Can anyone give me a hand here? I’m trying to get into my computer to grab some photos so I can upload them to Facebook—otherwise, this damn thing is just gonna keep acting up. It's kind of urgent—can someone please walk me through this!!!
restlesstiger102 said:My dad is heading in for his second round of chemo tomorrow. He’s lost a ton of hair, so we’re going to shave his head today. Honestly, seeing him like this is just wrecking his mental state, so I really want to find him a high-quality wig that looks just like his natural hair—anything to help him feel more like himself.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Look, your dad should actually be eligible for a medical referral to get a wig covered through Medicare—you definitely need to ask his doctor about that. Until then, maybe a baseball cap would work? Just a heads-up though, wigs can get pretty sweaty under there, so a hat might be more comfortable, but if he's feeling self-conscious about everyone staring at him, stick to the wig. If you end up buying one out of pocket, be prepared because they are pricey (though obviously much better quality than the ones provided by insurance). Just do a deep dive on Google.
slypuma said:Me again, I know I'm being a total bore at this point 🙂 but I can't find anything useful online... where in Miami can I actually buy a wig?? Is there a specific shop?
Just a little bit of advice from someone who’s been through the oncology ringer—you actually HAVE a right to get a wig covered by Medicare, unless you’re in a massive rush and need one right this second. Just ask your primary care doctor; honestly, they should have mentioned it already—don't go wasting your money when you've already got enough bills piling up! cheers.
C 71 Honestly, don't stress about the gastroscopy—it’s really not that big of a deal. Is it "pleasant"? Hell no. During the procedure, you’re definitely going to feel like you need to gag, so the trick is just to relax as fast as possible—the more chill you are, the easier it goes! It doesn't hurt at all, either; my husband and I both went through it, and he actually handled it better than me. Once you're out, you'll forget the whole thing even happened. The main thing is just getting it done since you've been having issues. Just get it over with so you can have some peace of mind and make sure everything is okay! If they don't find anything, the exam takes maybe 2 minutes, though it might run a bit longer if they spot something. So seriously, stop worrying and just be brave! Everything is going to be fine!
Dear Lily... I honestly don't even know what to say—there aren't enough words in the world to make this better when you lose someone close to you. You’ve gotta be in total shock right now, it's just so incredibly heavy and heartbreaking. I am so, so sorry! This whole week over here has just been one depressing day after another... Sending my deepest, most sincere condolences.
Rachel Jones8 said:I did a quick Google search, but honestly, I couldn't find anything about it. What’s the exact name? Or better yet, can you just drop a link?
The group is pretty private—you actually have to join first. Anyway, I just sent you a DM!
Look, regarding this 13-year-old kid fighting leukemia—I’m seriously suggesting he joins the Lioness group on Facebook. It’s a massive support community for people dealing with this stuff; they share all kinds of advice on managing treatment, and there’s even a 20-year-old girl in there who already went through a successful transplant and is still navigating her recovery (using the Mayo Clinic protocols). This is just my two cents for him and his family—if they want some real, practical guidance so they know exactly what they're walking into, they should definitely check it out. Of course, it's entirely up to them. I just really, truly want this kid to pull through and beat this thing.
slypuma-Thank God there’s such an incredible woman-Angela Wright-who started this thread and is out here looking out for you guys and everyone dealing with this.!!! Seriously, listen to her—she knows her stuff because she's lived through it. Washington, D.C. is basically the hub for oncology, especially the Mayo Clinic; they have some seriously top-tier doctors there. If you're in Miami and they aren't giving you the samples or tests you need, and you decide to come out here for a second opinion, you can just redo all the testing and bring the results with you. It’s going to be a long fight. There's also a group on Facebook called LIONS—it's for support, and most people there are amazing—but it's also packed with advice for every kind of tumor you can think of. People there comfort each other, give tips on what to expect after chemo or radiation, how to deal with nausea, and even where to track down specific meds. You guys need to get moving right now to help her recover! It’s honestly a blessing they didn't tell her anything yet. When it happened to my mom, the doctor just blurted it out—nothing soft, nothing gentle—just "you have cancer." My mom was absolutely devastated by the shock, and I honestly couldn't believe it was actually happening! God forbid anyone else has to go through that! Hang in there, people fight this every day. Those doctors aren't Gods—they have no idea how long someone can actually live. Best,
I don't even know what to say... everyone deals with losing their loved ones in their own way. I didn't want my mom to die—I could see she was fighting—but those last two weeks? She couldn't even speak because the pain was just too much. There were moments when she was conscious, but she’d drift off constantly; if she hadn't been on morphine, there’s no way she would've made it through that. Anyone who has actually gone through this knows—it's pure agony for them and for us. She never once complained about the pain, though; she just suffered in silence. It's easy for people to chime in and say, "just accept it," but we weren't raised that way. We aren't like, I don't know, some cultures where people leave a mass singing or celebrate the transition to a "new" spiritual life at the funeral. That's just not how we do things here. Hang in there to everyone out there fighting alongside their sick loved ones—you have to find a way to stay strong even when you're drowning in grief.
