Cancer Stories to share?

[shutterbug0303]

Hi everyone...I wasn't sure where to post this, so I just picked General. Let me know if it needs moved...

I don't want to get too personal and make anyone uncomfortable, but I thought this would maybe help anyone like me who is in a sense, looking for some support. Would anyone be willing to share a cancer story? Success or sadness? Please post whatever you're comfortable with....

I lost my dad to Pancreatic Cancer this Feb. He was diagnosed November 19...only 2 1/2 months from diagnosis to loss . He was 63 years young and my greatest role model! I miss him terribly! As we are beginning to go through holidays, his birthday just passed (Oct 29th), and reliving the few months of the disease, it is becoming difficult for me. Thankfully, I have a strong support system in my home and church...and my babies (especially Chloe) are always there when I need a hug. I never knew a sole with any type of cancer until the age of 17. Since then, the total is now at 5, all of whom have died or are in the last stages. I hate this awful disease!!

Ok, I don't think this is exactly how I intended this post....I think I'll end with a precious photo of my daddy with my brother when they were younger (probably about 11-12 years ago)...


(sorry so small...my larger ones aren't working and I'm at work right now...)

[smokey the elder]

My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982. She had a mastectomy and radiation. She is now 95 years old.

I hope all the new science will keep making more and more cancers curable.

I'm sorry about your dad.

[Samantha Puppy]

I lost my grandmother to colon cancer on December 25, 1997. She was 83. She was the greatest grandmother anyone could have ever wished for. She was around and involved, lots of fun, spoiled us rotten, would cut off her left arm if you needed it, spiritual, funny, loving, BIG animal lover, she was just perfect. I miss her so much and even though it's been almost 7 years, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her and my eyes fill up (and sometimes, over) wishing that I had just *one* more hour with her.

I love you, Mom Mom. You are missed more than you can know.




Edit: I also lost Pop Pop (Mom Mom's husband) to spinal cancer, but he died two years before I was born. They diagnosed him and within two months he was gone. He was in pain and dying on May 22, 1976 and died just past midnight on my dad's birthday, May 23, 1976. Two years later, on May 22, 1978, I came along, so my mom took it as a sign from her dad that she shouldn't be sad because life was still coming through him.

At any rate, I lost both maternal grandparents to cancer, as well as my paternal grandmother - but she and I weren't close at all so I rarely think about her...

[Tonya]

My grandmothers and aunts are breast cancer survivors. I lost my grandfather to liver cancer in May. He was diagnosed on a Thursday and died that following Wednesday. Although we didn't get much time to say goodbye, I am greatful that he did not suffer long. I also lost my dear friend, Lee to throat cancer last November. They suspect that he got it from the agent orange in the war.

[Miranda_Rae]

My grandpa died from lung cancer this spring from smoking. My grandma is a breast cancer and kidney survivor. My great aunt is a breast cancer survivor.

[shutterbug0303]

wow...it is so amazing the number of people affected by some type of cancer!! Think back to the early 90's if you can....It was usually "a friend of a friend..." that was diagnosed with some type of cancer, usually breast or lung....now, it is everywhere Thank you to everyone who has posted. I will add each of you to my prayer list!

[PJ's Mom]

I lost my dad to renal cancer on January 28th, 1997. He was diagnosed the previous April. I wasn't there for him when he died. I should've been. I have an answering machine tape where my step mother called me to tell me how bad he was getting, and in the background, he's yelling my name. That was a month or so before he died. He was so delirious from the pain killers he was on, that he hardly recognized me the last time I saw him.

My paternal grandfather also died of cancer (bone cancer) in 1986...3 months before my first daughter was born. We were so close, but I never told him he had a great-grandchild on the way. (i was only 19)

I miss them both very much and often wonder if my life would be a whole lot better if they were both still around.

[RICHARD]

My GF of 13 years passed of pancreatic cancer on March 19 2002.


I never use the term 'lost' when I talk about her......She is "safe and found", in my heart.

PC is an insidious disease......It is cruel and unforgiving. Support any research or make a donation of some kind to help try and fight this disease.

[RedHedd]

I'm a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in November 1997, had a mastectomy and reconstruction in 1998-2001 (9! surgeries!), was on Tamoxifen and then Arimidex for a total of 5 years and now I'm considered cancer free. I did have a scare in July 2003 and had to have a biopsy in my remaining breast which turn out to be benign. I get mammograms once a year and do self-exams regularly (at least once a month). Ladies, please check yourselves! Mammograms don't find everything.

