with her all the time. my sister does not want to be alone and neither does her doctor. her doctor is concerned about a suicide attempt, which she has tried once after the chemo treatments. her husband has to tell her what clothes to put on and when to eat. she is confused about everything. she is pitiful. bless her heart. does anyone know of any other patients having this type of reaction? from the literature i have read, there is no known treatment for her condition. only hope for the brain to heal itself with time. my sister was a normally functioning rn. now she is unable to work. she states that this is by far the worst event in her life i feel so sad for her.

  - bill

• July 26, 2010 3:20 p.m.

  Dottie, thank you for your email-I'm so sorry for your pain and for all that you are going through, especially your husband. I know exactly what you mean about the ppl you think will be there vs. the ppl that actually step up to the plate. I think it's harder on me than him as he chooses to ignore it-he says he wants to be left alone and doesn't want company at the house anyway. I sit and stew. Right now he's having an MRI to see if it's spread to his brain-which I think it has. He's down to 157 pounds now, tired all the time and has the mood swings you mentioned. Other days, he seems okay, like he's not even sick. I can't understand it? Our job is to be "neutral"-even and steady while they're sick. Like you said, it's about them right now. I try to make sure I get enough sleep, eat right and relax when I can even if it's just reading a magazine, to keep my strength up. You need to do the same. We are no good to them if we're drained. I put cut flowers from my garden in a few rooms at home to cheer me up. It helps! Something little. I hope you will take care of yourself and please email me again if you would like to talk. I'm here. T-

  - Toneil

• July 25, 2010 4:09 p.m.

  Toneil- You are so welcome. Yes, it's really hard that Wayne is sick again. I am trying to be realistic also but I get upset when I see how cancer is making him so sick and I can't help for the most part. I admire you and your dad's strength. Mine comes and goes. Wayne is very unpredictable in temperment-snappy, etc. But I would be the same, no doubt. He's learned who his friends are and who really loves him. It is not the ppl he expected. God, prayer, God's ppl, acs, and others are getting me through this. Give your Dad my best and tell him to keep fighting as long as he can. My prayers are with your Mother-God love her and protect her when or if something happens. This blog helps as do you, just by answering my comment.

  - dotti

• July 25, 2010 2:12 p.m.

  This is for Julie. You need to see another surgeon or cancer doctor. My husband's lung mass was smaller than yours -- and it was cancer. Fortunately, his pulmonologist insisted on surgery. His surgeon told me that after the incision, he inserted a camera and couldn't even see the mass. But he knew it was there due to the PET scan. So he felt around, found it, and removed it (a lobectomy). Due to the small size, there was no follow up radiation or chemo. So, for your own sake, get another opinion. With your history, every precaution should be taken. TO ALL OF YOU BRAVE PEOPLE: I strongly recommend a book called "Life Over Cancer" by Dr. Keith Block. You can find it on Amazon -- along with dozens of recommendations by highly qualified people. He is not a quack. There are no promises of easy cures. The whole purpose of the book (nutrition, exercise, supplements, etc.) is to help you understand how to best support your body while you are undergoing treatment and afterwards, when you are a survivor. He also has a website. It's not an easy read, but it is a very solid book -- and uplifting. It gave me the sense that I had some control in trying to help my husband avoid a recurrence. My best to all of you.

  - Tosca

• July 19, 2010 11:21 a.m.

  My husband was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer with mets to the brain in Jan and rec'd both radiation and chemo which he rec'd a very good response to. It has been 3 months since his last chemo and there is a recurrence of the cancer in his lung and new mets to his spine. The dr is saying that there is not a new regiiment of chemo that has been proven effective to use at this time and my husband has enrolled in a clinical trial using the drug Bendamustine. This drug has not been proven effective to slow the progression of the sclc but this is what my husband wishes to do. I support him 100% but am wondering if we should be doing something else at this time. Any ideas???

  - Patti

• July 16, 2010 1:26 p.m.

  Dotti, thank you so much for your response. I'm sorry to hear of your husband. It's harder when it's your spouse I think. Dad saw his doctor yesterday and the headaches are from the cancer (which is what I suspected). He is going in for a PET scan next week as I suspect they feel it has spread. He's very tired all the time, eats off and on, but the tell-tale-sign that we know he's getting worse, is that he's asked us to get him a hospital bed in his room. (which we are working on) I've been very realistic throughout this whole thing but unfortunately my mother is still in denial. The denial thing is actually worse than everything else for me and my dad. But I wanted to thank you for your response and for getting back to me. I wish you the best. I will keep you in my prayers.

  - Toneil

• July 15, 2010 7:31 p.m.

  When can I die-pretty soon it will be a reasonable thing to do.

  - Pedro-san

• July 12, 2010 7:33 p.m.

  TOneil I am so sorry for your father's illness. My husband is terribly sick also. The ppl who have helped me so very much areat www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS.2345. They have info, names of groups who can help y9ou understand, counseling numbers, etc. This was such a help to me the first go around. Now I will lean on them and the Good Lord again to get us thru this. God speed to you and yoours. Dotti

  - Dotti

• July 12, 2010 2:32 p.m.

