Assistance Needed in Las Vegas, NV

myjd65
myjd65 Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Hi Everyone,
My name is Alena Malatesta, and my Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in early May. My Dad is 69 years old and he lives alone in Las Vegas, NV. He has lived in Las Vegas for the past 25 years.

He has started his chemo therapy treatments (6 cycles of 3 treatments every 3 weeks). He has finished cycle 1 & 2. He is in great spirits and has a very positive attitude. On Monday he will start 12 treatments of radiation in between cycle 2 & 3 of chemo.

I was wondering is there is anyone in the Las Vegas, NV area that could be a 'buddy' to him.

I live in Delaware and fly out to see him once a month and call many times daily.

Thank you for listening.
Alena

Comments

  • MadelynJoe
    MadelynJoe Member Posts: 96
    #2
    Your Dad
    Dear Alena:

    I am a four year nonsmall cell lung cancer survivor (stage 1a). I consider myself very blessed to be cancer free.

    Regarding a "buddy" for your Dad, call his oncology clinic and ask if they have a cancer support group. If not, get on the net and search for other oncology practices in the Las Vegas area, many have support groups. I have been in a cancer support group for 3 1/2 years now and has been invaluable to me.

    Best regards,

    Madelyn
  • myjd65
    myjd65 Member Posts: 7
    #3
    MadelynJoe said:

    Your Dad
    Dear Alena:

    I am a four year nonsmall cell lung cancer survivor (stage 1a). I consider myself very blessed to be cancer free.

    Regarding a "buddy" for your Dad, call his oncology clinic and ask if they have a cancer support group. If not, get on the net and search for other oncology practices in the Las Vegas area, many have support groups. I have been in a cancer support group for 3 1/2 years now and has been invaluable to me.

    Best regards,

    Madelyn

    Thank you
    Madelyn,
    Thank you so much for responding to my post. I truly appreciate you taking the time. Congratulations on being cancer free! I will call my Dad's oncology office and see if they have a support group.

    It is very hard being so far away from him. I spoke with him this morning and I know if he had someone to talk to that went through what he is going through that he could ask questions he would feel better.

    Thank you again
    Best Regards,
    Alena
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #4
    myjd65 said:

    Thank you
    Madelyn,
    Thank you so much for responding to my post. I truly appreciate you taking the time. Congratulations on being cancer free! I will call my Dad's oncology office and see if they have a support group.

    It is very hard being so far away from him. I spoke with him this morning and I know if he had someone to talk to that went through what he is going through that he could ask questions he would feel better.

    Thank you again
    Best Regards,
    Alena

    Lots of Support Groups Out There
    There are lots of different support groups around. The Wellness Community is a non-profit organization that specializes in emotional support of folks with cancer and their families. It is web-based as well as located in many communities around the US. The local hospitals no doubt have a variety of support groups for folks with specific cancers that provide medical information and ways to cope with the various problems treatment and disease cause. The American Lung Association as well as the American Cancer Society may know of other specific groups in the area. I have also been impressed in what I can locate just by using a general search engine like Google or Mamma.com. Some folks prefer a support group like the boards here since it is free, available 24/7 and fairly anonymous. At times, meeting with people face to face is better. Good luck helping your Dad find a group that fits his needs!
  • myjd65
    myjd65 Member Posts: 7
    #5
    cabbott said:

    Lots of Support Groups Out There
    There are lots of different support groups around. The Wellness Community is a non-profit organization that specializes in emotional support of folks with cancer and their families. It is web-based as well as located in many communities around the US. The local hospitals no doubt have a variety of support groups for folks with specific cancers that provide medical information and ways to cope with the various problems treatment and disease cause. The American Lung Association as well as the American Cancer Society may know of other specific groups in the area. I have also been impressed in what I can locate just by using a general search engine like Google or Mamma.com. Some folks prefer a support group like the boards here since it is free, available 24/7 and fairly anonymous. At times, meeting with people face to face is better. Good luck helping your Dad find a group that fits his needs!

    Thank you
    Cabbott,
    Thank you so much for replying to my post and the great information. I have never heard of Mamma.com, but I will check it out.

    Alena
  • jsayler
    jsayler Member Posts: 4
    #6
    How is your Dad doing?
    Hi Alena,

    I live in Las Vegas and I have been going through my own cancer ordeal alone. I understand how it can be so hard to be all alone all the time. I am rather lucky in that I feel good about being alone (crabbing to myself and not in front of others, Ha! Ha!) but I also know how down I can become when a memory may just hit me and all the sudden I loose it.

    My advanced stage IV Ovarian cancer has just about deemed itself in remission. (And they doubted me!) I'm tough and I understand how to get things done right the first time.

    If I can be of help, let me know. I live in the Paradise area (SE) near Henderson. I am new to the area. My husband still works in Minnesota while I am here with our pets.

    joysayler@gmail.com

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