What do you do for a teenager with brain cancer?

[undeterred]

This isn't someone I know personally- its the friends of a friend in another country. Their only child, a 17 year old girl, was diagnosed with brain cancer at the beginning of November. She is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, which has caused her to begin losing her sight. Because the cancer is in her nasal and sinus cavities, during the next round of treatment she will develop blisters in her mouth from the radiation burns and will have to be fed through a feeding tube.

I don't know the name of the cancer. My friend has known the mom all her life and is overwhelmed.

The doctors have given the girl a 20% chance of survival. The girl is so depressed she isn't sure if she wants to go through treatment.

What do you do or say at times like these?

[BlooInBloo]

1. (not totally glib) Get her a date? (In a pride-preserving manner, of course)

[williesgirl]

2. You offer your support (and prayers if you're so inclined) and stay in touch.

Edited for 2nd thought:

Find out if she has a favorite CD she wants, get that and send to her ASAP. Even if her sight does fail, she can listen to that.

[tigereye]

3. there was a really cool young woman we knew

who dealt with her cancer diagnosis with great bravado, humor and courage. I'll see if I can find you a link. I'm guessing there is a teen cancer support group online, somewhere.

It's so intense for a kid, let alone a grown-up, but I really think there are a lot of supports compared to 15-20 years ago.


Healing hugs for her....

[undeterred]

7. thanks

if you can find a link that would be great

[wtmusic]

4. Introduce her to cancer survivors

and send money. Offer support. What would you want?

[Demobrat]

5. When my friend's 15 year old had cancer

(shes in remission now) she wanted a nice wig more than anything, which her mom couldn't afford. So the friends all chipped in and got her a beautiful human hair one. Not sure if this is appropriate in your acquaintance's case but it might be worth mentioning

[pooja]

6. Do some research.... tin foil it.... looks like with the chances this

girl has, its worth a shot. There's a few on here that could point you in some good directions.

[flamingyouth]

8. I'm so sorry to hear this.

Is there any way they can get to a multidisciplinary treatment center for her, like M.D. Anderson in Houston or the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance? I've recently been diagnosed with cancer myself and have been doing lots of research. PM me if you want more info.

But on an emotional level, I think sending cards or emails (which ever is most appropriate), just telling the family that you care and that you're willing to help them in any way you can. Believe me, that will be appreciated more than you could ever know. Just the feeling that there is a circle of people praying and/or holding good thoughts for this girl will help this family in some way.

I am deeply grieved to hear this and will keep them all in my prayers.

[lonestarnot]

9. Oh man what a tragedy. I'm am so sorry. I don't know. But lots of love

understanding and kindness for sure.

[Drops_not_Dope]

10. A cousin

of mine had brain cancer. After surgery and treatment she did recover. Today several years after, she has her own children. Never loose hope.

[Th1onein]

11. I'd do SOMETHING other than treatment giving her a 20% chance!

You know, there's a LOT of stuff out there that could help her. Besides the usual poison, burn, and cut methods that the cancer industry has been using, and failing with, for over 50 years.

One of the things that I've been studying in my research on cystic fibrosis is isothiocyanates. There's quite a few of them; they are a lot less toxic than mainstream chemotherapy, and they work, when it comes to cancer.

Give the girl some hope, for God's sake. Have her parents look into alternative therapies.

Have them contact me. Send me a private email. I will help guide them through the jungles of alternative cancer therapies. A 20% chance is not a good one. I would not use ANY therapy that had only a 20% chance of success.