Some good news and some uncertain

**Valigarmander** · 03-26-2010, 01:50 AM

First, the good news. To recap, my mom has had cancer for almost eight years now, which we found out was caused by a certain gene that exists in her family. The gene has a 50% chance of being passed on to a child, and any child who is born with the gene will have the same chance of passing it on to any children he or she may have. The gene is only active in women, though, and it causes ovarian cancer midlife. My sister went in to get checked for the gene a couple weeks ago, and today we found out that she doesn't have the gene. So, she won't have to worry about cancer later in life, which is a relief to hear for all of us.

Now, the uncertain stuff. My parents are headed to Boston this weekend to meet with a doctor there about undergoing a procedure in which my mom would have one of her lungs (the one with the tumor) surgically removed. This doctor (I forget his name) is one of the best in the country, and not only would he be removing the lung, but he'd also irradicate all cancer in the area, giving my mom probably her best chance at a real remission yet. Chemotherapy is becoming less and less effective, and this seems like the last real option we have right now. If she is accepted, she'll return to Boston later this year for the surgery. If she isn't accepted, we'll have to figure out something else to do next. Even if she is accepted, though, there's still that chance she might not make it in the end. Nothing's really certain at this point, but we're all crossing our fingers.

That's all. Just thought I'd share.

CodenameV · 03-26-2010, 02:22 AM

First of all, I wanna say you've been an incredibly strong person to handle all of this. Having loved ones in positions like this is one of the worst things in the world. But there is a chance for the cancer taken care of for, hopefully, a very long time. The best thing to do right now is to hope for the best, and don't give up hope. You're in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm sure you're in the rest of ours' as well.

Jere · 03-26-2010, 02:56 AM

Keep it up dude, you are handling all this better than i ever would.

Metal Mario · 03-26-2010, 03:08 AM

I wish you and your family good luck, Val. I hope everything works out.

ZeldaGirl · 03-26-2010, 03:50 AM

I have to echo CV - you're incredibly strong and amazing for having to deal with this. I wish you all the best. You know I love you. *hugs*

t3hDarkness · 03-26-2010, 04:35 AM

Be sure to tell us if she is accepted.

We would worry if you left us hanging again.

***Cosmonautical*** · 03-26-2010, 09:13 AM

Keep your chin up, dude, and think positive. Sounds repetitive, but it helps.

Sim Kid · 03-26-2010, 12:19 PM

It must have been pretty hard to deal with that, and a relief to find out that your sister won't possibly have it at all. Ovarian cancer is rather hard to treat, and that can really make families hurt when they have genetic susceptibilies(sp) to it.

I think A18's family actually has something like that too. (yes I knew her and Zak IRL)

**Valigarmander** · 03-27-2010, 01:44 PM

Thanks, everyone. I really mean that.

They left for Boston this morning. I'll let you all know how things go.

Eagle Eye · 03-27-2010, 03:33 PM

Please let us know man. I'm praying for her an your family

Eric · 03-27-2010, 03:48 PM

Wow, I can't even imagine what that's like...

Well, just stay positive and stay strong. I'm glad that your sister doesn't have it and that your mom is getting the best treatment she can.

I hope everything goes well, man.

We are all proud of you for staying strong about this.

**Galefore** · 03-28-2010, 09:34 PM

Dude, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I respect your strength, for srs. Not much else I can say that hasn't been said; just keep your head held high, and always hope for the best.

**X-3** · 03-28-2010, 10:29 PM

Here's hoping your family gets the best outcome.

Rainbow Dash · 03-28-2010, 11:43 PM

Will she get the lung back or is it basically permanently gone?

**Valigarmander** · 03-29-2010, 01:25 AM

^ It'll be gone forever.

A person can live with only one lung, though.

Sim Kid · 03-29-2010, 09:26 PM

I just imagine that she'd be a lot more short of breath.

1-up Salesman · 03-31-2010, 07:45 PM

Hope everything turns out okay- praying for ya.

CuccoLady · 04-01-2010, 12:13 AM

Oh goodness how did I not see this sooner D}:

Valll we all love you dearly and you are always in our thoughts forever and ever because you rock.

You're handling this painful situation so very well. We all --and by that I mean everyone that you have ever met and graced with your presence-- have you and your mother in our thoughts and we have our fingers crossed for you. We'll be by you the whole way, and you know that you can spam each and every one of us with PMs if you should feel the need. ;{)

I really hope things go well. There's still hope! :{)

**Valigarmander** · 04-24-2010, 12:40 AM

A lot of new things came up today.

