Posts by Angela Wright

Rachel Torres57 said:Can someone help me make sense of these lab results?

EBV VCA IgM negative
EBV VCA IgG positive (200)
EBV ea IgG negative
EBNA IgG positive (86.3)
CMV IgM negative
CMV IgG positive (104.0)

anti-HAV total negative
HBsAg negative
anti-HBs IgG negative
anti-HBc total negative
anti-HCV negative

Does this mean I have mono? My abdominal ultrasound showed an enlarged liver, my liver enzymes were through the roof but they've dropped slightly since then, my lymph nodes are swollen and painful, my CRP is up, and I feel completely wiped out.

My doctor is basically telling me to stop being such a hypochondriac.🙄

It looks like you've already had CMV and EBV infections (you have the antibodies), but the infection isn't active right now.
It’s entirely possible that your liver enzymes are still elevated as a lingering consequence of those infections; based on the antibody titers, it likely happened somewhere between six months to a year ago. Stick to a liver-friendly diet, and your doctor will probably suggest taking Silimarin to help your liver recover.

Susan Sanders59 said:He saw his oncologist today.

The doctor prescribed CapeOx 8 x—he starts the IV this Friday, followed by Kapetral at 500mg, four tablets twice a day for 14 days, then a one-week break before repeating the cycle...

Does anyone have experience with this? This feels like an overwhelming amount because everyone told us it would be something minor and light, probably just pills... Now we're just sitting here in shock....

How can I help him get through chemo more easily?

This is standard procedure. He’ll power through it. Just keep in mind that if even a single living cell from the primary cancer remains, it can create a distant metastasis and complicate everything.
There's been plenty of discussion here about managing side effects, so do some digging through the thread.

Brenda Martin89 said:Is anyone out there who can give me some advice? If someone happens to read this, I’d really appreciate it if you know anything about the facilities and treatments at Cuba Medic. Are they just selling snake oil, or can it actually work?

Thanks so much

Look, if you want real data, these sites basically hold almost every clinical study on the planet. Just type in your diagnosis, set your search filters—like by continent or country—and it’ll spit out every relevant study along with its inclusion criteria. My advice? Focus on the ones that are actively recruiting new patients.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/

As for Cuba Medic, I don't have any firsthand intel, but I do know plenty of people from the US head over to Cuba for treatment because it's cheaper and their regulatory hurdles for getting new drugs or procedures to market are much more relaxed. It’s a double-edged sword; there are definitely perks to that, but the downsides can be massive.

Jessica Morales87 said:Hi there!

Can someone help me make sense of these results? My kid has been running a fever up to 101°F for four days now. The pediatrician isn't back in the office until Monday, so I just downloaded the lab report from our patient portal.

https://ibb.co/jVv23sg

It looks like they're anemic. You should probably get their iron levels checked too. It’s important to figure out if there’s any internal bleeding happening somewhere—like the stomach, intestines, or maybe just really heavy periods.
The doctor will likely order some follow-up tests once they see you.

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Amy Kim25 said:Unfortunately, I can't give you a definitive answer, but I do know that frequent viral infections are pretty common for people undergoing chemo—it’s likely just their immune system taking a hit. If that gives you any peace of mind... definitely check in with your doctors about what to expect, because this will probably happen again... especially if you run a fever that lingers for more than a day or two.

On another note, I have a technical question: I went to a lab in Chicago this morning for bloodwork, and they told me the results would show up on my MyChart portal. So far, there's absolutely nothing there. How many days does it usually take for those results to pop up, assuming they actually upload them?

Apparently, you can't access them until your doctor at the Mayo Clinic opens them up first.
Honestly, these US healthcare portals are a total mess; half the features are always missing.

Susan Sanders59 said:Hi there,

My biopsy results just came in and I’m looking for some help interpreting them. I’m currently waiting for an appointment with an oncologist.

I’m a total layman and honestly have no clue what any of this means...

What happens next?

P.S. There might be a few typos since I scanned the report and pasted it here.

