Posts by George Palmer7

steelbadger83, you're a fighter, thanks.
My sister-in-law is currently on her second round of chemo—it's been about a month since the first one—and she’s receiving white cell support. Her hair has started falling out, and the nausea is really hitting her hard. The first round went smoothly without any issues, but this second cycle, which kicked off on Monday and includes a session tomorrow, Friday, hasn't been easy at all. She was actually terrified when she saw her hair starting to thin. We think she can manage to get through this current round somehow, but for the next one, she'll definitely need to be prescribed something specifically for the nausea. In the meantime, she's been taking natural propolis constantly.

Everyone,
the things being discussed on this forum are truly harrowing. Those of us who are still holding onto our health—even if we don't feel entirely back to ourselves just yet—really ought to light five candles every single day in prayer.
Does anyone happen to know what is meant by "red" versus "white" chemotherapy? What exactly is the distinction between the two? I would be very grateful for any insight.
Stay strong, and may God be with you all.

I really did say everyone just needs to hang in there, when was that...
I logged onto the forum today only to be met with such a wave of bad news. If kind words offer any comfort, we should try to remember the good times, hold onto hope, and believe that our loved ones are waiting for us in a better place. We have to cherish the days we still get to spend with them while they are here. Brenda Richardson33, everyone on this forum truly understands what you're going through, and if talking helps, we are all right here with you.
Just to follow up on what Nicole Edwards76 said (why do I always assume that's a guy??)... no, no, no, this neurosurgeon is actually from Chicago, and he is quite the big deal. He’s got quite the reputation, even outside the States. As for that specialist you mentioned from Seattle, I think I know who you mean... he’s even more high-profile; he practically has a premium service fee. It's like walking into an upscale boutique instead of a regular shop.
And my sister will pay whatever she has to, because she can. Though now she’s out there trying to pull strings in other cities too. And regarding the pajamas and robes—she’s got summer and winter sets now, so if things fall into an autumn schedule, she can just mix and match: summer bottoms with a winter top, or vice versa, depending on whether she’s feeling hot or cold. That way she won't have to buy new clothes, and she can save that money for bribes and corruption—I mean, sorry, I meant "healthcare services."

Hang in there, everyone. What else can I even say??
What I’m about to tell you probably doesn't belong in this thread (moderators, please forgive this outburst, it won't happen again), but it is deeply connected to my favorite topic: doctors. So, my sister (45 years old) has severe discopathy; her nerves are pinched all over the place. A year ago, they patched up a ruptured disc, but they told her she needs another surgery to decompress the nerves and clear out some channels. Not only is the surgery delicate, but they also informed her that even if everything goes perfectly, her mobility will be reduced to 60%—though she wouldn't be in pain. Still, she’ll never be "better"; her condition is incurable. Since things are already so dire, she decides to head to Chicago to see a legendary neurosurgeon. He comes to our city once a week to perform examinations, and he consistently collects his fees in cash, even though everything is officially filed under the local trauma hospital. In early January 2007, he tells them, "Don't worry, just come down to Chicago and we'll take care of it." When my sister asks how, he says, "Just call this number and you'll get all the details." She calls (a cell phone!!) and... his wife picks up! What a strange way to run a hospital. He just needs her to get all the tests done so the anesthesiologist can review them, and if everything looks good in a month, she can come to Chicago. She rushes to pay for all the tests (normally there's a six-month wait anyway), sends them off to Chicago, but when she follows up, they say, "Oh, we can't right now, we're slammed, call back in 15 days." She waits, pacing nervously, and finally hits that 15-day mark. She calls... and oh, wait, "not right now, we'll contact you next week." Next week comes and goes, and there isn't a peep from them. She tries again, and they're like, "Yeah, yeah, we know, we're fully booked, but it'll definitely be by the end of the month" (and it's already February). She packs her pajamas and winter dresses, gets her bags ready, and keeps waiting to finally make the trip to Chicago. When the time finally comes, she calls, but... ah, you know, "your test results have expired, you have to redo everything." But, but... she argues, "but you told us it would be..." and they respond, "If you aren't satisfied, you're free to change hospitals!!!" Not to mention the headache of dealing with the disability commission and all the stalling in the meantime... I won't linger on it, but the story just stretches out like: call / you're in line for 15 days / oh, not now / in two weeks... and this drags on until May 1st!!!!! Then they said: "It'll definitely be May 11th. If not the 11th, then the 15th, for sure!!" My sister packs her summer pajamas and summer dresses, grabs her bags, and heads toward the hospital, praying she can finally get this over with. The 11th comes, then the 12th... nothing. The 15th passes, then the 16th... nothing. Then she starts calling, but the cell phone is turned off. She tries today, tomorrow—it's always off. In the meantime, she was pulling strings everywhere until she finally got the name of a woman from a city near San Francisco who had undergone surgery with this famous specialist just a month prior. She calls her, and the woman tells her: "They played me the exact same way for three months, until I realized they were just waiting for me to pay. Once I paid (how, how much, it doesn't matter now), they told me to get the tests done. It took me 20 days to get them, I sent them off, and two days later, I was under the doctor's knife!!!!!!"
I've badgered you all a bit, but I just had to get this off my chest. This is how they treat someone living with an incurable semi-disability. 🙂 Man, things really need to change around here. Moderators: I know, I know, I won't bring this kind of stuff up here anymore.

