Help us choose products to be featured in Caring.com's Deal of the Week! posted by Missy @ 04:03 AM March 19, 2010

Missy — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:03:21 -0000

Who doesn't love a good deal, right? Good news, Caring.com is hard at work bringing them to our members!

As one of the largest communities of caregivers, Caring.com is negotiating a special group rate with our retail partners featured in our online store to bring you great products recommended by the Caring.com Team and our community at up to 50% off! In order to choose the products you'd like to see most, we're asking for your feedback. Browse the list, clicking on the link for a picture and product description and answer three questions for us.

Have you personally used and/or recommend any of these products? If so, which ones?
Which would you be most interested in purchasing through a Caring.com Deal of the Week?
What other types of products would you like to see featured in our Caring.com Deal of the Week program? Be as specific as possible. It's important to us to offer the products you want most!

Metro Walker - an easy folding and lightweight walker

Snuzzle - blanket that allows you the use of your hands and arms while you stay warm.

Brain Fitness - a computer program designed to challenge your brain and keep you sharp.

Rogue Wallet - a wallet designed to fit in your front pocket to avoid having back problems

Nightlighter flashlight - a new flashlight that is easy to carry and shines two lights so you can see where you are stepping

Big knob radio -high quality AM/FM radio with easy to use knobs for tuning

Other?

This poll closes at midnight on Wednesday, so be sure to post to this thread with your response! We are so excited about this new opportunity and are looking forward to seeing the types of products our members want offered.

Thank you for your participation!

Best friend's wedding is in 2 weeks and she just found out her mom has ovarian cancer posted by dajotaka @ 02:30 AM March 13, 2010

dajotaka — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:30:31 -0000

IN 2002 I LOST MY BEST FRIEND MY BIG SISTER TO OVARIAN CANCER. SHE WAS ONLY 54 YRS YOUNG. SHE WAS AT STAGE FOUR WHEN THEY DISCOVERED IT, SHE WENT THROUGH LOTS OF CHEMO AND LOSING HER HAIR QUITE A FEW TIMES BUT SHE FOUGHT VERY HARD EVEN TO THE END OF HER LIFE JUNE 4TH 2002. SHE WENT IN PEACE KNOWING EVERYONE WOULD BE ALRIGHT HER CHILDREN AND HER SIBLINGS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE GOT ALL THAT COURAGE BUT IT WAS THERE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO PROUD OF MY SISTER AS I WAS THEN. BE AWARE ALL MY LADY FRIENDS THERE IS A SILENT WHISPERING MONSTER OUT THERE, KNOW YOUR BODY AND LISTEN.

Attention Caregivers to Veterans - please read! posted by Missy @ 04:38 PM March 11, 2010

Missy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:38:05 -0000

Caring.com is pleased to work with the The National Alliance for Caregiving in helping them find family caregivers of veterans for a new study. If you fall into this category, we encourage you to read on and consider participating.

Thank you!

Missy, Community Manager for Caring.com

This study will provide an opportunity for caregivers of Veterans to be heard and improve services for caregivers and Veterans now and in the future.

If you are a family caregiver of a Veteran or know of one, and wish to take part in this study, please sign up at: www.gwsurvey.com/caregiversofveterans.html[gwsurvey.com]

The National Alliance for Caregiving is seeking participants for a new study of family caregivers of Veterans. This study is intended to determine how caregivers of Veterans are coping and what community and VA services, resources, and programs would support and assist them with their caregiving activities.

Caregivers are defined as those providing unpaid assistance, such as personal care, bathing, dressing, feeding, help with medications and other treatments, transportation to the doctors’ appointments, and arranging for services. Caregivers of Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War through the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will be included in the study. Caregivers include relatives and friends.

The study will use discussion groups, telephone interviews, and an Internet survey of caregivers of Veterans. The National Alliance for Caregiving is recruiting many family caregivers of Veterans from across the United States, and especially caregivers for the discussions groups living in or near: San Diego, San Antonio, and Washington, DC.

Cash incentives will be available for study participants and Veterans who refer them. Information obtained from the discussion groups, telephone interviews, and Internet survey will be confidential and will not be connected to the individual caregivers participating in the study.

Thank you for your consideration to participate in a study that could make a difference in the lives of caregivers of Veterans. Please contact Kathy Cameron at kathleen56@caregiving.org for more information.

