My dear dad has been in the hospital since Friday... His condition took such a sudden turn for the worse that we were all blindsided. Even though we already have a diagnosis, he had been doing okay with just occasional neurological episodes that stabilized quickly. It turns out he has brain edema. I've been doing some digging here on the forum and across the web to see what can be done. I noticed many people have experience using Mannitol, and that’s what they’re giving him now... Can anyone give me some specific insights on this medication? I haven't even had the chance to catch up on all the pages yet...
I'm devastated. I break down several times a day, and my stomach is in knots because seeing him like this is just unbearable... I just want to see him get back up out of that bed.. We are also giving him some alternative supplements that some top experts in this field from the US recommended, but I can't shake the feeling that there's more that can—and should—be done... I'm just angry at everyone and everything because he shouldn't have to go through this...
Don't let the sadness take over or start thinking you're helpless. Every single time those heavy thoughts hit and the tears start coming... just stop for a second and breathe. Think about everything you're doing for your dad and how much he needs you to stay composed. My brother would tell you right now: "There's no good in crying; it just weighs you down and doesn't help anyone. Smile and find some humor. Find a way to make him laugh, and it'll be easier for both of you."
Stay strong. I really hope that shark cartilage helps.
Linda Campbell, that would be amazing and truly kind of you! Just let me know how we can get in touch... We picked up some shark cartilage capsules in Chicago today, and as soon as they arrive tonight, Dad's going to start taking them. But unfortunately, Dad's condition has taken a turn for the worse all of a sudden... he was doing great for a long time, almost like he wasn't even sick, and then out of nowhere he loses feeling in his left arm, then his speech gets difficult, and then after two days it stabilizes into him being unable to stand... I don't know... honestly, I'm desperate! Desperate! He was doing so well, no problems or issues at all, and now.... I hope and believe the shark cartilage will help him... I don't know what else to do.. Sometimes the sadness just overwhelms me—this immense sadness because I want to help him but I can't... anger, despair, helplessness, sadness, rage, and apathy toward everything else are constantly swirling together, and even though I know it doesn't help, I can't stop it...
It’s an astrocytoma, a type of tumor that has a massive tendency to recur. After the initial shock hit back in December 2006 when we found out the tumor was back, it gave me this sudden surge of strength to try and find anything that might help my dad. After spending countless hours scouring the internet, talking to cancer survivors, and digging through various books, Dad started out on the macrobiotic diet. Michia Kushia's book on treating cancer and leukemia through nutrition was a huge help to us. Unfortunately, Dad gave up on macrobiotics after six months because he complained about the food constantly. We couldn't monitor every single thing he ate since we weren't by his side 24/7, so he ended up eating things he shouldn't have. Besides the diet, he started using a Rife's generator—a device that produces specific electrical waves for different ailments to stop them from progressing—along with a variety of immune-boosting supplements. I recently heard that holly extracts are highly effective, so I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with those? I also heard shark cartilage capsules might help, so if anyone knows anything...
I’ve been lurking here for a while now, reading through everyone's posts, and I finally worked up the nerve to chime in... My family is also fighting a battle against a tumor—specifically, my father's brain tumor recurrence. He had his first surgery back in 1999, but during an MRI checkup in December 2006, we found out the tumor had returned. Because of the treatments he underwent in '99, chemo and radiation were completely off the table, and surgery wasn't an option anymore either. So, we turned to alternative methods. Regardless of what anyone thinks about it, I can tell you from experience that it actually helped my dad. In fact, his November 2007 MRI showed that compared to the previous scan from a year prior, the tumor hadn't spread or grown at all. I don't even need to explain how much that meant to us... That said, my dad has bad days where things get rough, and he is never, ever alone. Someone is always by his side, and sometimes—though not always—we have to step in to help him with meals or other basic needs. Thanks, Angela Wright, for starting this thread. The truth is, if you haven't lived through something like this, you won't understand, no matter how much you want to.
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My in-laws were at the Admiral, and I can honestly say both our group and the guests were thrilled with the service and everything else. These people are true professionals; they know their business inside and out and go out of their way to accommodate every single request. Seriously, hats off to them. They handle everything so seamlessly that the newlyweds don't have to stress for even a second about whether things in the hall will be perfect. Highly recommended...