I recently decided to try some Oenothera Biennis oil alongside Vitamin B6 supplements. It feels like they might actually be working, though I’m planning to wait until after my next cycle to decide if it’s more than just a placebo effect. I opted for the Oenothera Biennis in capsule form since it's much easier to swallow, and I picked up a small 20-count pack of Vitamin B6; unfortunately, I won't be able to continue with those next month, as you shouldn't really take multiple packs back-to-back.
Since I deal with absolutely brutal migraines during PMS, I usually find some relief by taking effervescent magnesium tablets.
I have experimented with all sorts of herbal teas over the years, but this particular blend is the one I find myself making most often:
- 20 g elderflower (Sambucus nigra) - 20 g rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis) - 20 g white mustard stem (Sinapis alba) - 20 g yarrow flowers (Achilea millefolium) - 20 g shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa pastoris)
You just need to crush the herbs and mix them together. Take 10 g of this herbal blend and add it to 1 liter of boiling water, then let it simmer covered for about 2 minutes. Once the tea has cooled down, stir in 5 tablespoons of honey. After straining it, you can sip on about half a cup every two hours.
I’ve found that when dealing with nausea during chemotherapy, a little bit of fresh ginger juice can work wonders—you just grate it and squeeze out the liquid, then stir about a tablespoon into every cup of water or tea she drinks. Since her stomach was removed, though, it would be wise to run it by her doctors first, even if I personally don't see any reason why it wouldn't be okay.
Ginger is quite effective at settling the stomach and easing cramps, and it acts as a powerful antioxidant. It might also help boost her circulation, which is always a plus when someone is spending a lot of time resting in bed.
To ensure there isn't any confusion regarding the herb names—since folks in different parts of the country often call them by different nicknames—I’ve included the Latin botanical names in parentheses.
- 20 g Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - 20 g Arnica stem (Arnica montana) - 20 g Lungwort stem (Pulmonaria officinalis) - 10 g Horsetail stem (Equisetum arvense) - 10 g Germander stem (Teucrium montanum) - 10 g Calendula flowers and leaves (Calendula officinalis) - 10 g Comfrey root (Symphytum officinale) - 10 g Burdock root (Arctium lappa) - 10 g Chicory root (Cichorium intybus) - 10 g Wormwood leaves (Artemisia absinthium) - 5 g Henbane stem (I couldn't track down the Latin name for this one, it's the only ingredient I'm missing)
Finely mince all the herbs and mix them together thoroughly. Take 10 g of this blend and add it to 1 liter of boiling water, then let it simmer covered for about 30 seconds. Once the tea has cooled down, strain it into a bottle, seal it up, and store it in a dark spot. You should drink it three times a day—about 2 tablespoons before meals and 4 tablespoons after you eat.
I recently stumbled upon a little trick that’s supposedly quite effective, so I thought I’d share it here with anyone who might find it useful. Hopefully, it offers some relief to someone navigating this journey.
Since chemotherapy can really take a toll on your immune system, leading to fungal infections in the mouth and throat, or even things like fistulas and other inflammatory issues, there's a technique that might help. Once a day, try taking a small sip of raw oil—ideally extra virgin olive oil—and swish it around your mouth until it turns white and frothy. Just make sure you keep swishing for at least three minutes.
Are you wearing a back brace or some kind of support while you sit? It’s actually quite common to deal with aches and pains when sitting for long periods, mainly because those core muscles tend to atrophy during a recovery phase. I was glad to hear you managed to strengthen your legs through the recommended exercises, though it will likely take a bit more time and steady effort before you feel completely back to yourself. One little trick I've found helpful is trying to blow up a balloon or a latex glove a few times every day to work on that respiratory strength. I remember posting a specific tea recipe on another forum once for someone recovering from a similar surgery, and she found it incredibly effective; I'll do my best to track down that recipe for you again. Try to lean into natural sources by loading up on Vitamin D and calcium in your diet whenever you can.
Hello everyone, especially to our brave Ivanica !!! 🙂
My Grandpa and I are still in the thick of it. He finished his sixth cycle of chemo and is just about to wrap up his two-month treatment break, so we’ll be heading before the oncology board in a few days to figure out the next steps. Over these last two months, he's had some pretty intense ups and downs. He has this tendency to overestimate how much energy he actually has left, and whenever he pushes himself too hard, he inevitably pays for it with high fevers and shortness of breath. We try to live by that mantra that Ivanica often mentions—just being grateful for every single good day we get. Because of that, I don't try to shield him from everything; I just hope he doesn't suddenly decide he wants to go bungee jumping, because I highly doubt his heart could handle the thrill.
I don't post here all that often, but I truly have nothing but wonderful things to say about Angela Wright. Peace will find its way to you in time; please, stay strong. 😘
On a brighter note, I actually have some good news to share. I pray to God that I can carry myself through life with the same fighting spirit my grandfather had. Following his sixth round of chemotherapy, the oncology board decided to grant him a two-month break. Once that period is over, we'll head back for more tests and see where things stand. They made this call because he’s remained remarkably stable and is able to maintain a high quality of life despite the lung tumor. His breathing has improved significantly, and he isn't getting winded nearly as easily as he used to. I really hope they've made the right call; he deserves a chance to step away from the hospital setting for a bit, and honestly, I could use a breather too—away from the endless scramble for referrals, prescriptions, doctor appointments, and that heavy, constant hospital atmosphere.
