gregmcc
Honorary Master
Just got news that my Mom is diagnosed with cancer (came back again after 15 years) and doesnt have long left.
**** you cancer....**** you!!
**** you cancer....**** you!!
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**** Cancer
- Thread starter EMAM
- Start date
Kornhub
Blackburn Fan
Omg I am so sorry
Cius
Honorary Master
Sorry to hear. We lost my wife's mom a month back to undiagnosed cancer in her lungs. Went in to hospital for shortness of breath and was gone a week later. Really a horrible disease.
gregmcc
Honorary Master
Thanks all. Still coming to terms with it. We all know death is coming but it's something you can never prepare for.
Makes you really think about your life and the stupid small things you fuss over which are meaningless in the bigger picture.
Makes you really think about your life and the stupid small things you fuss over which are meaningless in the bigger picture.
Grant
Honorary Master
how is your mom coping (emotionally) ?
gregmcc
Honorary Master
Seems to be coping with it but it's been a tough few last years. Cancer which was removed about 15 years ago. Then issue with heart so needed a pacemaker, then a big fall and bleed on the brain. Was slowly recovering from all this but had a fall the other day. Nothing was broken but during the scan they then find lung cancer and then some issue with a artery in the heart.
TribbleZA
Honorary Master
I am so sorry - you must all feel so sad and frustrated.
Re Skin Melanomas:
My best friend passed away 2 weeks ago from cancer complications because he didn't excise or have removed a melanoma on his leg earlier enough (Stage 0/1) about 3 years ago.
I heard only after the fact, as he never told me, that the Melanoma on his leg was Stage 4 back when it was removed.
I thought at the time as we chatted that he just had a skin cancer cut out, a lymph node in his groin removed, and as such was in the clear. Me never googling, never knowing about melanomas and how deadly they are, and him not saying about which skin cancer he had (he knew and kept quiet).
My only experience at that stage with skin cancers was a BCC I had cut out from my temple about 15 years ago, so I never prompted him for more information. Me in my ignorance at the time, actually said he should expose the wound (excised part) to the sun, so the grafted skin can heal better.
Be warned, go to a dermatologist at least once a year to check for skin cancers. Let them map your body and keep checking back.
If you can catch melanomas while they're still at Stage 0 or 1 you will probably be fine and nothing will happen. Never leave any skin lesion/mark to chance, don't stall or think you don't have enough money to get it looked at, even if you can't get an appointment with a dermatologist, go see a GP at least, they will have some idea of what you have or refer you to someone where you can get an earlier appointment or just burn off the mark you have, if so applicable.
Catching a Melanoma while it is still at Stage 0/1 will save your life. If left to its own devices the melanoma goes below the skin, then into the epidermis and on into your blood stream at which point you may well be fscarkked. That thing hides in organs like the lungs and liver, but it especially likes to hide alongside your brain matter. If this happens, even an operation on your skull, chemotherapy and radiation won't make a difference. This "hiding" process doesn't happen overnight, it takes months or a couple of years until you have a brain haemorrhage or some other complication because your liver or another organ is failing.
Basically, if you get State 4 Melanoma, book plane tickets and go see the world and live your life wherever you are as you have a couple of years to live of normal life, maybe 3 or 4, as when that thing starts growing in your brain or organs its virtually unstoppable, even with that "liquid gold" treatment from Australia.
Looking back at my friend's treatment, which I was not privy to but could see for myself, I think he should have denied treatment, taken oral medication and lived the last few months as is. He lasted 4 months with treatment and it must have been hell on earth for him, being overly medicated with everything tasting like garbage because of the radiation.
Copied from Google AI: (I hope this helps someone)
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It develops in the melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells) and is primarily caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds. While less common than other skin cancers, it is far more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Warning Signs: The ABCDE Rule
Keep an eye out for any new spots or changes to existing moles. Use the ABCDE guide provided by The Skin Cancer Foundation to identify warning signs:
Causes & Risk Factors
Diagnosis & Treatment
My best friend passed away 2 weeks ago from cancer complications because he didn't excise or have removed a melanoma on his leg earlier enough (Stage 0/1) about 3 years ago.
I heard only after the fact, as he never told me, that the Melanoma on his leg was Stage 4 back when it was removed.