I’m one of those people who hasn't checked in here for quite a while. I can still somehow convince myself that I have my excuses, but as for everyone else...
My friends, seeing how much you all are struggling—it just isn't right. Reading some of these posts, I feel this tightness in my throat, and my vision actually starts to blur. If I could offer any kind of solace, I would, but I honestly don't know how many words can truly help.
I tend to direct my anger toward the doctors and the hospitals. It’s not just a way to vent; they really are at fault. And I’m not just talking about a broken system. Even if the system fails, the individuals chosen to heal us—damn it, they chose this path! This isn't just a job; it’s supposed to be a calling. Every single time I have to deal with them, I end up feeling like absolute garbage—bowing down to the exceptions. Please understand, even if it sounds extreme, that is simply how it looks to me, and I can't help it.
Angela Wright, I’ve told you a few times now that I’d gladly be your doormat, and I truly mean it. Your sensitivity and your capacity for love are immeasurable; anyone lucky enough to have you by their side is truly blessed. And I can hardly believe (I saw it in one of your posts) that you are only 30... I usually hold a somewhat cynical view regarding younger people, but you are genuinely making me rethink that. As for your father, someone mentioned before me that his reaction is just a response to a hopeless situation. I’d probably want to take my frustrations out on someone else, but he’s just wearing you down. Still, he'll find his way through this...
On another note, my sister-in-law is doing better. She handled her first round of chemo remarkably well. She’s still taking native Propolis and dandelion juice, and she sticks strictly to verified clean food. Her appetite is great, and everyone is surprised by how good she looks, even though she's constantly hovering on the edge of being anemic. She starts her second cycle on the 28th, so we'll see. I want to believe everything will turn out fine, but reading this forum, I see so few stories of people who made it through. But, you have to live day by day and find happiness while things are going well.
Hang in there, everyone. May a higher power watch over you.

I stumbled upon this thread completely by accident, and honestly, I’m just chiming in without much purpose. But man, look at this kid... he's only 17 and he thinks he's checked every box on the list (😲). Good for him, I guess. We aren't just talking about some kind of prodigy here; we're talking about someone who seemingly never sleeps and operates with an unlimited budget!! I'm 47 years old, and I've spent exactly 17 of those years traveling the globe for work, and even then, I'm just happy that my "to-do" list of experiences is still miles long. There's no need to lecture him—he's made his choice, and he thinks he knows best. All I can offer is a few suggestions for things he hasn't tried yet, though they are absolute madness. After he spends the whole weekend getting wasted and wakes up hungover on Sunday, tell him to try jumping off a 50-foot ledge on Monday. Or maybe on Tuesday, he could try stopping a freight train with his bare hands—just me versus a thousand tons of steel barreling down the tracks at 80 mph... now *that* is an experience, pure insanity. And if he's still feeling brave on Wednesday, tell him to stick a 220V wire up his backside... it provides a better rush than any drug, trust me.
Whoa, what a legendary guy!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙏 👍
(Though, if you ask me, this is probably just someone looking for attention; it's hard to believe anyone could actually be this dense)

