A New Category: Cancer & COPD

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I have been mulling this over for a bit. And; I've read MaryAZ's post and her e mail, and I've read several other's posts re: cancer or the "potential" of same. And; when I look back, even just over the past while, and excluding myself, I can think of at least 6 members who have been "challenged" with some form of cancer and probably that many again who've had the doo doo scared out of them becasue of the testing for "potential" cancer.

People with COPD and cancer have a major rough road. It's a HUGE mountain. They might be a COPD patient facing it themselves, , or it might be as a COPD patient caring for a family member "with". Such as Mary.

There's cancer forums and boards, and there's COPD forums/boards. This is a COPD forum. But it's also a forum of support and daily living and sharing. The good, the bad, the ugly.

Cancer is ugly and beyond COPD it's gotta be every person's biggest fear. The BIG C.. It can bring the toughest, burliest, strongest individual to their knees. I know. And so do some of you. And; frankly, it never leaves you.

So; what do we do? ..... Do we send a COPD patient with cancer (or the possibility of cancer) to a cancer forum for support and tell them go there for that, come here for COPD, or, do we try and encompass it, even just a bit, here?

We'll never be as good or certainly as knowledeable as a cancer forum for cancer but, for those of our members, and members to be, with COPD AND Cancer, I think we're doing a disservice by not including an area of support, learned knowledge, sharing and info exchange.

If a person needs something researched and they don't have the strength or they're not finding what they need, it's sometimes more effective to ask other members. You may have first hand info or knowledge, or, perhaps you know where to track down the latest info that might help. That applies to not just cancer or COPD but many things.

We learn from each other's exposure, information and knowledge and we each assist when we can. That's what we do and we do it all the time without even realizing it.

In our group here, and speaking just of the members, we've had lung, bladder, esophagal, prostate and breast.......... on top of COPD.

So; I'm going to set up a private area for Living with COPD AND Cancer and we'll see how it goes or if it's of any benefit. Because this is an open to the public forum for COPD, the Cancer area will only be accessible/viewable to registered members that are "logged on"

I hope that this seperate area will prove to be of help in some fashion.

Jackie W.

[maryaz]

Jackie, I am pleased to see you giving this a try. A try is all that is needed to see if it it workable. You have said everything so well, as usual. I think keeping it to members only is a good idea.

I have been on the COPD boards since 2004 and I have not noticed so many people that were dealing with cancer as I have in the last year or two. Whatever the reason that is has come up, I think trying something like this is a very good idea. I do hope that if some of the COPD patients come here from another COPD board due to cancer that they do not forget to return where they were already participating for the COPD. In the end we should all be working for one goal of COPD.

I try to come here as much as I can and that is not a lot but I have people here that I try to keep watch on. Not always easy due to the time eliminate. I had myself committed to two other boards before this one began. Although in the beginning, I was right here trying to help with the posting as it started slow. Much to Jackie’s good work, it took off quite quickly.

It is so much easier when we converse with the people that can relate to a lot of our own issues without having to explain. I wouldn’t have to come in here and explain how my severe COPD hampers my helping my husband with his Stage 4 cancer. I think we can converse in general about cancer and COPD here and yet at other times, it will be a cancer website that the questions would need to be asked.

Just a suggestion here but maybe one topic for Cyberknife or whatever the proper word is. I know Linndie and some others had it and could share about it for future people looking at that option. I don’t even know that much but I remember 4 to 6 people being concerned about it and trying it. I have had trouble keeping up with all the ones that have mentioned cancer and I really like the idea of this Section. I also hope it rarely has to be used, but doubt that.

Ultimately as time goes on and questions come up, we could put some Cancer links in a Sticky maybe. However, I may have to find new links. I have not watched the film yet but you have mentioned one of my favorite links in a negative way from the film.

I keep trying to take a break and I get hooked on these things. I lost a few friends that I had made to cancer on the CI board and I think they would have really developed into very lasting friends if not for this hideous disease. Cancer Sucks!

Thank you Jackie again so much.

[justbill]

Jackie, my Captain, Thank You.

Bill

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

My pleasure and TY.

Just so that e'one is clear and understands: I've no intent of including myself (other than offering support and help, a bit of when if I can, for others, and those being tested, or, about to be tested and/or "going through" this process.)

I say that because this section is NOT about me or mine or related to anything personally for me. That's not why I'm starting the area. And; chances are I'm gonna learn from some of you!

But; I/we see a need.

It's about all of you who are or may face something like this, and the ones that come in and join and look for help & support and info.

And, that my dear friends, is what we ALL like to do and; want we want to don't we? Help others.

We don't need to take the "oath"...... and "do no harm" I think we all try to live it in many ways.

[mary57]

well said Jackie and I think it is a great idea, I too have noticed an increase in the number of members here who are dealing with both COPD and cancer.

[Deleted]

yhis is so wonderful

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Linndie.... you have a LOT of experience in this area. I sooooo hope you will contribute by sharing your info and "learned" first hand knowledge with ours. Sometimes people need to be reminded and/or told there can still be a future. Look at what YOU have overcome over the years! Bloody amazing if you ask me.

[Deleted]

Thanks Jackie

[Deleted]

The more I read, the more I feel that this is a community to be proud of. To have strength and kindness of heart helps everyone!