Posts by Zachary Howard2

Melissa Parker37 said:My guiding light has gone out.
Dad, I love you. I truly hope you've found peace somewhere better.

Please accept my deepest condolences.😢

Angela Wright said:Are you suggesting that people with illnesses just don't get married or have partners?😕 In my view, when someone is willing to take that leap, they usually leave the choice up to their partner to decide if they want to stand by them through the illness.
I was quoting her because, frankly, any discussion about this specific illness feels a bit hollow after reading that post in the other thread.
Does a woman really need to suffer that intensely only for it to turn out to be a complete fabrication? That’s why I asked if she was actually certain about the diagnosis. We all know the emotional rollercoaster we go through when we're indirectly dealing with a diagnosis like that. It’s devastating to think someone you love could just cut you off via a phone call because they think you're sick, only for it to turn out to be a manipulative trick to get rid of you. It’s a nasty situation, and it isn't fair to her, nor to those who are genuinely struggling with health issues.

Not quite; I think she drifted away from the actual subject of the illness itself, which is exactly what you pointed out in those last two sentences.

Angela Wright said:I don't know, it just feels a bit strange to me—holding someone in this hot-and-cold limbo, asking them out via SMS, and then suddenly deciding you don't want them anymore just because they're sick.

Honestly, this thread has somehow morphed into a discussion about relationship drama rather than actual illness. I mean, seriously... if a person is sick, fine, let's talk about the medical side of things. But we shouldn't be pivoting to whether or not someone wants to marry them based on their health status.

I find it hard to believe he’d actually resort to excuses like this just to justify a breakup; I mean, this isn't exactly a joke. In my estimation, he likely just doesn't want to be tied down to someone else when there's no telling how much longer he can hold it together—he probably thinks he's sparing her the heartache. People can certainly find a hundred different reasons to end things, but I have truly never heard anything quite like this before.

Taylor Morales31 said:Stage two, initial phase, according to my wife (Ca cervicis uteri (C53)). OP March 17th. LAP median infra and supraumbilicalis. Abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexa. Grade II squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. She mentioned her doctor told her she arrived just two days too late—it all started with sudden, violent shivering, basically chills, and in less than two days she looked like a walking corpse. The pain just kept intensifying; I was honestly at a loss, just frantically calling 911...

edit: actually, it was closer to a day and a half. Also, one more thing: there was absolutely nothing I could do to help because I couldn't even touch her without causing more agony. And if you want to know when I realized how truly dire things had become, it was when I noticed she hadn't even touched the pack of cigarettes I’d left out for her when this started. Because of the pain, she didn't light a single one...

The only silver lining here is that she was in enough pain to warrant medical attention; otherwise, that kind of cancer often goes undetected until it's far too late.

Taylor Morales31 said:Hi everyone. My wife was diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer during her third month of pregnancy. We had the surgery to remove everything the very same day, mostly because the pain over the last 48 hours became so unbearable I didn't know what to do—she was practically screaming. There wasn't any doubt about the diagnosis; she’d had localized pain before, but we just managed it with standard painkillers. We didn't realize how truly vicious this thing was until it hit this level. I called 911, and the paramedics arrived around 5:15 AM. I'm so grateful they took us seriously and responded so quickly. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital and operated on that same day (she spent three days in the ICU; my thanks to Dr. Goluza and the nursing staff there). Afterward, she went to a facility for radiation—28 external and one internal session at 25Gy (which meant about two and a half days in isolation)—plus four rounds of chemotherapy. She’s feeling quite good now, though we still need to schedule her follow-up appointments. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the abdominal surgeon at Mount Sinai and the Head of Oncology-Gynecology for such a successful procedure. To anyone else out there fighting this: please know you have our full moral support. Don't give up. May God help you. Thanks.

At what stage was the cancer detected?

this sounds completely bizarre to me

http://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/nep...ma-article-3641

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂🙂🙂
The pain and the grief are just overwhelming. They’ve completely broken me.

He was strong and lucid until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out my name. I ran there like a madwoman. Even through all that physical agony and struggle, his only thought was how to make things easier for me; he didn't give himself a second thought. He managed to say everything he needed to say. And then, right at the end, he told me he wasn't in pain anymore. My hero.
That night destroyed me.

I used to hope that, in time, the comfort of kind words and thoughts would help.
Now, none of it seems to matter.

I am profoundly heartbroken.😢🙂

Please accept my deepest, most sincere condolences.
Your angel has gained their wings; they aren't suffering or in pain anymore.

Casey Palmer5 said:Unfortunately, the bastard was stronger.

I don't think I'll ever find such a wonderful guy again; he really was one of a kind.

