Support thread for those with cancer, terminal illness, or any life altering physical ailment. For caregivers as well

After reading this thread last night:

Thread: Hit the end of my rope, need some hope.

I felt there was a need/want for a thread for those of us who are seriously ill, caring for a loved one, or those whose health has changed their way of life.

I have seen in random threads that there are more of us that are fighting and I would like to see a thread where we can support others and get support in return, good news, bad news, whatever.

I am trying to include all. This thread can be a place to vent, share treatment options, cry, tell stories, etc.

There's also those of us who don't have a lot of support from family or friends who need us.

I'll start:

I have Stage IV melanoma, terminal. I am in the phase of care which is supposed to give me comfort and keep me free from pain as there is no cure for melanoma.

I started taking chemo meds which have just been approved by the FDA a few months ago. They helped to shrink my brain tumors and eradicate most of the lesions in my brain but they were making me feel terrible. So much so I had to go into the hospital 2 weeks ago.

Doctors advised I stop them or just take one at night..still on the fence as to whether I want to go back on them..quality of life vs quantity.

Then last week I had severe pain in my right flank and wound up at ER with internal bleeding, had to have 4 blood transfusions.

I wont go into extreme detail, just want us to be able to share with each other. Hope I didn't muck this up too much.