  My father was diagnosed back in November with Stage 4 Inoperable lung cancer. His lungs were so bad due to his asbestosis and COPD that he was told that he was not a candidate for chemo or radiation. He's opted to stay at home and go about his life as normal. He's just started to lose weight and get bad headaches and backaches, which his nurse believes is due to the cancer spreading. In the last few days he has started throwing up-and is exhausted. He just stays in bed. They originally gave him 6 months. I'm wondering if he's taking a turn for the worst? This has happened so suddenly with the onset of all of these symptoms. I can't find any information on the last stages of symptoms or stages of what his life will be like at the end. Can you help? I'm doing this alone and am trying to prepare myself as much as I can. Any information or thoughts you have would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

  - TOneil

• July 10, 2010 7:42 p.m.

  My husband is suffering from neuroendocrine. He whipped it the first time but it is back. He is on the chemos carvoplatin and taxol. He is so sick. Nausea, not eating, hair falling out, diarreah. What can I do to help? He is 61 yrs old, was always in good health, worked outside. Which one is making hin so sick and what can he do? thanks

  - Dotti

• July 10, 2010 12:30 a.m.

  Response to Kristi, My mother has been diagnoised with pancreatic cancer stage 4 this was devasting news to us, for this to happen to someone who has never been hospitalized in her life(shes 72) very active, non smoker etc. this was diagnoised early june 2010 her only compaint had been a stomach pain that started last september 09 after CT scans colonoscopies, bone scans blood tests endioscopies etc. etc. with numerous missdiagos... from constipation to diverstickulities and definitly no cancer to in her head the final CT scan came back as a shock to docs also, a mass in the pancreas with a couple of spots on the liver., unfortunately with this cancer as soon as the first symptom is felt it has already spread so there basically is no early diagnoises and is no remission. From the picture of a vibrant healthy 72 yr old to 3 months to live without chemo and maybe 12 months with. I pray for you that maybe you had happier results if they came in before now, if not dont give up on finding the source even if your told they cant find the source, have another CT scan or MRI when somethings not right its not right. and u need to pin point the problem to stand a chance to deal with it hopefully with a happy outcome. best of luck

  - Add

• July 5, 2010 11:30 a.m.

  Sandra, another idea is to look also for an NCI-designated cancer center in your area. This designation shows that the cancer center has been reviewed in depth using NCI standards of excellence in clinical practice, research and education. To find an NCI-designated cancer center in your area, go to this link http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/index.html

  - Sheryl

• July 3, 2010 7:03 a.m.

  Sandra, If this were me this is what I would do: I would go to a hospital listed as a CANCER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE ( google it on computer). We live within 200 miles of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC so I would go there. I would have my original surgery records including diagnostic slides of the tumor cells. I would bring someone with me to take notes and to hear all that the MD says. Distant recurrences to me means that the original cancer tumor had spread(metastasized) usually to lung, liver, brain or bones. Usually when cancer occurs in different generations in a family at a young age it means that a mistake in the DNA in the cells is past on to some offspring in the next generation. Could another piece of DNA in the cell of the other breast have lost control independent of the first tumor?

  - nan

• July 2, 2010 2:38 p.m.

  I am a 18-year survivor of breast cancer. I was 39 when diagnosed. My daughter had breast cancer 4 years ago at age 35. Her cancer has come back; I am trying so hard to be strong, but honest to God, I am about to lose it! I just read on this site that "distance recurrences" are most of the time not curable. She had cancer on the left breast first go around. This lump was on her right. Is that considered "distance recurrence"? She went through the same chemo as someone with Stage 4 and also radiation. Why, as powerful and toxic as chemo is, did this strike her again? She has two small children and I don't understand why God has chose to put her through all this. I don't want to lose my daughter. Are there new treatments, anything out there available since 2006? Please help me with any information.

  - Sandra

• July 1, 2010 2:35 a.m.

  I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of this year. Tomorrow is my first chemo treatment. I can't even sleep tonight, though I know I should be, as my mind won't shut down enough. I am scared, yet hopeful as my docs think my prognosis is good. I've decided that no matter what side effects treatment brings, living to see my daughter graduate, get married, and have her own children is well worth the price. I thank each of you who shared your story as they have given me courage as I enter chemo.

  - Elizabeth

• June 30, 2010 5:13 p.m.

  My best friend had mastectomy in 1996. Today she has another malignancy in other breast. She only remembers the type begins with an 0. Do you know what that type is?

  - Margaret

• June 27, 2010 8:35 p.m.

  **Peripheral Neuropathy** Has anyone experieced extreme leg pain 'after' an EMG? Just how rare is nerve damage as a result of the testing?

  - Joan

• June 27, 2010 9:23 a.m.

  I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I have been cancer free for three years. My oncologist now says that I am only supposed to get mammograms once a year. I am uncomfortable with this. Are other persons dealing with this issue? Thanks.

  - Kathleen

• June 25, 2010 2:45 p.m.

  My husband was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and has been undergoing chemo and radiation treatments in preparation for surgery. He tells me the worst side effect up to now is his lips. He feels 24 hrs a day dryness and burning and can hardly eat. We have tried everything that has been recommended at the clinic and more but nothing seems to help. Does anybody know somebody that has experienced this same situation and have some recommendations. Any response will be appreciated.

  - Lillian

• June 21, 2010 4:10 p.m.

  Patti, thanks for your post and questions. Your husband has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer, which many times, can spread to the bones. Bone pain can be relieved with additional strategies such as radiation. It is important to mention this to his cancer team. It is vital to make sure that he is getting as much pain relief as possible.

  - Sheryl