Greetings, everyone. I’ve been away for quite some time, though I make sure to read everything happening here whenever I get the chance. It truly breaks my heart to see how incredibly brave and phenomenal you all are, fighting such difficult battles... winning is just so hard sometimes. I have to say, Angela Wright, I wish there was a way I could personally show you my deepest respect, and you know how I feel about that... everything that unfolds is ultimately God's will.
I previously wrote regarding my mother-in-law, who is battling colon cancer. Her mental and physical state has improved significantly lately, and she is currently awaiting chemotherapy. I cannot thank you all enough for the advice; if it weren't for this community, we would be lost... She’s consuming just about everything—from Noni and Native propolis to beet juice, clean eating, and even homemade dandelion juice. Even though she feels much better, she remains quite anemic, which likely suggests some sort of serious internal bleeding that isn't immediately obvious. Otherwise, after a full month of this intensive regimen, there is no other explanation, at least from my perspective.
But what I really need to vent about....... the hospitals, the doctors..... AAAAAA!!! (if you'll excuse the outburst)...😵 🤮!!!! The way they treated her... compared to their conduct, being caught in a massacre with a chainsaw or any other blunt tool would feel like a luxury vacation in Tahiti!! I’ve said it before: you’d get better treatment from a sack of potatoes. Between the neglect, the incompetence, and the sheer AUDACITY (forgive my language), I feel a sudden urge to strangle someone, even from this distance. If they can't or don't know how to treat a patient, the very least they could do is offer helpful advice or a look that doesn't come from Mount Olympus or involve feigned concern...... but no, nothing. Instead, a woman facing cancer is left feeling, well, what can I even say???.. When she sees a pile of dog crap, she might say: "Hey buddy, you have no idea how lucky you are!!" And then people will act surprised when someone loses their mind and randomly selects a few "medical experts" only to lock themselves, the doctors, and two grenades in a hospital room together.
Claiming "impossible conditions" is just a pathetic excuse and a far too common justification for everything. And... I will bow to the exceptions. But exceptions remain just that—exceptions.

Brenda Richardson33 said:My dear dad has closed his eyes forever... he's gone...
For now, this is all I can manage to write, because the pain tearing through me is just too overwhelming to put anything else into words... such an intense, indescribable agony...🙂 😢 😳

I am so incredibly sorry to hear this. Oh, Brenda Richardson33... the emptiness that remains stays with you forever, I know that feeling all too well....... but eventually, that void begins to fill, little by little, with memories and the realization that everyone who has passed has moved on to another, better, and—let's hope—happier place. They are there, watching over us. And for those of us left here, life continues to move forward. Even when it feels like everything stopped right there at the grave... it hasn't. Now is the time to weep, and you absolutely should. But tomorrow... tomorrow is, believe me, a new day.

So, I’ve been spending some time reading through everything you all have been posting today.
I actually found myself just staring blankly at the screen for a moment because I wanted to say something to you, Angela Wright, but the right words just wouldn't come. Others were much sharper than me and managed to tell you exactly what needed saying...... we just have to stay hopeful. That hope is where the strength comes from, both for ourselves and for those who are battling illness. And you, since you're moving forward at a hundred miles an hour, you've certainly got that strength in spades.
By the way, you're absolutely right—once a person starts cooking and getting things done, they really do start feeling a bit better.
It truly is wonderful to read about those people who can just laugh in the face of every prognosis.

Angela Wright, thank you a million times for the info. You are truly incredible.
I feel I should add something regarding the doctors. Reading what Jessica Taylor62 and slyseal28 have been posting, it’s clear there are positive experiences out there. It honestly warms my heart to see someone satisfied because they felt the approach was more humane. I am completely in agreement with you, Charles Edwards8 and restlessmarlin6, that offering a prognosis can be an ungrateful and even useless gesture. I'm not suggesting that doctors are incompetent or unskilled—though we all know there are all kinds out there—but it is perfectly clear to me that they are working under grueling, sometimes impossible conditions. However, what a doctor needs to understand, and surely he does, is that a patient isn't just a collection of muscle and bone. That is why we expect a more human connection toward those suffering. It’s simple. When you find yourself looking into the eyes of someone battling a severe malignancy, or their son, or their daughter, or their mother... what is so difficult about placing a hand on someone's shoulder and just staying there for ten seconds? What is the cost of that? And yet, think of how much it is actually worth!

