Posts by Sarah Cruz2

That’s the kind of guy I would personally describe as nothing more than livestock.

My sister is heading in for her first follow-up this Friday. She’s just finished five days of intensive chemo and radiation, followed by three days of radiation alone—which marks the end of this specific chemo cycle.

I wonder if the doctors might be able to tell us if there's any progress already?

She has started passing things through her colon, almost as if her system is purging itself; I suppose I should ask, is that generally considered a positive sign?

I am living in constant fear of what the doctor might say on Monday, and I find myself praying to God that they report at least some kind of movement in the right direction. Is it even possible for them to see results this early on, or is it too soon to tell?

She has lost a tremendous amount of weight; she looks so frail now, as if everything is hanging off her. Her iron levels are also incredibly low. We really want her to eat and drink everything nutritious available, but she simply can't manage to swallow enough. You can visibly see her muscles wasting away, and I worry about whether she will be able to fully recover within a year or two...

😢

I added a timestamp because I wasn't entirely certain about the cutoff for an abortion—I think I originally assumed it was around the 8-week mark. My understanding is that once you pass that specific window, you're required to provide extensive medical documentation, such as proof of fetal abnormalities, otherwise, the procedure won't be authorized.

I actually didn't realize the limit was 10 weeks. Regardless, I don't believe there is any sense in waiting around. You can never truly predict how complications might arise or how long the waitlists might become. If she has decided on this path, my logic suggests it is better to act as soon as possible.

I am hopeful that everything will go smoothly. I suspect the higher price mentioned earlier refers to private clinics; it probably wouldn't cost that much at a place like Mount Sinai or a similar hospital system, though I can't say for sure.

I really hope it all turns out okay. She is quite young, so she should be fine, but I suppose this will serve as a lesson learned for her future.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a physician who was actually involved in training doctors here in the States back when the very first contact lens laboratory was established in the country.

Basically, I asked him about the comparison between disposable soft lenses versus rigid or semi-rigid options—though, I suppose, hardly anyone seems to wear the latter anymore. He seemed to agree with my assessment, suggesting that the distinction is largely driven by marketing and consumer trends rather than any significant medical necessity.

From my own personal experience, I have found that no other type of lens has ever performed as well for me as hard lenses. Since I deal with astigmatism, my doctors originally suggested that lenses might not even be an option for me, or perhaps only soft ones might work.

I truly suspect this entire shift is just a matter of clever marketing. I will certainly never regret choosing my hard lenses; they provide a level of sharpness and clarity that neither semi-rigid nor soft lenses can quite replicate.

And, interestingly enough, since I started wearing lenses, my prescription hasn't increased at all, whereas it always seemed to be trending upward whenever I wore glasses! I would honestly recommend them to everyone.

I am feeling quite overwhelmed by the fear of pain and suffering, if anyone might have some advice to offer.....

I honestly don't even know what kind of timeline we are looking at... nobody has actually told us how long these treatments will last, nor do I have any clarity on the specifics..... I suppose I am just living day by day, taking it one step at a time...

She tried drinking some Aloe vera, about one bottle, and it seemed fine. Nothing particularly remarkable, though. Currently, we have moved on to Taheebo.

Her iron levels are extremely low, which I read online is an indication of a serious condition and a declining immune system. I worry that the intensity of the chemotherapy and radiation might be too much for her to bear. I simply don't know the duration of the treatment, the length of the breaks, or what actually happens during those intervals....

I am still somewhat in a state of shock, so I find I need a bit more time to process certain things, but nonetheless, I am pushing forward and fighting as hard as I can. As dustypilot2 mentioned, it is vital that we view this as OUR illness, rather than "you and YOUR illness." Changing my way of speaking about it has definitely made a difference.
Thank you, dustypilot2!

Douglas Doyle49, did you say four years? Is that truly possible? I can hardly wrap my head around anything lasting four years, let alone such prolonged suffering....

Monica, I have heard of Essiac tea; it is available here now, and I have already picked up some informational pamphlets...

I haven't been active on this forum for quite some time, so I haven't even had the chance to thank everyone properly. Thank you so much for all your replies; they have truly helped me through this. A huge thanks to Monica, Douglas Doyle49, dustypilot2, Larry Cruz51, quietraven14, and everyone else who provided such concrete and helpful advice.

