Posts by slyseal28

Jeremy Phillips54 said:Look, they’re supposed to release the statement within the next ten minutes or so.

Angela Wright said:Everyone, thank you all so much for the support!
I had this nagging thought that things today aren't any different than they were yesterday or the day before... so why bother fighting the fall?
My mom actually managed to laugh yesterday! I honestly can't remember the last time she did that. I told her, "Tell that Lucifer who attacked your brain to go right back to where he came from—straight to hell—because we have plans to go to Split for St. Duje to see the opening of the Riva!" She laughed and said, "Let's go to Split for St. Duje."
My sunshine😘

Jessica Taylor62 said:Similarly, some people want to know every single detail about the disease they’re facing and explore every possible treatment avenue (which is what we want), while others prefer to stay in the dark—you made a great point with your example. At the end of the day, that’s a decision for the patient and their family, not the doctor. That’s actually one thing I find myself resenting about the whole system.

My mother was diagnosed just 10 months ago, and everything the doctors have done so far has actually been showing results. If it wasn't, believe me, I would be right there with everyone else, digging for alternative options and seeking help elsewhere. My mom handles her own discussions with the doctor; she asks all the questions she needs to ask. I was simply trying to explain how I, as her caregiver, manage the mental load. I had to create some distance just to keep from getting too deeply entangled in the despair. If I didn't, the dark thoughts would have crushed me long ago.
And when you see those doctors and nurses who deal with critically ill patients every single day, treating them with such routine efficiency, don't mistake that for coldness.
I truly believe it’s incredibly difficult for them, watching patients *slip away* day after day while they stand by feeling powerless. It might even be worse when they realize there are treatments out there that could actually help, but because of the sheer dysfunction in our healthcare system, they remain inaccessible. Everyone is painfully aware of how long the wait times for radiation can be, and there's nothing they can do about it. It is an immensely heavy burden to carry.
That isn't to say there aren't "hardened" doctors—if I can call them that—who essentially feed off the suffering of others and refuse to put in the effort for the patients or their families.
Those types of physicians fail to build trust or offer any semblance of hope for recovery, which, in my opinion, is their greatest failure. Instead of receiving support, the patient and their loved ones are met with indifference, which only makes an already devastating situation much worse.
And honestly, I don't see any easy way to force the government to finally step up and ensure equal, adequate care for all the sick and vulnerable.

Jose Howard10 said:Has anyone here ever used that private lab over in Brooklyn (near the Octagon) for blood work? I’m curious to hear what the vibe is like there. So far, my experiences at Breyer have been pretty decent, but since I’m living in Brooklyn, this place would be way more convenient for me.

Angela Wright said:Oh man, that’s actually great news!👍
Since you were gone for a bit, I was honestly bracing for the worst. Who knows—if that tumor isn't pressing too hard against anything vital, maybe they can actually go in and surgically remove it. God willing!

As for me, I have some bad news today. My mom's MRI results show a slight progression in the tumor. Four months ago, there was nothing there, but now things are starting to move. I know this is incurable and that we were always heading toward this inevitable reality, but I just feel so wretched, if I'm being honest. There's still this tiny, stubborn ember of hope inside me that maybe God will choose my mother specifically to perform a miracle.😢

Jessica Taylor62;8063710 said:Donna Fox48
I hear you completely
In a situation like yours, it’s easy to feel like you want to take it out on the whole world
Personally, I think it's nonsense when certain doctors dare to hand out prognoses, even if many claim they can do so based on their experience
To be honest, regarding this specific type of colon cancer my mother is dealing with, I don't know much about it either; sometimes it feels much, much easier just not knowing. At first, I was terrified of running into a doctor or anyone else who might drop some bad news on me, so I barely asked anything. Looking back, I realize that was actually a good approach because instead of obsessing over the future and drowning in tears, I can just focus on giving my mom the absolute best of me, day by day. I think she needs that more, and it means more to her, than me wasting my precious time and sanity studying a disease that even the doctors haven't fully mastered yet.
QUOTE]