Don't mention it. 🙂I’ve always felt that you don't really need to say thanks when someone is just doing their job.
Regarding that muscle atrophy issue you mentioned, I have a bit of an unconventional suggestion for you. You could try getting a latex glove and fixing a thick tube or even a large syringe to the opening to create some resistance, or—if that sounds too complicated—just grab a pack of balloons and spend some time inflating them every single day. It might sound a little silly, I know, but honestly, that kind of repetitive hand work makes a difference. 🙂
As for your legs, please make sure you don't stop walking just because things feel difficult; you definitely want to avoid letting those muscles slacken, though you should take it very easy. You can also try some light exercises while you're resting in bed—something as simple as lying down, stretching out fully, and flexing your feet to keep your calf muscles engaged.
If the discomfort becomes too much to handle, there’s no sense in being a martyr, so go ahead and take something for the pain (like a 50mg dose of Advil).
Please do keep me posted on how your recovery is coming along!
If I pick up any more useful tips from my patient, I'll be sure to pass them along to you.
Tea isn't just about managing pain; its real strength lies in how much it supports bone recovery. I actually gave this tea to my partner's mother, and the results were truly impressive. She’s 60, so her bone density isn't what it used to be, and her doctor was honestly stunned by how quickly she bounced back—it was almost hard for him to believe. She had a serious accident that resulted in a fractured vertebra, which required surgery to replace the segment and install Harrison hardware along her spine. After using this tea for just a month, she’s already walking without crutches, getting up and sitting down all on her own.
In addition to the tea, it wouldn't hurt to stir a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water every morning. It’s quite high in calcium. You can also toss a spoonful of vinegar into chicken soup while it's simmering; it helps your body better absorb the calcium from the bones in the broth, and you won't even notice a change in the flavor. Also, those coral calcium supplements you find at any local pharmacy can be a great supplement to the routine.
I haven't done any shopping in Washington, D.C., myself, but I honestly don't think you'll run into much trouble finding what you need. I personally spent my afternoon bouncing between three different health food stores just to track everything down, and I managed to grab every single item except for this last one—which, if I'm being honest, I can't even identify. That tea really does wonders for your energy levels, so I’m truly hoping it helps you start feeling a lot more like yourself again.
Based on my own experience, I’d really recommend trying this herbal blend. It takes a bit of legwork to track down all the specific herbs, but after hitting up a few specialized apothecary shops and health food stores, I managed to find everything on the list. Since common names can vary quite a bit depending on which part of the country you're in, I’ve included the Latin names in parentheses just to be safe.
- 20 g Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - 20 g Arnica (Arnica montana) - 20 g Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) - 10 g Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) - 10 g Mountain Germander (Teucrium montanum) - 10 g Calendula flowers and leaves (Calendula officinalis) - 10 g Comfrey root (Symphytum officinale) - 10 g Burdock root (Arctium lappa) - 10 g Chicory root (Cichorium intybus) - 10 g Wormwood leaves (Artemisia absinthium) - 5 g Henbane stem (I couldn't recall the exact Latin name, and it was actually the only ingredient I had trouble locating)
To prepare, finely chop the herbs and mix them thoroughly. Take 10 g of this mixture and add it to 1 liter of boiling water, then simmer it covered for about 30 seconds. Once the tea has cooled down, strain it into a bottle, seal it tight, and store it in a dark place. You should drink it three times a day—about 2 tablespoons before meals and 4 tablespoons after you eat.
I’m checking in too 🙂 Angela Wright, I am truly glad to hear that you and your father have finally buried the hatchet, and I sincerely hope things stay peaceful between you both from here on out.
I do have a question for the group, though.
As I mentioned previously, my grandfather is battling lung cancer. He has already completed six rounds of chemotherapy, and now we are waiting to present his case before the oncology board to decide on the next steps in his treatment plan. One of the requirements for that review is a bone scan. We went ahead and had that done, but honestly, I’m feeling a bit anxious waiting for the doctor to sit down and explain what these results actually mean, so I was hoping someone might be able to offer some insight. Can a bone scan effectively identify skeletal metastases?
Here is the report: The bone scintigrams show an area of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the central torso region involving the four lumbar vertebrae and the central portion of the manubrium near the xiphoid process of the sternum. The rest of the skeletal system shows physiological distribution of the radiopharmaceutical.
Amanda Williams64 kaže: hey Lecka, I need some help! As someone looking in from the outside who isn't fully caught up on what your grandfather is going through, I was wondering if you could explain the situation more clearly and tell me about the alternative methods you mentioned? They say a desperate person will try anything, and honestly, I feel much the same way right now.
