My family and cancer

[GutterflowerSteel]

Hang in there - and all the best to your sister. She will be in the thoughts and prayers of many on this board, as will you and the rest of your family. Keep us updated!

[PAMillerGrrl83]

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

[Preacher]

Tom--

I am very sorry to hear all that. I know you are not asking for sympathy, but you have mine.

Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.

If you need anything... or just to talk... PM me and I will send you my Phone number.

May God bless and protect your family.

[stlrtruck]

Yesterday in church there was a man who gave a testimony about finding out he had cancer and as they were researching aggressive treatments, he was reminded that the Lord above is a healing God. Before moving forward with surgery, they went in for a second biopsy and the cancer was gone.

I believe that the Lord heals and it takes FAITH and PRAYER.

I will pray for your famly! I stand today believing that the Lord will bring healing to your family.

[HometownGal]

Just checking in, Tom, to see how your sister's surgery went. We've all been praying hard for her, as well as you and your family. Please give us an update!

[Texasteel]

Sorry I'm late Tom but I read this for the 1st time just now.

I know a little about finding that a loved one is sick. Sympathy is something that we all need sooner or later. If you can't find it here this place is not what I think it is.
Stand strong for you family. All my hopes and prayers.

God Bless You And Yours
Ed

[Mosca]

Thanks. She's doing well. Two of my other sisters went down to Florida to be with her (and spell her husband) during the week after surgery. Her prognosis is excellent; the initial diagnosis from the surgeon wasn't very hopeful, but the oncologist scoffed at that and said that she is going to live a long life and die from something else; and her own research tends to agree with the oncologist. she had a double mastectomy, and they took one or two lymph nodes as well. She still has to go through the chemotherapy and radiation, but she is a very strong, well centered woman, and she is certain she made the right decision.

The type of tumor she had does not show up on a mastectomy; it is only detectable through ultrasound.

She asked me to pass along this advice: If your family has a history of cancer, you should NEVER be satisfied when your doctor tells you that a test came back OK. You should INSIST that further tests be made, INSIST that they try to FIND something, rather than try to find nothing. She had always done that, but the last couple times she got lax, she wanted to hear that there was nothing so she accepted the answer.

Folks here are the best. Real life is far more important than differences in political beliefs, far more important than what football team you root for. Thanks, everyone.

[stillers4me]

Great news, Tom! I agree with your sister. I had my last mammygram at a facility that uses the ultrasound and it was amazing. Although we have no breast cancer in my family, you just never know. So glad to hear she's doing well and in good spirits.

[SteelersMongol]

Just read it today. I hope your sister & your family is doing great, Mr. Mosca. My best wishes.

[HometownGal]

Originally Posted by Mosca

Thanks. She's doing well. Two of my other sisters went down to Florida to be with her (and spell her husband) during the week after surgery. Her prognosis is excellent; the initial diagnosis from the surgeon wasn't very hopeful, but the oncologist scoffed at that and said that she is going to live a long life and die from something else; and her own research tends to agree with the oncologist. she had a double mastectomy, and they took one or two lymph nodes as well. She still has to go through the chemotherapy and radiation, but she is a very strong, well centered woman, and she is certain she made the right decision.

The type of tumor she had does not show up on a mastectomy; it is only detectable through ultrasound.

She asked me to pass along this advice: If your family has a history of cancer, you should NEVER be satisfied when your doctor tells you that a test came back OK. You should INSIST that further tests be made, INSIST that they try to FIND something, rather than try to find nothing. She had always done that, but the last couple times she got lax, she wanted to hear that there was nothing so she accepted the answer.

Folks here are the best. Real life is far more important than differences in political beliefs, far more important than what football team you root for. Thanks, everyone.

I am so relieved to hear that your sister's surgery went well and that the prognosis from her oncologist is so positive! She is a very courageous woman and certainly an inspiration to me.

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about my biological family's history, as I am adopted. Once in a while, the "fear of the unknown" gets the best of me and I get into one of those "I'd rather not know" funks, but I dip into my inner strength reserve, snap myself out of it and get the tests and follow-up I need.

Thank you, Tom, for sharing your thoughts and advice. Your strength and determination to keep up the fight, as well as you and your sister's courage and very obvious love of life, have been a source of tremendous help to me - more than you could ever know!