(Just to add to that) My Pigeon and I haven't had negative experiences with doctors when it comes to them offering prognostications. Personally, I find giving prognoses to be a bit foolish. We are all unique individuals; everyone reacts differently to medications, to the illness itself, and so on. Similarly, there are people who want to know every single detail about the disease they're facing and every possible treatment option (which we certainly do), while others prefer not to (as you so beautifully illustrated). However, that choice belongs to the patient and their family. It isn't the doctor's call. That is one thing I truly resent. That said, if doctors weren't so overworked—if they had better working conditions and didn't have to be in five places at once (teaching, symposiums, clinics)—perhaps they would treat patients differently. I'd venture to say they would certainly be better, simply because they'd actually have the time to devote to their patients.
My grievances, my dissatisfaction, is primarily directed at those:
-who allow these kinds of working conditions to exist, especially in oncology,
-because of whom the waiting lists are unforgivably long,
-because of whom there aren't enough hospital beds, leading to situations where a patient who is ready for chemotherapy gets sent home instead,
-the lack of adequate equipment, such as PET/CT scanners,
-and the shortage of medical staff available to provide proper information or assistance when the doctor is away.

Ethan Garcia said:What’s the situation here? I'm a journalist working for EPH, though specifically on the weekly editions rather than the dailies... At least I can understand why you might need a reporter...

Brenda Richardson33 said:Yesterday was so heavy... today feels just as heavy. My dad was taken to the hospital, and then comes that dreaded sentence we've all heard from doctors who mean well but deliver the worst news: "Unfortunately, this is the final stage, and you need to prepare for the worst..." Honestly, it feels like I'm watching a movie. Those are lines you hear in cinema, not in real life. I spend my time scrolling through forums, reading about people facing situations far more devastating than mine—especially when I read about parents dealing with their children's illnesses—and I try to tell myself that I should understand. That we all face mortality, that everyone carries their own cross. But how? Please, someone, just explain to me *how*. How does one simply continue living without someone so close? HOW and WHEN does anyone truly come to terms with the fact that it just had to be this way? I can't wrap my head around the reality of it... that he's actually leaving... I am powerless. And what kills me most is feeling like I don't even have the strength to stay strong for him... I just don't have it right now.😠

Angela Wright said:Whatever works best for you and everyone else—we can definitely meet up after Easter. We could even reach out to a journalist to come by so we can walk them through everything properly.

Angela Wright said:Let the hens worry about the chickens! This man is living through this as if it were his own personal tragedy, yet he stepped up for them—for those damn chickens—while we just sit here in silence for our OWN PEOPLE! Honestly, I think the problem lies with us; we stay quiet about the real issues while watching everyone else obsess over things that are completely trivial in our eyes.

So let’s raise our voices instead of locking ourselves in a cage.

I actually think the "Working lunch" editorial team would be interested in these kinds of questions.
We can try, but we can't all call at once; one person has to lead. I am willing to take that step, but I can't go around mentioning people's private medical cases based on mere "he said, she said." I need you all standing behind me—meaning, if they call, you have to be ready to testify to your own story.
Speak up here if you're in. Something has to be done, because people are dying en masse because of this entire "work" system.

Angela Wright said:Let the hens worry about the chickens! This man is living through this as if it were his own personal tragedy, yet he’s out there fighting for them—for the little guys—while we just sit here in silence for our OWN PEOPLE! I honestly think the issue lies with us; we stay quiet about the actual, heavy problems while watching everyone else obsess over things that, in our eyes, are completely trivial.

So let's speak up; let's be the ones trapped in the cage instead!

I actually think the editorial team at "Working lunch" would be interested in these kinds of questions.
We can certainly try, but we can't all call at once; someone has to take the lead. I am willing to step up and do it, but I can't just go around citing people's private medical cases based on "he said, she said"—I need you all standing behind me. That is, if you are eventually called upon to testify to your own story.
Speak up here if you're in. Something has to be done, because people are dying en masse because of this entire "work" system.

