Posted on 07/15/2006 7:50:37 AM PDT by ut1992
My fellow FR's, I didn't think I would ever do this, but I need your help.
My dear brother, very best friend and mentor was diagnosed yesterday with testicular cancer which has spread into his stomach. He is 1.5 weeks shy of his 45th b-day.
The phone rang last night about 10:45 and on the other end was my brother and he was crying. As I haven't seen/heard my brother crying since he was a kid I immediately thought somebody in the family had been in a terrible accident or had died.
He finally told me that about the cancer and that he had just found out that afternoon and had been sitting in his home office alone for hours and crying....and getting drunk (he is not a heavy drinker).
I was the first person he called and he wanted my help. After that comment I will confess that the water-works started for me as well. He asked if I would let the folks and our other brothers know. He said he would call his kids and new fiance.
Geez, what a night; e.g. my better-half and I didn't get to bed until about 4am. Mom and Dad are absolutely inconsolable. Grandma still doesn't know, as Mom didn't want to tell her over the phone. At 86 she can't take that kind of news alone.
Ironically my brother and future SIL came out to visit us about a month ago and my brother was telling us that he was starting to feel "old" and that his back has been brothering him for about the last six months off and on. Now, my brother has been an athlete all of his life and he still plays sports, jogs and works out. So we were all joking that age was indeed catching up with him.
He went to the doctor about his back and was told that we probably just strained something and gave him some muscle relaxers and pain pills. That combined with sport messages seemed to do the trick for a while.
However, about a week ago he thought he may have pulled a groin muscle or had a hernia. He went back to the doctor and this was the result of the tests they ran.
He went into the hospital this morning and is having a immediate radical inguinal orchiectomy (both testes) and have biopsies done on several "masses" they found in his stomach.
Please keep my dear brother in your prayers and hope that he isn't called home just yet.
Thanks guys.
You should know the Good Lord is holding your hand as you help your brother through this difficult time. We never get more to handle than the Good Lord knows we can, and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your brother will come out of this as strong as before, as I really do believe in miracles, and I'm asking God to grant you one now in my prayers. Good Luck.
Prayers for your family.
Praying for a quick and successful recovery for your brother, and for peace and strength for you and your family as you go through this ordeal. From what you wrote, your brother has kept himself in good physical condition, so that should be a plus for him. They are making strides almost daily in the treatment of cancer, and I hope that will give your brother a positive attitude. I've read that a positive attitude is a major part of one's recovery. May God bless your brother and his loved ones.
God, please bless this man and give him the loving cure,
you alone can do. Love and Prayers and faith. Jake
prayers
Prayers for your brother and all your family.
Were with you...prayers away..
Prayers for your brother and your family.
Prayers on the way for your brother.
My heart and prayers are with your family.
Prayers lifted.
God bless you and your family during this time. I am glad that your nephew was able to come home at this time. You buying the ticket is super cool!!!!
May Gob bless your brother and may God bless you and watch over the family. Prayers.
Prayers offered!
prayers said. May he be entirely healed.
Mrs VS
My age.
I haven't been feeling well lately either. Occasional episodes of nausea out of the blue, lack of energy, some unexplained weight loss and poor appetite, plus vague symptoms suggesting I need stem to stern gastrointestinal look-see.
I'm seeing a gastrointestinal specialist on Tuesday. I'm a bit apprehensive because you never know what they might find. It could be nothing. It could be big. But you deal with it. What else can you do?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.