We've been waiting for more information on whether or not my mother will be going to Boston for the treatment for a little while now, so we're still not sure how that will go. But recently, my mom's been feeling ill again. She's had headaches for a while, and a couple of days ago she spent the night throwing up in the bathroom. So this morning, she went in for a check up by herself. By the time I had gotten home around 2:30ish in the afternoon, I was surprised to see both cars gone from the driveway (meaning both of my parents had left with both cars). Not long after I got a call from my dad saying he was with my mom, and that they were going to be gone for a while. I got a few more calls from him throughout the afternoon, and began to worry about things. Finally, he called to say he was picking me and my brother and sister up to see mom at the hospital.

They had found two tumors in her head: one on the front of her brain, and one on the back. She's going into surgery tomorrow morning to have both tumors removed. They say the front tumor can be removed (relatively) easily, though with the back one there's a possibility she may lose some or all of her vision in her left eye. They're telling us she should be okay, though. We're going to be there all day tomorrow once she's in IC. Everyone's hoping for the best.

Just keeping you all updated.

CuccoLady · 04-24-2010, 01:06 AM

I really, really hope for the best. You and your family deserve it. And even if she does lose some vision in her left eye, you'll still have a mother. :{)

-mega huggles-

I love you oodles and we all have all of our fingers crossed in hopes that this will work out for the absolute best it can be. <3333

03-26-2010, 01:50 AM	#1
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	Some good news and some uncertain First, the good news. To recap, my mom has had cancer for almost eight years now, which we found out was caused by a certain gene that exists in her family. The gene has a 50% chance of being passed on to a child, and any child who is born with the gene will have the same chance of passing it on to any children he or she may have. The gene is only active in women, though, and it causes ovarian cancer midlife. My sister went in to get checked for the gene a couple weeks ago, and today we found out that she doesn't have the gene. So, she won't have to worry about cancer later in life, which is a relief to hear for all of us. Now, the uncertain stuff. My parents are headed to Boston this weekend to meet with a doctor there about undergoing a procedure in which my mom would have one of her lungs (the one with the tumor) surgically removed. This doctor (I forget his name) is one of the best in the country, and not only would he be removing the lung, but he'd also irradicate all cancer in the area, giving my mom probably her best chance at a real remission yet. Chemotherapy is becoming less and less effective, and this seems like the last real option we have right now. If she is accepted, she'll return to Boston later this year for the surgery. If she isn't accepted, we'll have to figure out something else to do next. Even if she is accepted, though, there's still that chance she might not make it in the end. Nothing's really certain at this point, but we're all crossing our fingers. That's all. Just thought I'd share.

03-26-2010, 02:22 AM	#2
CodenameV Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mudkipland, CA Gender: Posts: 215 Thanks: 43 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	First of all, I wanna say you've been an incredibly strong person to handle all of this. Having loved ones in positions like this is one of the worst things in the world. But there is a chance for the cancer taken care of for, hopefully, a very long time. The best thing to do right now is to hope for the best, and don't give up hope. You're in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm sure you're in the rest of ours' as well.

03-26-2010, 02:56 AM	#3
Jere Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sutme Gender: Posts: 3,650 Thanks: 404 Thanked 331 Times in 256 Posts Blog Entries: 3	Keep it up dude, you are handling all this better than i ever would.

03-26-2010, 03:08 AM	#4
Metal Mario Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Gender: Posts: 16,435 Thanks: 72 Thanked 190 Times in 127 Posts	I wish you and your family good luck, Val. I hope everything works out.

03-26-2010, 03:50 AM	#5
ZeldaGirl Awesome member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Why do YOU want to know...? Gender: Posts: 15,896 Thanks: 1,130 Thanked 1,919 Times in 1,046 Posts	I have to echo CV - you're incredibly strong and amazing for having to deal with this. I wish you all the best. You know I love you. hugs

03-26-2010, 04:35 AM	#6
t3hDarkness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I weep oily black tears of joy. Gender: Posts: 7,590 Thanks: 119 Thanked 418 Times in 306 Posts Blog Entries: 5	Be sure to tell us if she is accepted. We would worry if you left us hanging again.

03-26-2010, 09:13 AM	#7
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,102 Thanks: 2,157 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	Keep your chin up, dude, and think positive. Sounds repetitive, but it helps.

03-26-2010, 12:19 PM	#8
Sim Kid Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The state of Denial Gender: Posts: 8,884 Thanks: 80 Thanked 198 Times in 122 Posts	It must have been pretty hard to deal with that, and a relief to find out that your sister won't possibly have it at all. Ovarian cancer is rather hard to treat, and that can really make families hurt when they have genetic susceptibilies(sp) to it. I think A18's family actually has something like that too. (yes I knew her and Zak IRL)

03-27-2010, 01:44 PM	#9
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	Thanks, everyone. I really mean that. They left for Boston this morning. I'll let you all know how things go.

