CANCER!  The term does not hit home until you or a close family member gets the scary diagnosis.  It happened to our family when the diagnosis was Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  that brings on a full alert. What to do next--follow the suggestions of the doctor.  Get checked by the  local oncology center.  Getting the necessary medications was first-medications that will keep the pain in check.  A thousand dollars?  How are we going to afford this.  We can't worry about money at a time like this.  Try to keep the patient comfortable.  PRAY!