Please accept my deepest condolences.😢
I was genuinely shocked; I've been following your story over the last few days... was it really that sudden?!

restlessseal92 said:Thanks to everyone for the quick responses and the kind words. I’m honestly questioning if there’s even any point in going back to Memorial Sloan Kettering after they abruptly cut off her treatment and showed zero interest in readmitting her to the ward. We are desperate for a second opinion, but we’re flying blind—we have no idea which clinic or specialist to approach. I’m also curious about your thoughts on immunotherapy; is this something typically offered to patients in my mother's condition, or is it something we’d have to travel abroad for? To be blunt, I feel like the doctors have effectively slammed every door in our faces. Their decision seems designed to protect themselves; if my mom’s condition takes a turn for the worse, no one—not even our local community hospital in suburban Connecticut—will want to take her in based on that discharge summary. It feels like we’ve been tossed right back to square one. And frankly, we want to avoid driving all the way to the city hospitals as long as Mom can still breathe and we still have the strength to manage this.

You should try the Mayo Clinic, specifically with Dr. Majerović. He performed my mother's surgery, and if her system had been strong enough to fight off that MRSA infection she caught, I truly believe she would still be with us today. That surgery alone would have likely given her another three or four years. There is absolutely no sense in just sitting around waiting for things to happen. Seek out every possible avenue, be persistent, and don't let them push you away. If any of the doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering actually has the backbone, make them sign a document stating they refuse to treat her. As for immunotherapy, I unfortunately don't have any specific information on that.

restlessseal92 said:Dear forum members,
The reason I’m reaching out is because a devastating illness has invaded our family over the last two years. Back in May 2007, my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was clearly quite advanced at the start; her tumor markers were north of 15,000, there was significant fluid buildup in her abdomen, and the tumor itself was visibly large. Following the diagnosis and a paracentesis to drain the fluid, she underwent four rounds of chemotherapy following the CEP protocol, which actually yielded very positive results. This was followed by surgery and another four rounds of chemo. Mom handled the treatments relatively well—nausea and low white blood cell counts were constant issues, but with various supplements from organic gardens, pharmacies, and even overseas, she always managed to recover in time. After the final round of chemo, we had regular check-ups where her markers showed nearly perfect levels for months. Everything changed in January 2009 when she started complaining of abdominal pain and intense crises, specifically rib pain that grew more unbearable by the day. The tests they ran made it painfully clear that the disease had returned in full force. With a marker reading 460, a 10cm tumor, and 5 liters of fluid in the abdomen, we had every reason to be terrified. We went back to square one: draining the fluid, followed by carboplatin chemotherapy (without any additives). However, after just two sessions, she became so debilitated that further treatment isn't even being considered due to severe anemia; she’s lost her appetite and suffers from intermittent vomiting. Worst of all, the doctors at Mayo Clinic told us the therapy simply isn't working because her marker jumped from 600 to 3,000 after only two doses. On top of that, they refused to admit her because her hemoglobin was below 70 and her red blood cell count was under two; the physicians felt that giving her a transfusion might actually do more harm than good. At this point, we are seriously questioning the medical decisions being made. Her most recent blood work (last Thursday, May 21, 2009) showed a hemoglobin level of 54, which clearly indicates a transfusion is necessary. Yet, within 24 hours, Mom was discharged from the hospital—looking absolutely frail and completely incapable of undergoing further treatment. If anything happens, we can head to a clinic in a nearby suburb. I am asking for an objective assessment of this clinical decision. Is it truly possible or even standard practice for doctors to see a single indicator (like a marker, which is a definitive sign of disease progression) and essentially wash their hands of a patient? No further testing, no alternative suggestions... just that. To reiterate, Mom was on her second line of chemo with carboplatin, which failed spectacularly, sending her marker from 600 to 3,000. Is there really no alternative therapy or any way to get her strong enough to walk again so we can try something else? By the way, she was finally prescribed a specific medication a week ago—after we spent weeks buying it ourselves—but she can't tolerate it at all. I would be endlessly grateful for any advice, as we are all in a state of total shock following this decision. Who should we turn to?
Thanks for your time and effort in reading such a long post.

Maybe try asking the doctors at Mayo Clinic if they can revert to the previous line of chemotherapy (I'm not sure of the exact composition), but that worked for my mother. She was first given a newer line of treatment that didn't suit her at all, but once they switched back to the old one, her markers dropped. Granted, that was at the beginning of her treatment when her markers were around 800, and they also drained several liters of fluid from her abdomen after the first surgery. After that, the fluid didn't build up again until the recurrence happened.
The pain is likely caused by fluid buildup, much like the vomiting, since all that pressure just squeezes everything together.
If you ever find yourself needing to choose a facility for care, I’d suggest somewhere like a clinic in a smaller town rather than a major metro area. My mother was cared for in a quiet suburb outside the city, and they kept her incredibly comfortable and dignified right until the end.
Unfortunately, I don't really know how to offer much comfort, but I don't believe there's a viable alternative out there. The only real shot might be a secondary surgical procedure, which is quite intense and demanding. If you feel up to it, take a look at my previous posts—everything is laid out there—or just send me a PM and I can walk you through it. Wishing you the best.

If anyone happens to be looking for some medical insight tonight, tune into ABC at 10:20 PM. They’re hosting a segment called "Face of the Nation" focused on prevention and treatment strategies for serious oncological and cardiovascular diseases here in the States. Might be worth a watch if you're interested...