This project is funded by a grant from the United Health Foundation

How do you prepare yourself, when your loved one tells you they know they are dying? posted by Tamberlee @ 01:32 AM March 11, 2010

Tamberlee — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:32:39 -0000

Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Please know I will place her in my prayers. I can tell you from experience that you can't totally prepare yourself the loss of a loved one. I can tell you from my experience that you greive the news of hearing you have a loved one that is terminal. I know how hard it is to even think about losing a loved one to cancer along with everything else that is going on at this time. One of the first things you need to do now is to get yourself a circle of support. They will be important as things go on. I learned how many friends we had when Chuck became ill. It is also the time to make sure that you tell your mom everything you want her to know. I know you are going throough a very difficult time and if I can be of any help to you please let me know.

Just found out my mom has brain cancer. posted by shashi @ 04:12 PM March 10, 2010

shashi — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:12:52 -0000

dear mekylee, i am dr. shashikant gupta, homeopathic physician in aurangabad, maharastra, india.I read your emotion and feel very sorry for your mom, my suggestion in your mom's case is please and please try the Homoeopathic medicine in your town. It acts very deeply and very gently without andy side-effect and it may chance for total cure , but it is only possible by Homoeopathy. I am having the specialty in cancer and brain tumor with Homoeopathic medicine only and I cure many case by Homoeopathic medicine. So its my request please visit a Homoeopathic physician.in modren medicine only the surgery is the treatment for tumor, which is very risky and total removal is imposible.and homoeopathy have a very good result for tumors. For any detail contact me e-mail shashigupta1974@yahoo.com Or dr.skgupta@cancerspecial.com

How do you prepare yourself, when your loved one tells you they know they are dying? posted by michellevb @ 03:28 PM March 10, 2010

michellevb — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:28:02 -0000

Tamberlee, Words cannot express how sorry I am for you. I've been crying so much today. I sat down at the computer and googled "how to prepare to lose a loved one" and this page came up. My mother has just recently been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. I don't know how I'll bear this and then I think I am my mother's daughter. I am so glad you were with your husband when he passed. If it helps you to know, you have given me great comfort with what you said, "I was blessed with the sight of seeing him reunite with loved ones that had gone before him. It was a beautiful sight to see him greet and hug them and to know he wasn't alone on that journey either. I know he will be there waiting for me when it is my time to join him.". I felt the same way when my Grandaddy passed away, I was holding his hand when he slipped away. I have often thought of the people he loved waiting for him on the other side and it really helps to hear you echo those sentiments. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it really does help other people.

Just found out my mom has brain cancer. posted by happyworld @ 02:37 AM March 10, 2010

happyworld — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:37:12 -0000

Kylee, HOW IS YOUR MOM DOING? MY MOM HAS CNS LYMPHOMA FOR THE LAST 7 MONTHS.I TOTALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.IT HAS BEEN A ROLLERCOASTER.SO HARD SEEING HER DIE SO SLOWLY.

October is breast cancer awareness month - who do you want to honor? posted by dontdieneedlessly @ 08:57 PM March 01, 2010

dontdieneedlessly — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:57:04 -0000

Supporting others with breast cancer for ten plus years, I became disillusioned with the available breast cancer treatments. After my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer (we discussed the quality/effectiveness of breast cancer treatments in the past)she told me she did not want to die and wanted to know if there was real breast cancer treatments that work. That day was when I began my 5 year study of cancer, cancer treatments and the immune system.

First I have to say my friend had three different opinions and two doctors said her tumor is so tiny leave it alone. She changed her life style, exercises, eats healthy and avoids chemicals among other things...

Anyways, the one thing I found shocking about National Breast Cancer Awareness month is that it was a marketing ploy by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca manufactures breast cancer drugs, from which they make millions of dollars annually. AstraZeneca's parent company is Imperial Chemicals they make chemicals and pesticides that are carcinogenic and cause breast cancer.

The chemical industry produces the chemicals and pesticides that produce estrogenic chemicals that causes breast cancer and then they have the audacity to turn around and want to control the marketplace to promote their pharmaceutical drugs as the only cure for the problems created by the chemicals and pesticides they created.

Even pharmceutical drug residues are showing up as a major new class of environmental pollution.

Breast cancer awareness month is a marketing ploy by the very industries that are killing thousands of people needlessly every year.

If you really want breast cancer advice I found Breast Cancer Action as a real non profit with true concern for the cancer victim and they don't accept any funding from the pharmaceutical industry. They are the ones sponsoring www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org.

