Cancer sucks

Cancer sucks indeed. Yesterday (Saturday), a bunch of us in our local MINI club went to visit a long time (since 2003) friend. He was diagnosed early last year and quickly started chemo. By the late Summer, things were looking up and when we saw him a couple of months ago, he looked good and talked about going back to work.

Then on Friday we get a message about a relapse and a new treatment that went bad quickly and he may have only a week or two left to live.

He was in a mood of peaceful acceptance and in good spirits overall, but it was still a damn tough day.

Ian, Im very sorry to hear that. I know the kick-in-the-pants helpless feeling you get when you find that what was once hopefull may be a tragedy in disguise. I will add your friend to my prayers tonight.

No news on my cousin. The bright-ish side I guess is so far the docs havent seen fit to send him back to ICU, they must still feel they have a few tricks up the sleeve. A huge heartfelt and sincere thank you to all those keeping my family in their hearts right now. This is truly a great community, and I cant convey the gratitude I feel. Please continue to pray for Michael.

Thanks,
Andrew

Sucks indeed. Wife and then a very dear friend.

4cylndrfury wrote: Ian, Im very sorry to hear that. I know the kick-in-the-pants helpless feeling you get when you find that what was once hopefull may be a tragedy in disguise. I will add your friend to my prayers tonight. No news on my cousin. The bright-ish side I guess is so far the docs havent seen fit to send him back to ICU, they must still feel they have a few tricks up the sleeve. A huge heartfelt and sincere thank you to all those keeping my family in their hearts right now. This is truly a great community, and I cant convey the gratitude I feel. Please continue to pray for Michael. Thanks, Andrew

Considering his condition, no ICU would seem to be good. Can they do anything to make him comfortable? The symptoms you describe sound absolutely horrid.

Hes on the drip, and they have a soothing salve for his skin, that apparently feels pretty good. I havent received any news today yet, so I am hoping thats a good thing. We are all kinda just sitting tight, waiting to hear something, hoping its good news, or just not bad news.

The whole thing with cancer sucks. My mom battled ovarian cancer for three years. She got better just before my oldest was born and was able to make the 2 hour trip to be in the room when he was born but then she passed away 5 weeks later. We got a big lesson in the whole Circle of Life thing.

Like I said earlier, you and your family are in our prayers.

yes. berkeley Cancer.

Lost my best friend a little over a year ago. Buddies since elementary when we sculpted toilets and poo out of clay in the first grade. College room mate. Best man in my wedding. Wrenched together. etc. etc. Put up a hell of a fight, but in the end his peace was found in his passing.

My thoughts are with all of you effected by the scourge of cancer.

Basal Cell Carcinoma. That's what I have. And have had for a while, being worried about a small spot for quite a few years. Will have this one taken off next week, and the rest of me looked at closely soon.

Nothing to worry about, but this note is more a reminder to keep an eye on yourselves and loved ones. What I have is a scar that never really healed, and kept craking and bleeding for no real reason. Well, it's a reason. So check.

Apparently 90% of all cancers are this, a minor skin cancer that can be disfiguring, but that's about it. Fair skin, blond hair, and blue/green eyes are risk factors.

Oh, well.

Eric makes a good point...Im woefully neglectful in this arena. $35 copay to see a dermatologist is small pittance for a clean bill of health. I should go, I have a few moles that make me nervous . Its way cheaper than massive surgery or chemo, so Im making a call.

I've had a few of those removed already. By freezing and/or cutting. Have a couple round scars on my back from a couple removed. One at the base of head/top of neck has already been cut out once and left a scar. It has grown back and itches once in a while. Going in Friday to see about it. Not that fair-haired/skin may be more at risk but doesn't leave everyone out. I'm dark haired and dark complected and tan really easy, sunburns don't hurt (well except for that day I spent in a swimming pool in Needles, CA in July when I was younger, that was the only time a sunburn hurt then only for a day).

Ian F wrote: Cancer sucks indeed. Yesterday (Saturday), a bunch of us in our local MINI club went to visit a long time (since 2003) friend. He was diagnosed early last year and quickly started chemo. By the late Summer, things were looking up and when we saw him a couple of months ago, he looked good and talked about going back to work. Then on Friday we get a message about a relapse and a new treatment that went bad quickly and he may have only a week or two left to live.

Well, it turns out the estimate was fairly accurate. My friend Manny Lopez passed away in his sleep last night. It'll be hard looking at the engine bay of the Volvo now. A shot of him helping us with painting back in '05:

A picture of his heavily blinged-out '03 JCW MINI he loved so dearly:

Manny Lopez - 1957-2012. Rest in peace, my friend.

My wifes best friends father only has around two weeks left. he has lung cancer... the nicest guy you ever meet. and also helped take care of his two youngest grandkids.. they are gonna be absolutely destroyed..... ohh soo sad....

In reply to Ian F:

Condolences on your loss.

RIP Manny Lopez.

Hate to hear it, Ian. Sounds like he was a great guy.

I am so sorry to hear about Manny, he seems like a really cool dude.

I raised a Pint last night to your friend, I am sorry for your loss.

My condolences on your friend's passing.

Thanks guys. Viewing is tomorrow. Services on Sunday.

We had a gathering of MINI folks at a restuarant last night for the first time in awhile. It was nice and we got to see a few we don't see very often.

yup cancer sucks... Mom passed @45 cause of it... grandpa (her dad) was in his 50's and grandmas (her mom) in her 60's...

I think the only plus is that it gives me reason to grow my hair out to cut it for locks-of-love every few years... done it twice... started as a joke with my mom after she lost her hair.

anyway condolences :-/...

I am so sorry for your loss. What a horrible disease. I think we've all been touched by it unfortunately, lost a couple of people last year.

Just found out that my B-I-L barely made through this week. The are treating him to go home because he doesn't want to go in the hospital. Don't know if he'll make home. Lung cancer and he never smoked and was an athelete. He's a couple years older than me so he's close to 60.

alfadriver wrote: Basal Cell Carcinoma. That's what I have. And have had for a while, being worried about a small spot for quite a few years. Will have this one taken off next week, and the rest of me looked at closely soon. Nothing to worry about, but this note is more a reminder to keep an eye on yourselves and loved ones. What I have is a scar that never really healed, and kept craking and bleeding for no real reason. Well, it's a reason. So check. Apparently 90% of all cancers are this, a minor skin cancer that can be disfiguring, but that's about it. Fair skin, blond hair, and blue/green eyes are risk factors. Oh, well.

It sure would be nice if all cancer was so simple to operate on. This morning, I had it removed, in about 10 min of actual work. Had to wait an hour while the lab confirmed that it was all of it. I'll know in about a year or so if it is final or not.

I do wish that everyone who has cancer can be treated. Always sad to hear people suffer as much as is being posted.... And it's clearly bad for both the paitent and the family and friends....

Update on my friend- some good news. She's cancer free now- just got the most up to date exam of where it was, and there are no signs of anything left.

Whew.

Hope more of you have good news about this horrible subject.

sounds like a good outcome, Alfa