My Prayers are with you
SWVAREF...
I just read this thread and am sorry I have skipped over it. I was saddened to see that another person has joined my fraternity as a caregiver.
Just before the season began, my wife and mother of our three young children was diagnosed with stage IV (inoperable) Melanoma. We have been battling this now for several months. In fact, I am writing this post from the chair next to my wife's hospital bed. She is scheduled to have one of the tumors removed today to do a complete biopsy to acertain the efficacy of the trial agent that was administered to her 2 months ago. She went through standard chemotherapy, but it did not produce the required results, so we are forced to participate in clinical trials.
I don't want to bore all you or the rest of the community out there with all the details or our story, but I want to let you know that I am travelling the road with you and am more than willing to share the lessons I have learned over the past 6 months as you navigate the medical, psychological and pysiological path the cancer creates. There is also a lot you can do to get involved and help fight cancer as a caregiver. (Make sure that you and your wife look after your own needs as well to maintain proper health, otherwise you wont be as effective for your daughter).
One person mentioined starting a journal and I highly recommend that. My wife and I have actually started a Blog to chronicle our journey. This is great because it allows us to document our journey, keep family and friends abreast of the latest news, and a forum for them to leave comments for us. Much like your daughter enjoys reading the posts and emails that this community has sent you, we enjoy getting the feedback from our supporters out there on our blog.
If you have any questions at all, I would LOVE to help you. Send me an IM or reach out to me on our blog as I check it several times a day. (BTW... any and all readers are welcome to visit our blog... "lyonsfamily.org"). I have to run now, as they should be coming any minute to take my wife to the OR.
God Bless you and may He hold you and your family firmly in His hands.
(BTW... this is obvioulsy why I was notably absent from the forum this season).
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