I have very sad news, This week we found out my 46 year old sister Allison (who has Down's syndrome) has advanced breast cancer. It is inoperable and terminal and we will be seeing a ocologist this week. We will try to make every day special for her and memoriable for us as well. She doesn't appear to be uncomfortable, but then she never complains. If you will, please pray for her and our family. Thanks, Adrienne
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
There are no right words for me to share, but my prayers are with Allison. My sister just turned 47. She has struggled with some health issues all her life, and your story is too eay to imagine & too sad to imagine at the same time. My prayers are with you & your whole family as well. If Allison never complains, she has been sharing an important message for all of us for quite some time.
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
You have my prayer...
Jack
Posted by PatRaap (Member # 4290) on :
Prayers are coming your way
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Adrienne I'm so sorry to hear your sad news about Allison, it was a pleasure to have meet her in Yarrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family.
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
you are in our prayers.
Posted by Chris Elliott (Member # 1262) on :
Adrienne, sorry to hear the news, my thoughts & prayers are with y'all. Doug's comment that "If Allison never complains, she has been sharing an important message for all of us for quite some time" really rang a bell here.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
A... Praying for Allison and her loved ones, too.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
A, you have my prayer
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Adrienne, Give Allison a big hug from me....remind her of the gorgeous flowers we all shared at Minter Gardens, she is so sweet.......our thoughts are with you.
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
A - BIG HUGS.
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
I too have fond memories of meeting her in Yarrow. My prayers and heart go out to you all.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Prayers are on the way as I type.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
A, be assured Allison will be in our prayers. I worked for years at a summer camp for Down syndrome and autistic kids and they taught me more about life than I could ever have known........
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Adrienne - prayers for your sister Allison here too. May God comfort her, her extended family and provide a comfort upon all...
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
So Sorry to have to read this tonight..My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Prayers are on the way.
Peace, Bob
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
Doug's words about how she is example to others really touched me and I'm sure she has touched others with her example. I'm sure God will take care of her. Hang in there, A.
[ November 03, 2008, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: Jane Diaz ]
Posted by Rich Stebbing (Member # 368) on :
Yes Adrienne, I will pray for her. I have sister with Down Syndome as well, and they are the toughest and only complain when really hurt. I will now encourage that she be looked at.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
May you all continue to be richly blessed and touched by her sweet nature and may the Lord bless her in a special way according to His wisdom for her life . . .
Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :
Thankyou ALL for your kind words and encouragements.... Allison is seeing an Oncologist on Wed. We will have a better idea of what happens next after then. Meanwhile we are all praying. A
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
A...Allison and the rest of your family are in my prayers. Hoping for the best for Allison. Judy
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Wow, scarey news A. Please keep us posted and prayers are sent!
Posted by Tony Lucero (Member # 1470) on :
First our prayers for your sister and you're family are there for you. I don't know the particulars and it sounds like you are waiting to hear some more detailed info from the doctors. My wife Patti, had advanced breast cancer 4 years ago, but the diagnosis was not expressed as incurable or terminal. All I know is that many miracles came together at this time for us. Things that we could not have even had the audicity to expect and even were hard to ask for in our prayers. My point is, keep your heart and mind open for hope even when things seem hopeless.
Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :
All my findings on google say that breast cancer in Down's syndrome adults is so rare they are looking at the possiblity of finding a cure if they can find out why they don't get it.
Well..she must be a rare case.
Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :
I wish I had better news...
We (my dad and myself) took Allison to see an Oncologist.
I knew the diagnosis wouldn't be good and I was right.
Her cancer is too advanced to do much.
We have three choices to choose from:
1. Start her on chemo, which will cause nausea, vomiting and hair loss (quite horrific for someone who wouldn't understand)
2. Start her on chemo pills that may or may not help her much (an attempt to shrink the mass) The prescription costs around $5000 per month (yes, that's five THOUSAND dollars)
3. Or let nature take it's course, give her pain medication (hard to figure what she needs as she simply will not express any need for pain killers) and have a hospice nurse came to care for her as she declines.
We are stunned at the reality of it and have no idea what to choose.
He had no advice as to anything that can be done meanwhile.
He also couldn't give us any sort of idea how long she has.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Adrienne, this is so very sad. From what I hear, she must be such a wonderfully sweet person! Down syndrome people are so neat, & sweet spirited, seemingly so content too.
I will pray the Lord will give your family the wisdom to know what to do for her. I will pray for her too, her comfort through it all.
And for you, to be strong for her.
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Bobbie said all I wish to say, but much better. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Gosh Adrienne, that's so sad. I don't quite know what to say. But I do pray the Lord holds Allison and all of your family close in his arms during this troubling time. And I pray he gives you wisdom in your decisions. "The Lord is my Healer."
Posted by Tony Lucero (Member # 1470) on :
Adrienne, I am reluctant to offer too much input on this very personal struggle your sister is going through. Like many on this board, I have expressed our combined prayers for all you, but I also have some personal insight and experience that may or may not be helpful. Of course, every person and their physical cancer's are different, but I found that there are many similarities. When my wife started her battle, we encountered a holistic nurse who was primary caretaker for her husband who had pancreatic cancer (real bad stuff) She suggested my wife start a massive regimine of vitamins and health supplements. She did and then started the chemo shortly thereafter, Patti's reaction to chemo was very mild, she lost her hair eventually, but kept going to work every day. The chemo actually shrunk down (almost immediately an egg sized tumor. They tattooed the location of the tumor and also tagged it internally. This proved important, because the chemo virtually shrunk or dissolved the tumor to the degree that it was undectable when she had the breast removed.
My point is, you might find it very helpful to talk to other breast cancer survivors, most will surely understand your situation and are often very willing to share important info and are the best source of meaningful support. Thats's not to imply that any and all support is not meaningful and appreciated. I was a confused and frightened caretaker then with the help of these survivors and dialogs with the chemo nurses, I gained both comfort and confidence.
Hair does grow back. Best Wishes
Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :
My dear friend and roomate in Israel sent me this link. A wise Rabbi was asked why would a loving God bring a handicapped child into this world to live a short and sad life? His answer was so perfect and touched my heart.. You can read it here:
I am in touch with cancer patients on breastcancer.org and am bringing many questions and alternatives to my Dr. I just don't want her to suffer. 46 years old is a long life for most Down's Syndrome adults, btw.
A:)
[ November 06, 2008, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: Adrienne Pereira ]
Posted by Tony Lucero (Member # 1470) on :
WOW that was a great answer the Rabbi wrote. Thanks
Posted by PatRaap (Member # 4290) on :
Adrienne, How hard these decisions can be! My prayers continue to be with your sister and your family. As a Breast Cancer Survivor....I can only tell you that do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion. And follow what your heart tells you. It is so very difficult to decide the right direction you should choose, I can tell you the Chemo is no fun...but there are so many meds out there that take care of the side affects. Hair Loss is a tragic thing, especially for a female, but probably very hard for your sister to understand what is happening too. Dennis has a brother that is Downs syndrome in his 40's and is beginning to have major medical problems too. It is so hard to have to make decisions for someone so close and can't understand.
