My sister in law has cancer...

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but I’m sure it’ll be moved if it isn’t.

My sister-in-law has cancer. It was diagnosed just ten days ago, and at the time of me typing this – 10:45GMT – she is in surgery.

She discovered lumps on her neck, and during the frantic diagnosis at the GPs and various specialists, one turned into three lumps. A biopsy revealed them to be secondary cancers. Now, after a PET scan, it has been discovered that she has another lump – presumed to be the primary – in her throat.

She thought this was just “something stuck in there”.

She hadn’t felt well for some time, but put it down to her hectic work and family life.

So, the reason for my posting this thread: you – the ATS community – are the largest group of people I know. I am known on this site as a dyed in the wool skeptic – which is not entirely true. I want evidence, I demand logic, and I will not fall for obvious BS. None of those are beyond reasonable expectation.

I do, however, believe that there is something undeniable about the power of positive thought. I believe that we are somehow “tied into” a greater whole; we are all undergoing individual experiences in similar realities, and have occasional glimpses of just how deep and weird the reality of those experiences really are.

Often what we see frightens us, turns us to religion, convinces us that we are not alone, makes us wonder just where is the justice in good people suffering…

I’m asking – no, begging - the ATS community to pray, send good thoughts, visualize those lumps shrinking, in fact whatever you want to do to send good vibes to my sister-in- law, who is a wonderful mother of two amazing daughters and wife to a brilliant guy.

Those three people do not deserve to loose her.

I’m not sure this will work, but cannot see the harm in it either.

Her name is Ann, and she lives in Cork, Ireland.

And lastly; this – and another episode - made me realize just how fragile life can be. My mother died last year because she wouldn’t take the antibiotics diagnosed to her for cellulitis, and because I live in a different country to her, I didn’t find this out until she was being taken into hospital. It was too late for her.

If you feel out of sorts, or just run down for no real reason, don’t just ignore it.

Look after yourself. Get it checked.

If not for yourself, then for the people who love you.

If it has been caught SOON enough you may want to consider Rick Simpsons method of treating AND CURING various cancers. God Speed and THE BEST OF LUCK, to your sister in law.

www.youtube.com...

www.youtube.com...

As a cancer survivor myself, sign me up. Positive mental attitude is perhaps the most important for anybody facing a major disease. It is a difficult time. Come on ATS, let's get some positivity rollin' for a change!

OP, God bless.

reply to post by Bazarocka


Thanks for the reply, and the good wishes. Much appreciated.

There isn't a hope in hell of her using anything but traditional - i.e. the HSE (Irish health service) - treatment! She's even more skeptical than I am...

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha


Thank you so much. That meant more than you know.

reply to post by Beamish


How could I possibly refuse a six-eyed, vagina-faced cat?
(Seriously, that's gross).

I'm one of the oft-loathed Christians around here (a badge that we fundamentalist, intolerant fools wear proudly), and I'll happily pray for your sister in law... and her husband, for that matter. It's an awful thing to have to go through, and they'll need all the strength they can get.

Good thing she has you looking out for her!
Keep us updated... all the best.

reply to post by Awen24


Thanks for your reply, and your good wishes! (even spider-kitty thanks your!)

And even though I'm reserved about most claims about the supernatural - religion included - do you think I've never prayed?

We all turn to "help" when we're on our own...

reply to post by Beamish


I've been living with a terminal brain tumour for the last 11 years. When I was first diagnosed they gave me 3 years. It came back in 2007, when I was given 18 months to live. I have been very lucky and had great treatment on the NHS. It's very hard to be positive 100% of the time and can be worse when people tell you to be positive when you r feeling scared and depressed. It can show a lack of understanding and a desire for the person to be positive to make it easier for others around them.

Having said that, the best way to feel positive, is to be informed. Informed of the treatments and surgeries. I also liked looking at the percentages for survival. I knew that if there was only a 10% survival rate, I would be one of those 10%. So it is very important to be positive, but not to the point where you don't let the patient grieve for what has happened to them.

Surround your sister in law, with love and support. These things can do wonders. I woiuldn't be here today had it not been for the love and support of family and friends.

