Posts by Donna Chase

In addition to keeping up with your magnesium intake, you really ought to stay on top of your hydration levels. I’ve heard that the heat itself can be a major culprit sometimes. For me personally, I get hit with them whenever I jump into the ocean; occasionally, I'll feel a cramp strike my foot, and it’ll leave two of my toes feeling completely stiff and locked up. But it isn't just during the day—I also deal with those sudden, sharp cramps in my calves that wake me up in the middle of the night. The intense pain usually lasts for a few minutes, though I sometimes find myself dealing with a lingering, dull ache for a day or even three.🙂

I can't exactly run the numbers to give you a precise mathematical probability of developing cancer, but I can tell you what we've faced personally. My father-in-law battled bladder cancer that eventually metastasized to other organs, and my husband went through lung cancer as well. He underwent surgery and is doing great now; both of them were heavy smokers. Since the operation four years ago, he hasn't touched a cigarette, and we've been cancer-free since.
If anything, perhaps looking at these real-life stakes might give you the push you need to quit smoking once and for all. We're seeing cancer cases pop up much more frequently these days, and often in much younger people than in the past. It’s also worth trying to manage your stress levels as much as possible, as chronic tension can be a significant trigger.
Best regards,

Melissa Moore39 said:I've got this bruising right under my eye from a few hits, and it's been looking pretty dark for a couple of days now. Does anyone have recommendations for what I should apply to help this fade quickly? Also, does it actually make sense to keep applying ice every single day?

If those bruises came from tripping on some stairs, you really ought to be more careful around them... things like this tend to happen more often than you'd think. It’s always much better to prevent the fall in the first place rather than trying to heal the bruises afterward.
🙂

I wanted to reach out and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas as well; my hope is that Jesus stays close to you and your little ones through every single moment, allowing you to truly feel the depth of His love and constant support. 🙂

analogfalcon2 said:I am going through an incredibly difficult season right now; just two weeks ago, we discovered that my husband has lung cancer. He’s only 44, and he truly is the best man I know—aside from our two children, he is my entire world. I lost my mother to cancer, so receiving his diagnosis has hit me like a devastating shock. He is much more optimistic and brave than I am, and I realize he needs me to be his rock because I know how hard the road ahead will be. Please, if you can, offer me some advice; my crying doesn't help him at all, but I just don't know how to stop.

In order for anyone to give you meaningful advice, you really need to provide a bit more detail. For instance, what specific type of cancer is it, and is it considered operable? That makes a massive difference. Even so, I want to try to offer you some encouragement by sharing a bit of my own story. My husband (and please know, I understand exactly what you're feeling) underwent surgery for adenocarcinoma of the lung three years ago and completed four rounds of chemotherapy. Today, he simply goes in for regular checkups every six months, and thank God, everything is looking good.
Ultimately, every single case is unique.
I would suggest spending some time browsing the website for the "for new day" lung cancer patients association. They have much more comprehensive information regarding the various types of cancer. http://www.zanovidan.org/
I’m registered there under the username vjera.ljubav.nada, so feel free to look through the details there. Please stay in touch with us so we can share experiences as we move forward.

Maria Fox said:gentletiger46, hats off to you, truly. 🙂

Well, if you look at this page right here, it actually states otherwise—it clearly says they are 50 years old. 😕

My apologies, I completely missed that bit...

feralharbor89 said:Maria Fox, thank you so much for the support!
I have to believe that there are all kinds of doctors out there—some wonderful and some not so much. I’ve actually decided to switch my gastroenterologist, and I’ll be seeing a new primary care physician soon too (I’ve already gathered all my medical records).
Everything was taken care of during my colonoscopy; they removed the one containing the carcinoma along with five tiny ones that hadn't really spread yet. That procedure was done at the hospital in Osijek. Now, I’m waiting on further tests because the pain prevented them from examining the entire colon during that initial round. My new gastroenterologist recommended some additional screenings, and he mentioned that if anything else turns up, we’ll need another colonoscopy, likely under sedation this time.
But honestly, I know there are truly wonderful physicians out there—I’ve met them myself.

