MetaChat - My great-uncle has just been diagnosed with brain cancer.

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05 February 2007

My great-uncle has just been diagnosed with brain cancer. And it's inoperable.→[More:]
It's a series of small tumors around his brain, a lot on his brain stem, and they can't do anything but chemo. I watched my grandmother (his sister) waste away while fighting an ovarian-type cancer... I just want to crawl into bed and cry. I'm 1700 miles away and want to do something for him, but I'm also too scared to even call. This can't be happening.

post by: youngergirl44 at: 10:27 | 29 comments

:-(

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 05 February | 10:42

Oh man. I'm so sorry.

posted by iconomy 05 February | 10:44

Sorry to hear that. I'm sure a nice note in the mail would be appreciated.

posted by typewriter 05 February | 10:46

oh, wow, youngergirl. I am so sorry. *hugs*

posted by By the Grace of God 05 February | 10:51

Ouch, that's awful. So sorry, youngergirl.

posted by BoringPostcards 05 February | 10:52

So sorry to hear... my thoughts are with you.

posted by Pips 05 February | 10:58

That is sad news. I am very sorry for you and your family YG44.

posted by richat 05 February | 11:04

I probably will send a card, but I can't exactly write, "Sorry for the cancer." This sucks - he's probably the most successful, least crazy relative I have. He and his wife have done so much to help my mom, sister and me. Thanks for the thoughts guys.

posted by youngergirl44 05 February | 11:08

Just tell him, "I love you and this sucks."

A little while after my friend died of cancer, his widow gave me all (ALL) of the sympathy cards he got during his illness and after his passing so I could write down all the names and addresses for her. (He was a very well known figure with friends all over the nation plus overseas, so there were a lot of these.)

I got to see all the touching and awkward expressions of love and support he had gotten. None of us really knew what to say-we were all devastated as he was loved by everyone-but even the most awkward of expressions of love and caring were a blessing to her.

I hate that your relative has to go thru this and that you have to go thru this-especially at a distance. There really ISN'T anything you can say or do to make it better, but I guarantee you that your great-uncle and his family will be blessed by the mere fact you do reach out, in whatever way you can.

posted by bunnyfire 05 February | 11:17

My sympathies. Write, call. Don't worry about what to say.

posted by arse_hat 05 February | 11:18

My condolences.

posted by Smart Dalek 05 February | 11:43

Just make contact. What you say is not nearly as important as the call itself or the card itself. Because people want to know they're being thought of. That's all that really matters.

posted by grabbingsand 05 February | 11:51

Just tell him, "I love you and this sucks."

Exactly right. I'm very sorry for your trouble.

posted by Divine_Wino 05 February | 12:08

I wish you the best.

posted by Atom Eyes 05 February | 12:13

I'm really sorry to hear this. Yes, let him know you love him and he's in your thoughts.

posted by essexjan 05 February | 12:17

Nthing the suggestion to call, and very sorry.

posted by trondant 05 February | 12:21

Yep to what everyone else is saying.
I'm very very sorry, youngergirl.

posted by gaspode 05 February | 12:47

Blessings to you and your family, youngergirl.

posted by Specklet 05 February | 13:18

So sorry, youngergirl.

posted by jrossi4r 05 February | 13:24

I'm so sorry, youngergirl. What everyone else said about just contacting them, even if it's awkward. And please make sure you're taking care of yourself, too.

posted by occhiblu 05 February | 13:27

::hug::

I'm really sorry to hear this.
But definitely call.
I wished I had talked to/seen my grandmother more when she passed away after a stroke.

Best wishes.

posted by CitrusFreak12 05 February | 13:31

I'm so sorry, youngergirl. You and your family are in my thoughts.

posted by deborah 05 February | 13:31

Thanks again to everyone - you're all awesome. I will be getting out the good stationary when I get home. :)

posted by youngergirl44 05 February | 13:56

Echoing everyone's thoughts here, yg44. It does indeed suck.

posted by chewatadistance 05 February | 14:07

I'm sorry to hear this, youngergirl. Let him know what he means to you if you can. I wish I could have let my grandfather know before he passed away.

posted by halonine 05 February | 16:41

Ugh, youngergirl. I'm so sorry.

posted by tangerine 05 February | 19:03

Youngergirl, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm agreeing with everyone else about the call or letter. And we're always here to listen to you, or if you need a shoulder to lean on.
Not for nothing, but a heartfelt letter perhaps further down the road, telling him how much he means to you, maybe remembering some important or funny moments that you shared, will mean so much to him.
Again, I'm really sorry for this news.

posted by redvixen 05 February | 20:08

*hugs*

posted by brujita 06 February | 00:58

Just read the thread youngergirl; don't know what to say, but just wanted to give you a hug.

posted by hadjiboy 06 February | 09:24

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