My sister is back home now. She has started both chemotherapy and radiation—it's quite overwhelming, doing both at once. She says she feels okay for now, but I believe there will be harder days ahead. I honestly don't know what to say. I try my best to focus on love rather than the illness itself. I find myself attempting to act as if nothing is happening, though I suppose that isn't quite natural. Thank you all again for the practical tips, especially dustypilot2, because no one mentioned anything about using Ensure.

It is quite terrifying how all these doctors go about their work through those specific channels. We even found ourselves getting caught up in that circle of corruption, simply because we were acting out of desperation, but even that doesn't provide much relief. You just don't have enough money to bribe every single doctor or nurse you encounter along the way. It is simply awful.

Mercy, compassion, or even just basic interest—it seems to be missing almost everywhere. Because she is an extremely young person, it might spark a flicker of interest in the physicians for perhaps three seconds, but certainly not enough for them to go above and beyond in their care.

I can't shake the feeling that nobody truly cares, and that is incredibly difficult for me to bear.

We have also sought out an alternative practitioner; we are drinking various teas now, and we should be seeing him in two weeks. The complication is that he presents us with a choice: either chemo and radiation, or his methods. Since we have already begun the chemo and radiation, he isn't sure how much he can actually help, given that they represent opposing energies (which makes sense—chemo destroys, while he seeks to build up).

Now that I have actually written this down, I feel quite frightened. In person, I manage to keep my composure. But here, I cannot even begin to imagine or face the reality of it. The doctors offer absolutely no hope.

We are heading to the Mayo Clinic. They tend to be a bit more humane there, though they still offer no guarantees. I want so badly to prove that everyone is wrong about this!!!!! And I will prove it!

I suspect she might be reaching a critical window here, so I believe she really ought to see a gynecologist on an Emergency basis.

As far as I am aware, the procedure is typically done as an outpatient visit where you can head straight home afterward; they usually just suggest resting for a day, nothing too out of the ordinary. It can be quite painful and isn't exactly easy... but...

I think the private cost might run around $1,000-$$0.67. If I recall correctly, I believe this was discussed previously over in the Women's section of a forum.

Best of luck!

As someone who has been wearing contact lenses for many, many years (both soft and hard types), I am of the opinion that about 95 percent of your overall experience depends on the solution you choose.

A long time ago, Pfizer used to manufacture some truly high-quality solutions, but they just couldn't stay competitive due to their pricing. Around that time, an American brand called Permacon entered the market; the price was incredibly low, but so was the quality. I honestly thought I was going blind and assumed it was a problem with my lenses, until my doctor explained what was actually happening.

Allstate is just... okay. It isn't complete garbage, but I certainly wouldn't go so far as to call it high quality. I tend to buy American brands—specifically Boston—and they are significantly better than Allstate. I don't even bother with those cleaning tablets because these solutions contain certain ingredients that seem to compensate for them.

In short, I think Allstate is a poor choice; I would suggest trying to find something superior. Most of that irritation and discomfort is actually a consequence of using poor solutions, rather than the lenses themselves. I haven't had to polish my own lenses in three years and they are perfectly fine, but that is strictly because I exclusively use Boston.

Best regards,

dustypilot2 said:😵

I have to agree!

Kyle Nelson2, I suspect that someone who can barely make it from their bed to the bathroom—which, mind you, is a very common reality for those facing severe illness, which is precisely why they are categorized as such—might not be quite ready for hiking up mountains. It seems to me that you might not fully grasp the gravity of the situation here. In instances like this, perhaps it would be more appropriate to remain silent, if only out of basic courtesy.

dustypilot2😘

That just isn't quite right. Not everyone is driven by the same things; psychologists actually identify numerous different types and levels of motivation, even using them to categorize people.

I believe you're mistaken. Or, at least, not always.

Thank you all for the responses. I’ve managed to calm down slightly, mostly because I’m trying not to dwell on who is at fault or how everyone is feeling right now. The issue is that there isn't really any authority within my family—not that I’ve ever had any, for that matter—so there isn't much concrete action I can take, since no one seems to take me seriously at all!!!!

