I donot even know where to start...my neighbor a great mom and wife needs your prayers please.She found out she had breast cancer 15 mon. ago,went through the chemo. and was declared free about 1 yr. ago.When i was going through all the tests she was there for me 100% she never told me she was dieing.Her back became sore so she went to the doctors and had some type of scan done only to find out it is back and has spread every where,her spine,ribs and she found out 2 days ago her brain.I can not even begin to say how hard this is on everyone,she is 32 and has 2 boys 4 and 3 ,her sons and my daughters are 1 week apart in age,we always said they would marry and we could have their wedding in our field between our houses,and now this.She is in the hospital tonight recovering from surgery ,she had a total hysterectimy{sp}to stop all hormons and help slow down the cancer. The doctors told her if she makes it 1 year she will be very lucky and to take her son out of school , and love him and his brother allshe can and spend all her time w/ them because soon she wont beable to. I cant even imagin being told that and worst how do you tell a 4 and 3 yr.old you are going to die? Her name is Tracey and I know your prayers would mean alot to her and her family. I will not be on the computer a whole lot for awhile, i need to help her and get back on track around here,but i will print out this for her to see. Thank you all.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), November 09, 2000

Answers

I'll start the prayers!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), November 09, 2000.

I am so sorry to hear this .My neighbors daughter died a year ago leaving a 4 year old and a 1 year old .My heart and prayers go out to her and her family .Makes you wonder why any loving god would take a Mother away from her children .I wish I had something to say or do to make things better and to make her better .I think I need to go hug my baby before I cry .

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), November 09, 2000.

Renee, This is when Hospice should come in. They are very supportive of the patient and the family and also any other caregiver. Please get in touch with the hospice that serves your area. If you are unsure of whom to contact, please email me privately. You are all in my prayers.

-- Terri Perry (stuperry@stargate.net), November 09, 2000.

Renee! The Word says to "pray one for another". I'll add Tracey to my list and pray for her total healing per I Peter 2:24. Thanks for posting this very important info. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), November 09, 2000.

My heart is breaking for this family and you. You all will be in my prayers. May God bless you, surround you with His love, and give you peace. Lena

-- Lena (NC) (breezex4@go.com), November 09, 2000.

Renee, Terry is right, Hospice is a real help at this time, they are trained profesionals in the art of easing the patients, and families pain and difficulties, both mentally, and physically, during the final time left. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 09, 2000.

I was up half the night thinking about this poor family .Everyone is right about hospice , they where great this year when my mother-in- law passed away .The things that went through my mind where for conseling to help her deal with her illness and also to help prepare the children .I also thought that if she could write them each special notes or video to be open on special occasions like getting there liscense , graduation and there wedding days , they would always know how much Mom loved them .I sitting here with tears in my eyes wondering how to do that and knowing you will be leaving your babies .I will be praying for a miracle .

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), November 10, 2000.

Renee, I too will be praying for you and your friend. God will give you all strength and he is still in the miracle business. God bless.

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), November 10, 2000.

Tracey, my heart and soul goes out to you and your loved ones. I will send my prayers. May God be with you and your little ones. Let us all love each other a little more every day for Tracey.

-- Tina (clia88@newmexico.com), November 10, 2000.

I have a good friend going through the same thing. I know the pain you feel. Prayers for your friend too.

-- shooter (jcole@apha.com), November 10, 2000.

My deepest sympathy to everyone undergoing the agony of this very sad situation.

I hear these stories almost every day, because I sell an herbal product which has been successfully fighting cancer for hundreds of years. They almost always come to me after they have already been poisoned by the medical establishment, ruining their immune systems and making it extremely difficult for the body to have a chance to heal itself. Recurrence is the norm after being subjected to chemo and radiation, for I do not believe our bodies were designed to be assaulted by this arsenal of toxic substances. I know of hundreds of people who have said good-bye for good to cancer, by means of merely utilizing herbs, (and other alternatives) altering their thought patterns, and developing an authentic spiritual life, whatever that means to them. Of course I must always be meticulous not to make any "medical claims" when I speak to clients, or in my literature, or the feds will shut me down. God forbid we should affect the pharmaceutical companies' huge cancer industry, and the government which sustains them.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend...

Blessings

Renee, what I hear from many terminal patients and their families is that the greatest assest this herbal mixture has its ability for pain relief in one's final days,and, as Hoot mentioned, never discount the posibility of miraculous cures.

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), November 10, 2000.

Renee,

I will pray for your friend and her family.

One of her concerns might be all of the things she will miss and that her children may not remember her.

I saw a documentary about a woman dying of cancer. This mother (her daughter was young) made hundreds of videos talking on camera about times (milestones) in her daughters life. She had seperate ones for starting school to dating to marriage to college. All that advice and concern and love she poured out on these videos. She even talked about credit and learning to change a tire.

She felt that if her daughter watched the videos as she grew up (each at the right stage) then maybe her daughter would have a little of her mother to hang on to.

I would encourage your friend to get a ton of videos done and pictures as well. It doesn't matter what she looks like. Give the kids something to hold on to when she is gone.

I cannot imagine what you all are going through right now but I am sure it is a relief for her that she has such a good friend like you close by.

Amy

-- Amy Richards (tiggerwife@aol.com), November 10, 2000.