I wish your sister in law all the luck in the world. She should be confident that Cancer treatments are better than ever and she has a very good chance of survival.

reply to post by woodwardjnr


Good point. It is a delicate balance of remaining positive and being realistic. The grieving can come later. Beating the illness is first and foremost. I had to learn that the hard way. (As if there were an easy way to learn it)

The above poster is correct though. Do not belittle someone's situation. A genuine effort to empathize and understand goes a really long way.

Once again, OP, Prayers are coming your way.

reply to post by woodwardjnr


It's difficult to respond to your post with anything else but wow!

That's what I mean by the power of positive thought, right there in words.

Thanks so much for your contribution.

And Ann is the most hard-headed, non-BS type of person you'd ever hope to meet. She won't take this lying down, but we all do need help, no matter how strong we are.

reply to post by NarcolepticBuddha

It is a delicate balance of remaining positive and being realistic.

Couldn’t agree more. Her family are pragmatic and capable, have faced problems before and come through them with good grace and calm.

But it’s the shock of finding out that individual mortality is still a part of a life that is full-bore that can demolish even the hardiest soul. Ann was knocked sideways by this.

Shock and its after-effects, if left unchecked, can aid the illness. Help in the form of support – however it comes – can and will halt those insidious effects.

Originally posted by Beamish
reply to post by Awen24

 

Thanks for your reply, and your good wishes! (even spider-kitty thanks your!)

And even though I'm reserved about most claims about the supernatural - religion included - do you think I've never prayed?

We all turn to "help" when we're on our own...

...why should we be forced to turn to God only when desperate? If you were God, is that really the kind of prayer you'd be looking for? I'm not suggesting that such prayer is never answered... thankfully, God is far more gracious than I am... but he's also not Santa Claus. ...and I don't mean this as a criticism of you. You've actually make me think more introspectively, which is nice.

There is something to be said for all of us (myself included) in this... and I'm grateful to you for making me think of it. We're all happy to talk to God in our darkest times, when desperation takes hold... but when was the last time we talked to Him, thanked Him for something simple in our lives that we appreciate? Something small, but meaningful?

I will pray for your sister-in-law today. But while I'm at it, I'll also keep my eyes open for something small, something positive, something beautiful to thank God for today. Goodness knows there's enough darkness in this world without us appreciating those few beautiful moments.

Originally posted by Beamish
If you feel out of sorts, or just run down for no real reason, don’t just ignore it.

Look after yourself. Get it checked.

If not for yourself, then for the people who love you.

Beamish you could not be more correct. Last Monday I had a cousin succumb to cancer and his was only found a little over 2 months ago. He had been feeling bad since late last year, but just passed it off. Cancer really sucks.

I'll will take a moment and say a prayer for Ann & light a candle for her. I hope her surgery goes well and she has a speedy recovery.

OiO

reply to post by Beamish

I highly, highy recommend the book "Dying to be Me: My Journy from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing." -Anita Moorjani. The book is written by a woman who was hours away from death by cancer and she was totally healed and came back to share her story. I too believe in the power of positive thought and I think this story could help you and your family. If you would like I have this as an e-book and I could lend it to you for free if you would like to read it. Just send me a u2u and I can email it to you. Here is the Amazon link so you can read more about it: Dying to be Me

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Bless you!
-Alena

Cancer survivor here. I will pray for Ann and keep her in my thoughts.

reply to post by OneisOne


Thanks so much for your message, and I'm really sorry about your cousin. Cancer really is a mindless blight on humanity.

reply to post by Alena Michelle


Thank you for your kind thoughts. And also for pointing us all towards the book; I'll mention it to Ann when she's feeling a little more human and if she wishes to read it, I'll be in touch.

reply to post by Night Star


Thank you. The more people sending out positive vibes, thoughts or whatever you wish to call it, the better.

Ketogenic Diet.

Otto Warburg had some things to say about blood glucose and cancer fuel.

Just a quick update; Anne came out of surgery, and is now home.

It looks like they caught it in time, and that the lumps weren't secondary.

She phoned last night, is as crotchety as hell, suffering because of the meds (they make her heave, which is not funny when you have a eight inch scar on your neck), but is almost back to her old self.

I want to thank all those who replied to this thread, and for the good wishes.

I don't know if your prayers, positive thoughts etc actually altered the out come. The skeptic in me says of course they didn't. However, this time my cynicism can take a back seat; I think you did help, and there is no reason to try and clinically disect the ins and outs of it.

I asked, you replied, she came out with the best result possible. End of story.

Thanks.