How do I get support and info on dealing with a family member who has cancer?

i would go to cacayatrist. they can talk to you with your feelings and what else is going on in your life.they can really be helpful and get through to there patients, hope all is well with your family. good luck <3 tina<3

i hav battled cancer and it was hard to see my family go through the same situation as you are right now. try to talk to them like you normally would and don't treat them differently. i don't really know how to describe it but whenever i got "the look" as i call it I couldn't help but feel worse. it was like

In almost every city in the USA there is probably a cancer help organization (In Seattle here is a great one, I will add the link to it here. A great resource on the road to information about cancer --http://www.seattlecca.org/ I went to my wife's oncologists office and got all the free pamphlets and magazines they had about cancer. I am a member of Barnes and Nobel bookstore so I read about a dozen books about breast cancer and then purchased about half of them. I also looked at web sites about people that have posted their stories about the disease. In Seattle, for support there are many great organizations, one is called Gilda's House here is a link: http://www.gildasclubseattle.org/ There is also the American Cancer Society that has a lot of information for supporting family members that have been diagnosed with the disease. http://www.cancer.org/ Research can take some of the fear away about the disease and there are a lot of good people you will meet that will help you along this hard journey. Good luck, Dave

First of all, I am sorry to hear about your relative. It is a tough diagnosis but by no means one that can't be successfully tackled and overcome. It's just hard to swallow in the beginning and it is pretty scary:( You feel you have no control over what happens. It's overwhelming at first but you will find a way to cope. You are already very, very brave and you are not alone! Soo many people unfortunately hear such news every day. At every corner you will see the goodness and kindness of your other relatives, friends and even strangers who will want to say a nice word or help you. It's the hardest time but also one to discover your inner strenght, your toughness (because your are incredibly tough and resilient), your compassion and determination and the kindness of everyone who loves you and cares about you. And most importantly -not sure what religion you have, but in order to regain that sense of control and peace and reassurance, pray to God and to the Virgin Mary for help! Here are some sites to get you some information: http://www.cancer.gov -all you want to know about any type of cancer Here is the list of Cancer Centers by state (basically big, reputable hospitals that get this name because I guess they are more equipped or specialized in dealing with cancer than your normal little neighbourhood hospital): http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html 1. Get educated about the type of cancer. What type and subtype is it? What stage? Learn everything you can about it because it is extremely important to know how to talk to the doctors and what questions to ask. Continually educate your relative too, it is crucial to know every little detail (read online, ask doctors, ask nurses etc). It's a lot of homework but it is VERY IMPORTANT. 2. Always when diagnosed with cancer GET A SECOND OPINION! Your relative should be seen by another team of doctors (perhaps at a large Cancer Center if you can). The lab tests, biopsy etc should be repeated to confirm the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment. For some cancers, it's not that easy to determine the sub-types etc...that's why the more people examine the biopsy tissue, the better. The more doctors think about the diagnosis and treatment, the better! 3. For this type of cancer, research what hospital specilizes in treating it. There are rankings of hospitals (not sure who does that but research it on the internet and also ask doctors, relatives, others whi have had cancer etc). 4. If you feel uncomfortable with what a doctor suggests, ASK! PUSH, PUSH, PUSH, don't let them push your relative around or you, the family, around! You guys need to have all the info to make an informed decision. Don't let them scare you either! They see so many people, that for some of them it is routine. Only you and your family know the particular details of your relative and the sensibilitites around this case. BE ARTICULATE AND NEVER LET DOCTORS MAKE YOU FEEL SMALL. I don't know if you watch Mystery Diagnosis on Discovery Health -a show about people who were given the wrong diagnosis by many doctors until they finally found the right one:( 5. Pray. When my relative was diagnosed with cancer, I felt like I was suddenly being burried under a heavy, crushing wall. Felt like everything was crumbling around me. Felt really alone. In the beginning. After the initial 2-3 weeks of shock, tears and fear, I have aimlessly started to look online for help myself. I have found the following prayer, which I have read through my relative's chemo and afterwards and she has also read it during those hard times. It is a prayer to the Mother of God, Healer of Cancer, Pantanassa: http://www.stvladimiraami.org/sheetmusic/akathistvsetsaritsa.pdf Also, here's a book about a guy diagnosed with 2 aggressive cancers at various times in his life, told by doctors he had weeks or months to live and he's alive and living his life: http://www.seanswarner.com/ I read it and it was pretty cool how he FOUGHT and didn't give up despite anything that was said to him. Anyway, sorry for the long post...my 2 cents, the most important things: faith in God and the desire to fight and be prepared for this fight for as long as it takes and for as hard as it gets. Don't ever lose faith and remain patient and STRONG. Keep your relative thinking PO SI TIVE!!!!!!!! May God quickly come to your aide and I am praying for your relative's recovery and for you! If you need to talk or ask something, my email is [email protected]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. You could ask your local hospital or cancer center for info. Gilda's Club is also a great place to look into. Or you can e-mail me or talk to me on here and I'll listen and offer any advice I can. My mom passed away three months ago today actually from breast cancer after dealing with it for 3 1/2 years. So, I might know what you are experiencing or going through. Please don't hesitate to get ahold of me! Good Luck.

There are two very excellent sites that offer support. www.livestrong.com This is the site of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. They offer internet support as well as live telephone support and tools for organization to cope with your cancer. www.cancer.org This organization is superb in offering support by internet, by telephone or through the thousands of support groups within the U.S. They have answers and solutions to almost everything from banks of hair pieces, hats, scarves, to drivers to medical appointments and chemotherapy. Beside the two above organizations, which are immediate in being able to reach, there are hundreds more, though the treatment hospitals, churches and organizations dedicated toward support in the different arenas of cancer. I would contact the two above organizations first..... Best to you.....and a big hug.

Yo can go to this website and you can get all kinds of Information and they will hep you with ever you need Susan G. Komen for the Cure.com