Introducing any kind of tension into the household feels entirely pointless; it only affects the patient, which is arguably the most foolish thing we could possibly do. That said, the elderly members of the family are constantly bickering and arguing; she hears it, so she isn't oblivious. It’s just impossible to isolate her from the rest of the family right now.

The older relatives behave toward one another as if she were already gone, which I find deeply upsetting. They manage to exercise a certain amount of self-control when she is present, but what bothers me most is that they seem to have stopped fighting. Whenever I attempt to take the lead, they shut me down (whether it's because I am a woman, or because they view me as incompetent or incapable compared to them—which is absolutely not the case!!), yet they aren't capable of taking any initiative themselves because they clearly need assistance—be it with information, organization, emotional support, or anything else. But they simply refuse to accept that help from me, because (as is often the case) they feel the need to prove themselves to me, or rather, to assert their dominance.

I have no interest in these power struggles at this moment. My only concern is her. If anyone out there could share their own experiences (thank you to everyone who has reached out to me!!) regarding what kept them going during a loved one's illness, or what specifically motivated them to keep fighting, I would be immensely grateful!

I suppose I’m starting to get the impression that everyone is sick. It seems that once people hear about an illness, they all start reaching out, and you suddenly realize just how many people are battling serious conditions without you even knowing it.

I want to thank everyone for their help. I can see that some of you have gone through incredibly difficult experiences. To me, it feels as though cancer has just spread all over Washington, D.C. In my own street alone, I know of two ladies who were battling breast cancer! They live within 100 meters of each other. I can only imagine how much else is happening that remains unseen.

Even at work—several people, and I wasn't even aware. It honestly feels like an epidemic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What troubles me most is that I am unsure of how to carry myself. Should I speak about it or not? Or rather, in what manner? I cannot simply pretend it doesn't exist, yet discussing the specifics seems futile—I worry that talking too much might just drain her spirit entirely.

Talking about mundane things like work or the weather feels completely pointless and trivial to me now. I suspect it gets on her nerves as well. On the other hand, if I just sit there in silence next to her, it feels far too depressing, and I fear I might push her even deeper into a state of depression.

I feel quite desperate. The elderly can be exhausting to the point of pain, and my mother is playing the "martyr." One day she actually claimed that she is the one going through the hardest time. My father thought I was going to start suffocating her because of how I had apparently started acting. As if it isn't hardest for my sister. It’s awful.

The elderly have such a profoundly negative influence, and it frightens me. She might be going home today, and I am terrified that my mother will break her down psychologically. I called her to ask if she would come to my place, but she won't. Perhaps she thinks she is being a burden, or maybe she fears that I wouldn't be able to take care of her properly. Even though I would.

How can I bring some sense to my mother? She is being foolish, selfish, and unkind. How can I neutralize her influence? I am scared she will crush her. My theory is that my sister fell ill precisely because she lived in that house, living under her. That is what I feared. It seems to me that people fall ill with cancer when they are under constant repression—whether from a husband, family, or parents...

Thank you all for the responses and for the private messages. As soon as I manage to calm down a bit and collect my thoughts, I will get back to everyone.
THANK YOU

My sister might be coming home today (following her surgery). By Monday, we should have more clarity regarding where she is headed and how the schedule for radiation and chemotherapy will look. I suppose I am just terrified of the passing time; every single day and every weekend feels like it lasts for years...

Thank you all for the comments; everyone is more than welcome here! I especially value those who have gone through this themselves. There is a whole other layer to this regarding psychology and the weight of family obligations, though I don't find any of it particularly difficult to handle. What worries me more is how the elderly relatives seem to be suffocating her and making her cry; I have this nagging impression that they might actually cause her harm. If it were within my power, I would gladly forbid them from visiting, just so she could have some peace.

I won't back down, and neither will she.

Quickly, regarding the honey—sugar should be avoided entirely, so I assume honey is off-limits as well. It probably just encourages the rapid spread and division of cells....