C19 - Malignant neoplasm of the rectosigmoid junction

Clinical diagnosis: Ca rectosigmoidei

Specimen:

1. Rectosigmoid colon with tumor.

2. Upper margin of anastomosis.

3. Lower margin of anastomosis.

Pathohistological diagnosis

1. Adenocarcinoma colonis. T3N0MX

Tubular adenoma with high-grade epithelial dysplasia.

2../

3../

Description

1. SAMPLE: rectosigmoid

SAMPLE LENGTH: 27.0 cm of large intestine

MACROSCOPIC TUMOR DESCRIPTION: formation measuring up to 5.0 cm found 3.5 cm from the resection margin

MACROSCOPICALLY VISIBLE TUMOR PERFORATION: no

HISTOLOGICAL TYPE: adenocarcinoma

HISTOLOGICAL GRADE: II

MICROSCOPIC TUMOR EXTENT: tumor tissue involves the mucosa, submucosa, and muscular layer, extending into the surrounding fatty tissue

RESECTION MARGINS:

a) proximal margin—clear of tumor

b) distal margin—clear of tumor

c) radial margin (mesenteric margin)

LYMOVASCULAR INVASION: no

PERINEURAL INVASION: no

TUMOR DEPOTS: no

LYMPH NODE STATUS: 5 lymph nodes measuring up to 0.6 cm were isolated from the surrounding fatty tissue; histological examination of the tumor sections showed no involvement in these nodes

OTHER:

MICROSATELLITE INSTABILITY:

MLH 1 - intact nuclear positivity

MSH 2 - intact nuclear positivity

MSH 6 - intact nuclear positivity

PMS 2 - intact nuclear positivity

The tumor is microsatellite stable (MSS tumor)

Additionally, at 10.0 cm from the second resection margin, a pedunculated polyp measuring up to 2.0 cm was found. Histologically, it consists of proliferated glands showing signs of mild, moderate, severe, and high-grade dysplasia. No stromal or stalk invasion or angioinvasion was observed in the examined sections.

This is colorectal cancer, but fortunately, it hasn't spread to the lymph nodes. That's a huge deal because if it had, we wouldn't really be talking about a cure, so the prognosis is much better. You're looking at oncological treatment next, likely radiation and perhaps a few cycles of chemotherapy. You have plenty of reason to stay optimistic about a positive outcome. I'd say you're looking at a 5 to 12 chance [of full recovery].

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Jerry Taylor said:Testosterone at 17 (ref range 10.4 - 36.7), age 35—is this low or fine?

As long as you're within the reference range, you're fine. Age doesn't change the math here.

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bluegardener7 said:I was wondering if any of you ladies deal with periods that have gotten so heavy and painful that you’re basically out of commission for like two days every single month? My gynecologist said he could cover me for it occasionally, but the issue is that it's becoming a regular thing now. I’m actually on extended medical leave right now for some other health issues and a recent surgery, but I’m honestly dreading going back to work because I know what’s coming. I guess I'm just not sure if I should even give my boss a heads-up about all this beforehand.

There are plenty of us.
Go get a full checkup to find the root cause. Sometimes it’s endometriosis, and other times it’s just a hormonal imbalance. A doctor can prescribe birth control pills that regulate your hormones and bring that bleeding down to a minimum.

George Johnson3 said:Hey everyone... my dad is 63 and during a checkup on January 17th, they found his blood sugar was off the charts, over 22. He’s been hospitalized to run all the tests because the doctors were worried about pancreatic cancer. However, the CT scan showed something else entirely: the pancreas looks fine, but they found two masses in the lungs. According to the CT, one smaller lesion is a hamartoma, but the second one is "spiculated" and measures 3.4 cm... they suspect a tumor. They did a bronchoscopy biopsy, which came back negative for cancer cells, and then they biopsied the lesion itself, which also came back negative. They followed up with a PET-CT scan, and here is the diagnosis:

Indications and clinical question

Left lung upper lobe infiltration, Diabetes mellitus, referred by Dr. Janevski for diagnostic staging and definitive diagnosis

PET Scan

6.7 mmol/L

Findings

Tomograms were performed from the base of the skull to the proximal parts of the thighs.

A low-dose CT was also performed to correct attenuation and anatomical localization of metabolically active changes.

No pathological uptake of the radiopharmaceutical was observed in the cervical, axillary, or mediastinal lymph nodes.

