I HATE STUPID CANCER

Backstory: My dad is from a family of 15. He is full blooded American Blackfoot Indian. He grew up in the Upper Peninsula Michigan where his family (all 13 kids, my grandma and grandpa) ran a saw mill until the UP was timbered to nothing then they moved to Kentucky and started a tobacco farm. My dad is the oldest of 13 kids. My grandmother was 13 when she had my father and when she and my grandfather married. (it was 1939) dont judge). All 9 boys served in the military at some point, and went on to have decent blue collar jobs. (railroad, construction, steel mill) The 4 girls all married and are great productive citizens. I have 87 first cousins on that side of the family and over 100 second cousins. It is an amazing tribe. They came from NOTHING. Absolutely NOTHING.

Fast forward: 1988 my Uncle MIke dropped dead after getting up to heart burn medication in the middle of the night. His heart basically exploded. All the boys went and got their hearts checked. My dad and the other brothers have some congenital heart defect that if this hadnt happened would've killed them all much in the same manner. Every one of them have had valve replacements and stents put in and some quadruple bypasses.

1999: My aunt is diagosed with breast cancer.
2005: Another aunt is diagnosed with breast cancer.
2007: Another aunt diagnosed with breast cancer.
4th aunt is clear and has remained so.

2008/2009/2010 3 great uncles and 3 great aunts all diagnosed with alzheimers and dead within 2 years.

Their doctor decided to check them for the cancer gene..BRACA. Sure enough they all carry the gene. All the checked...all grandkids checked most of them have the gene.

2010: All aunts are in remission doing great. The first aunt diagnosed gets her yearly pet scan and bloodwork and gets bad news it is back. She is told it is so advanced there is nothing they can do. She is dead within 6 months.

December 12 2010 3rd Uncle from the oldest is found dead in his bed. He hadnt been sick. His heart basically exploded in his sleep from the same thing that took the first uncle and despite the bypass and stents and valve replacement it happens anyway.

flash forward: NOV 13 2012. My dad, and two uncles are getting ready to go on their annual deer hunting trip to the UP. One uncle breaks out in a crazy hive like rash. He goes to the doctor who tells him he has blood poisoning and admits him to the hospital. 5 days in the hospital, countless infectious disase doctors and specialists they see no signs of infection and have no idea what the rash is. He is released. He goes home. A week later, he back in the Er. THey admit him again. This time they do an endoscopy and colonoscopy. Colon is clear. endo comes back with a questionable spot near his esophagus. Tests are run. They tell him he has small cell cancer and it is agressive but it is just a few cells hasnt spread and to start chemo asap and he had a 90% chance of going into remission.

Flashforward 12-11-12: Uncle with cancer is taken to hospital with difficulty breathing. One hour later they called the entire family in (it was a sight!! and overwhelmed the hospital staff!) and told us he wouldnt make it through the night he had a horrible infection that he didnt have the immune system to fight off.

Today 12-12-12 two years after the 2nd uncle died in his sleep this uncle is told the cancer has spread to his liver lungs and brain and there is nothing more they can do. he has a dnr and is being kept comfortable. They do not think he will make it through the night tonight.

Why do I feel the need to tell all of this?

I simply dont get it. How can you have a few cells of cancer a month ago been getting chemo and all of the sudden it has overtaken your entire body? How can a family be subjected to so much ?

It doesnt seem fair and I am pouty and sad.

I have a few questions for God when I get there. I told the backstory because I think it is important to know this family's horrible medical plagues. Is it because they are American Indian? Are they more prone to this stuff?

Now for me...I was adopted. I am a heinz 57 American and thank God I do not have my familys genes.

I love them all though and it breaks my heart.

i mean come on...Alzheimers, congenital heart issues, cancer gene??? It is unreal.

Someone told me today all this seems like a lot only because my family is so large. I dont agree. What do you think?

Please say prayers to whomever you believe in to give my family some peace tonight and if my uncle has to leave us please let him do so painlessly and peacefully and that there really is something amazing waiting for him next.

Sorry to hear of your family's troubles.

"I have a few questions for God when I get there. I told the backstory because I think it is important to know this family's horrible medical plagues. Is it because they are American Indian?"

I've got God on the line, so I'll give you his response (quoted):

"No."

Edit: Sorry, I thought you were implying that perhaps your family was being punished with these ailments for being American Indian (should have read more, apologies).

Cancer does suck. Heart issues suck (I know this one personally). I am ready for bionics/gene therapy/whatever good things science can muster.