I had had a clear mammogran in June 1997 and found the lump myself in August 1997. The doctors pooh-poohed my fears and told me it would "go away." I knew different and had to pressure them into biopsying the lump. Turned out I had four tumors. They tried lumpectomies - after two tries and still no clear margins on the tumors, they wanted to go in a third time. That is when I put my foot down and said no, they'd caused enough disfigurement by that time and I had also developed lympedema (swelling of the arm post- lymph node dissection). That is when I decided to go for the mastectomy with reconstruction. I have never regretted my decision, as during all my surgeries I also got a boob lift on my remaining breast so I'm nice 'n perky.

[guster girl]

I lost my grandmother (mom's mom) to lung cancer in '85, she wasn't even 60. It's still difficult for my mother, and, especially now since she's getting close to that age. A friend of mine died of colon cancer (I'm saying that, and, not 100% sure if that was the type) this year and he was in his early 30's. He'd previously lost both parents to the same disease. He was an amazing human being, you'd never known he was as sick as he was, except for the last couple of weeks. One of my best friends just lost her mother to a long bout with breast cancer, and, another one of my good friend's mother has just recently been diagnosed with the same. My brother is a leukemia survivor. He was diagnosed at 5, finally stopped treatments at 10, and, is now turning 31 in January. I have many more, unfortunately, but, those are the stories closest to my heart. I wear yellow around my wrist.

[DogLover9501]

I have a few...

My little cousin Rhian(Ree-ann), was diagnosed with Cancer around Christmas 2003, she was 14 months old at the time.

She had a big tumor on her bladder and couldn't pee on her own, and also had some spots on her liver.

A few months ago, she was announced cancer free! And I hope she stays that way!!!

Here she is:


My aunt Janie was diagnosed with cancer on her overies(or somewhere around there) in 2002, she had surgery and treatments and is also cancer free now!

Here she is with her pride and joy


Also the one that effects me the most, is Courtney, almost like a little sister to me...

She was diagnosed with Cancer, she had a big tumor on her brain, she was about 7-8 years old, she had a long hard battle with cancer for over 4 years, and died 2 years ago at the age of 12

Here she is before all of this, the picture is very blurry because I had to take a picture of the picture:


I know there are more...

Cancer is everywhere

[CamCamPup33]

My aunt died from skin cancer (Mellanoma - SP) about a year ago. It was very hard on my dad. As well as my uncle. I think he took it worse though, i mean who's spouse wouldnt? My aunt linda, struggled for years with treatment. The last time i saw her, she was in her casket. I miss her dearly....

R.I.P to all of the cancer victims, as i know how if feels to lose a loved one.

[lizzielou742]

Lost my grandfather to esophageal cancer in summer 2002. I stayed home that summer to care for him. It was the most horrible thing I've ever witnessed. The tumor closed up his esophagus and he literally starved to death. A horrible, slow, painful thing.
He had prostate cancer before that, but beat it.

Lost my uncle to cancer in 1997. By the time he figured out he was sick, it had spread to his liver, lungs, brain, lymph nodes...everywhere. We're not even sure where it started. He died four days after he was diagnosed. Very sudden for all of us.

[cookieluver7]

My grandpa died about 8 years ago from cancer. I was pretty little at the time so I don't remember all the details. I miss him a lot and that is the only thing I can do. The only way that makes me feel happy for my grandpa is that he is in a happier place. My grandpa loved all of his grandkids and even though I didn't get to know him very well, I knew he loved us. I still love him and it helps me to know that he is looking down on me right now and is watching me grow up before his very eyes.

My great aunt was diagnosed with cancer just a view months ago. She was in the hospital and my mom and grandma were spending a lot of time with her. She was one of the lucky ones. She had kimotherepy (sp?) and survived. She is out of the hospital and is better than ever.

The only thing you can do when it comes to somebody having cancer is pray. If there is a cure thank GOD, if they die because there is no cure, pray to GOD and ask him to get through the hard times. Cancer comes to some people whether you want it to or not. Nobody knows why. There is nothing you can do. Keep praying that there will be a cure for all kinds of cancer and hope for the best.

[MariaM]

My good neighbor has cancer. He was not supposed to live this long. He had surgery recently, they tried taking some cancer out, but its all over the place. Soon he's leaving, to BC I believe, with his wife and their dog, Hucky. I will miss them. He can't handle the cold so he has to go for the winter. Tomorrow might be the last chance I get to see him.