I thought at the time as we chatted that he just had a skin cancer cut out, a lymph node in his groin removed, and as such was in the clear. Me never googling, never knowing about melanomas and how deadly they are, and him not saying about which skin cancer he had (he knew and kept quiet).
My only experience at that stage with skin cancers was a BCC I had cut out from my temple about 15 years ago, so I never prompted him for more information. Me in my ignorance at the time, actually said he should expose the wound (excised part) to the sun, so the grafted skin can heal better.
Be warned, go to a dermatologist at least once a year to check for skin cancers. Let them map your body and keep checking back.
If you can catch melanomas while they're still at Stage 0 or 1 you will probably be fine and nothing will happen. Never leave any skin lesion/mark to chance, don't stall or think you don't have enough money to get it looked at, even if you can't get an appointment with a dermatologist, go see a GP at least, they will have some idea of what you have or refer you to someone where you can get an earlier appointment or just burn off the mark you have, if so applicable.
Catching a Melanoma while it is still at Stage 0/1 will save your life. If left to its own devices the melanoma goes below the skin, then into the epidermis and on into your blood stream at which point you may well be fscarkked. That thing hides in organs like the lungs and liver, but it especially likes to hide alongside your brain matter. If this happens, even an operation on your skull, chemotherapy and radiation won't make a difference. This "hiding" process doesn't happen overnight, it takes months or a couple of years until you have a brain haemorrhage or some other complication because your liver or another organ is failing.
Basically, if you get State 4 Melanoma, book plane tickets and go see the world and live your life wherever you are as you have a couple of years to live of normal life, maybe 3 or 4, as when that thing starts growing in your brain or organs its virtually unstoppable, even with that "liquid gold" treatment from Australia.
Looking back at my friend's treatment, which I was not privy to but could see for myself, I think he should have denied treatment, taken oral medication and lived the last few months as is. He lasted 4 months with treatment and it must have been hell on earth for him, being overly medicated with everything tasting like garbage because of the radiation.
Copied from Google AI: (I hope this helps someone)
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It develops in the melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells) and is primarily caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds. While less common than other skin cancers, it is far more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Warning Signs: The ABCDE Rule
Keep an eye out for any new spots or changes to existing moles. Use the ABCDE guide provided by The Skin Cancer Foundation to identify warning signs:
- A - Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
- B - Border: The edges are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
- C - Colour: The colour is inconsistent and may include different shades of brown or black, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
- D - Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimetres (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can sometimes be smaller.
- E - Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, colour, or elevation. It may also start to itch, hurt, or bleed.
Causes & Risk Factors
- UV Exposure: Long-term sun exposure and blistering sunburns significantly increased risk.
- Genetics: Fair skin, light hair, a history of sunburns, and a family history of melanoma raise your risk.
- Hidden Areas: Though most common on sun-exposed areas, melanoma can appear in hidden areas like the palms, soles, scalp, or between toes.
Diagnosis & Treatment
- Diagnosis: If a spot looks suspicious, a doctor will perform a biopsy, where the lesion is removed and tested for cancer cells.
- Treatment: Treatment depends on how deep the cancer is. It typically involves surgery to remove the melanoma and a margin of surrounding healthy skin. For more advanced cases, treatments may include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation.
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gogga_
Expert Member
Thank you for this informative post
Grant
Honorary Master
well let her know there are actually ppl out there that she does not know or even heard of, that are thinking of her.
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TribbleZA
Honorary Master
I am sorry you were not able to prepare for your friend's exit. My mother has had skin removed several times in the last few years. On the top of her head and face. They regularly check to see that it has not penetrated the skull or the lymph glands. That is when it becomes dangerous.
I agree with what you said about his last few months. I would choose to live too. If you stand a chance at beating it - then definitely fight. But if you are past that stage - then you need to make the best use of the time you have left. If you have people to live for - then mostly likely you will fight.
Kornhub
Blackburn Fan
Brother in laws mother passed away this morning
TribbleZA
Honorary Master
I am really sorry.
gregmcc
Honorary Master
Sorry to hear. My consolances.
My mom passed away yesterday. At least we all got to say goodbye and she went in peace. Was really special with all the family around her.
At least family is all around to support each other as it's tough and mybb to keep my mind occupied. Choking up just typing this
ToxicBunny
Oi! Leave me out of this...
Condolences.. And it's always good to have the family around during hard times like this.
Having my brother around when my dad passed last year was a life saver for me and my mom.