Dear feralharbor89,
just keep moving forward; you clearly possess such inner strength and a resilient spirit, which is a massive advantage to have.
There really are incredibly kind doctors out there; our own family has had nothing but positive experiences. For instance, the pulmonologist we saw at the hospital in Split was absolutely wonderful, both as a person and as a specialist. He treated us with the kind of warmth and care you'd expect from a brother. We owe him so much; he helped us get everything completed in record time. I often find myself keeping him and his family in my prayers.
I am wishing you a very speedy recovery from the bottom of my heart.

P. S. Is that number 27 your age?

Emily Fox15 said:My dear, my one and only has passed away forever. I can only hope she is somewhere now where there is no more pain, no more suffering, and no more tears. I am left with an indescribable emptiness, a profound sadness, and those nagging questions about whether I truly did everything within my power. May the good Lord watch over you all.

Dearest,
please accept my most heartfelt condolences. It is perfectly natural to find yourself wrestling with those "what if" questions, even when deep down in your soul you know you exhausted every possibility. What matters most is the immense love you shared with one another. She has found her peace now, and the heavy emotions you are carrying are a very normal response to such a profound loss.
It is a journey of grief that you simply have to walk through; while the weight will eventually become easier to bear, a part of us inevitably departs when they do.
Warm regards.

It would certainly be ideal if the colonoscopy had been carried out to its full extent, but we have to make the best of the situation at hand. Generally speaking, once doctors remove polyps, they can tell almost immediately whether they're dealing with something benign or something more concerning, and they usually communicate that right away. My husband, for instance, has had polyps removed on several occasions, and every single time his doctor confirmed they were completely harmless. On the other hand, I know an acquaintance whose colonoscopy revealed actual carcinoma, which meant he had to be sent straight into surgery. I think you catch my drift. Because those polyps absolutely must be removed, I’d suggest following up with another colonoscopy regardless of what the pathology report says. I truly hope that offers you at least a little bit of peace of mind.
Best regards,

Emily Fox15 said:I want to apologize for not having the strength or even the time to respond to such beautiful words of comfort until now—words that I truly needed then, and honestly, still need today. Based on everything I’ve been reading here on the forum, I believe my mother has reached what is considered the terminal stage, and the hope for a full recovery seems to have slipped away. We are doing our absolute best to make her final moments as peaceful as possible, though it feels like an uphill battle sometimes. In the midst of all this, I find my true strength through prayer and in God.
Thank you once again, and may the good Lord watch over you all!

It genuinely warms my heart to know I can offer some support to someone else. Please, stay strong; I am sending nothing but my very best wishes your way, even though I know just how heavy this burden feels right now. Warm regards.

Emily Fox15 said:Dear everyone, I’m joining you all here today just to try and find a little bit of peace for my soul. Honestly, in the last two months alone, so many terrible things have happened to me that I find myself wondering if I can actually get through this while staying sane and healthy—though I know I have to, because my little granddaughter still needs me so much.
On July 19th, my dear father passed away so suddenly, leaving behind such an immense void and so much heartache. Then, just four short weeks later, we found out that Mom has colon cancer, and it has already spread to her liver and lungs. I haven't even had a moment to process Dad's passing before I'm forced to brace myself for Mom's battle. Where does one even find the strength for this?