Hey goldensailor0, looks like you’ve unfortunately joined the club too. You should really check out page 336 of theman's thread—he gives some killer advice regarding books and nutrition via those eBay planetopia listings; I honestly think there's a lot of solid stuff in there. You've gotta fight this battle on every single front—healthy eating, modern medicine, boosting your immune system—it’s all absolutely vital! I actually have three neighbors who survived breast cancer twice and they're still here with us today. You just have to keep fighting, even when it feels impossible. Please, just be there for her—she needs that support more than you know, especially with all the ups and downs ahead. Also, definitely look into that Marijan jošta-treatment involving dandelion root.
I honestly don't get it—mistyjackal842, why on earth are you guys turning down the autopsy? If you’re even considering taking them to court, an autopsy is absolutely vital. Without it—well, it's going to be tough, but hey, the choice is yours... This whole thing is just unheard of. You couldn't even find this kind of nonsense in the most backwards parts of the country, let alone here. I mean, just because of some strike, do "they" really think they can just play God? Look, just take a breath for now. Get everything sorted for the funeral, and once the dust settles, sit down and think about it with a clear head. It’s never too late to make a move.
Hey there, our dear forum friend mistyjackal842, 🙏I am honestly just so, so incredibly sorry that your Mom passed away so suddenly like that!!! If things get too heavy and you need to talk, please hit me up via private message. Sending my deepest condolences your way!!! I'm just in total shock...
Look, mistyjackal842—those people aren't even human anymore! They lose any sense of empathy or connection to actual human suffering—probably just because they've been in the game too long and that professional detachment kicks in—and they just stop caring... which is honestly heartbreaking to see. What can I even tell you? Things will get better eventually, just keep praying and hang in there. I am seriously, truly sorry you're going through this when you haven't done a single thing to deserve it! Later.
mistyjackal842 said:Up until yesterday morning, she was actually able to eat a little and sip some liquids through a straw. Then, out of nowhere, her condition just tanked. Honestly, at least the internal medicine department seems professional and keeps it real. But surgery? A total disaster. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. They've fed me nothing but lies just to cover their own tracks. The worst part is—and this is what really gets me—my Mom isn't the only life they've completely ruined.
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My God, what happened?! Is it really that bad... I'm speechless... it feels like every hospital is a complete mess lately! It's always the patient who ends up getting screwed over, right? Ugh.
steeleagle152 said:I'm asking for some help here. My dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer about a month ago, and it's already spread to his bronchi and larynx. He hasn't been able to eat anything by mouth for a few days now—he's on a feeding tube in his stomach instead. Since my mom hasn't really dealt with cooking for patients like this before, I was wondering if anyone knows more about it? Is there a specific website with recipes or maybe some literature you could point us toward? Thanks in advance.
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Look, I had a friend dealing with the exact same thing. She stuck to light, blended meals—basically, you cook everything and then blend it with an immersion blender or a regular mixer, thinning it out with water until it's liquid enough to go through that tube in the stomach. You’ll need to have that tube swapped out once a month at the doctor's office—they probably already mentioned that to you. Also, there's actually ready-made food specifically designed for patients without functioning esophagi called ESHUR—search for it at pharmacies or online. That’s what she drank at first, and later, once she felt a bit better, she started blending her own food. It’s not a huge deal—just grab some blueberries or blackberries and freeze them to pack in the vitamins. He'll figure out on his own what sits well with him and what doesn't. Just stay away from beans, legumes, or kale for now, because those can cause digestive issues since things aren't moving through the usual way. Maybe Google it and you'll find something even better... Anyway, hope this helps. Bye! Oh, and one more thing—don't give him anything acidic until you check with his doctor, because it really bothered her.
Lisa White54 said:Here I go... again! I’ve got an MRI tomorrow and then a biopsy on Monday—over at the NIH. I'll let you guys know how it goes. I'm still holding out hope they just messed up the results... we'll see!
Just go—it's going to be fine, you have to stay positive! Just prep yourself to be stuck there all day (pack a sandwich and some juice) because it can get crazy crowded. If you're heading to the one over in Washington, D.C., the wait times are usually brutal, though maybe it won't be too bad right now since everything is backed up with the strike?! Good luck!
Ashley Murphy said:They used contrast dye. We were at the ER all weekend—the local ER near us turned him away, so we ended up at Mount Sinai Hospital since that's where we live. Mount Sinai decided he was just dehydrated, hooked him up to some IV fluids, and sent him right back home. His doctor over at the other hospital knows the whole deal (his internist tells me we just have to accept this is how it is and get used to it). I'm actually heading over to the other hospital for his chemo right now without Dad by my side.
If I can't get anything sorted there—do I just head straight back to the ER again? It’s enough to make you lose it. It feels like the doctors are gonna kill Dad before the cancer even gets the chance.
Don't trust them for a second!!! Instead of actually helping us, they just make everything ten times harder—it's a total disgrace, this healthcare system!!! That's just how they are at those hospitals, they're only interested in sending you packing—it's a damn shame!