Pathological uptake of the radiopharmaceutical is seen in the consolidation of the left lung upper lobe, centrally transparent, measuring 1.9x1.4

cm (SUV max 6.32). Increased uptake is also seen in a nodule in the right lung lower lobe (SUV max 2). In

the remaining lung parenchyma, there is no pathological uptake of the radiopharmaceutical.

Radiopharmaceutical uptake is noted in a formation in the left adrenal gland (SUV max 5.46), with intensity similar to that seen in the liver

parenchyma (SUV max 5.86), which is consistent with a CT scan from early 2023 where the formation was characterized as an adenoma.

No pathological uptake of the radiopharmaceutical was found in the abdominal, pelvic, or inguinal lymph nodes.

Diffuse intensive uptake of the radiopharmaceutical is visible in the intestinal loops, making analysis difficult; this is a result of Metformin therapy.

Perform an endoscopic exam if clinically indicated.

No pathological uptake of the radiopharmaceutical was seen in the visualized portions of the skeletal system.

Opinion

Pathological glucose analog metabolism in the left lung upper lobe consolidation.

Increased metabolically active nodule in the right lung lower lobe. So what is it in the end? Some kind of carcinoma, inflammation... now we just don't know anything anymore.🤔

I'm not sure where your father is receiving treatment, but I would recommend the Mayo Clinic. They deal with a massive variety of pathologies related to high blood sugar and will be able to pin down the situation very quickly.

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Robert Davis9 said:I'm starting to think this might be a hematology issue rather than something neurological... I've got an appointment with a specialist at the local clinic this Monday, so we'll just have to wait and see... :/

Some of the symptoms you're describing are often the very first red flags for MS, so it’s definitely worth ruling that out as soon as possible. That said, CMV could also be the culprit here.

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Robert Davis9 said:Hi there,

For the last six months, I’ve been dealing with these health issues. To be more precise, I think it all kicked off somewhere around April of last year. I had these bouts of dizziness—sometimes when standing up or just moving around, I can't quite pin it down—and my left leg would ache occasionally, from the back of the knee down. Those symptoms still pop up every now and then, along with the vertigo.

Then in November, everything hit the fan: sudden iron-deficiency anemia, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides (which I’ve never dealt with before), plus rapid weight loss. We actually suspect I just lost subcutaneous fat. After that, infectious disease tests came back positive for EBV and CMV (we aren't sure if it was a reactivation or a primary infection). Now, my doctor is suggesting that EBV could potentially cause the loss of subcutaneous tissue and that sharp drop in weight (I lost 6kg in just 3 weeks).
My skin is dry and flaky on my knees and over my heels, my nails are soft with longitudinal lines, and I'm dealing with arthralgia—my knees make crepitus sounds—along with occasional bone pain, though it's always in the exact same spot (my upper arms). Lately, I've also had tingling in the fingers of my left hand. On top of that, I think my tongue looks slightly enlarged; you can see the indentations from my teeth on the front and sides where it fills the gaps from two missing teeth. I've been reading all sorts of stuff online about things like myeloma and amyloidosis, and honestly, the panic is starting to set in.

I've seen a gastroenterologist, an endocrinologist, an immunologist, and several other internists. We've run every test under the sun: CBC is normal except for low hemoglobin and hematocrit; initially, it looked like microcytic anemia (probably because I donated blood three weeks before the first labs), but now it's normocytic. Three abdominal ultrasounds have come back clear, TSH, T3, and T4 are fine, all hormones are okay... colonoscopy was fine, endoscopy was fine, and both CT scans of the abdomen and chest were okay. All ANA/ENA and RF markers are normal too.

Just waiting on an MRI for the small intestine. An echocardiogram was also fine.
I went to a private immunologist who basically told me I'm making up symptoms and diagnosed me with IBD. They have me on Mesalamine without any actual evidence of IBD, Crohn's, or any small intestine issues. My calprotectin levels are normal too...

