BROTHER WITH COLON CANCER

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-2007
BROTHER WITH COLON CANCER
5
Wed, 06-27-2007 - 9:17am
HI,
I AM NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN. MY BROTHER HAS STAGE IV COLON CANCER. HE HAS BEEN BATTLING IT FOR 1 1/2 YRS. HE HAD TUMORS REMOVED FROM HIS HEAD AND COLON. HE HAS BEEN ON CHEMO EVER SINCE. HE CHANGED CHEMO TYPES FROM LIQUID TO PILL FORM AND HAS NOW 2 NEW TUMORS IN HIS LUNG AND ONE ON HIS LIVER. I HAVE BEEN SAD FOR A LONG TIME. I THINK OF HIM SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. I LIVE 16 HOURS AWAY FROM HIM AND FEEL HELPLESS. WE TALK ON THE PHONE. I STILL FEEL LIKE CRYING EVERY DAY. HOW DO I STOP GREIVING BEFORE HE IS GONE? I KNOW THIS MUST BE NORMAL I WOULD LOVE TO FIND OUT HOW OTHERS COPE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
CB
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 06-27-2007 - 7:38pm

Welcome to the board CB


I am so sorry that your brother has cancer.

Hope everyone has a great Summer!

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-2007
Thu, 06-28-2007 - 8:04am
PHILLY,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS. MY BROTHER DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER. I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE IT MUCH EASIER TO COMUNICATE, BUT HE INSISTS HE DOESN'T NEED OR WANT ONE. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD WAY FOR HIM TO FIND SUPPORT AND FIND OUT THINGS THAT WOULD HELP HIM DEAL WITH CHEMO ECT. HE IS VERY SUBORN AND PROUD SO IT IS HARD TO SUGGEST THINGS WITH OUT HIM GETTING ANGRY. I THINK IT IS THE FEELING OF LOSING CONTROL. I DO HAVE ANOTHER TRIP PLANNED TO SEE HIM IN AUGUST. HE HAD PLANNED TO COME LIVE HERE IN THE WINTER BUT NOW WITH HAVING TO GO BACK ON THE CHEMO BAG HIS TRAVEL IS LIMITED. UNLESS I CAN FIND A DOCTOR HERE THAT CAN DO THE SAME. I AM NOT SURE HOW THAT WOULD WORK. I DO THINK THERE ARE SOME OLD FILM OF US AS KIDS. I BELEIVE HE HAS IT. SO MAYBE I CAN TALK HIM INTO GIVING IT TO ME AND TURNING IT INTO A VCR. HE HAS NO DVD. IF IT WORKS DON'T FIX IT. HE IS QUITE FUNNY. THAT IS ONE THING THAT CHEERS ME UP IS HEARING HIS VOICE AND HIS SENCE OF HUMOR.
WHAT STAGE IS YOUR SON? I KNOW THAT MUST BE VERY HARD AS A MOTHER. I WILL PRAY FOR HIM ALSO. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE KIND WORDS.
CB
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-2007
Fri, 06-29-2007 - 8:48am
THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS. MY BROTHER DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER AND WE HAVE TRIED TO TALK HIM INTO IT BUT HE INSISTS HE DOESN'T NEED ONE. WE ARE PLANNING A VISIT IN AUG. THAT WILL HELP TO SEE HIM AGAIN. HE IS DIVORCED SO HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM. HE HAS ADULT DAUGHTERS WHO WORK GO TO SCHOOL AND HAVE CHILDREN. THE OLDEST HELPS HIM MOST AND I WORRY ABOUT HER TOO. SHE AHS A LOT ON HER SHOULDERS. LIKE I SAID I FEEL HELPLESS. IT IS NICE TO TELL SOMEONE. MAYBE I CAN BE A HELP TO SOMEONE ELSE AS WELL. THIS DISEASE IS SO CRIPPLING TO ALL INVOLVED. IT IS HARD NOT TO BE SAD. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.
CB
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 06-29-2007 - 8:18pm

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket


I am so glad you are planning a


get together in August.


I feel you are doing everything you


can from a distance away.


Yes, by posting here you just never know


who is reading the board and feels just like


you.

Hope everyone has a great Summer!

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2007
Sun, 07-01-2007 - 2:10am

Antidepressants are a good start... My husband is 62 & has had Stage 4 colon CA for 6 years. On & off chemo, radiation, etc. several times a year. Unable to work, very depressed, SICK alot. Not good.

I have no idea what his situation is, but is there any chance you can move your brother closer to you? It's a hassle to find new doctors, etc. but it can be done. There's no substitue for being able to spend time with someone who's dying. Just to sit with him, read to him, listen to music together.

Hope you can find a way to get closer...