Angela Wright, please..... you said
>>If you decide to go with Noni, make sure you get the original Tahitian Noni, which can only be obtained through a direct distributor. With Noni, it’s vital that it doesn't grow on volcanic soil (like Hawaii), because then it might contain compounds that aren't exactly healthy. The lady I buy my Noni from is a biochemist who ran some analyses on it and says it’s all perfectly healthy, and now...

You know how messy things are with this Noni business, so I was wondering if you could please give me the name and phone number of that lady? I really need to track down that original Noni for my mother-in-law. She was supposed to start chemo today, but they found out she’s anemic. They’re going to give her a transfusion first, so it would be great if she could prepare herself during this time. We already picked up some Native Propolis (we’ll give her 3x5 capsules a day as you suggested... but should we drop back to a regular dose after chemo, or...? ), now we just need that original Noni. Thank you. Would it be okay if I sent you this: 😍 ????

So, I'm sitting here reading what Donna Fox48 has to say...
And honestly, the more I spend time lurking on this forum, the more convinced I am that there's this unspoken rule where doctors just refuse to share anything useful. Forget about being warm or empathetic—fine, even if their words are ice cold, let them be. But actual information? Details regarding the specific type of cancer, dietary needs, treatment protocols... that’s the fundamental stuff! If the patient can't have it, then at least the family deserves to know. And when they give a prognosis, for heaven's sake, could they just add a shred of compassion? Come on, Doc. Even my mechanic will actually sit down and talk to me before he breaks the news that my engine block is cracked!!!!
Angela Wright, look, I realize the conditions in our healthcare system are pretty impossible, but doctors spend their entire lives studying different approaches. Yet, they still treat these critically ill patients like they're nothing more than sacks of potatoes!! 😠

You guys are truly wonderful, sending love to you all, George Palmer7. Here, let me share this one with you😘 . I’m going to suggest to my mother-in-law that she takes Noni and Native Propolis together. She starts chemotherapy tomorrow, so I’m keeping everything crossed for her.
Angela Wright, I didn't mean anything by it; calling her a maniac was just a figure of speech, and I know you caught that nuance.
But when you say that it's just part of being human... well, unfortunately, that's been the experience for many, including my mother-in-law and her sisters, and my wife too. It's true that when it comes to doctors and specialists in our hospitals, humanity is a rare commodity. They have so little of it that they practically sweat from the effort of trying to show it; it becomes an exhausting burden for them just to act human. (Maybe I'm being a bit too heated. Everything is still so raw right now. It will get better.)

Charles Edwards8, thanks for the suggestion. I’ve been hanging out on the forum all morning, and hey!!! I finally figured out how to use the search function and stumbled upon a sub-thread about Noni. But, my friends!!!!!!!! Has anyone actually read that topic!!!!!!!!!! It is absolutely unbelievable. I don't think it's even allowed to mention this, and I won't, but I have to say that there were some shady characters in there who—if you use any common sense—are clearly 100% liars. They were openly advertising their own companies and products—which I read somewhere is strictly forbidden—and they spent pages just drooling over them incessantly. I just got here, and I'm already being rude. My apologies, I won't dwell on it; that's not what this thread is about. What I will say regarding that topic is that they’ve created a total mess, which only adds to the confusion in an amateur mind (in my case, specifically). Because of that, I’d still like to ask the same thing: what are your experiences with Noni when it comes to colon cancer? Is it safe for a 42-year-old to try both Noni and Native Propolis together????? I'm almost certain the answer is no, but please help me out.

That’s me. Angela Wright, thanks for the reply. Honestly, is this lady some kind of maniac or a saint or what? Does she just sit there answering people's questions during Easter or in the middle of the night???? If only I could find a doctor who was even 20% like that!!!!
I have one specific question, and I noticed someone else on this forum already brought it up. There are probably more posts about it, but I honestly can't figure out how to find them. Plus, I was rambling around the internet again and stumbled upon information that is almost diametrically opposed. Noni???? Seriously, so many people claim it’s good for everything, but then others say it's a total no-go for colon cancer!!! My mom is drinking it and generally, it seems to be doing her good, but she’s 70 and about 70% healthy. Does anyone have any actual experience with this??? I saw that this girl (please don't kill me, I don't know her name right now, sorry, sorry, let me look it up and memorize it) wrote that she gave her grandfather Propolis instead and he felt better from that. I have absolutely no clue about any of this. So, what am I supposed to do with this Noni???

