Lung Cancer Support Group

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this and I've read some of the posts and am really happy with how supportive everyone seems. Well here goes...growing up my family lived in a duplex (they still do) so our house was joined with my grandparents house. Needless to say my grandparents have been a huge part of my life and helped raised me and my sisters. In March my grandpa was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer, and already had emphysema. He is 77. This is the first time anyone this close to me has been hit with something like this. He is like a second father to me, and it has been rough on my entire extended family.
Although I do have a strong supportive family, they live in Massachusetts, where I grew up. I moved to Arizona almost 2 years ago for school. I think that has been the hardest part of all of this. I have one Aunt and Uncle who live here, but the majority of my family, including my parents are in MA. My mom is my biggest strength and it's really hard being so far from home, and not being there with them. I feel alone at times.
My grandpa has already gone through 2 rounds of chemo and radiation, but unfortunately surgery was too risky. And now he can't start chemo again because he is too weak, and he is getting worse. He goes for a scan next week to see if the cancer spread. My grandpa is so strong. He has stayed so upbeat and the rest of my family seems like they are able to stay positive about it. I know that it is so important to stay upbeat, but I am having a really hard time doing so. I guess the thing I am the most afraid about is that I am out here, and not there spending time with him. I am scared everyday that something will happen to him and I won't be able to say goodbye.
It's hard for me to fully open up even though I have a lot of people to turn to, but on here it seems easier because it's anonymous. I am glad to have found a place to get my feelings out around people who have been through this horrible battle.
~Britt
Posted on 08/21/09, 01:08 am