<p>I am part of a support group for esophageal cancer sufferers (my husband was diagnosed November 2011). A young Dad has been told it is time to call in hospice. He and his wife have told their young boys that Daddy will soon be an angel in heaven. One of the little boys said "I don't want him to be an angel, just a daddy". I think my heart just broke.</p>
<p>Out of the mouth of babes....</p>
<p>This is sad. :(</p>
<p>heartbreaking. So good that you are there.</p>
<p>So sad. (((HUGS))) to you, swimcatsmom.</p>
<p>Oh my, that is heartbreaking.</p>
<p>It is actually an online support group and I have never met the members on it in real life. Probably sounds a bit strange, but it has been the most helpful thing since my husband was diagnosed. It really helps to have people to communicate with that understand exactly what you are dealing with. It’s a place we can share our good news and bad news and get lots of questions answered. They really have become like a family. [FWIW, it started on the American cancer Society web page, but we had the most awful experience with an administrator there who seemed to get rather power hungry and not only banned a long time member who was a wealth of information and so helpful (he made a very innocuous religious comment, nothing I would have expected anyone to be banned for), but then banned everyone who begged her to reinstate him or at least reinstate his many helpful posts and private messages to them which she had deleted (including one lady whose husband was diagnosed the same time as mine and had just died days before). It was dreadful and quite shocking. The callousness really turned me of the organization. Anyway, a few of them started a facebook group and it has really been a life and sanity saver for me.</p>
<p>Often quite heartbreaking as esophageal cancer is one of the most deadly. My husband is one of the lucky ones so far. It is usually men that get EC, and usually older, but their seem to be more cases of younger men. There is one man whose 23 year old son has it. Then there is this young dad. As awful as it is for anyone to go through EC, seeing the younger ones just pulls at the heartstrings a little more.</p>
<p>An online support group is not strange at all. Especially for those of us on CC!</p>
<p>true - guess i forgot who I was talking to for a moment there!</p>
<p>That is so heartbreaking, swimcatsmom! How awful for that young family. </p>
<p>I can certainly understand how an online community can be the best source of support in your situation. It’s awful that the ACS moderator destroyed so many important posts and messages! Really cruel.</p>
<p>I hope that your husband continues to do well.</p>
<p>That is so very sad. I’m glad your H has been doing well and that you’ve found outlets for information and support, including the new FB group. Best wishes to him for a full and lasting recovery and to you as well.</p>
<p>I’m so glad to hear that your husband is doing well!</p>
<p>swimcat, I’m so glad to hear your DH is doing well too.</p>
<p>I’m also glad you’ve found meaningful support online. As an active participant in the CC parents caring for parents thread, I can vouch for the value of a good online support group.</p>