I know where I would look for that strength: in faith. If you are a believer, go to church, or even just set aside five minutes of quiet time in your own room each day for prayer. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. After all, Jesus went to the cross specifically so that our sufferings could hold meaning. He is our greatest friend. Just tell Him from the very depths of your heart, "Jesus, this burden feels too heavy for me; please help me carry it." Just as Simon Cirenac was helped to bear his cross, remember that with Him, you can endure anything, but without Him, we can do nothing.
If you aren't a person of faith, then look for a truly sincere friend, a brother, a sister, a relative, or perhaps someone who has walked a similar path. Sometimes, a simple heartfelt conversation or even just a hand to hold can make a world of difference.
Human beings are social creatures by nature, and we aren't meant to walk this life entirely alone.
When my own father passed, having people close to me made the weight feel a little lighter. And there were times when it was simply better to retreat into solitude and just let the tears flow. Time really is the best healer.
For now, try to focus on the fact that your mother needs you. Let being there for her be your primary purpose right now. Try to find a sense of purpose in being able to support her; that purpose will become your strength. Accept what you cannot change. I am wishing you nothing but the very best.

goldenharbor42 said:I've dropped a few more pounds....😢
...sending love to everyone....
the fight continues...

I’m not entirely sure if you’re taking anything specific to support your immune system right now, but I really think a B-complex vitamin would be worth adding to your routine. It isn't particularly expensive, and I've heard from several people that it can actually help with weight maintenance.
Are the doctors still struggling to pin down the actual cause of everything?

Lisa White54 said:It might actually be best if she stays there with you. She would likely feel much more secure, especially since she’s probably terrified right now. Chemotherapy can be brutal, bringing on all sorts of side effects like nausea and sheer exhaustion... I honestly don't think anyone could offer her more comfort in those moments than her own family. When my husband was going through his various treatments, I was working full-time and couldn't be by his side every single second. But for him, just being at home, resting in his own bed surrounded by his family rather than being stuck among strangers, made all the difference. I always try to approach these decisions from this perspective: how I would want people to treat me if I were the one facing an illness—so that’s the standard I set for how I supported my husband.
I'm not quite sure how your mother-in-law managed without medical supervision in the past... I don't know, just something to consider. She's the one going through the hardest part here.

Lisa, I second everything you just said. Our experiences are so similar, and it seems we view these situations almost identically.

quietraven0 said:Donna Chase,
thank you, I think I'll do a little more research online.
I truly believe the most important thing is that your husband feels confident that the product is actually helping him.
For instance, my mother isn't much of a believer when it comes to aloe vera, so I never bother buying it for her; instead, she trusts local organic honey, so that's what I provide. We did recently start taking beta glucan to support our immune systems, so we'll see how that goes.
Ultimately, I think it's best to teach children healthy habits from a very young age, so they grow up loving those choices and they simply become second nature. As for cigarettes, I don't think there's a need to worry excessively; unfortunately, they get to see the consequences firsthand through their father's illness, which serves as a powerful lesson.
I hope you all spend as much quality time together as possible—just love one another and everything will work out. Don't let a gloomy or serious expression take hold; as the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. 👍

He doesn't drink it anymore, but while he was using it, he felt a noticeable difference; he handled his chemotherapy quite well and barely had any side effects, aside from some mild headaches and a bit of nausea. Because of that, I really feel like IP 6 is making an impact. Our situation here in the States is quite different now that we are on the other side of it; we have checkups every six months and all the test results come back clear, thank God, and we're praying they stay that way. Faith has been a huge pillar for us, especially the spiritual exercises led by Zlatko sudac, so I truly believe that if you put your trust in God, everything will find its rightful path—it is something I have experienced deeply in my own life.

quietraven0 said:Donna Chase,
I am truly so relieved to hear from you and to know that your husband is doing better now. That is such wonderful news to receive. It seems we have been walking a very similar path, though in my mother's case, the illness unfortunately spread to her lymph nodes as well. She was a smoker for quite some time. Right now, what weighs most heavily on my mind is this persistent infection we’ve been struggling to manage.

Regarding her mental state, things are a bit complicated because her father passed away from esophageal cancer. I don't know all the specific details since it was many years ago, but she witnessed firsthand just how devastating that disease can be. I try my absolute best to keep her faith strong, to nurture her hope, and to maintain a positive atmosphere, but there are days that feel incredibly heavy. There are moments when she is simply exhausted and tells me she’s had enough of everything. It hits me hard, especially considering we haven't even started the actual chemotherapy rounds yet.