Angela Wright said:😲 It’s honestly appalling. My friends, we have to find a way to make the public realize what’s actually happening here; this is just unbelievable. What Angela has been going through—and is still enduring—with her husband, combined with the agonizing wait for radiation treatments for patients who don't have a single second to waste, is just wrong. The way these patients are handled—for instance, neither her husband nor my mother even has a neurologist monitoring their condition—it’s enough to warrant an indictment! 😠

northernfox9 said:Hmm... I didn't even get an answer regarding what kind of radiation my father was receiving. Instead, I just got this condescending look, as if to say, "it's just head radiation."😕
It makes you wonder who the crazy one actually is here...
Nobody asks if it’s fair or not; nobody asks you anything. Some people claim they "don't have time" to provide even the most basic information. Every time I went to ask something, their expression said: "Go on, go do your job, stop sticking your nose in ours."
The only one who was remotely "approachable" was Dr. Janevski from the Cancer Institute. A minute after my father’s surgery, right there in front of everyone halfway up the stairs, he delivered the prognosis deadpan to my face: "You don't even need to wait for the pathology report; he'll live for two more months, I can see it and I know it." And just like that, cold as ice, he turned and walked away... I couldn't even muster a polite thank you, because thank you for what exactly?! 😠 😠

Two months and seven days have passed since then. My father is still alive; he finished his radiation (I still have no idea what kind it was) and is recovering. Despite the brain metastases, that unfortunate pathology report came back NEGATIVE.
Thank you, Doctor!!!👍

There is some sort of machine over at Reva, so try to find out which one...

At the institute, there might be a chance if you can find a nurse—assuming she gets along with her department head—to get him moved to a different ward (that was our backup plan for my dad).

Grin and bear it, and there is no giving up!😘

northernfox9 said:Forgive me, I haven't been following your specific situation, so I'm not entirely sure what needs radiation.
My father went last month to have radiation for brain metastases; they told him it would be a month and a half wait 😕. We turned the whole city upside down, and with a strong connection, he still ended up waiting 10 days. My advice to you: if you know someone, pull some strings. If you don't, start looking. Unfortunately, that’s just how the system works here.😠 😠 😠

Betty Allen65 said:Within two weeks, they told her she was dying and there was absolutely nothing left to be done... a sentiment confirmed by seven other major cancer research clinics worldwide.
Then, we reached out to a private clinic in San Diego... "Unfortunately, we don't have enough experience treating this specific type of sarcoma, so we can't help you."
Next, a private clinic in Northern Spain... "Regrettably, her case is exceptionally rare..."

To be precise, the issue is that the subtype of sarcoma my baby had is one of the rarest on the planet. My dearest was number 19... The longest any person in the US has lived with this was someone who passed away in their early 30s, even with the regimen of heading back to the hospital every year or two for treatment.

My beautiful child became an angel on December 3rd, 2006.

So, that’s our story.

Nicole Edwards76 said:It’s no secret that our poor diet is the root of so many ailments, but slymoose4, once cancer starts running wild—especially when we're talking about Glioblastoma multiforme stage IV—I honestly fear that dietary changes alone won't be enough to turn the tide.
And if I can add one more thing: of course, there are people who have managed to survive even the most aggressive tumors, and hearing their stories is what gives me the strength to keep going and refuse to lose hope until the very end. When it comes to my mother's illness, I searched online and found survivors who were willing to share their full names, detailed accounts of every treatment they underwent, and even their email addresses so you could reach out directly with questions. I contacted a few of them, and they replied immediately. Every single one of them had gone through chemotherapy. But when you look for those who claim to have been cured by alternative medicine, you never find real names; it always boils down to something vague like "a plumber from Berlin."

Charles Edwards8 said:I’m reaching out once again to anyone who has the knowledge and the drive to contribute to this website. Please get in touch with me, and just a heads-up: while the core concept for the site is already set, we still urgently need a designer and a few more hands on deck to actually get everything up and running properly.