Megan Chase63 said:I’m facing a similar situation myself. My mother was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer with metastases spread throughout her entire body. The doctors basically told us there was no point in surgery or even attempting treatment, so we decided to buy a herbal blend from a phytotherapist based in Indianapolis. He uses 180 different types of herbs and insists his tea will cure her, actually advising us to steer clear of conventional medical treatments altogether. After purchasing the tea, however, the doctors decided to proceed with surgery anyway, and tomorrow—just 20 days after the operation—she starts her first round of chemo. Since the surgery, we've been giving her these herbal teas, and now we're stuck in a bit of a dilemma: should we continue using them alongside the chemotherapy, or are we risking making things worse due to potential contraindications? We asked the herbalist about it, and he claimed there’s absolutely no issue and she can drink the tea continuously while undergoing chemo; he suggested that if we asked the doctors, they’d just call us crazy because they don't recognize anything outside of standard medicine. We’re truly at a loss on how to proceed. Has anyone here ever tried the herbal treatments provided by the phytotherapist John Branko from Indianapolis?

If herbs could work their magic and cure someone without the help of modern medicine🙄 then people would be collecting Nobel Prizes left and right....
My own mother passed away from that specific type of cancer, so believe me when I say I understand the desperation to try absolutely everything to save her. I truly hope you find strength and success in your mother's treatment.

I’ve ended up with my mother’s wig—it's a brownish-red shade, chin-length, and still in decent shape. If anyone could actually make use of it, I’m more than happy to pass it on for free. Just shoot me a DM if you're interested.

From The New York Post...

Joseph Nguyen2 said:Maybe try some Mother milk!!

Look, I'm sure it works for some people, but it’s certainly not a magic bullet for everyone. My mother, for instance, couldn't handle it at all—it just made her sick.

Linda Cox69 said:Thanks so much, Amanda Miller69.😍

My mom is doing better today. I honestly think we've passed the worst of it. That said, the bone, muscle, and joint pain she was experiencing was pretty intense.
What kind of pain relief is your mom using?
The doctors gave us Tylenol, but it didn't do much, so we switched her over to Voltaren, which actually provided some relief and made things a little easier on her.😢

Unfortunately, my mother lost her battle; it's been almost a year now. She usually relied on ibuprofen for the pain. Tylenol is more suited for fevers or basic muscle aches. You might want to try ibuprofen—it’s a fairly strong analgesic and is typically used for rheumatic pain.
On top of that, she took Megamin, Brocolin, Bio Bran, shiitake mushrooms, and raw propolis (not all at once, obviously) to help support her immune system.

Linda Cox69 said:Hi everyone,
I’ve been lurking here for quite a while, but I finally decided it was time to actually register.
First off, I want to say how much I admire everyone's resilience and positive outlook. Unfortunately, this relentless disease has made its way into my family too. My mother is 50 and was diagnosed with breast cancer. She just finished her first round of chemo.
I’m curious to hear about your experiences with premedication for chemo. Along with the chemo, my mom is also undergoing immunotherapy. So far, she hasn't had any major side effects. She feels like she's coming down with a mild flu, but nothing too debilitating. Is it possible for things to take a turn for the worse—meaning, could new symptoms suddenly pop up—or are we just one of those lucky families who handled the first round well? Thanks.

Based on what my mother went through (ovarian cancer), she dealt with vomiting, diarrhea, an intense aversion to smells and food, bone pain, and exhaustion after every single session. It usually lasted anywhere from three to seven days. When it came to nausea, besides taking Reglan, she found that simple popcorn from Target and some menthol candies really helped manage it.
The side effects from oral chemotherapy were significantly milder, though, predictably, hair loss was unavoidable.

Lisa Mendoza said:Hello everyone. My wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer (small cell carcinoma of the ovaries) 15 months ago. She’s already gone through two surgeries and 13 rounds of chemotherapy. However, an ultrasound three days ago showed that her lymph nodes have enlarged again. It hasn't even been three months since her last chemo session, and it's been nine months since her second surgery. Now, she's facing another surgery and likely more chemo. Has anyone here navigated this specific path before? I'm wondering what kind of chemo protocols (which drugs) were used, and if there are any supplements that actually helped? Also, did anyone receive radiation therapy alongside their chemo? Thanks in advance.

There is a dedicated ovarian cancer thread over at the Association for a New Day forum here:
What stage is the cancer? For context, my mother went through 9 cycles of Taxol followed by 6 cycles of Velcade (oral chemotherapy). She didn't undergo radiation.
It is also vital that your wife incorporates immune supporters like: native propolis, BioBran, Broccoli extract, and Immunomax. Additionally, if she hasn't already, it is absolutely essential to overhaul her diet—cutting out sugar and red meat entirely, as those are essentially fuel for the tumor.

jadetinker42 said:Just wanted to let everyone know that another "game" ended today...😢😢😢

Osteosarcoma vs. Youth: 1-0😢

She was only 26 years old....😢

My heart goes out to her family and friends.😢