Family Health Issues

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:36 am Family Health Issues

As you all know by now, or should know in the past, I don't post in the forums
about personal problems, or family health issues, but this is an exception.

As some of you learned in chat today, my brother Billy Jack has Stage Four Cancer.
I received a call from my neice, Kim earlier today and told me the news. She said that they might try chemo,
but when cancer is in Stage Four, there is usually no hope.

During the past four years I have lost three brothers to cancer
and all three times it was diagnosed in the final stages.

My brother Richard (The second oldest) lived only three weeks after being diagnosed.

My brother Donald (The fifth oldest) lived one month after being diagnosed.

Just last year, my brother Ajax (nicknamed Jackie, The tenth oldest) lived only two weeks
after being diagnosed.

Now my brother Billy, (The seventh oldest) has approximately two months to go.

My brother Harold, (The oldest) was diagnosed early enough to receive treatment
and is still in remission.

My brother Robert, (The fourth oldest) has been diagnosed in the early stages of cancer.
I pray to God that he was diagnosed early enough.

I always expected that my brothers and sisters will be leaving this World before me,
because I am the youngest, but I didn't realize it would start happening at such a young age.

When it comes to cancer, I found myself not really knowing that much about it,
sure I read news reports, peoples personal experiences, and other bits of information,
but that doesn't tell the real story. I am learning that there are many different
types of Cancer, and with each type there are different treatments.
To be truthful, I have personally never seen anyone suffer from cancer, it's always
been after they have passed away, nor do I want to see the suffering that goes
along with it, I just couldn't handle it.

So now, one more brother will be laid to rest by Christmas time and I will remember him
as he was, and not what he became because of cancer.

I want to personally thank all of my fellow crushers that showed your support during chat.

The good side about these tragedies is that they didn't have to suffer very long.
I always thought that cancer was a long drawn out process, that once it begins you go
through the chemo-therapy treatments (that makes you throw up), or radition treatments
(that causes you to lose your hair0, and all the other side affects that comes along
that could last two months to a year. Sometimes you go into remission, but never knowing
how long it will last, or at the end of the day it's your time to go.

I may sound selfish, but I am gratful that they didn't have to suffer very long
(not saying that three weeks, a month or two is not very long). One day is too long.

And it might seem cruel, but I feel relieved that I did not have to see them suffer,
I couldn't handle it. My family consisted of a father, mother, and 14 children
and we were a close knit family. My Mother was the tie that bound us together as a family
until she passed away at which time my sister Phyllis took over that roll. We have seen
and been through everything you can imagine that could happen to a family.

I know this post seems to ramble on and on, but I am not very good at expressing
my thoughts and feeling when it comes to subjects that are personal in nature and close to my heart.

I have learned something from these tragedies is that no matter what age you are,
or how healthy you may feel, please for God's sake, start a cancer detection progam in your life.
Don't wait until you are 50 or 60, because it might be too late.

Thanks for letting me ramble on.

Your Crusher friend, Allen

The Gamlbing Cowboy

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:09 pm (No subject)

YOU HAVE MY PRAYERS

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:11 pm (No subject)

A J

It makes me sad to hear of your lost of family members

Cancer is a mean disease and takes some of the best people when they are young

Please be sure you take care of yourself

Know that you and your family are in my prayers and all your CC buddies prayers.

May God be with you and watch over and protect you

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:19 pm (No subject)

Hi,

Allen your post is beautiful and heartfelt, as you already know you & your family are in my thoughts & prayers..

If you ever need to talk hun, just pm me and I will call you..

Hugs,

Sarah

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:32 pm (No subject)

Allen - thank you for that beautiful, honest, and introspective post. You are in my thoughts and prayers and if there is anything that I can do at all, please let me know, I would be happy to help.

Sending all my love and support to you and your family.

Anne

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:26 pm (No subject)

Allen-I'm so sorry to hear this; I am so sorry that your family has been stricken in this way; there really are no right words to say so I will just tell you that you are very dear to me, and I will have you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. And thank you for the advice to others to be proactive when it comes to their health. I will be praying for you and and your family.

Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:53 pm (No subject)

I feel for you. My 11 year old grandson was diagnosed with cancer this year. It was stage two. In his neck and in his chest by his heart. It is very scary thing. We were lucky in the one respect as he had a very rare form which turned out to be the most treatable.

He went through chemo (which does also make you lose your hair) for almost 3 months. A lot of drugs. But as of last month he was pronounced cancer free. However he has many checkups yet to go through but as of now he is cancer free.

It is very important to get checked for cancer as soon as you notice anything unusual. People are afraid to do it because they don't want to know but if it is detected early enough many times it can be cured.

I send my prayers to your family that whatever transistions he goes through it will be eased with a compassionate hand from above.

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:45 pm (No subject)

Allen,

I am so sorry to hear of all of your losses with another one that you will have to deal with very soon.

I come from a family of a mother and father and 12 children. We are not a close knit family, not by far. We hardly ever even talk to each other. Anyway, I just want to tell you how fortunate you have been to have such a close family. Your memories will help to keep their spirits alive.

I feel really sad to hear all that you have lost in such a small period of time. Please know that my heart, thoughts, and prayers will be with you.

~Gloria

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:05 am (No subject)

I found out last week that my brother Robert has been in and out of the hospital a few times and is not doing very well. He is flying home from North Carolina next week to be with the rest of the family. He lost his wife two years ago to cancer.

I made flight arrangements to go back home during Thanksgiving. It's one of the holiday's that the entire family tries to get together.

My brother Billy called Sunday night and we had a long chat. He said he's in Chemo and was doing as well as to be expected. My oldest boy, his mother, and Billy went to church that day, Billy was never a church goer, in matter of fact he was always up to mischief and getting in trouble. He enjoyed hemself and gained a reputation for being a (so called bad guy), even though he wasn't as bad as his reputation gave him, lol.

I've missed you all in the past two weeks, but like I said you can't get rid of me that easily. Hope to see you all tomorrow for Bingo/Chat.

Take care and have a great day.

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:57 am (No subject)

You take care of yourself AJ, prayers and blessings to you and your family from your CC family.