Sheila: my thoughts are with you and with the person in your life who's dealing with cancer. Wish him a full recovery. Nir

Thank yo so much Nir. It's extremely kind and thoughtful of you. There are really some lovely people on this Forum [including the Mods]. I will tell my husband that you have kindly responded to the post. Thanks again

Hope he recovers soon. It cant be easy.

my mum died of it when i was only 1yr old, and it would seem that these days the medicine, doctors and therapy are all much better set up to bring hope and much increased chances for a speedy recovery. Best of luck to you all.

Hi Sheyla,

Thank you for sharing this and it most be hard time for you...

Sheila (not Sheyla)

Life is tough, it takes up a lot of your time and all your weekends and what you get at the end of it? Death, some reward! I think that the life cycle is all backwards you should die first get it out of the way. Then you... should live twenty years in an old age home, you get kicked out when you’re too young, you get a gold watch and you go to work. You work forty years until you are young enough to enjoy your retirement, you go to college, you party until you are ready for high school, you become a little kid you play you have no responsibilities. You become a little boy or girl you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating and you finish off as a gleam in someone’s eye. Transcribed from a reading by Jack Cornfield from a course on the heart of Buddha's teachings

Sheila, many of us live as if dying is what happens to others, as with all the other things that can afflict us. Those who do not recognise as it is live in some form of delusion. Conversely, recognising these enables to start living. I know this may sound difficult to accept but pain is inevitable, it's part of the human condition, but suffering is optional (it's a question of what we chose to hang onto and let go of) A vast subject that requires time and attention, but I have been through personal tragedy and my mother has terminal cancer aged 66 - as a result of asbestos inhalation over 40 years ago - so I speak with understanding. After the anger and injustice she felt (she was very careful with her health all through her life) she found peace and got close to the essence of what really matters. I encouraged her to become an example to others who may be suffering, and I encourage others to do the same. (Why do we have to start suffering to stop looking at ourselves and look at how we can help others and how we lead our lives?) She stopped Chemo on the third and is now following an alternative form of non-traditional treatment - in the hope for hope.

Please find some links below that may help the mind help the body, and may your loved one find inner peace and grace.

http://www.buddhanet.net/deathtib.htm

http://pelicanscoconutsandbutterflies.com/

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r/30820474/detail.html

http://www.box.com/s/f2638d3fbe53eb38c3fd

My dear uncle died of brain cancer two years ago. it was a long agony for him and his family and relatives.

My thoughts and my prayers are with you and your beloved one.

Sheila, It sure is a myth that cancer only affects the older folks. I have a very close relative who is only 42 and has been diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. He is currently undergoing intense chemo and it seems to be working, but the side effects are really taking a toll on him and it sure is hard seeing him in such a state.

I guess medicine has advanced far ahead in the last few decades to keep hopes alive and as long as we are alive, it's our motivation to live, guard & share our spirits that keeps us alive. I wish you all the best.

Sheila, thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. The glocals community is a great source of strength when times are challenging, so use us! When/if y'all need more specific help during this time, speak up. I know I'm glad to help.

Big hug from a semi-sunny Zurich.

Thank you kind friends on Glocals: the patient has come home today. Not very well, but that's to be expected. From now on, we look forward to a full recovery and stay positive. We would just like to say that anyone else who is suffering from anything similar - you have our utmost sympathy and are in our thoughts.