TribbleZA
Honorary Master
I am so sorry - I am dreading losing my mom. I am really glad that your family is around you. Losing special people is really hard and you need people around you who understand and can help
Condolences to all who have lost loved ones and friends to the dreaded cancer.
Unfortunately I had to experience this with my mom recently.
She was complaining about stomach pains 23 Feb, so I took her to her doctor, who diagnosed intestine infection, but I was not convinced, it felt like something bigger to me, so I let her be hospitalised 2 days later for sonar/CT scans etc. After 3 days she was released and the doctor in charge of her would let us know the following week with all the test results. Come 5 March we went to see the doctor, who informed us she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which had also spread all over her liver.
Of course upon hearing this news we were just shocked. I was bloody mad and sad at the same time. To me it was a slap in the face for my mom, she was already old (79) and have had many dealings with hospitals and operations during her lifetime and having to take different kinds of chronic medications daily, why let her have this too. She still had many years left. I even wished that I could swap with her having this cancer.
Now the process begins to make sure she is comfortable with as little pain as possible. The first week after hearing this news she was still up and about and living as normal, but by the end of that first week she asked for my sister. I told my sister to come and help me with the female duties. That second week my mom became weaker, eating less and her mobility became difficult, so she became bedridden for most of that second week and sleeping more. By the third week she was completely out of it and could hardly talk and just laid there, and on her final day, 25 March, in the early hours of the morning she kept asking me to help her (maybe she realized something was happening to her now), over and over (I slept on a couch in her room), and I couldn't, I felt so helpless and I could see her toes and under her feet the colour changes of death starting to manifest itself until she took her final breath a few hours later. That was the worst feeling ever.
It took just 3 weeks and it was all over! I couldn't believe it. Just the difference from how she was in February and March was night and day, how someone who was still active was transformed to nothing just like that. I'm still in shock, I'm still mad, and I'll continue to grieve everyday until my final breath.
2026 is definitely the worst year in my life, because to top it all off, in April my one cat suddenly became ill (liver problem) and after spending a few days in vet hospital I was told to let my 'child' be euthanised on 20 April. I'm emotionally all over the place everyday.
Strongs to those who are currently dealing with this disease.
Unfortunately I had to experience this with my mom recently.
She was complaining about stomach pains 23 Feb, so I took her to her doctor, who diagnosed intestine infection, but I was not convinced, it felt like something bigger to me, so I let her be hospitalised 2 days later for sonar/CT scans etc. After 3 days she was released and the doctor in charge of her would let us know the following week with all the test results. Come 5 March we went to see the doctor, who informed us she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which had also spread all over her liver.
Of course upon hearing this news we were just shocked. I was bloody mad and sad at the same time. To me it was a slap in the face for my mom, she was already old (79) and have had many dealings with hospitals and operations during her lifetime and having to take different kinds of chronic medications daily, why let her have this too. She still had many years left. I even wished that I could swap with her having this cancer.
Now the process begins to make sure she is comfortable with as little pain as possible. The first week after hearing this news she was still up and about and living as normal, but by the end of that first week she asked for my sister. I told my sister to come and help me with the female duties. That second week my mom became weaker, eating less and her mobility became difficult, so she became bedridden for most of that second week and sleeping more. By the third week she was completely out of it and could hardly talk and just laid there, and on her final day, 25 March, in the early hours of the morning she kept asking me to help her (maybe she realized something was happening to her now), over and over (I slept on a couch in her room), and I couldn't, I felt so helpless and I could see her toes and under her feet the colour changes of death starting to manifest itself until she took her final breath a few hours later. That was the worst feeling ever.
It took just 3 weeks and it was all over! I couldn't believe it. Just the difference from how she was in February and March was night and day, how someone who was still active was transformed to nothing just like that. I'm still in shock, I'm still mad, and I'll continue to grieve everyday until my final breath.
2026 is definitely the worst year in my life, because to top it all off, in April my one cat suddenly became ill (liver problem) and after spending a few days in vet hospital I was told to let my 'child' be euthanised on 20 April. I'm emotionally all over the place everyday.
Strongs to those who are currently dealing with this disease.
