I am sure that no one will debate me on this one. Most people know SOMEONE who has had cancer, has cancer or has passed away from cancer. Or perhaps, someone on here has had a battle with cancer or a cancer scare.

I just wanted to say how much cancer sucks!!! My Mother was diagnosed with brain cancer on her 52nd birthday (March 2007). She had brain surgery to have 5-7 tumors removed. And then, just a few weeks later, my daughter (5 years at the time) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. She entered Loma Linda Children's Hospital on April 6th, 2007 and was sent home on April 13th. Just one week later.

It has been a LOOONG bumpy road for both my Mom and my daughter. Kyleigh, my daughter, has been in remission since her release from the hospital in 2007. Luckily, she has only had one blood transfusion and only one platelet transfusion. She hasnt had to be re-hospitalized in those two year and on June 11th, 2009, she was officially declared "Done" with her treatments. No more lumbar punctures, no more pills. Just monthly labwork to monitor her progress. We have been lucky and blessed that she has responded this well. She enters 3rd grade on Monday.

As for my Mom, she had no signs of cancer for nearly those two and a half years. She continued to battle with the side effects of the radiation she endured, for the first year, but after that year, she was well on her road to recovery. It hasnt been easy for her. She found out that her husband of 34 years was cheating on her during the first year of her recovery process. She was supposed to have died, my Dad thought.....but she didnt. She beat the odds and beat brain cancer.

On August 13th, 2009 (just a day shy of my Grandmother's death anniversary-She passed away in 1996 from lung cancer), my Mom was told she had bone cancer.......and again, our world fell apart. My Mom is a strong person. She wants to beat this. She wants to live. She is optimistic and shuns away from anyone who isnt. She starts chemo on August 25th and hopefully, if not sooner, radiation. It will be a long battle again, but this time, my Dad is along for the ride. Whole spirited!

I hate cancer. I hate that it is sooo common. I hate that there really isnt much that we can do to prevent it. Sure, eating specific foods, and staying away from specific habits will help PREVENT it, but it doesnt guarantee you will never develop it. Especially if it is in your genes. Just had to vent about my hatred........ERRRR! :biggrin:

Thanks for reading!:w00t:

I just came across this thread and was wondering how your mother is doing?

I lost both my parents from cancer quite a few years ago so i whole heartedly agree with you - CANCER SUCKS! My aunt just finished her treatments for lung & throat cancer and she is free & clear for now. She and I will keep you and yours in our thoughts!

I am sooo sorry to hear that you lost your parents to this HORRIBLE disease! :crying:Time makes things a little easier, but it never fully repairs the heart nor does it prepare you for the possibility of it happening to someone else in your life. Like your Aunt. I feel for your family. So much cancer....but there is good news. Your Aunt is doing well. YAY! Congrats on her treatments ending. That is a battle all of its own. I hope she continues on the path to a full recovery!!! :thumbup:My thoughts are with you and her as well.

And thank you for asking about my Mom. She is doing better day by day. Still in pain, and still receiving radiation on a daily basis. She cant be left home alone just yet, but it seems like she is making more progress each day and her spirit is just amazing. Her whole outlook on life has changed since her first diagnosis of brain cancer two years ago. Too bad it took something like cancer to make her see all the good in her life. Too bad it took her diagnosis to see how much I have in my life too. Mom starts chemo soon, so her battle isnt over just yet. She watched my Grandma endure chemo and isnt looking forward to the treatment. Infact, my Grandma gave up chemo because it just made her remaining time more difficult for her. (She died of lung cancer back in 1996...when I was 16. I was at her bedside.) But she is well. Thank you again!!

Well wishes to your Aunt!

Well I have to agree cancer SUCKS!!!!! I have battled it twice went thru 9 surgeries chemotherapy and radiation!!!!! I have lost my mother to this awful disease, I was only 28 at the time. Yes cancer SUCKS!!!! There is not a day that goes by that I don't feel a little bump or find an unusually large bruise and wonder if my cancer is back again. My logical brain says worrying about it will not help but the rest of me worries that I will never see grandchildren, retire after working 36 years of my 49, ETC etc! Yes cancer SUCKS!!!!!

You are such a strong woman!!! I couldnt imagine the strength and the will to live you have. WOW! Kudos to you and your having battled Cancer TWICE!! And I cant even fathom what goes through someone's mind when they have beaten cancer, and have to go day to day, wondering if that is the end of it. I mean, I have had cancer scares, but nothing more than a scare....and that is enough to keep me on edge. But to have gone through it and beat it twice, CONGRATULATIONS! :mad2: And tell your "logical brain" to stop worrying about never seeing grandkids, or retiring or whatever else it is saying. Stay positive. You have beaten it twice. That is twice more than most people! Keep living for today and look forward to tomorrow. You are here now and here for a reason. My thoughts will be with you and yours!!! :thumbup: