This question is for anyone with cancer or has had cancer:?

Question

What is a donation or something that has been done for you that has helped, or what would have helped you?

Answer 1

Laura H, I know exactly what you're saying. My husband had cancer when he was 23, and it seemed as if everyone we knew dropped off the face of the earth. We got the occasional phone call that seemed like such an obligation to the person, and the waves when someone seen us out.

The thing that helped him and I were the people at the center where he took his treatments. Everyone knew each other, and they weren't shy about talking to you at all. There were people there that were AMAZINGLY strong and had such uplifting stories to tell.

My family also was a big help. We have a son who was 2 when all this went on, so she came and helped me at times, or took him to her house. Just seeing people treat him like some kind of freak for having cancer was horrible.

Answer 2

The only one who can help one with cancer is the doctor and the patients attitude. If the patient has a positive attitude, treatment becomes far more effective. I am a cancer survivor and the side effect of the cancer is total blockage of the food and air passage. In other words - I have not even sipped a drop of water or had anything solid through my mouth for the last six years. I have not let that stop me from living my life to its hilt. I run a good 4 km every morning, hit the gym for an hour every evening and work normally. I have a great diet - the only thing being everything has to be very well pureed and then poured down the "peg" tube that has been inserted direstly into my stomach. I breathe with the help of a stoma button and talk very normally with an orator I created with a baby's feeding bottle nipple!!

Answer 3

I was diagnosed with lung cancer and had my left lung removed on July 10th. When you get a diagnosis of cancer "friends" don't come around as often and when they do they just don't want to hear about your worries and thoughts! My x-husband and I adopted 2 handicapped children, our daughter lives with me and I talked to him about taking her if I don't survive this cancer. He said he don't want her. You would think a "parent" would try to be supportive! I do have a few friends who have been great thro' this. They call a lot, some every day, unfortunately they now live out of state. I guess the hospital and Doctors have been the most supportive. I have no income and no insurance, all that they have done has been free! The surgery, chemo and some medicine. I have now been told I will recieve my SSI and Medicaid which I was told I will have to wait 30-60 days to recieve, I have already been waiting over a year! The American Cancer Society has been very helpful also. Over all I think friends are the most important. Just knowing that someone cares is very, very helpful.

Answer 4

I had a cancerous tumor in my liver of less than 5 cm. It took about a year to run all of the test needed to make sure I did not have cancer any place else in my body. If there had been I could not have been transplanted.
After the test were completed a report was sent to UNOS and I got a MELD score of 10 to start my name being listed for transplant.
When that review was completed I was given a score of 39, 40 being the highest number given. I got a beeper from the hospital so I could be notified when a liver be came available. About 3 weeks later I got the call for transplant.
I had no chemo and it will be 3 years since the transplant on Dec 4, 2006. Except for being constantly monitored to make sure my ant-rejection drug is at the correct level there is not much that has to be done now.
I am perfectly fine and last year in October I drove myself 1,500 miles one way to FL and back again. And I am living a completely normal life.

Answer 5

I'm 27 and am right now battling my second cancer. Quite an expert -eh? ;)

The best thing for people to do, is to not hide, like ostriches hide their heads into sand, when hearing about the diagnosis.
I've been surprised by some people, who are completely unable to find anything to say and thus they haven't said anything or -at worst- contacted me at all!

Most of all I'd like others to be open, ask how I'm doing and express that they're supporting me in their thoughts.
The words don't have to be anything "smart", just that they come from the heart. :) One can also say "I don't know what to say and how to help you". That's honesty and so much better than silence, which can be very hurtful.
Showing genuine interest and saying "I'm thinking about you" helps at least me best. :)

Sometimes the cancer patient may also want to talk about fears and death-related issues. Then it is important to not say "Of course you won't die!" and change the subject to talk about weather. It's the best help in those situations to just listen and let the patient talk about the fears.

Of course, offering also concrete help -like washing the windows, can be good. But some may also consider that as an intrusion to their privacy, if the people are not so close.

Answer 6

I had health insurance, so that aspect was taken care of. Friends would watch my son, and bring things by the house. I am OK now, and back to work. God looked after my family and I, and we are doing OK now. I didn't really have anything donated to me. But there are lots of wonderful people out there who help patients and families to survive.

I really love the Relay for Life that the American Cancer Society puts on every year. I've walked in the survivor lap for two years now. It is a wonderful event. It makes me realize how fortunate I am, since so many people have lost the battle.

Answer 7

After I had a mastectomy for breast cancer, I came home to find a bouquet of daffodils on my front porch from a complete stranger, who then called and told me about the support group that was in our area. I also received support from a breast cancer survivor who encouraged me to call her anytime, day or night. Last year, when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had no insurance, my gyn told me where to go for financial help. A group of friends took turns providing a meal, running errands, doing my laundry and visiting while I was recovering from my hysterectomy and going through chemo. Also, last year, a team was created for the Relay For Life and over 50 lumineria were purchased to be lit at night during the survivor's walkj. What a poignant and thrilling sight!

Answer 8

My mother had breast cancer a couple of years ago, and I believe the one thing that kept her strong (or as strong as you can be when you are experiencing something like cancer) was that she was surrounded by others going through similar experiences and at different stages.

To date I think she is still in contact with people she met at the hospital, and gave advice on what to expect to people that were at earlier stages of treatment than herself.

Community support from people that have been through it, I think that is most definately the most important thing, as it provides reassurance leading to confidence, which can only help aid a healthy outlook of the future and recovery.

Answer 9

What helped me was that I did not jump right into surgery, but reseached my options. I am now 20 months into it, and feeling great. It also helped having a supportive husband and a God that I believe in and can pray too. I had many churches praying for me and 7 children that love me and need me here to care for them. I have not heard of any donations, it would of been nice to be helped financially, but that is yet to come. I paid for treatment out of pocket! We as Americans have the right to choose our treatments and should not do what our doctors says, unless of course we agree with him/her!

Answer 10

After I had my surgery and started chemo our friends all chipped in and went to location that made prepared foods. These meals were fantastic for my husband to make during chemo. Not only did I not have to worry about making meals but they were easy for hime to put in the microwave.

Prayers always help along with funny cards being sent to you to brighten your day.

I receive Social Security diability and this is a great help financialy. Check it out. Along with Medicaid or medicare.