I wish I found this sight ten years ago. It might of saved many lives. My new motto now is Trust but verify. I won't simply accept what anyone tells me concerning cancer or healthcare in general. Does not matter if they have twenty letters after their name or none. Many people have their own agendas.

Trust no one and verify everything. All the above was found in books and is online.

God Bless you in your search for answers, Karen

Just found out my mom has brain cancer. posted by Anonymous @ 10:39 PM February 25, 2010

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:39:50 -0000

Ask God to help her in her time of need.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer? posted by jacobintlorg @ 07:09 AM February 23, 2010

jacobintlorg — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:09:20 -0000

Common symptoms of breast cancer include

A change in how the breast or nipple feels A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area Nipple tenderness a change in how the breast or nipple looks a change in the size or shape of the breast A nipple turned inward into the breast The skin of the breast, areola, or nipple may be scaly, red, or swollen. It may have ridges or pitting so that it looks like the skin of an orange.

Nipple discharge Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. Still, a woman should see her health care provider about breast pain or any other symptom that does not go away. Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems may also cause them. Any woman with these symptoms should tell her doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

genetic cancer testing[jacobintl.org]

My Mom has had cns lymphoma for six years it has been a long rollercoaster ride me and my husband ar posted by Anonymous @ 01:50 PM February 21, 2010

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:50:05 -0000

To Date-21/02/2010 Director BRIGGS

Dear Sir,

Subject : Help us to Survive for Immediate.

With due respects that I am Md. Shafiqur Rahman a Bangladeshi Citizen. My Father-uncle is five brothers. Live in a Muslim joint family. Within five brothers my father is the eldest son of my grand father. He was died by throught cancer in 1988. We can’t take proper treatment for insufficient money. My grand father other son named Mehdi Ali my youngest uncle was died in 2003 by liver cirrhosis. Also his 3rd son Afsar Ali died by paralysis in last year 2003. Rest of two son of my grand father is live. This is the history of my grandfather sons. Now I explain the 4 members who is carry very dangerous dieses cancer in our family. I am Elder of this Generations so, I mean, my Responsibility their are to much.

I am Md. Shafiqur Rahman attacked by the NON HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA cancer in 2000. I have to take chemotherapy for cureness. This is very expensive treatment for me. Meanwhile I was attack by stroke in 19-07-2007 due to money tension at last 3 chemotherapy is taken from the date of 15-01-2008. It is more essential for my life is Medicine than food.
My younger brother name Lutfor Rahman Ronju attracted by CARCINOMA (Retromular Region) cancer in 2004. When he takes chemotherapy and Radiotherapy is well. But infect after some day his condition is same. The present time these dieses infect on his thoughts. This is why he doesn’t take any solid food. Just eat liquid food. He needs treatment. But need a lot of money.
My grand father 2nd son (my 1st uncle) name Abdul Ali age 76 attacked by PYRIFORM POSSA cancer in 2008. He takes chemotherapy. At present times he is well. But infect left side of his throught see some dieses. So, he needs treatment.
My Cousin name Nazrul Islam son of Late my uncle Mehdi Ali age 28 years. He is married. He has two beautiful & innocent son. Last year 2008 month of December in his chest, left side of solder and the behinds of his hands carry sewing’s sarcoma cancer. He was admitted into Bangladesh cancer Society & Welfare home. According to his physician Professor Abdul Hai advise to take him 6 Chemotherapy. After Complete of 6 Chemotherapy Dr. referred him to admit into National institute of Cancer research & Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka, for Radiotherapy. In this Hospital Physician board advise him to take 3-6 Chemotherapy then after Radiotherapy. But this is very expensive. We have no ability to carry in this amount of money. So, his treatment is now closed. our needs of Treatment Approximately $ 4000 (four Thousands) USA currency.

We are that family member who is carry very dangerous dieses cancer. Their diesis makes us unless and takes us a lot of money. We have sold our all pieces of land. But don’t take realizes from these dangerous dieses. This dieses lesson our soul. We are always crying. Personally I am Electrical Diploma Engineer. But these dieses doesn’t give me to continue in work. So, my pray to you personally Donate& please help us from your organization welfare Donation fund. Help us some financially which will live us in this beautiful world.

Thanking You Md. Shafiqur Rahman 1/C-8/5Mirpur-1, Dhaka-1216. Mobile : 01190625725 shafiqur.rahman007@gmail.com rahmanshafiqur17@yahoo.com Address of sending helps: Shafiqur Rahman A/C- 10421080047921 Prime Bank Bangladesh Ltd. Head Office Motijheel Branch. Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.

