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Caregivers continue to work part-time at their job
I am running out of FMLA and could soon lose my job and insurance and income. I feel gulity about returning to work and not spending the time with my wife. Do any other caregivers continue to work ? I have family members that will help out if I go back to work part time .
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Confused Daughter
My mom was diagnosed with oesophageal and liver cancer in December 2014. She started chemotherapy straight away and after an awful couple of months where she felt so sick and angry all the time that she could barely get out of bed we were given the great news that the cancer on the oesophagus had shrunk and the one on the…
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Giving Advice
Hello All-- This is my first post in hopes of learning from others who are going through the same thing I am. Just over 1 year ago my mother was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. She has tumors in her esophagus, stomach and liver. One year later she is still on chemo bi-weekly to attack all the issues. She is doing as well…
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Therapist
I was wondering if anyone here has seen a therapist for support? I'm considering it. This latest journey with my spouse with cancer is reminding me of my first wife 5 years ago ( I guess that supports the argument for not marrying soon). The only times it gets to me are the night after her chemotherapy and she lays on the…
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Just a reminder
Caregivers need to take care of themselves. I just got back from an appt with a retina specialist. The scar on my retina which is causing a small blind spot was caused by stress. It appears a blood vessel ruptured and, fortunately, sealed itself off. The doctor said these are seen in people under extreme stress. No…
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Cancer, the Ultimate Test of Friendship
Cancer, the Ultimate Test of Friendship Being diagnosed with cancer Separates our friends from pretenders Cancer provides a litmus test For those who we can trust Our quest is to survive And do all that we can to thrive No cancer patient should be left to ask why Or left alone to cry Why our family is now elusive as a…
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A Quote to Start your New Year with
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nevermind
nevermind. thanks
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Holidays
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year or Happy Holidays! With all of the pressures and stress we face everyday, I wanted to wish you all some peace and love this Holiday Season. Every moment is so precious and dear. I hope you all make some happy memories and find a moment to be in peace and love. Know that you are not alone…
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It's my mom, and I feel like I'm already grieving
My mom has advanced lung cancer that has spread throughout her chest and spine. The thing is, I have seen her suffer throughout most of my life. And for the past 12 or so years, her life has really been falling apart; not that it was ever all that put together. So...my heartbreak is immense, and I'm already grieving her…
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Chemo brain
How do you deal with a spouse who is experiencing anger, aggression, resentment, and horrible mood swings? He is unwilling to even begin to think this is related to the cancer/treatment and claims he is being pushed to act this way (by wife, family, friends). The hospital says "keep the peace" and "reduce the stress".…
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I don't know what I am--just fried
I read your stories and feel guilty for even complaining. I don't know what's wrong with me. My husband has Stage 2 Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma and a very good prognosis. He has a great attitude and has been appreciative of the things I've done for him. However I feel like I am coming apart at the seems. My house seems…
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Looking for young female spouse caregivers
My husband was diagnosed on his 20th birthday with testicular cancer. It totally caught us off guard, we had been together for several years. He had one of his testicles removed, then we thought everything was okay. Exactly 2 weeks later, he had a seizure. We found out my husband had a brain tumor the size of a lemon,…
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My Husband is Dying
I have dedicated a web page to my husband, Gary Poland, My Prince! It is; http://home.comcast.net/~poljea On April 28, 2008 My sweet, kind, loving, handsome, compassionate husband has been diagnosed with cancer. He has been given 3-6 months to live. I need to do this website for me and Gary. I started out doing this…
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Is God preparing us?
I lost a coworker that was 51 to cancer last week. Lately I have been feeling like God is preparing us for the inevitable. We have recently decided my husband should go from short term disability to Long term and not return to work. I am taking 3 weeks off in December and we are going on a 1 week cruise (me and hubby only)…
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Relay for Life
Has anyone taken part in a relay for life event? I'm thinking of joining one near me but I don't know much about it. Do I have to be on a team?
