Yesterday, at 5am, the hospital called me and told me I should be there because they thought my dad was going to die very shortly. His heart, kidneys and liver were all failing. He was on a ventilator and it the heart and stroke institute being treated by some of the best doctors in Canada.

By 10 AM, he was breathing on his own, and off of dialysis. His kidney and liver are still in bad shape, but they're not as bad. Half of his heart has shut down, and he will likely have to have surgery but no one knows what the cause is.

What I want to say is, it might seem bad now, but the body is resilient. The doctors were convinced my dad was about to die yesterday morning, but he's doing better. His skin was blue yesterday, his hospital room was filled with machines trying to keep him alive yesterday.

Today, he has over half of the machines gone. It is a scary time, but he is a strong man and he will pull through. My dad is only 48. He had a major stroke and a virus attack his heart when he was 34.

If you fight, the battle is never lost.

Don't put the cart before the horse. Go and get a scan (PETA) is the best and find out what is really going on. If it is kidney cancer my guess is that it has not spread. Friend of mine had a son in law who had kidney cancer and went to Cleveland Clinic (the absolute best for this) and had part of his kidney removed and that was 15 years ago and he still smokes and still has most function and is cancer free and believe it or not still smokes! So not all cancer news is bad news. Get your diagnosis and then get to the best surgeon your insurance will allow and don't fall apart. He will still be there for you and now you need to be strong to be there for him. One step at a time. I tend to extrapolate into the future but really all we have is the present so wait until you get the real diagnosis and then prepare a plan of action, execute it and move on. Good luck and may you find the best docs possible for this situation.

Thank you for replying. Our daughter is an RN and works for Loma Linda University Medical Center one of the best. She actually works in the surgery center where the surgery would be done. I will stay strong he has always been there for me. What I really want to do is fall apart. smathie2 my thoughts and prayers are with your dad and your family. auntilyn unfortunately one of my bad habits is looking to far ahead and worrying myself sick. It's good to hear of good outcomes with this. My husband has been the healthiest person (eating right, no smoking...) so it completely bindsighted me and our daughters. Thanks for writing it feels good to talk to someone.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family at this difficult time. Take one day at a time. God Bless, Lynne

This is the hard part. Stress is bad for your MS. So the best thing is not to stress. But if anyone can figure out how to stop stressing please let me in on the secret.

Stay strong for your husband, but find someone you can turn to and vent to. In my personal opinion crying and letting it out is better than holding it in. To hold it in means your body has to hold the stress and it wreaks havoc on your body.

Also, don't focus on the worst case scenero. There are many positive outcomes that can come from this too.

I know this is hard and I am sorry you have to go through this. (((hugs))).

Thanks to my MS buddies. It's easier to talk to you since I'm more comfortable with MS than cancer. I hate that word. My husband seems to be handling it okay....he would rather not to talk about it until we see the doctor on Tues. so keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

What I meant by my post is that it is never over. If your husband isn't having any symptoms, and he isn't in pain, he has no reason to be worried.

You are more worried than he is because you are letting yourself think about the "what ifs" when he is just thinking "it's lucky they found it now when they can do something about it"

It may well be that he is trying to be strong for you, just as you are trying to be for him.

Take one day at a time, get as much info as you can so you know for sure what you're facing.

As for screaming and crying, that would probably do you good and release the tension that you're trying to bury.

Warm thoughts and hugs, Owlxx

Sorry for the struggles you are going through with hy hubby has got this dx. It is good that he had no symptoms, could be that they caught it early & will be easier to treat.

If you need to yell, scream, cry, go to a girlfriend or any friend & just let it out. Counsellors can be good for this type of situation, but friends are what you need most. You have done good reaching out herel

Take it one step at a time & try to enjoy your times togethere.
Hugs

Best wishes to you and your family. I will keep you in my thoughts. Hugs -Crystal

I will pray for each & every one on this post who needs it.

Best of heartfelt wishes go out to you in these troubled times!

If anyone needs an understanding ear. I'm here. I was there when my dad, my mom & Grandma went into the hospital, so I understand it's not any easy time at the moment.

Don't ever give up on hope & realize that everything is for a reason & everything will work out exactly the way it needs to.

Take care,
Stay sane!

I too will pray for everyone needing prayer and positive energy.

I agree that to let the stress out - it needs to vent somewhere - beat up the pillow or cry into it when you can get the chance - don't let it manifest itself in your body. I'd suggest to keep journaling and sharing with us to get it out of your system too.

I'm so sorry for your news and I recommend you take a look at Gerson Therapy. Pracitcal medicine doesn't usually support natural help but if I had cancer, I'd start this regiment immediately. In fact, I'd probably take out a loan and go to the Gerson Institute and let them treat me. If you're up for it and have a little time - I thought this was excellent information on Gerson Therapy and I'm incorporating some of it into my lifestyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X23o3RzJuPo

God bless and my prayers are with you and your husband.
Hugs,~
Lorrie

I'm really sorry to hear your news Akdeen. Life has a terrible way of kicking you when you are already dealing with difficult situations . In the past few months i have had to move house, been diagnosed with MS and forced to move house again by my landlord. My ex has been taking her stress out on me and restrciting access to my son and i have just been told i dont have a job anymore.

All this doesnt compare to your recent news but i know how things seem impossible at times. You have every right to scream and you can cry because you are only human and cant try to take everything on your shoulders without some kind of release. You still need to be good to yourself or the stress could really grind you down and you'll be no help to your husband.

I went and took my bottles to the bottle bank on Sunday and it might sound silly but smashing those bottles really got some of the stress out my body. Any release is good for you in these stressful times.

Anyway i'll stop jabbering on. It sounds like you have a very loving family. I'll be thinking of you and your husband at this difficult time x

Well funny thing happened on the way to see the dr. this morning we were rear ended on the freeway and were late to the dr. It was pretty much what we expected exempt now they are saying a partial would be an option so he could keep part of his kidney. They wont be sure of much until they are in there. It does look like the tumor is not up against anything else and since he is feeling normal with no symptoms they can do a partial. Well this afternoon I have my yearly appt. with my neurologist we'll see how that goes. I'm exhausted and I know that I have to slow down because I'm overdoing it. Thanks for all you kind thoughts.

hey-- how are you?? have you heard anymore- you are in my thoughts and prayers. hugs tickey