03-27-2010, 03:33 PM	#10
Eagle Eye Diddy bops Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Gender: Posts: 15,014 Thanks: 1,616 Thanked 1,084 Times in 597 Posts	Please let us know man. I'm praying for her an your family

03-27-2010, 03:48 PM	#11
Eric Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Up your arse and around the corner. Gender: Posts: 1,343 Thanks: 236 Thanked 65 Times in 51 Posts	Wow, I can't even imagine what that's like... Well, just stay positive and stay strong. I'm glad that your sister doesn't have it and that your mom is getting the best treatment she can. I hope everything goes well, man. We are all proud of you for staying strong about this.

03-28-2010, 09:34 PM	#12
Galefore EXPLOSION GOD OF MUSIC Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Some studio somewhere Gender: Posts: 8,275 Thanks: 1,361 Thanked 826 Times in 535 Posts Blog Entries: 5	Dude, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I respect your strength, for srs. Not much else I can say that hasn't been said; just keep your head held high, and always hope for the best.

03-28-2010, 10:29 PM	#13
X-3 Useful as an Owl Join Date: Jan 2004 Gender: Posts: 15,947 Thanks: 753 Thanked 1,213 Times in 790 Posts Blog Entries: 10	Here's hoping your family gets the best outcome.

03-28-2010, 11:43 PM	#14
Rainbow Dash been dreamin', i've been waitin' Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: a bomb-ass cloud house bachelorette pad Gender: Posts: 24,402 Thanks: 173 Thanked 1,179 Times in 716 Posts	Will she get the lung back or is it basically permanently gone?

03-29-2010, 01:25 AM	#15
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	^ It'll be gone forever. A person can live with only one lung, though.

03-29-2010, 09:26 PM	#16
Sim Kid Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The state of Denial Gender: Posts: 8,884 Thanks: 80 Thanked 198 Times in 122 Posts	I just imagine that she'd be a lot more short of breath.

03-31-2010, 07:45 PM	#17
1-up Salesman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Letting you guys know that I'm planning on continuing Attack of the Spammers soon. Gender: Posts: 4,095 Thanks: 2,162 Thanked 250 Times in 194 Posts Blog Entries: 9	Hope everything turns out okay- praying for ya.

04-01-2010, 12:13 AM	#18
CuccoLady Anime and Cartoons Mod Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: THIS LOCATION REMINDS ME OF A PUZZLE, LUKE Gender: Posts: 9,077 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 1,222 Times in 822 Posts	Oh goodness how did I not see this sooner D}: Valll we all love you dearly and you are always in our thoughts forever and ever because you rock. You're handling this painful situation so very well. We all --and by that I mean everyone that you have ever met and graced with your presence-- have you and your mother in our thoughts and we have our fingers crossed for you. We'll be by you the whole way, and you know that you can spam each and every one of us with PMs if you should feel the need. ;{) I really hope things go well. There's still hope! :{)

04-24-2010, 12:40 AM	#19
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	A lot of new things came up today. We've been waiting for more information on whether or not my mother will be going to Boston for the treatment for a little while now, so we're still not sure how that will go. But recently, my mom's been feeling ill again. She's had headaches for a while, and a couple of days ago she spent the night throwing up in the bathroom. So this morning, she went in for a check up by herself. By the time I had gotten home around 2:30ish in the afternoon, I was surprised to see both cars gone from the driveway (meaning both of my parents had left with both cars). Not long after I got a call from my dad saying he was with my mom, and that they were going to be gone for a while. I got a few more calls from him throughout the afternoon, and began to worry about things. Finally, he called to say he was picking me and my brother and sister up to see mom at the hospital. They had found two tumors in her head: one on the front of her brain, and one on the back. She's going into surgery tomorrow morning to have both tumors removed. They say the front tumor can be removed (relatively) easily, though with the back one there's a possibility she may lose some or all of her vision in her left eye. They're telling us she should be okay, though. We're going to be there all day tomorrow once she's in IC. Everyone's hoping for the best. Just keeping you all updated.

04-24-2010, 01:06 AM	#20
CuccoLady Anime and Cartoons Mod Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: THIS LOCATION REMINDS ME OF A PUZZLE, LUKE Gender: Posts: 9,077 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 1,222 Times in 822 Posts	I really, really hope for the best. You and your family deserve it. And even if she does lose some vision in her left eye, you'll still have a mother. :{) -mega huggles- I love you oodles and we all have all of our fingers crossed in hopes that this will work out for the absolute best it can be. <3333