Fast spreading breast cancer...any hope?

[Disney1fan2002]

I just got some devasting news from a close friend of mine. His wife was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and had a masectomy. I had talked to them on a few occasions over the year, and each time, she was well.

I had not talked to him in months. I called him up to invite them to Disney for a big trip I am planning in August 07. He told me, she may not be here for that. they found out a few months ago, her cancer has spread to her lungs, it is a very aggressive type of cancer, rare in women, and it will soon spread to her liver and then her brain. I could not believe what I was hearing. They have a beautiful little girl who will be 3 in July. His wife is 33 years old. I could not unwrap my thoughts from the idea that it is very likely Gracie is going to grow up without her mom. It is my #2 fear for my own kids.

My friend wanted all the details about the Disney trip, and it was very uncomfortable talking about something so far out in the future, when they are living day by day. I pray to God she is still here and healthy and in remission in August 07, so they can join us in WDW as an family of 3. But, I did tell him, if she starts to get sicker, and they want to take Gracie before she is too sick to enjoy it, then I will get them a room with my DVC points ANYTIME.

If you could please keep them in your prayers. Her name is Crystal. She is too young to die.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Prayers for Crystal and her family.

 

[FINFAN]

Done...cancer is a horrible thing to go thru. I too fear it...I rarely even want to go to the Dr as I convince myself it is a death sentence.
I hope she is well enough to take you up on your offer of the points, if they would lke to do WDW.


Pam

 

[Christine]

There is always hope. I read/seen/heard amazing stories. Hopefully this will work out for your friend, but it is very sad and scary isn't it? She is so young too. Sometimes it seems that the most aggressive cancers occur in the very young and very old. I hope it somehow all works out for her and her family.

 

[missypie]

About 6 or 7 years ago a young mom at our church was diagonosed with a very agressive form of breast cancer. She had major chemo (LOTS of treatment). She appears to be just fine. She and her husband already had two boys; they adopted a baby girl from China two years ago, which I doubt she would have done had she had a terminal diagnosis.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Always hope, sometimes that is the cure. Attitude is so important too in the healing of the body. Miracles do happen. My prayers are with Crystal, her family.

 

[snappy]

While it sounds like she has a very aggressive form of breast cancer, there are also some very aggressive treatments. I hope she is getting the very best treatment available for her type of cancer.

While no cancer is "curable", almost all are treatable.

Hoping your Crystal is able to fight this beast.

So very kind of you to offer your points.

Prayers for Crystal and her family.

 

[escape]

Sending more prayers to Crystal and her family. Never give up hope.

 

[4nana]

Such a very sad story, however, there is always room for a miracle . I pray she keeps the faith and fights it with every ounce of courage in her body. I have witnessed friends who were given just months to live that battled this curse and go on for several yrs. Prayers and Godspeed to your friend Crystal and her family through their difficult battle.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Crystal and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Good thoughts for the family.

 

[Tinks]

Prayers for Cystal and her family. You're a good friend.

 

[pumba]

I know how you feel about talking about something in the future. I kept on wishing the arrival of our new granddaughter and our trip to Disney and then realized that I was wishing for this to happen but knew that it meant less time on the earth for my sister. She was given her battle with pancreatic and also bone cancer in January and there is no treatment for her. SO it is just waiting and spending time with her too. That is what you can do. Just be there Now for your friends. My granddaughter was born a week ago today and we are leaving on a Disney excursion this weekend. So already four months gone by for my dear sister.
I will keep your friend in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just because it has spread to her lungs doesn't necessarily mean it will go to her liver and brain. Hopefully she is getting the best and most aggressive care available at a major cancer center. Nobody can predict with certainty what the future holds for any of us. Lots of people are surviving past the odds, thankfully.

I don't mean to minimize the situation, but I wonder if maybe they just aren't up to planning a Disney trip at this time? Or maybe they prefer to go alone?

 

[DisneyPhD]

There is always hope, and always rooom for a miricle.

My heart goes out to this family. My SIL had a very simlar situation in 1998.

She was pregnant with her 3rd child, it was her 33rd brithday. A few days before Christmas. Her midwife found the lump. It turned out to be a very agressive form of breast cancer. When I read your friends story it reminded me of my dear sisters.

While we clung to hope, I wish we as a family would of done more when we could to prepare for the possibillity of life with out her. It has not been a easy 8 years. Her kids are doing well, my brother has had a long hard rode and really needs the help of his family and friends. I think considering how hard it has been he has and is doing a wonderful job with the kids. Please continue to be supportive to this family, not mater what the outcome is. If you don't know what to say, at least continue to try. Sometimes there are no right words. I know that many people who were supportive to my SIL just dropped out of the picture for my brother and his kids later.

At the same time all this was happening to my Sister in law they had a good friend who was dx with breast cancer too. (she was actully their older childs kindergarden teacher.) She was treated also and cured. She went on to have 2 more children (along with their 1st son.) I see her now often, as they live in my neighboorhood and their son will be gong to school with my DD. This very lovely women and her family are doing great.

I admit that my kids (and DH) being with out me is a fear of mine too. She was my age when she died. (the same senrio the feel might happen to your dear friend.) She had cancer for 2 1/4 years. The same age her son was when she died.

There is always hope. Saddly this terrible illness does take some wonerful women in tragic ways. *If* this happens those who are left behind need support even more.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Just because it has spread to her lungs doesn't necessarily mean it will go to her liver and brain. Hopefully she is getting the best and most aggressive care available at a major cancer center. Nobody can predict with certainty what the future holds for any of us. Lots of people are surviving past the odds, thankfully.

I don't mean to minimize the situation, but I wonder if maybe they just aren't up to planning a Disney trip at this time? Or maybe they prefer to go alone?

I don't think you are minimizing it. You are being optimistic. I am saying the things about the liver and brain, because my friend told me that is what the Dr's explained to them. He hopes she makes it two years, but I think he is really thinking about what was told to him. It is an aggressive cancer, and they will take any and all treatment thrown at them to fight it. But, he has been told the cancer will move to her liver, then her brain. One of the treatments she is starting is something that will make her cells stop dividing. Hopefully that will slow or STOP the progression.

The Disney trip discussion was only uncomfortable on MY part. He wanted to know all about the details. So, it wasn't like he was trying to blow me off. I just wanted him to know the offer does not have to be for August 07, when the big trip happens. If he wants to take her and the baby down before she gets too sick, I wanted him to know all he has to do is let me know, and I will get him the room.

 

[mickeyboat]

Cancer sucks. Crystal will be in my thoughts.

Denae