flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Sept 30, 2016 15:48:15 GMT
I found out a few days ago that an acquaintance (P) has stage 4 kidney cancer. He has mets in his chest cavity, spine, ribs & lung. Two biggest tumors are baseball-sized. He didn't even know he was ill, just thought he'd pulled his back & was having trouble working the kinks out. Finally went to the doctor and BAM. Life as he knew it was gone.
Heartbreaking under any circumstances, right?
P is around 40 and has 4 young children. His wife, J, is due with twin boys in a couple of weeks (so really, any time). There is an anticipated problem with one of the twins. I'm not sure what that is, just that they are monitoring very closely.
I just. Can't. Imagine.
Is there room on the prayer list for them?
I also want to mention that he left yesterday for Houston, where dazeepetals works. I'm told he's in the best hands possible. I'm so sorry to hear that. I've worked with cancer, Leukemia specifically, for over 9 years down here. It's not an easy job, but can be very rewarding. However, when cancer hits you on a personal level it's a different ballgame. Trust me, I know. My mom is fighting, and losing, brain cancer. She's finally (after months of pleading) coming down here to hear her options. MD Anderson is a remarkable place. It's hard seeing other hospitals when I've been spoiled by the top notch care that I see delivered here everyday. Your friends husband will be in good hands down here!! I'm so very sorry about your Mom. It must be excruciating knowing all of the advancements that have been made, and yet having to face the realities of her illness. I will pray for you, as well.
Bit of a tangent, and I guess hope, but I've been wanting to ask you this. My Mom has CML, and has been in clinical trials with a targeted chemo. It keeps her CML in check with very little in the way of side effects. If your research has had anything to do with this breakthrough, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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Post by dazeepetals on Sept 30, 2016 19:06:16 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear that. I've worked with cancer, Leukemia specifically, for over 9 years down here. It's not an easy job, but can be very rewarding. However, when cancer hits you on a personal level it's a different ballgame. Trust me, I know. My mom is fighting, and losing, brain cancer. She's finally (after months of pleading) coming down here to hear her options. MD Anderson is a remarkable place. It's hard seeing other hospitals when I've been spoiled by the top notch care that I see delivered here everyday. Your friends husband will be in good hands down here!! I'm so very sorry about your Mom. It must be excruciating knowing all of the advancements that have been made, and yet having to face the realities of her illness. I will pray for you, as well.
Bit of a tangent, and I guess hope, but I've been wanting to ask you this. My Mom has CML, and has been in clinical trials with a targeted chemo. It keeps her CML in check with very little in the way of side effects. If your research has had anything to do with this breakthrough, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you! I truly appreciate the prayers. We've done many of the studies with the TKIs (targeted kinase inhibitors) used for CML (such as Imatinib, Dasatinib, Nilotinib, Ponatinib, and Bosutinib) here. We have a very large CML program here that is headed by Dr. Jorge Cortes (our specialists in CML). These drugs have COMPLETELY changed the course for CML patients. Prior to their discovery, the only "cure" for CML was a bone marrow transplant. Now, most never need it as these agents cure and control the disease so well and with minimal toxicity. It truly was a miracle therapy. I'm so happy your mother is doing so well on them!!
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Sept 30, 2016 19:16:07 GMT
I'm so very sorry about your Mom. It must be excruciating knowing all of the advancements that have been made, and yet having to face the realities of her illness. I will pray for you, as well.
Bit of a tangent, and I guess hope, but I've been wanting to ask you this. My Mom has CML, and has been in clinical trials with a targeted chemo. It keeps her CML in check with very little in the way of side effects. If your research has had anything to do with this breakthrough, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you! I truly appreciate the prayers. We've done many of the studies with the TKIs (targeted kinase inhibitors) used for CML (such as Imatinib, Dasatinib, Nilotinib, Ponatinib, and Bosutinib) here. We have a very large CML program here that is headed by Dr. Jorge Cortes (our specialists in CML). These drugs have COMPLETELY changed the course for CML patients. Prior to their discovery, the only "cure" for CML was a bone marrow transplant. Now, most never need it as these agents cure and control the disease so well and with minimal toxicity. It truly was a miracle therapy. I'm so happy your mother is doing so well on them!! I just asked & she says she takes Tasigna. Is that one of the group you worked with?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 16, 2024 14:20:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2016 20:15:49 GMT
sending prayers to all.
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,492
Jul 6, 2014 23:59:59 GMT
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Post by peasquared on Sept 30, 2016 23:15:06 GMT
Prayers going out to him and his family. This just breaks my heart.
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,538
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Oct 1, 2016 1:57:51 GMT
Praying for comfort, strength, and healing for P and his family. Wow.
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Oct 4, 2016 16:28:50 GMT
A little update - I would love to get melissa dazeepetals and any other medical professionals input.