As I read this post, it really hit home. My uncle was just told that he has a form of rapidly spreading cancer. The doctors have said he may still have 6 months left but to plan on only 3 months. He is in his 60's and has a wife, children, grandchildren, and of course extended family. Over the past several weeks since we found out, I have been having a hard time with trying to imagine what folks in this situation must feel. It really scares me to think too much about it sometimes but I do know that even though we may not understand why these things happen, God never makes mistakes. I find comfort in knowing that my life was planned by God and that none of us will live a minute longer than God has intended for us to live, from the moment He created us. Yes life is full of choices but some are just not left up to us to decide. I will pray for peace for Tracey and for all who know and love her. None of us knows how little time we really do have here on earth. It is so important that we not waste it. Sometimes this lesson is hard learned and only when faced with a tragedy. Never give up hope. God is more than able to perform miracles.

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), November 10, 2000.

Renee, my heart breaks to read your post, but we are not without hope; Jesus,the greatest healer; lives within us; He tells us to pray for one another, to anoint with oil and pray for healing in His name. Your friend is so blessed to have youfor her friend. Please, with all prayer and consideration; please re-read Earthmama's post; she is not offering diagnos or cure, but I have a friend that was given a "death sentence" as well, and thanks to the Lord and Essiac, my friend is still alive, strong, and giving waitresses in our cafe' a hard time:) !

-- Beth Weber (talmidim88@hotmail.com), November 10, 2000.

Renee; There is a great physician that can heal your friend. I will lift your friend up to the one who loves her most and pray that Gods will be done. Bless you and your family at this difficult time

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), November 10, 2000.

Renee, so sorry to hear the bad news, I'll be praying for her family and yours as you tend to he needs. Please keep us posted as you can.

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), November 10, 2000.

Tracey, her family, you & your family are in our prayers. I know she considers herself blessed knowing she has a wonderful & caring friend in you.

-- Phyllis (almostafarm@yahoo.com), November 10, 2000.

Tracey and Renee, Since we live in a fallen world, bad things happen to good people. When sin entered the world so did alot of other "bad" things. When something like cancer hits there is not always a reason to the "why?" Our hearts go out to your families and our prayers go with you.

"Why do you say..and complain..,'My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God?' Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope is in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." --Isaiah 40:27-31

Remember, when you can't soar like eagles God promises you can walk and not faint.

-- Vaughn (vdcjm5@juno.com), November 10, 2000.

Renee, I thought about this all day yesterday. Was afraid to post what was really on my mind for fear of offending, but I'm with Earthmama and Beth. No way would I sit and wait to die. I believe that breast cancer is not a defect of the breast, but a breakdown of the entire system (body). Our medical society says "Cut it out, Burn it out, Poison it", but not the obvious - nourish and strengthen and support the entire system. Like Eartmama, I see the person after doctors send them home to die. Every single day, and some are little kids with brain tumors. Why won't this great country research alternative treatments more aggressively? If I'm dieing anyway, why is it illegal for someone to say "Try this, it might help". How sad. The average Joe doesn't know that there are guys sitting on the board of directors at Sloan-Kettering AND Philipp Morris, simultaineously. If I am diagnosed with cancer, I'm not letting a doctor finish me off, I'm going to use the Gerson Therapy, based on lots of fresh, organic juices, and clean food. Everyone should read "The Cancer Industry" by Ralph Moss. I will pray for your friend.

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), November 11, 2000.

I have responed once. Now, I feel from reading the other posts, I must respond again. I was a hospice nurse for a couple years recently. Still do PRN. Only quit to get a job that would allow me to go back to school. I never really had a belief in God until I worked for hospice. I have seen people who were told they had less than six months to live and are still here four years later without a sign of illness, let alone the cancer that made them hospice patients. On the other hand, I have seen patients die within a week of diagnosis. I never believed in alternative therapies until hospice. Try everything. But don't forget, some folks still sell snake oil. If the cost is high and is readily availible, leave it alone. I have had several patients who smoked pot that increased their appetites and mellowed them out without our "drugs". If it works, do it. With out hope we have nothing. Is your friend a Christian? Christianity tells us that our reward is death. It is hard to see, but faith is strong and prayer can work. May God bless you ad keep you, Terri

-- Terri Perry (stuperry@stargate.net), November 11, 2000.

Another Hospice nurse here! Yeah, we could tell you stories about inexplicable and otherwordly happenings-but we won't -just say that, yes, there is another realm, and often getting right in that other realm helps you out here. A lot of people do not die from their illness. They die from their symptoms. If you treat their pain, or their vomiting, or their diarrhea, or their spiritual pain, all of a sudden their condition stabilizes. tHEY may still have cancer, or heart disease , or whatever, but it has turned chronic and is no longer terminal. By the way, a strong cup of coffee boosts the pain killing powerr of asa or acetominophen by 50%. Morphine has only 2 side effects-transient nausea, and constipation. NSAID's like asprin can cause dyspepsia, GI bleeds, diareea, and destry your liver or kidney. Acetonophen in excess can destroy your liver. According to Margo McCaffrey, RN PhD, who is a published palliative specialist, 2 asa = 3 mg morphine in painkilling power. On another page, she states that 7 1/2 oz dark chocalate = 2 asa in painkilling power. So...if I remimber my Philosophy 101 right- then 7 1/2 oz dark chocalate = 3 mg morphine in painkilling power???

-- Mitzi Giles (Egiles2@prodigy.net), November 12, 2000.

Renee,

My family is going through a very similar situation. We will all certainly keep you and your friend and family in our prayers. God bless you as you take care of your friend. Philippians 4:13

-- Dan Krabel (dk@comwares.net), November 14, 2000.