Susan Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Stan and my dear Rachel called me this afternoon after leaving the Oncs. office- The news is not good, her films show tumors in the brain, kidney (not sure if it is unilateral or bilateral) and lungs. the Dr. guesses 4-6 weeks - How can they say that???? Even they admit they can't say for certain- but 4-6 weeks !!! I am hoping that they are wrong and if they are not that the next 4-6 weeks will be memorable and pain free. My heart is aching for her- Please keep those prayers coming her way- She sounded good- strong for those of us that she loves but I know she is frightened- please help me help my friend by offering me any advice that you may have learned along this bumpy road- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annjael Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 ((((Susan)))),,,I will pray hard for Rachel. Please let her know that good vibes and prayers are coming. Peace, Annjael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcawork Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Didnt Rachel just have scans that were fine??????????? Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcawork Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I just checked, she posted 6/14/05 that she was NED, full body. What the hell is going on? This can't be. Does anyone know what happened or how this can happen in a month? We here scans not NED when she posted her great happy dance post? Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Oh Susan, I am sorry. The only advice I have is to let Rachel lead the way. I found with Earl if I mentioned anything about now or the future, he didn't want to hear it. But he loved talking and laughing about things we had done. But I am sure each person is different. Please let our dear friend know that we are hoping and praying for her, there is always hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 This certainly stunk up my Friday. I can't believe what I'm reading and for the onc to give such a short time frame......I mean, why not more treatment? And nobody can know how long. I find it hard to believe Rachel asked... Please pass our continuing love and support along to Rachel for us, Susan, and tell her we are here for her. I really don't know what to say beyond the fact that I just don't believe this. And I don't believe the doctor so abruptly put a time frame on things. I hope Rachel finds a way to deal with the fear this must have struck in her...and perhaps continue looking for tx that might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Sending many prayers out for Rachel. Many prayers. Gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy B Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Praying hard for Rachel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botley Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Many Many Prayers for our dear Rachel! Sincerely, Botley & Mother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Susan,we are praying very hard for Rachel. I can feel the distress in your words.Remember that many of us have had short term death sentenses laid on us.I for example was given 6 months back in April 2003.I was again given only 3 months, 2 1/2 months ago.Yesterday I was out playing golf,and tonight I was shopping and walking with my wife.I may meet my maker in two weeks like they say but I feel ok rite now all things considered.The point at hand is try not to be too upset because they (the docs)don't really know how long anyone has other than going by outdated statistics. Lets all keep pullin and prayin that Rachel proves them very wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Dear Susan, Don't you just love Frank's post, and his words are so true. They thought my husband would be gone in 6 months or less, and right now we are counting down to 2 years coming up on August 7. Don't despair. One of my favorite sayings I hear on this site all the time is "It ain't over till it's over." Did Rachel or her husband say anything at all about treatment or if they plan to fight this? I know that cancer in bone marrow is different kind of fight, but I understand it has been fought and won. Again, please don't despair. Hang on to hope, Susan, and please tell Rachel we love her and miss her. Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Dear best friend, Susan, Allow me to answer you from 2 perspectives. First, MY best friend was dx'd with terminal ovarian cancer at age 33. We were together the next 2 years and as Ginny said, Karen led the way for us. She was so brave that I felt no right to be floundering around. It was a difficult time but we made it together. It was not to be that Karen's life was saved and part of me went with her, so I do feel your pain and sorrow. I am afraid nothing any of us can say will be able to remedy that for you . Next, in the fall I was told there was NO light at the end of my tunnel and most likely would not see flowers this spring. And you can see how wrong those words were. I am here. I saw flowers. In fact I planted some and then picked them. So prognoses can be far from reality. So dear Susan, just know that Rachel's cyberfriends are praying with you for her, and we also are praying for you, dear girl. My most heartfelt prayers for Rachel and you, (((Susan and Rachel))), Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I am so sorry to hear this. Just know that we are here for both of you to help in any way we can. Rachel is such a sweet kind soul, take good care of her and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 thank you all (again, over and over...) for your kind words.Let me try to answer some questions that some of you have asked- please forgive me for not replying to each of you separately, I just thought it might be easier to do a general response...my mind is still spinning..... Some of you asked about her previous tests- yes they were NED- Her radio-onc told us several months ago that although at that time she had tests that also showed NED - it would surely at some point rear its ugly head someplace- and that is what it has done this time. Her PCP shared an email with me that the ONC sent him today- What he stated is that The disease is "progressing rapidly" and that he is recommending Hospice when she returns to Alaska at the end of next week- From his email I see also that I misinformed you earlier-according to his email it is not in the kidney but it is in the Liver.....along with the lungs and brain- In response to why the ONC gave them a time frame....I think that both Rachel and Stan were so shocked by the news that they probably asked the ONC what the results "meant" and that is when he gave them an estimated time frame- they don't like it when they are asked about "time" but they answer to the best of their knowledge and always say that there is really no way of knowing-I am praying that they are way off.......her group of physicians have really been great and at the end of his email the ONC even mentioned that "it crushed me when she told me that her 50th birthday is next week..." I am traveling right now and on the east coast- I plan on returning home when they are scheduled to return Ketchikan- our 50th birthdays are two weeks apart and I plan on celebrating with her when we both get home- we always said we were going to go to Greece for our 50th- who knows...we might still get to do it - Again, thank you all- I am hoping that this all makes sense,that I have answered your questions and isn't too rambling and jumbled......I know you all understand- thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Prayers for Rachel. Don't give up hope. Lucie, my wife, was diagnosed 9 months tops and that was in Oct. 2002! All the doctors are amazed. So miracles do happen. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Susan, This breaks my heart for Rachael. She is so very sweet and kind. As for the time frame...forget it. If they are close then that is the news around here. We don't take the docs word each time. There are too many of us still alive and feeling pretty good for that. Tell Rachael we all love her and that she is in our prayers. We hope to hear from her and you soon. Nina Happy early birthday to both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyS Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Give Rachael a GREAT big hug for me when you see her....and tell her I'm praying very hard that those doctors were wrong........ Hugs and prayers, SandyS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcawork Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Why not chemo again? Why not radiation again? Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haylee_38 Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 This news breaks my heart. Please let Rachel know she is in my thoughts and prayers. Haylee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haylee_38 Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 This news breaks my heart. Please let Rachel know she is in my thoughts and prayers. Haylee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Praying very hard for Rachel and remember there is always hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Well, Our words are so feeble. RAchel and all those who love her are being held firmly in prayer. Please convey our strong support and healing thoughts to Rachel and her husband. Thank you, Susan. Pat and Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyn Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Damn... this diesease is just incidious. Although I know it is hard to "ignore" what the doctor said... I think Rachel needs to try her hardest to do just that. Will is a very strong thing so is positive thinking... I wish Rachel both of these things in the next few days so she can continue this fight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pammie Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Will be praying for Rachel and you and Stan. pammie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kel M Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 This is sad news indeed. Rachel, her husband and all of her loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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