(

second round of cancer in 4 years. posted by angel1959 @ 03:41 PM February 19, 2010

angel1959 — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:41:12 -0000

Please excuse the spelling, sometimes i get ahead of myself and i do not see everything. Angel

second round of cancer in 4 years. posted by angel1959 @ 03:36 PM February 19, 2010

angel1959 — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:36:36 -0000

Thank you , we have a older brother who does not handle news like this very well but he is trying to be more supportive than the last time, and the youngest sister just says well my plate is too full to do anything right now just keep her posted. POSTED i nearly screamed at her when she said that, we all have families to care for. She did the same thing when i took care of our dad who also had cancer, my sister who has the breast cancer also helped when she could she worked at the time but she was there when we needed her, our dad hung on for 6 months and passed away 2006.I have always been the big sister so to speak and thats ok, but (you know there is a but somewhere) haha! i need them (my family) to step up and support us. I work at least 50/60 hours a week to cover expences, my sister cannot work at all because of other medical problems, i take off work for all her appointments and i have to find transportation,cannot drive a stick tried but nope not me haha! We have to make do with what we have at the time, i know god will provide for us when we need it. But some days i feel worn out, am i being selfish? sometimes i have to wonder. well i guess i will close for now, thank you again. Sincerely, Angel.

microcalcifications posted by Courtneyll @ 02:12 PM February 19, 2010

Courtneyll — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:12:20 -0000

Hopeful Mom, I know its been awhile I just wanted to see how you are doing? I have finally finished chemo, surgery and now 6 weeks od radiation behind me!! Phew!! I am still taking iv herceptin every 3 weeks. How did your reconstruction go? I just found out I have to wait until july to have my reconstruction surgery :( due to the radiation causing scarring! I guess it takes 6 months for the scar tissue to form. Well hope you are feeling as good as I am. It took me a couple of weeks after radiation to feel this way, I realized I could live wondering if it will come back(which I was). Then I realized I need to live and appreciate everyday for what it is......a blessing!!!

microcalcifications posted by Anonymous @ 06:37 AM February 19, 2010

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:37:56 -0000

My sis-in-Law jut went through a double with flying colors & is in process of reconstruction & hear no complaints from her,( 48 yrs. ) hope the same for you, Good Luck + I myself(at time- 61) am into my 4th yr. now for single mastectomy, still have fingers crossed, Have faith!

How do you prepare yourself, when your loved one tells you they know they are dying? posted by Tamberlee @ 10:59 PM February 18, 2010

Tamberlee — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:59:18 -0000

I lost him on Feb. 4. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't tell him I loved him. Just before he took his last breath I told him I loved him and that I always would. He passed away at home, where he wanted to be. I was blessed with the sight of seeing him reunite with loved ones that had gone before him. It was a beautiful sight to see him greet and hug them and to know he wasn't alone on that journey either. I know he will be there waiting for me when it is my time to join him.

second round of cancer in 4 years. posted by LauraL @ 11:15 PM February 17, 2010

LauraL — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:15:14 -0000

Hi Angel,

I"m sorry for the difficult news. So you'll be taking care of her again? What a stressful situation, but I know that if I were your sister, I sure would be grateful that I have you. :)

We're here for you to vent and get advice, as often as you need. :)

Help me posted by angel1959 @ 01:44 PM February 16, 2010

angel1959 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:44:16 -0000

Tinkerbell,what you are feeling is normal, painful yes but normal.Take it one one second, minute, day at a time thats is the best thing you can do for yourself and your husband and the rest will slowly fall into place. Be good to yourself and remember you can only do so much in a day.Do not look back on what you should have said or done,just tell him everyday how much you love him, thank him for the love he is giving you and the family.when the time comes you will know in your heart you always gave 100% . I was a caregiver to my father for 6 months and believe there was never a wasted minute in his life and we said our goodbyes and our love for each other. No regrets, only sweet memories. Your family will be in my prayers. Angel 1959.

second round of cancer in 4 years. posted by angel1959 @ 12:59 PM February 16, 2010

angel1959 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:59:35 -0000

27 days ago my sister found out she has stage 3b breast cancer,we are both numb still weeks later. She is in a good state of mind and i am trying ,but there are days it feel s like my heart is breaking. We talk alot about it and we have done the crying,getting mad and so on and yet i feel so alone. I do not have too many people to talk to, i feel useless. I need to vent to someone other than my sister, she has enough to deal with i do not want to add more stress to her. She had colon cancer 4 years ago and so far all test all clear and now this. I had no one to help me with her recovery the last time and now well you get the picture.thanks in advance for taking the time to read this. Angel 1959.