To support her immune system, she’s taking beta glucan, vitamins B and C, plenty of honey, and juices made from beets and blackberries. She eats whatever she can handle when her appetite allows, and when it doesn't, I usually stick to making nutritious soups for her.
Could you tell me a little more about that IP6 inositol? I'm not really familiar with it.

I have touched on this before, though some people have dismissed it as being ineffective. I don't have any clinical data to point to, but a friend of mine brought it to my attention after seeing people she knew using it. So, please believe me when I say this isn't some paid advertisement. If you do a quick search online, you'll see what people are saying about it. From what I have gathered, it seems to bolster the body's natural defenses against cancer cells, and it is often recommended alongside chemotherapy treatments. A single box containing about 120 tablets goes for roughly $100. My husband took it himself and feels it has actually helped. Here is the link for you.http://www.ip6hrvatska.com/StoJeIP6.htm
You are taking such a wonderful approach, and you are being an incredible support to your mother—just keep doing exactly what you're doing.
The reason I asked if she was a smoker is because we have three children, and sometimes the fear creeps in that there might be a genetic component to all of this. If there is anything else you want to talk about, please just ask...

@quietraven0/">@@quietraven0,
I was wondering about one more thing—did your mother happen to be a smoker? In our family, we were always told that this specific type of carcinoma is directly linked to smoking habits.
Best,

quietraven0 said:Hello everyone!
My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer three months ago, classified as stage IIIB T4N2M0. Adenocarcinoma, they said.
Five months in, doctors were able to surgically remove the tumor along with its only metastasis. However, following the procedure, we were informed that some involvement had spread to the lymph nodes in her upper chest, which means she’ll likely need more chemotherapy than originally anticipated. Unfortunately, shortly after surgery, my mom developed an infection—specifically a lung abscess (J86). She started on antibiotics in the hospital and continued them at home. Just two weeks ago, things seemed to be looking up, and she was scheduled to begin her first round of chemo just the day before yesterday. But over the last few days, the heavy coughing returned, accompanied by a fever, and her sedimentation levels spiked to 85. So, back to antibiotics—it’s just exhausting. I assume they will have to postpone the chemotherapy again, as I understand you can't undergo treatment while fighting an active infection. :-(

What I really wanted to ask you all, seeing how varied everyone's experiences are, is: how aggressive is this disease? Given that her tumor was removed five months ago, and we are now at the end of the seventh month, and she hasn't even started her first session of chemo yet, I find myself wondering about the timeline.

Also, should I be worried because she became hoarse yesterday? I read somewhere that it could be a bad sign, but I didn't quite grasp why.

Dear lady,
I am reaching out because my husband went through a very similar journey. In November 2006, he was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the lung, and he underwent surgery almost immediately. His tumor was roughly 2 cm, and his lymph nodes tested negative. They ended up removing about 40% of his right lung. It took a full four months before he could start his first round of chemotherapy. He completed four doses, which he handled quite well. Because his pathology results weren't entirely clear, he had to undergo additional testing, during which they discovered and removed polyps in his large intestine—thankfully, as those might have turned into cancer later on. Currently, he is under regular monitoring, and everything is looking good. How large was the tumor in your mother's case? Was she required to have an entire lung removed? And how is she holding up mentally? It is perfectly natural for such news to shake someone to their core; anyone would feel the same way. Once the surgery is complete, her chances are significantly improved.
Please, stay close to her and offer your strength so she doesn't lose heart. My husband found comfort in drinking juices made from beet, orange, and lemon, mixed with honey... and he also took IP6 inositol. Having faith in the healing process is so incredibly important; you truly have to maintain a positive mindset.
Best regards,

goldenharbor42 said:Thanks
I’ve gone through the shielding process five times over the last year and a half... so, yeah.
I even sat down for consultations with a psychiatrist—the verdict was clear: I’m perfectly healthy, with no signs of depression, anxiety, or any other underlying issues.
As for those spiritual renewal sessions, I always seem to hear about them from Father Linić much too late. I would truly love to attend, so if anyone happens to have information regarding when the next sessions are being held in Cleveland, PLEASE let me know the dates and the location.
🙂
Thank you all, and sending a big hug to everyone...🙂