He has been diagnosed with clear cell renal carcinoma with mets to lung & bone (ribs, back, temporal region) and was given an average of 23-24 months to live.
He is in Houston now, where they have a clinical trial with immunotherapy that shows some promise. He'll have to travel there (2 states away) every 2 weeks for a couple of years. Still - it's hope!
There was an MRI done on the twins Friday, but no results on that yet. They are both good weights (over 6lb), but one has some fluid around his heart, I believe.
Your continued prayers are appreciated!
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,847
Location: NW PA
Jun 25, 2014 23:50:38 GMT
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Post by Judy26 on Oct 4, 2016 16:34:02 GMT
Continued prayers for your friend, his family and his doctors.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on Oct 4, 2016 16:48:26 GMT
The key will be his response to treatment. The 5 year survival rate is apparently around 40%, so there is plenty of reason to have hope! If those tumors were growing quickly, they will likely respond nicely.
Great weight for twins!
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Post by flanz on Oct 4, 2016 16:58:08 GMT
Continued prayers and good thoughts.
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Post by destined2bmom on Oct 4, 2016 16:58:24 GMT
Continuing to send prayers to this family.
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Post by gailoh on Oct 4, 2016 17:00:14 GMT
Prayers and hugs
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Feb 10, 2017 16:40:07 GMT
Bumping for very sad update
Update 2-10-17
P passed away last night in Houston. Everyone is devastated. His wife was called down Sunday so she at least was able to be with him. Please pray for her and those 6 precious children. The town they live in is small (500ish, if even that) and very tight-knit, so this affects the whole community.
Thank you.
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Post by mikklynn on Feb 10, 2017 17:21:04 GMT
Oh, I am so sorry. That is one of the mysteries of cancer, including RCC, some people respond to treatment and others do not. My DH is one of the lucky ones.
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,396
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Feb 10, 2017 17:27:23 GMT
I am so sorry. I'm sitting at work and my eyes are welling with tears for this poor family. May God hold them closely.
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maurchclt
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,626
Jul 4, 2014 16:53:27 GMT
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Post by maurchclt on Feb 10, 2017 17:32:03 GMT
My heart is breaking for the entire family and their friends. how sad.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 10, 2017 17:37:34 GMT
I'm so sorry. How truly heartbreaking for that family and their community.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,656
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Feb 10, 2017 17:38:18 GMT
How terribly sad. My heart goes out to his family.
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Post by friendly on Feb 10, 2017 17:54:04 GMT
I'm so very, very sorry. Sending you lots of love.
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Feb 10, 2017 17:55:32 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this. My heart breaks for his family.
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Post by snowsilver on Feb 10, 2017 18:01:37 GMT
Oh, this hits so hard! What have I to complain about! Nothing! Not one thing! Not when I hear about this. This is beyond comprehension. That poor young wife. Those darling little ones.
No...I have absolutely nothing to complain about today.
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Post by JoP on Feb 10, 2017 18:07:13 GMT
I'm so very sorry indeed
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Feb 10, 2017 18:38:04 GMT
Oh, this hits so hard! What have I to complain about! Nothing! Not one thing! Not when I hear about this. This is beyond comprehension. That poor young wife. Those darling little ones. No...I have absolutely nothing to complain about today. It's having the same affect on me. It's been a real mopey week for me, but today I just feel, well, sort of empty. She will be ok financially, the family they work for is very well-to-do and very generous, and they both come from large families, so she has a lot of emotional support as well. But just the thought of her facing all of their hopes & dreams alone, it just breaks my heart.
My love and prayers to all of the ladies who have gone through this, I know there are several here.
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Post by Linda on Feb 10, 2017 19:58:46 GMT
prayers for the repose of his soul and for his family - so sad
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,432
Jun 25, 2014 19:28:04 GMT
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Post by RosieKat on Feb 10, 2017 20:22:53 GMT
I'm sorry to read that update. I hope the tight-knit community really follows through and helps create the village that family's going to need.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,215
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Feb 10, 2017 20:41:58 GMT
I am so sorry to read your update. I wish it hadn't turned out like this. Sending prayers for his family. Sounds like he was a wonderful man who touches many people.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,744
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Feb 10, 2017 20:50:32 GMT
Prayers for comfort for the family. How heartbreaking.
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on Feb 10, 2017 20:54:27 GMT
What a difficult week. I truly understand. My thought are prayers are with you all.. sometimes it seems like prayers aren't enough but words do help I know.
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Post by terri on Feb 10, 2017 21:03:32 GMT
So sad. I will keep his wife and children in my prayers.
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Post by laurasw on Feb 11, 2017 2:09:38 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear that he lost his battle. So sad for his family and everyone that knows him.
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