A few years ago I got CFS and had to quit work. Last year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and tongue cancer. The tongue cancer was treated successfully. But after treatment, my CFS got much worse. It is all I can do to sit here and type this now, because my symptoms flair when I'm not lying down.

A few weeks ago my father died from lung cancer. I was too sick to visit him before he died, but we talked on the phone. My father was my favorite person to talk to. Now he is gone. I really miss him.

I feel so sad and helpless most of the time. I can't do my own shopping, I have to get rides to doctor appointments, and I can't even hang out here and post to people like I used to. I find myself slipping into feeling useless. But I also try to look at what I can do to help myself, and what I can do to help others. Even if it's not much.

Anyway, I wish the cancer board here was more active. I feel badly for the people who post and don't get answers. So in addition to posting here, I recommend calling the American Cancer Society. They have 24 hour operators and other support services. They also refer to support services.

As for my friends here and on the CFS board, I wish I could chat with you more. I just don't have enough health to do that. It was not in my plan to get worse, but that's what's happened.

I'm usually not on this board, but please go to the Grief board here and I posted an article about grief and it might help you. Grief can bring you so down that you may give up completely. Please read it and please try to help yourself. Although you miss your father, have your memories be of him in his favorite times and he would not want you depressed and unable to do things. You may need professional therapy to dig out of the depression that has been started by this grief. But don't give up as there are hands to reach out to give you a hand up. Many hugs.

Thanks.

Just know that you aren't alone. I thought I'd check out the Cancer boards and see how ppl are doing even though I have CFS, not Cancer, and the first one I read I can totally identify with. I am in a similar boat as you, Andrew, I am definitely disabled at this point. I think it is important to not be in denial but I also think it is equally important to HOPE that you will be better in the future. I recall I had a remission last year and that gives me all the hope in the world that it will happen again, the hard part is sitting here watching my life pass me by while I wait. Tick tock, tick tock... it helps to have friends and pen pals. Just do whatever you can that can make you happy while you can and give up on the rest. Try not to feel so bad and know that many others are unable to do things too - like shop or drive or work. I wish you well and hopefully your symptoms will subside and you will be able to post more soon. (((BIG HUGS)))

Hi isiselixir. I just noticed your reply to me. I am happy to say that I think I'm feeling a little better. I still go up and down, but the average of ups and downs is higher. And a few days ago I drove to a place close to me that has take-out food, and I didn't feel worse the next day.

Anyway, I'm going to be careful and not push too hard too fast. But I wanted to post here that I think I'm improved. I have some hope!

Dear Andrew,

If you are able to respond, I have information for you. I have experienced and seen others that have done what I have done and found very dramatic results in a very short time. Where there is life, there is time.

Call 870 436 3508 or 870 204 3013/cell. Cell phone is not always reliable. Just say you are calling about cancer.

Low Dose Naltrexone and many people take it for many health issues including some cancers. I'm on the yahoo ldn board and get so much info from these folks on this treatment. jam