I would love to be able to help you out, but since I'm based down in Miami, it's quite difficult for me to keep track of everything happening up in Cleveland. Father Linić has visited Miami a few times, and I actually managed to attend three of his sessions there. You might find what you need on the Tabor House website; they keep their seminar schedules posted right there. Why don't you try to coordinate a trip? It's certainly not impossible. Also, keep in mind there is a retreat held on Manhattan with Father Zlatko sudac. Even though you might read various things about him online, those who have actually experienced his work speak of him with nothing but high praise. He has been a tremendous source of support for many people, including those battling cancer.

goldenharbor42 said:They ran every single endocrine test imaginable... I’m as healthy as can be...
just an innocent bystander 😳, perhaps in their eyes... and I actually dropped another 0.6 kg yesterday.

Look, if your T3, T4, and TSH levels are all within the normal range, then we have to look at the bigger picture; those numbers are the primary indicators when it comes to thyroid function.
I remember meeting a friend once at a specialized clinic in Chicago—she was so incredibly thin I barely recognized her. My first instinct was to assume she was suffering from hyperthyroidism, but it turned out her weight loss was actually driven by deep depression.
If that is what you are navigating right now, you really have to find that inner reservoir of strength to keep pushing forward.
You already have your "why"—it's your child. You mentioned feeling like you have no support system, which is a heavy burden to carry, but I wonder if there might be someone in your wider circle, even just a neighbor or an acquaintance, who could offer a hand.
When you take a step back and look at everything you've survived, you realize that many things that felt like absolute catastrophes at the time have faded into distant memories. So, please, try to gather your courage, surround yourself with positive energy, and seek out people who lift you up. I've seen so many people find profound peace through faith, completely transforming their lives for the better. There are even short spiritual retreats that can yield incredible results. I am truly wishing you nothing but the very best.
Best,

goldenharbor42 said:Hi everyone!
I decided to join this community because, much like all of you, I feel like we’re living in a world right now where everything feels chaotic and the rules of existence seem to have vanished entirely...
Even though my medical tests suggest I am perfectly healthy both physically and mentally (aside from some Candida, which my doctors don't view as a major issue), I’ve experienced a devastating weight drop from 175 lbs down to 120 lbs over the last two years. My energy levels are non-existent; honestly, walking up a single flight of stairs feels like trekking across the entire United States.
The weight loss hasn't stopped, either. I eat a normal amount—sometimes even more than usual—except on those days when I feel truly terrible and end up skipping one of my five scheduled meals. I’m still holding onto hope that I can turn this around; I have a little one at home who really needs their mom to be well...
How on earth can I gain weight? Because of the Candida, I have to strictly avoid sugar, yeast, white flour, and wheat, and I’ve been told to limit meat...
If I eat things I'm not supposed to, I feel weak and lightheaded, but if I stick to vegetables, how am I ever supposed to put on any mass?
Once I manage to put on just 5 pounds, I’m going to throw myself a celebration, and once I finally hit 132 lbs... well, I couldn't be happier!
I feel like I have absolutely no support system anywhere. People just tell me "it's all in your head," yet my psychiatrist insists that the toxins from the Candida are having a massive impact on my body and that my mental health is actually fine.
Sending a huge hug to everyone out there; I truly believe that together, we can navigate our way through any situation...
:O[]

Have you had your thyroid checked lately?
Extreme fatigue and rapid weight loss are classic symptoms of thyroid issues, specifically hyperthyroidism. I went through that myself about ten years ago. I still deal with thyroid matters today, but they say it's one of the more manageable chronic conditions—at least, that's the common sentiment.
Best regards,