What is reaction to radiation therapy? What is the disease? What now? posted by Phia @ 12:33 PM February 16, 2010

Phia — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:33:01 -0000

Well, I found out what was going on. He was having an extremely bad reaction to dexamethasone. His cancer was doing really well but unfortunately after a very distressing time for him, he died of the reactions to the drug. ON his death certificate is 'pneumonia' as a cause of death though the doctor told me it wasn't pneumonia an hour or so before my father died.

I find this dreadful and I don't trust drugs or the people who prescribe them. It was a dangerous drug, esp for the young and the elderly but no special care was taken to make sure my father was OK. Even when I was reporting that he was in trouble, it seems no one put two and two together. Either that or they didn't care - neither option is good.

It makes me wonder how many people die of their treatment rather than their disease? How many drugs are there that are that dangerous but given out without care?

Now I am in grief and I am having trouble getting through the prossess - a life long journey - because it just wasn't right and everyone is pretending that it wasn't them.

microcalcifications posted by @ 05:16 PM February 15, 2010

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:16:22 -0000

My Dear Hopeful Mom,

My thoughts and prayers are with you - my mom died of breast cancer several years ago and I thought I would never be able to live without her. It takes a lot of time and prayers and the help of family and friends to get you through it - but children are very resillient and bunches back quicker that adults do. My advise is to only tell them what they need to know right now - they won't be able to take it all in at one time so over the course of several months - years you may give them more as they are older and can understand fully.

I find that having a relationship with God gives one comfort - He promises to never leave us or forsake us - try trusting in His word. I will pray for you and your family as well. Stay stong.

One who cares

microcalcifications posted by Surviving1 @ 04:14 PM February 10, 2010

Surviving1 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:14:32 -0000

The one thing you must remember is that no one has ever had breast cancer before you. I know, a weird statement. But think about it. That is YOUR cancer...it's personal...and the solutions are yours and the treatment is yours and how your body reacts is yours. When a male doctor says "don't worry, tamoxifen is nothing". Sorry, don't believe him. Wait and see how you personally react to it. Every single one of us who has survived breast cancer or is presently dealing with it have had our very own personal reactions to everything. I guess the reason I am saying this to you is that we all react different and can only give you our experiences. You can digest all of it but it is still up to you to make your own decisions of what is best first of all for YOU and secondly for your FAMILY!! The only way you can remove the fear from your children is proof. Every day...they will see you and how strong you are and slowly begin to believe that you will be here a long time. My sister died two weeks before I was diagnosed and it took a very long time for my adult children to believe that I was actually going to be ok. One Day At A Time, Lady!! With all the tests they are doing, such as the BRACAnalysis, PET, MRI...that will be called making an intelligent decision on your part. Hang in there! Soon it will be 5 years and you will never forget what you have gone through but you will be able to say "I made the decisions that were good for me!!" God Bless!!!

copd posted by debspot @ 01:34 AM February 04, 2010

debspot — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:34:04 -0000

Thank-you Laural for your reply, it meant so much too me.. I've learned to let go and let God, and He's given me a real Peace about my situation with my husbands condition.. I must stay in a healthy place for my own peace of mind. It's taken me down a long road, but I've finally arrived through my faith in God.. God Bless You for caring enough to answer my call..

Deb

My Mom's Cancer Treatment Has Affected Her Mind posted by anne4boys @ 12:37 AM February 04, 2010

anne4boys — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:37:51 -0000

Gabriel thank you for your kind words. Let me clarify she had a total of 72 radiations, 57 to her lung and 15 to her whole brain. Hope all is going well with you, and your family.

Anne

copd posted by LauraL @ 08:17 PM February 03, 2010

LauraL — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:17:46 -0000

Hi Deb,

I'm sorry to hear this. I think, though, at some point...maybe you just have to recognize that he's made his own decisions regarding his life and how it is lived. It's hard to watch, I understand, but you can't beat yourself up over it.

I don't have any experience myself with COPD but here's some information from the site: http://www.caring.com/search?query=COPD Perhaps the information in those articles will help you with understanding what is to come.

My best wishes to you both! ((hugs))

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