Hello Everyone. My daughter has a friend who\'s father was recenlty diagnosed with lung cancer. I don\'t know the family so know very little details. I spoke with the girl (16) a few days ago and she broke my heart. She was in desperate search of hope. I did give her information from the Lung Cancer Partnership and about GRACE, but it doesn\'t appear that they have joined, but I hope they are reading.
This morning she texted my daughter to ask her what the symptoms of a brain tumor are and then later to tell her that her dad went to the dr. today for slurred speach and unsteady gait. He is to undergo a CT scan.
I am telling you all this to ask everyone to send prayers, good thoughts, positive energy, or whatever you are comfortable with to this family. They are supposed to leave for vacation tomorrow and we all know how important these special moments are.
Having a daughter the same age makes it particularly hard to see what she is going thru. Thank you for being there!
Reply # - July 19, 2013, 01:59 PM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
will do.
Reply # - July 19, 2013, 03:41 PM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Sending positive thoughts their way. She's fortunate to have you and your daughter. That's a tough age under normal circumstances. I will be watching to see if she signs up.
Debra
Reply # - July 19, 2013, 05:08 PM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
I 'm so sorry. Of course, we'll be happy to try to help by providing any specific info and support we can once they know more about what's going on.
-Dr. West
Reply # - July 24, 2013, 12:05 PM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Hi Sherry,
I just came across this(my oldest daughter had been in from Fl so we have been really busy)and it broke my heart for this girl and her family. I am sending every bit of positive energy I have, along with my best wishes for them! Do you know how he is doing? I hope they were able to leave for their vacation as planned. Yes, it will be very special to them to make the memories.
Lisa
Reply # - July 24, 2013, 12:25 PM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Lisa, Thank you for your thoughts and for asking about him. From my understanding, he was found to have 19 brain mets. He will be undergoing WRB. His daughter did go on vacation with the friends the family was supposed to go with. She told my daughter that her dad wanted her to go and that his doctors also told her it was a good idea. As I'm sure you know, this family has a very difficult road in front of them, Please continue to keep them in your thoughts.
Reply # - August 28, 2013, 05:41 AM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
I wanted to give you all an update since everyone was so kind. Over the last month, I've become very close to the girl. She has opened up to me on some of her feelings that she is afraid to share with her parents because she doesn't want to upset them. She is not only a very sweet child, but she is wise beyond her years. On her own, she arranged a spaghetti dinner this past Sunday to raise money because her dad hasn't worked in 4 months. It was a huge success with over 1000 people attending.
However, 2 days after the dinner her dad passed away. She is, as expected, devastated. Please keep this family close in your thoughts and prayers.
Reply # - August 28, 2013, 06:50 AM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Sherry,
I'm so sorry to hear this. Please let your daughter's friend know that there are many of us here who are sending her wishes for comfort as she deals with this terrible loss. We may be strangers to her, but there is a bond we share nonetheless.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - August 28, 2013, 07:18 AM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Sherry,
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. As Jim stated, please let this wonderful young lady know we are thinking about her and wishing her peace and comfort in the days ahead! How terrific of her to plan the dinner for her dad's benefit and then how tragic that he passed so soon after. I am so glad it was such a success!
How is your daughter doing with this?
Lisa
Reply # - August 28, 2013, 10:39 AM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
I'm so very sorry this young woman has lost her dad. She will grow up faster but she will have a new excellent friend in you to be there for her. Please let her know how much love and understanding we send her way.
Janine
Reply # - August 28, 2013, 11:14 AM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Just heartbreaking. . .I'm so sorry. Please extend my condolences to her. . . :O(
Laya
Reply # - August 28, 2013, 03:57 PM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Sherry,
What a blessing you are to this young woman, and thank you for sharing her inspiring story with us. My condolences to her and her family. Hugs to you for your kindness.
Jazz
Reply # - August 28, 2013, 11:41 PM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Sherry,
God bless you for your compassion towards this young girl.With you and your daughters support i am sure she will find the strength to deal with this awful tragedy.She is so young .Really hope we find a cure for this disease which is shattering so many lives.
Reply # - August 29, 2013, 08:07 AM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Thank you all for the kind words and wishes. Her name is Tori and she is 16. She is an only child. I will pass on all of the thoughts to her.
To answer the question of how my daughter is doing. . .I have to admit how proud of her I am. She has, on her own, reached out to Tori several times and has let her know she is there to support her. I think his death has scared my daughter because she realizes how easily she could be walking in Tori's shoes. But she is being extremely brave and trying to be there for her.
The viewing is today. Ironically, it is also my daughter's birthday. Maybe I was meant to befriend this girl - both of our father's were police officers, both passed on the 27th of the month, and both passed from lung cancer.
Reply # - August 29, 2013, 09:42 PM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
I just wanted to say how sorry I am as well. As if we needed any further reminders of how cruel lung cancer can be.
-Dr. West
Reply # - August 30, 2013, 06:17 AM
Reply To: Good Thoughts and Wishes
Sherry,
I know today will be tough so you will all be in my thoughts. In spite of all that is going on , please send my birthday wishes to your daughter. I believe that everything happens for a reason and you were meant to be a part of this girl's life. There are a lot of parallels for you both! Hang in there....
Lisa