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TribbleZA
Honorary Master
Oh my gosh I am so sad for you. That is very traumatic. And so very sudden, and your kitty on top of everything. You need to be kind to yourself and allow yourself to be angry and sad and hurt. I know you feel cheated. Doctors often get the diagnoses wrong. I am so glad you insisted on looking further. At least she would be helped with pain. I really am sorry for what you went through.Condolences to all who have lost loved ones and friends to the dreaded cancer.
Unfortunately I had to experience this with my mom recently.
She was complaining about stomach pains 23 Feb, so I took her to her doctor, who diagnosed intestine infection, but I was not convinced, it felt like something bigger to me, so I let her be hospitalised 2 days later for sonar/CT scans etc. After 3 days she was released and the doctor in charge of her would let us know the following week with all the test results. Come 5 March we went to see the doctor, who informed us she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which had also spread all over her liver.
Of course upon hearing this news we were just shocked. I was bloody mad and sad at the same time. To me it was a slap in the face for my mom, she was already old (79) and have had many dealings with hospitals and operations during her lifetime and having to take different kinds of chronic medications daily, why let her have this too. She still had many years left. I even wished that I could swap with her having this cancer.
Now the process begins to make sure she is comfortable with as little pain as possible. The first week after hearing this news she was still up and about and living as normal, but by the end of that first week she asked for my sister. I told my sister to come and help me with the female duties. That second week my mom became weaker, eating less and her mobility became difficult, so she became bedridden for most of that second week and sleeping more. By the third week she was completely out of it and could hardly talk and just laid there, and on her final day, 25 March, in the early hours of the morning she kept asking me to help her (maybe she realized something was happening to her now), over and over (I slept on a couch in her room), and I couldn't, I felt so helpless and I could see her toes and under her feet the colour changes of death starting to manifest itself until she took her final breath a few hours later. That was the worst feeling ever.
It took just 3 weeks and it was all over! I couldn't believe it. Just the difference from how she was in February and March was night and day, how someone who was still active was transformed to nothing just like that. I'm still in shock, I'm still mad, and I'll continue to grief everyday until my final breath.
2026 is definitely the worst year in my life, because to top it all off, in April my one cat suddenly became ill (liver problem) and after spending a few days in vet hospital I was told to let my 'child' be euthanised on 20 April. I'm emotionally all over the place everyday.
Strongs to those who are currently dealing with this disease.
Condolences to all who have lost loved ones and friends to the dreaded cancer.
Unfortunately I had to experience this with my mom recently.
She was complaining about stomach pains 23 Feb, so I took her to her doctor, who diagnosed intestine infection, but I was not convinced, it felt like something bigger to me, so I let her be hospitalised 2 days later for sonar/CT scans etc. After 3 days she was released and the doctor in charge of her would let us know the following week with all the test results. Come 5 March we went to see the doctor, who informed us she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which had also spread all over her liver.
Of course upon hearing this news we were just shocked. I was bloody mad and sad at the same time. To me it was a slap in the face for my mom, she was already old (79) and have had many dealings with hospitals and operations during her lifetime and having to take different kinds of chronic medications daily, why let her have this too. She still had many years left. I even wished that I could swap with her having this cancer.
Now the process begins to make sure she is comfortable with as little pain as possible. The first week after hearing this news she was still up and about and living as normal, but by the end of that first week she asked for my sister. I told my sister to come and help me with the female duties. That second week my mom became weaker, eating less and her mobility became difficult, so she became bedridden for most of that second week and sleeping more. By the third week she was completely out of it and could hardly talk and just laid there, and on her final day, 25 March, in the early hours of the morning she kept asking me to help her (maybe she realized something was happening to her now), over and over (I slept on a couch in her room), and I couldn't, I felt so helpless and I could see her toes and under her feet the colour changes of death starting to manifest itself until she took her final breath a few hours later. That was the worst feeling ever.
It took just 3 weeks and it was all over! I couldn't believe it. Just the difference from how she was in February and March was night and day, how someone who was still active was transformed to nothing just like that. I'm still in shock, I'm still mad, and I'll continue to grief everyday until my final breath.
2026 is definitely the worst year in my life, because to top it all off, in April my one cat suddenly became ill (liver problem) and after spending a few days in vet hospital I was told to let my 'child' be euthanised on 20 April. I'm emotionally all over the place everyday.
Strongs to those who are currently dealing with this disease.
What a terribly sad story MaxQz
and with your kitty gone too there's nobody to cuddle.We're here for you. Sending strongs.
Thank you, it's greatly appreciated.