I'll move on. Cats wrote something quite profound to me—that she simply needs someone to make her feel safe and loved. She is terrified because she feels she is reaching the end of her life. It’s easy to dismiss our own fears, but I can't help but wonder if things had to reach this point just so I could finally tell her how much I love her. 😢

Hello everyone,

A few days ago, my younger sister was diagnosed with colon cancer, and unfortunately, it has metastasized quite extensively. The doctors had to perform a colectomy, but there is still a great deal left to address. Our whole family is in a state of absolute shock; we are completely out of our depth here.

She is barely eating at all—it’s almost impossible for her—and she feels incredibly weak. In order for her to even begin chemotherapy or radiation, she really needs to build up some strength. I feel quite lost regarding what to do. They actually took her off the IV because they thought she was finally eating, but honestly, whatever little she manages to consume is practically invisible.

PLEASE help!
How soon after surgery can someone typically start radiation and chemo? I am terrified that we are racing against the clock here.

Does anyone know of an alternative practitioner who has actually achieved real results?

Regarding Aloe Vera, what form should I be looking for? Is it in capsules, or perhaps a syrup? What specifically works, and how should it be administered?

Any advice or information would be so deeply appreciated!!!

THANK YOU

p.s.
How does one go about getting an appointment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center? Do you need a specific connection or referral? Also, has anyone ever utilized their family counseling services?

p.s.
I am asking the moderator, please do not delete this post. PLEASE!

hiddenviper9, you could claim to be the reincarnation of Jesus himself for all I care, but the reality remains: you don't actually understand people, you don't communicate with them, and you’re just stuck in your own little bubble. To put it bluntly, you're acting like someone out of Amway 😁 You're headed for the exact same fate they did—total failure 😁

Could I please ask you to take your pretentiousness somewhere else? Honestly, ugh, I've gone and brought bad luck to my own thread 😁 It's called hiddenviper9. 😁

Honestly, advertisements can actually make me hungry. I think there’s a new campaign running for McDonald's right now; I can't quite recall when I last ate there, but since this specific ad started airing, I’ve already been there three times.

I suppose people find it difficult to manage their time effectively because:
- they simply don't have the right information about what's available
- they lack the necessary funds
- they don't have much of a social circle
- they lack the courage to change

And what do they do instead? They just sit there watching television... it's truly a disaster!

I guess maybe only Vrdoljak and I are brave enough to argue that we should ban all those kinds of movies, as they essentially corrupt the youth and present them with such a distorted view of reality.....

Last weekend, I attended an event hosted by a Croatika esotericist, and the whole experience was quite intriguing. Aside from the fact that I had to step outside several times to get some air—partly due to the heat and partly because of this intense pressure I was feeling—I started experiencing stomach pains, to the point where I could barely make it home. Once I got through the door, I went straight to the bathroom, and something rather curious happened. In addition to catching up on all the latest gossip in the Globe 😁 😁, there came a moment when I felt this warmth radiating from my stomach area (I realized later that this is where the heart chakra is located). It felt like a sort of current, as if energy was flowing out of me, perhaps a type of cleansing? Anyway, once I stepped out of the tub, the pain had vanished.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

At the fair, I spoke briefly with a psychic, but that was about it; I mostly just wandered the booths. Do you think there might be some connection between that interaction and what I felt?

hiddenviper9, would it be possible for you to read my energy via email and help me identify what the issue might be? Also, what is your perspective on hexes—do you believe they actually exist and hold power? Furthermore, what are your thoughts on the pricing of these services? Do you agree with gentlecanyon92 that if there is a fee involved, it should be considered acceptable? I wonder, does something that lasts only a single weekend and costs $0.53 qualify as actual therapy, or is it more of a scam? (It was upwards of $250, I believe.)

Tinci, I really believe that physical separation is the essential FIRST STEP here; you should probably look into making that happen as soon as possible.

restlessmarlin6, please understand that this is a process, which implies it takes time—I would venture to say months, if not years. It took me an entire year just to find my footing again, and even now, three years later, I feel like I am only halfway there.

Perhaps you could start by reflecting and keeping a journal; that might be the easiest way to identify where things are going wrong. Maybe try noting down your mistakes each evening, along with a plan for how to handle things differently next time when people start getting on your nerves and such. If you prepare yourself accordingly, 🙂it will eventually improve.