Good afternoon. Happy Easter to everyone.
I honestly have no clue what I'm doing. I've got a few "first times" happening here. It's my first time on this forum. My first time ever on any forum, really. I'm not new to computers, but I am new to being on one of these. The reason I'm writing here is because, for the first time in my life, I'm dealing with cancer. Like I said, I haven't a clue... and that goes for a lot of things. For instance, I have no idea how you actually write a message on this forum. I managed to register somehow, but finding the way to actually write my message (a Post?), there's just no chance. I checked the FAQ, poked around every button, started cursing (actually, right today on Easter), but nothing. Finally, I tried some weird workaround, it seems to work, but I'm not sure if it's the right way to go about it. And the reason I'm here is that I truly don't know what to do. Here’s the short version: my wife's sister started feeling abdominal pains, constipation, and stuff like that somewhere around New Year's. After two months, they finally forced her to see a doctor, he took one look at her and sent her straight to the hospital. They operated the next day in a local hospital near Houston; they removed 60 cm of her colon, cleaned out the lymph nodes, and whatnot. Why did they do all that? Diagnosis: adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon. When my wife heard her sister had cancer, she was just frozen in place for maybe ten minutes. The histology report says the tumor is 6 cm, hasn't spread to the lymph nodes, but it did break through the muscular wall of the colon into the fatty tissue. After 15 days, my sister-in-law came home from the hospital, went to see her doctor, and then that doctor sent her to the Cancer Institute in the city. And now the drama begins—at least that's how it looks to me. When she first went there, they rushed her in because she looked so poorly, they drew blood, and sent her home telling her to come back in seven days for the results. She showed up exactly when told, waited three hours, and when it was finally her turn, the doctor just told her from the hallway!!!!! She didn't even call her into the office to sit down so she wouldn't pass out when she hears the news—just "come back in seven days, you're starting chemotherapy." But wait... tell me... I don't have time for this, come back next week and we'll see... and POOF—the good fairy in white disappeared. Watch out, people; a woman has cancer, she has a million questions, including the obvious ones like "will I live or die," and she's left standing there in the hallway like a sack of potatoes. Actually, more than a sack of potatoes! Someone would pick up a sack of potatoes, but she was left there like—excuse me—total garbage. Somehow she made it home and went to her doctor, who told her: "Oh, it's fine, just go do the chemo and we'll see what happens later." Seriously, should she take a flamethrower to the office and force them to swallow something? My sister-in-law is, let's say, a simple woman; she lives in a small town, and given how our medical professionals treat people who can actually string a smart sentence together and won't just be pushed around, you can imagine how they treat those who aren't like that. So, that's the situation. My eyes are burning from staring at the internet for the last few days, but, well, I can't exactly treat someone with cancer myself!!!! My sister-in-law is 42, married, and has two adult sons, but as I mentioned, they live in a small town and, you know, they deal more with farming and manual work, if you catch my drift? (I think I'm writing too much for a first post, I need to cut it short). To start with, who should we contact? We need someone who will explain things humanely—if not to her, then at least to my wife—about what is actually going on. Medications, diet, alternative options, what, who, where???? Any advice, ANY ADVICE AT ALL!!! If anyone knows anything, I'm grateful to the grave. I found out there's an association for colon cancer survivors, but Google only showed me a branch in a small town far away. Is it worth reaching out to them??? What should I do(o)?????😕 (There, I even attached an emoticon. Hurray!!! I learned something!!!)
Just a few more words to clarify. My wife lives by the coast, 249 miles far from her sister who is inland, and I work not just in a different city, but on a different continent (the other side of the planet, the East). That's why I don't have a special keyboard and it might be a bit hard for you to read, but you understand me, right?
I've worn you all out, I know, but I have no idea who else to turn to. Thank you all in advance. "Lean on strength."