My grandfather has bronchial cancer. When I talk about alternative methods, I’m not referring to any kind of superstition or guesswork; I’m talking specifically about herbal teas and nutritional supplements. I know I’ve touched on this before, but I don't mind repeating myself. Essentially, we use natural remedies to help him manage the stretches between his chemotherapy cycles. For instance, ginger juice really helps settle his nausea. Taking half-hour baths in lukewarm water helps manage his heavy sweating. To help boost his white blood cell count, he drinks Taheebo tea (at least a liter a day), along with preparations made from Aloa, chicory, wine, and Propolis, as well as echinacea drops and royal jelly. For overall strength, we use a combination of green tea and ginseng, regular walks, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. He also takes Ecomer capsules containing shark liver oil. That’s pretty much the gist of it. 🙂
Angela Wright, I am truly sorry for everything you’re going through right now. It is honestly a situation that even the worst person in the world wouldn't deserve, let alone someone with a soul as kind as yours.
My advice to you is simply to remain who you are and refuse to abandon your principles. It’s clear your father is struggling, and his nerves are frayed, which likely means much of what he says and all those criticisms aren't coming from a rational place. While it might feel like your mother will suffer more without your presence, that isn't a burden for him to carry—it's one that will weigh on you. Sooner or later, you might find yourself regretting that you "gave up" on spending those final moments with her just to satisfy his whims. In times like these, the best path is often to avoid the arguments altogether and just follow your own heart. I once found myself in a similar, though far less complicated, predicament. My two brothers, my father, and my uncle could never seem to reach an agreement regarding my grandfather's care; they had a knack for overcomplicating everything. The simplest solution was for me to step up and take on most of the responsibility myself, because while they were busy debating, the window of opportunity would slip away. I feel much more at peace knowing I’m doing everything within my power, especially seeing how much it means to my grandfather. Lately, I've been leaning into that sentiment from Andrić: "When trouble mounts and suffering strikes, when the pain becomes too much to bear, my soul turns within me, filling me with defiance and a bold, spiteful indifference, and the dark pride of those who have suffered far too much." Honestly, their criticisms don't move me anymore.
I'm honestly not entirely sure how many of those symptoms are actually linked together. Every once in a while, I get this strange sensation where my own voice seems to echo inside my head, and it usually lingers for anywhere from a few minutes up to half an hour. When it hits, I find myself yawning repeatedly just to try and "pop" my ears, because listening to that internal echo is honestly a nightmare. The worst part is that when this happens, I lose all sense of my own volume; I feel like I’m shouting at the top of my lungs, but people tell me I’m barely even whispering. It’s particularly embarrassing when it catches me off guard while I'm grocery shopping—I'll be trying to ask a clerk for help, and she just gives me this look like I don't know what I'm doing. As for what's causing it—it sounds like low blood pressure. You should probably get that checked out! It isn't anything life-threatening, just a nuisance. Try eating some salted tomatoes for lunch and definitely don't stop playing soccer. 🙂
I figured I should check in since it seems like most people have gone quiet lately. 🙂
The fight continues on our end. My grandfather finished six rounds of chemotherapy, but now they've identified some degenerative changes in his vertebrae, so he’s scheduled for a deep bone scan on May 30th. After that, he’ll be meeting with an oncology board to decide on the next steps for his treatment plan. He’s actually feeling a bit stronger lately, which has triggered this sudden mania of him wanting to visit all our relatives; unfortunately, we're spread out across several different cities right now, so it’s quite a logistical challenge. Sometimes it feels like he's just trying to prove to everyone that he's doing okay to comfort his sisters, but other times, I can't help but feel like he might be saying his goodbyes. As for me, I’m doing alright. I’m trying my best to be like a genie from a magic lamp—just a slightly more advanced version that can grant more than three wishes. I’m still experimenting with various alternative remedies, and honestly, my friends have started teasing me that I could probably open my own clinic at this rate. So, that’s where things stand.
She’s handling it quite well. Up until this point, he has been discharged from the hospital after every treatment session in good general condition, showing absolutely no signs of intolerance. His hair has thinned out significantly, though we haven't seen any other side effects. We finally seem to be reaching a turning point with his white blood cell count; over the course of six cycles, they haven't dropped below 3.3 at any point.
After finishing his sixth round of chemo, my grandfather had some tests done, and these were part of the results:
X-ray: Findings remain stable compared to previous imaging. CT scan of the chest and upper abdomen: On the left side, there is a primary soft tissue mass in the main bronchus measuring approximately 4cm, which is attached to the pleura via fibrous formations. There are enlarged and pathologically altered lymph nodes in the posterior mediastinum. The left kidney shows normal shape, though there is a 1cm formation on the lower edge consistent with a non-functional adenoma. Degenerative changes are present in all spinal vertebrae, along with atherosclerotic changes in the aorta (scintigraphy is scheduled). TUMOR MARKERS: CYFRA 2.05, NSE 11.03, CAE 7.13
I’m looking for some insight regarding these tumor markers—could anyone help me make sense of them?
I actually drafted this recipe myself a while back, and I can tell you from experience that it’s been wonderful for my grandfather—it really helps kickstart his appetite. It’s been nothing but positive results so far! Just a small heads-up, though: you might want to be a bit cautious with the dosage at first, just to make sure it doesn't upset his stomach or cause any issues like diarrhea.