A tough day

When my 45 year old husband was diagnosed last March with Stage 4 pc, of course we went through all the emotions that everyone on this board has gone through. However, we then decided to look out for all the good things in life that are happening around us. Some days are harder than other to do that and today is one of those days.

I have a friend whose 30 yr old husband was diagnosed just over a year ago with multiple myeloma. He went through chemo and then right after they were married he had a stem cell transplant. So, they spent most of their first 100 days being married in isolation so he could recover. In October, he was pronounced cancer free. 2 weeks ago they found out the cancer had come back with a vengeance and spread to his lungs, liver and pancreas. Today he is in ICU fighting for his life. This guy is a fighter...an ex Marine and a police officer....he has the strongest will to live, but the cancer seems to be winning. It just breaks my heart for them and for all the rest of us that at some point may have to face this. I hate what cancer has done to so many of us!! Tomorrow, I will go back to being my optimistic self and seeing the brighter side of life, but for today, I am just sad. I knew you all would understand and allow me a place to vent for a moment. Please send up a prayer for my friend Alex and her husband Jesse.

Barb

Just 6 weeks ago I lost a very close friend to liver cancer. 5 days previously I was stood talking to him as he washed his car, then..................

My thoughts and prayers go out to your friend and her husband at this most difficult time.

Prayers have been sent their way...

I am sorry for your friend...much too young to have to deal with this crap.

gator, so sorry to hear about your friend. I have been on the verge of posting something similar but a bit closer to home.

I didn't think there could be anything worse than the day I got my PCa diagnosis, but just in the last couple of days, I have been told that my 43 year old daughters breast cancer has returned with mets in her liver, and possibly elsewhere. She had a mastectomy 4 years ago by a brilliant surgeon who declared no spread to nodes and clear margins. We thought the whole thing was over, but are now devastated by this new event. As I type this she is at the Oncologist getting the full details of her liver biopsy and bone scan.

I find myself in tears several times a day, especially when I think about my 3 beautiful grand-daughters (aged 10 to 14). No young child should have to see their mother die, and no parent should see their child die.

At almost 70, I have come to terms with my mortality but it shouldn't happen at a young age and especially not in such a cruel and painful way.

I am in complete despair.

Chas

Barb my thoughts are with you. Prayers to your freinds.

I am in tears reading this. How I hate cancer...words cannot even describe it. I will be praying many, many prayers for your friends Barb, and @Chask I am so sorry to hear this news. I just broke down when I read it. Your daughter is the same age as I am. It's not FAIR!!!!!

Thanks all for your thoughts.

Just heard from my son-in-law after the Onco visit. Thankfully there are no bone mets, but fairly extensive liver mets.

No prognosis given, but she starts chemo again next Tuesday, with Herceptin, Docetaxel and I think, Perjeta.

However as far as I can see, while Perjeta has been recommended for inclusion on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits scheme (meaning it costs $35 per script) it has yet to be approved, so cost could be $13,000. But if that is what it takes, then we will do it. From what I read on the net, median survival time is around 4 to 5 years.

My son-in-law Brett, now has the terrible job of telling the children. I can't begin to imagine how he will do that. He is a wonderful father and the kids are so good, they are a very loving family so I am sure it will be hell, but somehow they will get through it.

They will certainly have unstinting support from us and all the family.

Chask- I am glad to hear your daughter does not have any bone mets. (Keep looking at the positive!) I am the same age as your daughter and so I know how difficult telling the kids will be, but kids are resilient and with such a strong family support, they are going to get through this. Hopefully the chemo is going to kick the cancer's butt!! My husband has been on Taxotere and Carboplatin weekly since the beginning of December and thankfully the side effects have been pretty mild, so I am wishing the same for your daughter.

Lots of prayers going up today!

Chas and Gator:

Heartbreaking situations. You are both in my thoughts.

Mel