Wish there was something I could say to help you feel better. They would want you to live a happy life despite what may take them to the next world/life -- I bet they had a lot of happy times -- they'd want the same for you. Let their spirits live on through your joys.

My condolences man.

I know how you feel 'cause I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are. I lost my Grandma, Uncle and my Dad, all of them lost their lives to a fast moving cancer within a month and my mom is currently in remission. 2 years later after losing my Dad to cancer and I'm still not over it and it's affecting me hard since I don't have a have a big family; I can literally count my remaining family with my 1 hand. Now, I genuinely get pissed when people ask my for cancer donations too...yep.

I also swore to punch god in the face when I see him...if he/she/it exists.

reply to post by k21968


You'll have my prayers.

I feel for you. My family has suffered because of this terrible disease. I have lost family before they were fifty and still miss them all terribly and think of them everyday.

reply to post by AkumaStreak


NO I dont think it is like a punishment for being american indian I am so proud of their heritage and envious at times I do not share that.

I just wonder if American indians are more prone to heart issues/alzheimers/ cancer/ genetic problems?

I know from my family they are very protective of their heritage and blood lines. What I mean is they mostly marry other american indians and continue having american indian babies.

We heinz 57' s genes go across so many planes that maybe these things dont hit us like it has them for this reason?

Pure genes may not be a good thing I guess is what i mean.

Heck i dont know. I am just trying to find some answer that makes sense. I guess if I can make it make sense it will be easier to swallow.

reply to post by Versus


I'm a chick. i really need to identify that some how. (I thought the chick avator would do it..NOPE)
Not offended it made me laugh which I needed.

Sorry for your family's experiences with cancer as well. I just dont get it.

reply to post by GAOTU789


Thank you. I am sorry this has plagued your family as well.

My family has the trifecta of bad stuff.heart/cancer/alzheimers....my poor dad freaks out whenever he forgets something and says "lord its started' because he is terrified of Alzheimers. he is 72 yrs old for goodness sakes. I always try to reassure him that it is normal and doesnt mean it is Alzheimers but he is terrified. It is sad really.

reply to post by k21968


Oh sorry, I just automatically assume everyone online is a guy, makes everything easier...and I don't really judge people base on their avatars anyway lol.

Vs.

reply to post by Versus


No apologies needed. I think ATs needs a gender field by our avators. I might suggest that. LOL

chemo cures cancer just as atomic bombs end wars.

Originally posted by turboneon
chemo cures cancer just as atomic bombs end wars.

Lies..

Vs.

it happens....my dad was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and died in 2001 even tho going through the treatment that we thought would help.


i was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and was told i had 1 of the most aggresive cancers but i,m still here..... i feel your pain and its unfair but nothing to do with who u are.


it happens to every color,creed and religion and the more we learn then the better we can fight anyone else having to go through it.

Cancer is really just a money maker and heart breaker. It doesn't need to be this way.

reply to post by k21968


My families trifecta is cancer/heart disease/diabetes. These diseases have accounted for over 3/4 of the deaths in my family for the last several generations and is taking two family members now.

Be strong and honestly, one of the things that has helped me cope over the years, I lost my mother when she was 48 to cancer, is to count my blessings everyday, regardless of how small they may be. Everyday has a light in it, sometimes though the darkness that surrounds us makes it hard to see.

reply to post by turboneon
i watched 10 mins and got the just of the 55 mins of the vid,,,,,,,,basicly its going to go on and say i got cancer cause of what i ate?

I just survived an agressive cancer and it is my biggest fear that it will return. Cancer is different for everyone.
I am so sorry that you have lost so many family members. You and your family will be in my thoughts and payers. I wish you all the strength and courage that you need.

reply to post by sparky31


In short, its what you did not eat.

I know of no god from which to send my thoughts.

So they come from me alone.

I'm sorry for all you've had to deal with. May it at least give you strength to endure, and peace will eventually find you.

reply to post by k21968


I hate cancer too. It also runs in my family pretty actively, (fairly large as well) you have my deepest condolences and prayers for health.

I think what I hate most about it (aside from losing people) is that there really isn't much one can do once it pops up. They tell you to catch it early and you have a better chance to stop it, but for the most part it wasn't caught early enough for those in my family. The helpless feeling is terrible. The meds cost up the wazoo, and the treatments are really harsh and you have to watch loved ones just fade away.

I don't know if hate is strong enough a word for this sickness but I wish your family the best of health in the hopefully cancer free future.

I'm so sorry OP. It truly is a thief.