Bad news about my uncle with cancer; need good thoughts and prayers

[liberalhistorian]

I've posted here before about my uncle who had Hodgkins Lymphoma seven years ago and was supposedly given a clean bill of health about four years ago. He suffered a recurrence a couple of years ago, however, and this time it had spread and was more aggressive. He went through the usual treatments, and things seemed to be taken care of. But they weren't, and the only thing left to try was a stem cell transplant.

Unfortunately, neither of his brothers were matches for the transplant, nor were his son or any other family members. Then they thought they could use his own stem cells because they appeared to be healthy enough, and that was a major relief since the chances of a successful transplant greatly increase if your own cells are used. He was preparing to enter the hospital to begin the transplant process, and everything looked good.

Well, we just heard now that they can't use his cells because his body isn't harvesting stem cells properly. What's even worse, is that they now think that the cancer has spread to his bone marrow, which makes things even worse for him now. This is such a major disappointment, and very depressing. None of us can imagine him not being in our lives, and he's only 54. His wife's had a hard time of it as well, since her brother died of lung cancer earlier this year. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers, because it looks like he, and the family too, for that matter, are going to very much need it.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. I'm so sorry to hear this news. You and your family are in my thoughts.

:hug:

[mzmolly]

2. Will do. My nephew survived stage 4 cancer and the U of M gave him his

own bone marrow. They cleansed it somehow and transplanted his own to him as he had no matches in the family.

You may be able to inquire about this procedure?

:hug:

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your uncle.

[liberalhistorian]

5. I think that's what they'd planned to do with

his stem cells, but they aren't able to for whatever reason.

[clydefrand]

3. My heart goes out to you. If only, if only we could spend

all the money being spent for military purposes on cancer research as well as other diseases, what a wonderful world this might be. I have a friend who is also dying of cancer of the liver. I know what you're going through.

[liberalhistorian]

4. Yes, you've got a great point

there, and it's been a real sore spot with me for many years. And it appears that only those with money get the kind of treatment they really need, too, at least in this country. I'm really sorry about your friend, btw, that must be so hard.

[Paradise]

6. Will do. What's his first name, if I may ask? n/t

[liberalhistorian]

7. Michael, we call

him Mike. And thank you! You guys here are the greatest.

[McKenzie]

8. had it twice but only stage 1

when in hospital the first time I read Lance Armstrong's autobiography. He was at a very advanced stage when diagnosed but he fought back. I nearly cried reading his words.

Friendship, togetherness, talking about the issues, or even just talking...these little things assume great meaning at times like these. My thoughts go out to you as someone who has been there.

regards from Scotland

[liberalhistorian]

9. Thanks, I appreciate it!

And I know that whatever we, his family, are going through, it's nothing compared to what he himself is dealing with. I've never had a major or serious illness, thank God, and I can't imagine what it must be like to have cancer.

[Metatron]

10. liberalhistorian, I'll be thinking of you and your family.

Cancer is such a terrible disease. :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

11. Good thoughts to your uncle and your family.

:grouphug:

[salin]

12. Good thoughts... sent towards you , your uncle and the whole family

[MooPie]

13. You are in my thoughts.

So many advances are being made on a daily basis, each day gives me more hope for those battling the disease. Is there anyone in your family who can donate marrow?

[liberalhistorian]

31. Unfortunately, no one in the family

is enough of a match. That really surprised us, we'd thought between his brothers and his son at least one would be a match. No matches in the rest of the family, either.

[Scrooge]

14. Im sorry

Im new, but have lurked for awhile, and I am so sorry to hear that. I dont know how to comfort you other than to be sad for you. Fifties is way to young to be dieing or even thinking about dieing. Life really sucks sometimes!

[Paradise]

15. Kick for Michael, Mike... n/t

[Penndems]

16. You are in my thoughts and prayers

n/t

[Paradise]

17. Every prayer helps... n/t

[Penndems]

24. Indeed it does . . .

n/t

[buddhamama]

18. Good thoughts, liberalhistorian

for your uncle, you and the entire family. :hug:

[blondeatlast]

19. Many thoughts, blessings and hugs to you and the family.

Take care of yourselves, too.

[babylonsister]

20. Positive thoughts sent to Mike,

you, and your family. Such a crappy disease...

[underpants]

21. I am very sorry to hear that

Prayer going out.

[Phentex]

22. I'm so sorry.

I wish he had better news. :(

[Bridget Burke]

23. Did they search for an unrelated donor?

Transplants (stem cells/bone marrow) are not cure-alls, but cells from genetically-matched unrelated donors can do the job.

[Paradise]

25. Good advice; gotta try everything... n/t

[liberalhistorian]

30. Yes, they're looking for

a match in the National Registry and haven't found any so far. Maybe, just maybe, that will change. God, I hope so!

[Lilli]

26. Your family and your uncles friends are in my prayers

...

[Paradise]

27. a few more prayers wouldn't hurt... n/t

[Paradise]

28. kick! n/t

[welshTerrier2]

29. cancer resources ...

hi liberalHistorian ...

very sorry to hear about your uncle ... my sister-in-law has been through a couple of rounds with non-Hodgkins lymphoma ... she's doing OK right now but there never are guarantees ...

i may have posted this before but there is a really incredible (and free) source for the lastest information on cancer ... it's the national cancer institute ...

website: http://www.cancer.gov/
phone: 1-800-4-Cancer

I really encourage you to give them a call and discuss your uncle's situation ... i did that when my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer and they were incredibly helpful in guiding us towards the best course of treatment ...

tell your uncle that lots of wacky liberals all over the world are pulling for him ...

[liberalhistorian]

32. Well, being a wacky liberal himself

I know he'll appreciate that, lol! And thank you for the resources, I will definitely check it out. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and good wishes, I can't tell you how much it means to me. You guys truly are the greatest!

[Paradise]

34. Great advice! Okay, calling all wacky liberals...

TLC needed here...

[tnlefty]

38. Wacky liberal keeping good thoughts and sending a prayer

for liberalhistorian, her uncle and her family. IIRC liberalhistorian is a she. If not perhaps I should include a thought for some better brain cells for me while I'm at it.

[da_chimperor]

33. Sending out positive thoughts for him, hope things get better

:(

[flamingyouth]

35. My heart really goes out to you and your family

I wish I had some advice to give you; it sounds like they're really trying to help him. I'll keep you all in my thoughts. :hug:

[Liberal_Andy]

36. Thinking of you

:thumbsup:

[Paradise]

37. Kick! n/t

[Paradise]

39. Hey, let's hear it for Uncle Mike! n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

40. Oh no lh. I am so very sorry. I am sending positive vibes and all the

prayers I can. I hope things turn out for the positive for you all. :hug:

[Paradise]

41. Tell Mike we're thinkin' of him!

Getting tired, go to bed soon... Yawn :hi:

[liberalhistorian]

42. Thank you so much, all of you,

you are such a wonderful group of people! And your support really helps. Mike is, indeed, a wacky liberal and I know he'd appreciate this!

[GreenPartyVoter]

43. *hugs*

[bigwillq]

44. Sending positive vibes your uncles way

Hope he gets better. He will be in my thoughts.

[liberalhistorian]

45. Thanks! I know

I'm praying for a miracle right now.