[Pursegrrl]

Yes, this is so incredibly common on my Dad's side of the family...my grandpa beat it twice in his lifetime. He smoked 2 packs a day for 30 years, drank like a fish but amazingly had a healthy liver and lungs...he had prostate and bladder cancer...the bladder cancer came back to haunt him late in life. He was completely energetic up until the last 6 weeks of his life and almost made it to 94.

My (paternal) grandmother is still alive at almost 92 and has had a couple cancerous skin lesions removed on her face and hands, plus is a breast cancer survivor.

Both my folks survived cancer diagnoses last year - Dad had the radioactive rods inserted for his prostate rather than having it removed and my Mom had a mastectomy last June. Her doc thinks her cancer was due to her HRT...it was either take them and risk cancer or don't take them and risk a stroke.

My uncle (Dad's brother) also survived prostate cancer although he had it removed rather than the treatment my Dad chose.

My brother and my cousin D both know they have a double legacy of prostate cancer as their grandfather and their Dads each had it.

I only pray to see a cure/vaccine for cancer someday in my lifetime.

[juicy couture jen]

I lost my Dad to prostate cancer 2 months ago. This statistic really hits home for me.

It was a hell of a rollercoaster ride these last two years. It was horrible watching him during his last days, I think about it all the time.

It hurts like crazy now that he's not here anymore, it feels like there's a big hole that can't be filled. Like some sort of unsettling nagging feeling. I feel relieved that he is no longer suffering, but I'm angry and devastated he was taken away from us so soon.

You know what? I never expected my dad to get cancer. He just seemed healthy as a horse. He was the person in the family I'd never have to worry about. Isn't it ironic???

[laloki]

I have a lovely dear friend who for the past four years has been fighting breast cancer.

Eighteen months ago she was given the all clear, was looking the picture of health and then six months later she found she had cancer in her spine which is now in her lung and brain. I just want to wrap my arms around her and make it better but I can't (I can't make the cancer better I mean - I can hug her) and it saddens me to think of a time when she won't be with us anymore...I want to cry.

[moi et mes sacs]

Originally Posted by laloki

I have a lovely dear friend who for the past four years has been fighting breast cancer.

Eighteen months ago she was given the all clear, was looking the picture of health and then six months later she found she had cancer in her spine which is now in her lung and brain. I just want to wrap my arms around her and make it better but I can't (I can't make the cancer better I mean - I can hug her) and it saddens me to think of a time when she won't be with us anymore...I want to cry.

Tragic. I think even when people are given the all clear they still have doubts and fears of it returning as it often does as it has for your friend. My friend told me the doctor said a lot of it is brought on by stress which makes us all prone really. Hug your friend, I hope you can enjoy many more days together.

[laloki]

Thank you for your kind words, my friend knows her cancer is not curable and is only being managed to ensure a reasonable quality of life for the time she has left. So lots of hugs and laughter are definitely the best medicine for her.

[razorbackbelle0]

I lost my amazing grandma to cancer a year and a half ago. It is so, so tough-- Moi & Laloki, and everyone suffering withj cancer or having someone close to you who is going through it, we're all here for you.

[queenvictoria2]

I have known so many people I do not even want to count them I refuse to add another person to the list.

[Veelyn]

I lost my grandma to breast cancer. She was diagnosed on my bday and died that same month. It got her fast, but then we found out she had known for atleast a year and didnt say anything. When I look back now, it saddens me and makes me angry to know that she could have been here now if she wouldn't have been scared. She is in a better place now though, I miss her dearly.

[moi et mes sacs]

Originally Posted by Veelyn

I lost my grandma to breast cancer. She was diagnosed on my bday and died that same month. It got her fast, but then we found out she had known for atleast a year and didnt say anything. When I look back now, it saddens me and makes me angry to know that she could have been here now if she wouldn't have been scared. She is in a better place now though, I miss her dearly.

Sounds like grandma was a lovely lady, she spared you the grief by keeping it to herself. Sorry for your loss.