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Caregivers

David
We lost David today. He took his last breath around 4 pm. I was shocked at how fast the end came. Hospice said it was a peaceful death but I don't know. David wasn't their son. I didn't feel peace. I'm devastated, heartbroken, physically sick, and I don't know what to do. Our extended family all came over and that really…
Triple Negative Breast Cancer --it has reared its ugly head again
My mom was diagnosed & treated for breast cancer in 2008. Tumor markers were up in Sept & there is a mass in her chest that is being biopsied on Monday. Her oncologist thinks the breast cancer is back (breast was removed in 2008 - so this is along the chest wall). Her prognosis is grim. We've been told that if it's the…
Illinois ladies facing bc
I am very curious about all the Illinois ladies who are making this breast cancer journey or who have finished it. Where are you located? What's your diagnosis? Where are you in your treatment plan? How's it going for you? I thought we might be surprised to find somebody right in our own back yard that could use some…
Experiences with palliative TPN/transfusions?
Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum. My friend (age 22) was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in July. They think the primary may be gastric according the the cell block they got from taking cells from her ascites fluid. Her ascites subsided, but she now has a very palpable stomach mass and a malignant bowel obstruction. They…
When the caregiver has no "care given" to them...
I feel so selfish writing this, almost like my priorities aren't straight here, but I've been dealt another blow and I feel like I'm ready to break... A little history, I've dealt with cancer a lot in my life. It seems like everyone has, and it's more and more frequent, as we get older, more and more people are going to…
Feeling guilty about my feelings...
My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer on my 29th birthday. On her birthday, she had a port put in and started her first round of chemo and radiation. During this time, she stayed with my sister who is a stay at home mom and lives about 10 minutes from the cancer center. She stayed with her during the week and…
young caregivers.
I'm new to this whole thing, so bare with me lol I am 19 years old. my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on November 18, 2011. A fairly new diagnosis. on the 21st of November she went into respiratory failure and was on a ventilator for 6 days. she came off of it like a fighter and after 6 weeks of in and out of…
The newest addition to my role....
Hello everyone. My name is Angie. My husband and I have been married for 15.5 years. We have faced many hardships throughout our marriage but October 5th brought the toughest battle yet. My wonderful husband was diagnosed with cancer. Honestly, I wasn't surprised. When his newest doctor found his white blood count to be…
Ugh!
Hi, My cancer journey has been insane so far and I'm not really sure what to do with any of it. Here's my story... My mom was at the hospital for a routine knee replacement when the doctors discovered the actual source of her pain, a large tumour on her spine. She was diagnosed with end stage lung cancer the next day. My…
A unique position?
I find myself being on both sides of the fence. I have cancer(I'm on the Uterine board) and have had open heart surgery to correct a birth defect(replacement of aortic heart valve) so the last three years have been rough. Now I find myself the sole care giver for my step-dad who has Alzheimers and for my mother who just…
No longer appreciated
I'm sure this isn't really a new topic, but I need to know if anyone else has had this experience once the cancer patient is doing well. My fiancee had a total laryngectomy in mid August. He went through radiation and chemo last winter, after being diagnosed with throat cancer a year ago October. I have been his caregiver,…
feel worthless and helpless
I am the caregiver for my mom who has sclc, she has had one round of chemo, and a few treatments of radiation, we go back this week for second round of chemo and more radiation.Her pain has been very bad, so bad that she has been put in the hospital twice because of it.The biggest problem is the meds they give her for pain…
Cindy thinking of you
Cindy just wanted you to know I was thinking of you today. I was driving down the street and tears starting coming down my face for you. Someone Ive never even met. I hate this cancer. I hate what it has done to our lifes. My heart hurts for you. Im in Calif but sending you a big hug. I hope that you have a peaceful day...…
Frustrated and Angry
My mom has Stage 4 colorectal cancer. She is only 52. It metastasized to her lungs. She has chemo every 3 weeks. My sister and I have been trading off taking her to her chemo appointments so I take her every 6 weeks. Lately, my sister and I have not been getting along with my mom. She has made some really bad decisions…
A Caregiver's Life
I am posting this in this section because my husband suffers from Liver Cancer and I know that there are plenty of caregivers who read this particular section because they too have a loved one who suffers from Cancer! I have participated and read this page since my husband was diagnosed in 2009. Most of the time it has…
One year and counting
