This is the strangest thing but I have found some small comfort in FT recently in the face of a family crisis. My granddaughter was recently diagnosed with stage 4 non-hodgkins lymphoma - no warning whatsoever and she is not even three years old. It's very rare in someone her age and there's really no family history or other precursors and yet it has happened. Her prognosis is not good but she has made it through the early stages of treatment and that is beyond expectations. I'm not sure if it's day or night as I travel back and forth from my distant home to the city where my granddaughter is hospitalized and I'm a combination of sad and angry to the point of sometimes not knowing how I feel. Everyone around us has been great offering prayers and positive thoughts but sometimes I just can't think about it or talk about it any more. So what does FT have to do with that? I've found myself going online for brief respites from the insanity of real life for the "sanity" (?) of FT. I've even found myself giving humorous responses to some posts and I have no idea why I would do that. I guess sometimes we all just need to escape to something and right now FT seems to be OK. So thanks for the diversion and distraction and for being there 24/7 even though you may not know you are there for people like me.

Dealing with a family member with cancer is not easy, especially when it is with a child. I know first hand from when my family lost my sister to lukemia years ago. She got the cancer at 2 1/2 and she passed at age 6. Its not easy dealing with the cancer, the treatments, and not know which is worse, a bleak prognosis or it coming true. Never is easy. But the best thing to do is rely on your support system and hope for God to give a miracle. So far, He's given you more time that her doctors has reasoned.

As far as your support system goes, it sounds like you found a good one with FT. You, your granddaughter and your family will be in my prayers.

Thank you for sharing your story; my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and your granddaughter's recovery.

Oh wow. I can't even imagine what you and your family must be going through. I am sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

Very nice post, and as said above thanks for sharing your story with us, it really puts our everyday problems into perspectives. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thanks for sharing: for me I have found that in its own way it does help to know that others have also dealt with what we must endure. We are currently helping one of our daughters work through a return of cancer after an eleven year remission. Those years were a miracle and a blessing for our whole family.

Your granddaughter sounds strong at an early age. I will pray and wish for your own miracle for her and your family, as well as for strength to get through whatever you all must face ahead. I hope FT continues to bring you a respite chuckle from time to time!

While I can't and won't pretend to understand what OP is going through, I have also found FT can be a familiar thing at times when all seems suddenly unfamiliar. I will take a moment to add my best wishes for OP's granddaughter who is the same age as my neice whom I absolutely treasure.

So sorry to hear of your granddaughter's battle - it sounds like she has a great family and a granddad who is doing everything he can to be with her and her family often. I'm glad that FT provides a bit of light relief for you at this dark time, and hope that continues.

My thoughts are with you and your family. Kids are amazingly resilient when its least expected, I hope she can continue to surprise her doctors.

I'll also add my thoughts and hopes for a good outcome to the OP's granddaughter. I've also found FT a refuge during tough times, and I'm grateful for the FT community.

I will say a prayer for your granddaughter and I'm happy to see that you're able find some comfort though the though times from our community.

sorry to hear of your granddaughter's troubles, i can't imagine how difficult that must be and won't pretend to. i will, however, add my thoughts and prayers to the ones you're receiving.

you're right, something about heading to flyertalk to talk about (mostly) travel makes the tough times a tiny bit easier to digest.

And the same thanks back to you for being the type of member we all can share as well, our own stories with. I join the many others is offering my own personal positive thoughts. And please let me know if i can ever be of any additional help. I want to now find some of your humorous replies. Again thanks and tell the little one, we ALL say hello.

As a parent I feel your sorrow... One just has to take each day by itself.. My hopes, wishes and prayers to your family...

upgrader, my best to your granddaughter, your family and you.

In addition to the diversion that FT provides, I think you'll find that we are equally supportive to our fellow members and their families. I've seen many, many random acts of kindness here over the years when a fellow FT'er was hurting in some manner.

As was said several times earlier, please know that you can call on us if you ever need any help, assistance or support.

Upgrader, prayers for your granddaughter and your family. I can't imagine the pain you are feeling or her parents; but my very best to you and them. I am glad that she is strong and has endured the treatment. Glad we can be here for you as a community.