PP, what was your dad's 'aggressive treatments'? one of my parents is battling lung cancer, had one successful surgery, but now it's back. drs no longer recc surgery. TIA.

This is terrible, I'm really sorry. I've lost both maternal grandparents to lung cancer and it is truly awful.

Not the same type but on a positive note: my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in Oct 2011, his prognosis was bleak and was not a candidate for surgery. After some aggressive treatment he's had clear scans for almost a year now, is enjoying his grandchildren (including one he may not have met if things went differently) and is still working in a lumber yard outdoors year round in SWPA.

Anonymous wrote:My mother was told she had about 15 months to live and was dead three weeks later.

I'm a 10 year old survivor of breast cancer. Most people with cancer do survive. But it should be everyone.

OP I have a friend who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 8 years ago. Two years ago she was diagnosed with brain mets. They zapped them and she is still here, still working. One treatment stops working and they have another. Eventually they will probably run out but women can live with metastatic breast cancer for years. Don't lose hope.

Thank you. This is very encouraging. I guess there's no way to know how much time she will have. Then again, when you think about it, none of us know how long we will live. It's just hard for me to assimilate this "new normal" in my sister's situation.

My mother was told she had about 15 months to live and was dead three weeks later.

I'm a 10 year old survivor of breast cancer. Most people with cancer do survive. But it should be everyone.

OP I have a friend who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 8 years ago. Two years ago she was diagnosed with brain mets. They zapped them and she is still here, still working. One treatment stops working and they have another. Eventually they will probably run out but women can live with metastatic breast cancer for years. Don't lose hope.

This OP. Thanks everyone. Even though there's nothing any of us can do, it really helped to hear your words of support.

My mother died of uterine cancer that eventually metastacized to her kidneys and liver. That was in the 70s.

My stepmother died from a form of blood cancer, and my MIL from colorectal cancer. At least both of them lived to their 80s. My mom was 41 when she passed, and my sister is only 46.

My sister had stage 2 (I think?) breast cancer in 2012 and was treated with mastectomy, chemo and radiation. Her hair was just starting to grow back, and now this. It is just so unfair! But of course I already know that life is unfair, since I lost my mom to cancer when I was still in my teens.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I am going to try and stay positive and help in any way that I can.