16 months ago I moved across country to be with Michelle, the woman I love. We met at a wedding, did the long distance thing for a while and the decided that life is to short, and moved the 3000 miles so we could be together. We had a lot of fun the first few months, but she seemed to get so tired. Allergies, a cold, Just…
I hate it when people stare at my wife!
Went to an outdoor food fest today with my wife. She really wanted to go despite the fact that her brain tumor(s) make it hard for her to walk and that it has been very hot out lately. She held on to me for support as we walked, but after about 20 minutes and several breaks, she really had trouble walking. Some people…
Has your loved one 'bounced back' during hospice care?
Wife finished radiation two weeks ago. At the last appointment, the oncologist told me that there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of results. He was ordering hospice in order to help us. My wife looked awful and sounded worse, so I understand. The last week or so she has maintained as far as her condition goes. Maybe the…
Deciding How to Pass
I am so emotionally exhausted...spent last night arguing with my brothers about how mum will go. Mum was diagnosed with brain tumor (GBM IV) in April. Right now she's awake a few minutes a day, can't talk, and can sometimes move her hand. Me & my dad just want her to go peacefully, to not prolong this. My brothers want her…
rollercoaster ride of the caregiver
My 42 year old boyfriend was diagnosed with cancer in April of this year. He lives with me and my 2 children. He has had 6 chemo treatments and with each one he seemed to suffer more. I have a few questions for the caregivers out there, because I'm new to this. Does chemo alter someone's personality or their judgement? He…
curious about relationship issues
I am a caregiver to my live-in boyfriend of 6.5 years who is currently undergoing his second round of chemo for testicular cancer. This is my first time posting. I am just in need to talk to someone who has gone through this. A few weeks after my boyfriend was diagnosed, he began pushing away from me...I know this is…
29 year old wife caring for 30 yr old husband with stage 4 colon cancer
Anyone else in their late twenties or early thirties and caring for an equally young spouse or partner with stage 4 cancer? Looking for people in my same boat to chat with about coping with this disease and all the crap it brings you. My husband just started his first 6 mo Folfox chemo regimen on 8/12/11.
the pain for me goes on
Here's where we are at.... David recovered from C-diff, thank God. He also fought off a shingles outbreak. I got him on an antiviral immediately and I think we headed off a big outbreak. David's pain is also being managed pretty effectively for the most part. I am very, very grateful for that. We also changed the way we…
What to do when you have no support
Hi, I am so sorry if this is not in good taste for this board, but I need help. I am interested in hearing from those who are taking care of parents with no help from your siblings. My brother has done nothing to help my mom since her surgery. When I asked him for a little help, he told me "why would I have to do that when…
I feel so guilty...
I have been reading the posts.. and i guess i don't have it so bad. I have been with my partner for 31 years, in May she had a double mastectomy and reconstruction has gone thru 8 rounds of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. She still has a lot of pain in her chest. We were terrified when we found out she had cancer, I was so…
I don't know what to hope for any more
My mom was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer two years and a few months ago. At diagnosis, she was expected to live a few weeks. Somehow she has managed to fight through and make it this far and has completely shocked everyone. Back when she was diagnosed, we were all devastated. Mom was always so healthy. She ate…
Just looking for some advise
Hi All, It's been a while since I've been here. My partner had stage 4a cervical cancer but has now been in remission for over a year. She still has a hole in her bladder and they want to give her a stoma. My problem is she is also in Kidney failure and has nephostomy tubes to help her kidney function. They seem to work…
At what point did you consider hospice for a loved one?
I had a brief talk with the social services rep at my wife's hospital. She said that 'hospice' doesn't necessarily mean a rapid end of life scenario, but basically means making the patient more comfortable as they've come to terms with their prognosis. I am not sure how long my wife has. Depending on the results of her…
Entering The Final Stretch - Hospice
My wife's three year battle with Colon Cancer. She ran hard, tried everything the doctors wanted, attended prayer meetings, and the Doctor's admission to Hospice was like running into a brick wall. The dying process can be explained but not understood until experienced. So many decisions to make in so little time. Taking…
Hospice Since last post
Hi, It has been a few months since I've posted. My husband, stage iv bc with mets was place on hospice in the middle of July. We decided quality of life over quanity. I don't know if anyone has faced this before, but there are times I feel so guilty. I feel that maybe we made a mistake. Of course the dr did say that the…

Caregivers

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