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Diagnosis
My wife has a clear diagnosis-leiomyosarcoma. Rare form of smooth muscle cancer. PET scan reveals widespread metastasis. We are headed to Stanford Wednesday.
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I am a new care giver
I am mel, my mother has stage 3 uterine cancer. We found out a month ago. She is 2 weeks out to the end of her radiation Then We do another CTscan and see if the tumor shrunk enough to do surgery. I am new to all this and would love any pointers and support. She is responding well to treatment but this waiting is driving…
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My husband has a rare stage 4 lung cancer
In the beginning of the year I lost my job and June my husband (my love of my life) was diagnosed with a rare lung cancer and it's at stage 4. It's an aggressive and has spread. He has been in and out of the hospital and at times things got so bad that I thought I would lose him. But Thank God He Is Still With us. He has…
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Infertility & Cancer
My husband was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. We're 33 and have no children. We were going to try next year but now with the chemo we can't. By the time he gets better, I'll be too old to have children. We were given information about freezing his sperm, but we only had two weeks from diagnosis to treatment.…
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Rock Bottom in a Long Distance Love With Stage IV Bowel Cancer
Having searched for months, I'm relieved to finally find this safe place. I'm looking to share how broken I am in my relationship. I have been in an loving LDR with a lovely man for 2 years. My soul mate. A year ago he was diagnosed with Stage IV bowel cancer, and has been having palliative chemo. This has recently been…
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How do we combat guilt?
My brother was admitted to the hospital in September because of some difficult symptoms. He had begun to lose the use of his left side and was falling more than we realized. He wasn't able to get himself into the bathroom in time and had some accidents. At that point he had been living in an in-law apartment at my parents…
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Coping
My wife has been battling cancer for 7 years? Maybe its 8. Anyway, after the last surgery she has two bags in front as they took out most of her intestines. She is getting nightly nutrition thru her IV and has just started another 4 months of chemo. Changed the font size so its easier to read. So they taught me to do the…
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Caring for a sick husband
I am new to this discussion group but after reading the posts I already feel less alone. My husband was diagnosed in September 2013 with leiomyosarcoma, which is a kind of cancer that is about as rare as it gets. He had surgery to remove a 9 cm tumor from his intestine and after his follow up scan was told he was…
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Discouraged
Hi-sorry to make this all about me, I know there are so many people that are struggling. It's starting to come back, the memories I thought I'd forgottan. What is frustrating me is that we have to wait a week before my wifes liver biopsy before she can even get an appointmet with an oncologist. Feels as if it may as well…
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I'm back and in shock
Hello-its been awhile. Joined here back in 2009 when my first wife was dealing with stage 4 colon cancer. She died in 2010. I remarried in 2012 and life was starting over in a good way. Last few months my wife started complaining of abdominal/back pain and the past few weeks intense pain under right breast. A CT scan…
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Another new Caregiver needing help
My wife is 71. She went through pancreatic cancer surgery about two years ago. We had almost 2 years of good living. Now, it is back and has spread to her ovaries and maybe elsewhere. Stage four, metastatic pancreatic caner, not good. I have her at home, and take her for chemo once a week. She also suffers from dementia,…
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Post-BMT depression or personality change?
Hi everyone, my husband (40 y.o.) went through a BMT 10 months ago. He fought numerous infections since but his bloodwork is almost normal now and he is not on steroids anymore. He only had a chemo for 2 days before the BMT and never ever again. He still is, of course, taking lots of medications though. Last 2 months I…
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Where are my friends?
Hi fellow caregivers. I was wondering if anyone else is experiancing a similar situation. I have always felt blessed to be surrounded by dear friends. They are the family that I have chosen for myself, right? Yet, I haven't heard from them... I understand that everyone is busy with their own schedules and their own…
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Coping with sever mood swings
Hello. My mom was diagnosed in December of last year with breast cancer. She's already went through the tough chemo and radiation, and is now halfway through preventative chemo. About a month and a half ago, as part of a long term treatment, her doctor put her on an estrogen pill. She has always had a temper, but it has…