These are the electrophoresis results from a month ago and the latest CBC after a month of iron supplements—specifically CrossFit. Note that I stopped taking the iron two days before the blood draw. My question is: can iron supplements create a false blood profile, where the numbers look good but the anemia actually persists? Also, how much of an impact can lipemia have on protein electrophoresis? Thanks.

blood test results
Hemoglobin 147
Hct. 0.431
MCv 85.7
Mch. 29.2
Mchc. 341
RDW 13.8
Serum iron 14.3
UIBC 41.8
TIBC 56.1

I think you should get a neurological exam as soon as possible if you haven't already.

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goldenmoose15 said:Hey everyone, I could really use some help interpreting these lab results.

They were ordered because we're looking into potential PCOS and insulin resistance. These were taken on day five of my cycle, and the goal is also to figure out the best contraceptive option for me.

That elevated testosterone level is likely tied to PCOS, especially since everything else looks normal.
My only real concern is whether this prothrombin time reading might complicate things when choosing a birth control method, given how much they impact clotting.

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James Harris16 said:https://ibb.co/JxzXm0z

Can someone make sense of these results?

Thanks in advance.

As a layman, here’s how I read this:
It looks like some kind of growth on the lungs (I'm assuming "npl." refers to a neoplasm) and likely enlarged lymph nodes as a result.
A pulmonologist is going to want to run more tests to be sure.

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jadeowl12 said:Hi everyone, can someone please explain what these results actually mean?

Thanks and regards

(E) RBC (IFC) 4.98 4.34 - 5.72

(E) HEMOGLOBIN (IFC) 146 g/L 138 - 175

(E) HEMATOCRIT (IFC) 0.423 L/L 0.415 - 0.530

(E) MCV (IFC) 84.9 fL 83.0 - 97.2

(E) MCH (RAČ) 29.3 pg 27.4 - 33.9

(E) MCHC (RAČ) 345 g/L 320 - 345

(E) RDW (IFC) 11.7 % 9.0 - 15.0

(E) MPV (IFC) 10.6 H fL 6.8 - 10.4

(E) PLATELETS (IFC) 294 158 - 424

(E) WBC (IFC) 8.41 3.40 - 9.70

(E) NEUTROPHILS (%) (IFC) 39.5 L % 44.0 - 72.0

(E) LYMPHOCYTES (%) (IFC) 46.4 H % 20.0 - 46.0

(E) MONOCYTES (%) (IFC) 12.6 H % 2.0 - 12.0

(E) EOSINOPHILS (%) (IFC) 1.1 % 0.0 - 7.0

(E) BASOPHILS (%) (IFC) 0.4 % 0.0 - 1.0

(E) NEUTROPHILS (abs) (IFC) 3.33 2.06 - 6.49

(E) LYMPHOCYTES (abs) (IFC) 3.90 H 1.19 - 3.35

(E) MONOCYTES (abs) (IFC) 1.06 H 0.12 - 0.84

(E) EOSINOPHILS (abs) (IFC) 0.09 0.00 - 0.43

(E) BASOPHILS (abs) (IFC) 0.03 0.00 - 0.06

Looking at this without my glasses, those lymphocytes are just barely over the limit—looks like you were dealing with a minor bug recently. Everything else looks fine.

shadowmarlin5 said:They admitted her to the hospital yesterday, but there’s zero room left in the wards. She’s just stuck waiting on a bed in the hallway or some triage cubicle without even an IV drip, just waiting for a room to open up... that's exactly why I'm asking about private facilities.

Do you really think going private makes a difference here?
Look, she isn't some casual patient who just needs to be padded with supportive care in a fancy private clinic while they wait for biology to take its course. She needs aggressive, curative medicine to stabilize her so they can actually finish her oncology treatment plan. She is mid-treatment and had a severe reaction to the regimen. What she needs right now is intensive management and a full multidisciplinary tumor board to review her case and map out the next steps.

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shadowmarlin5 said:Hey everyone, a close family member is doing terribly after their prescribed chemo. They haven't had the strength to even get out of bed for days, can't eat or drink anything, and they're dealing with constant diarrhea. At this rate, we're going to be worried about pressure sores from being bedridden. They were held overnight at the hospital once, but then sent right back home, and things are just spiraling downward. Before the chemo started, they were perfectly fine. Can anyone recommend a private hospital or a specialized care facility that takes in and looks after patients in this condition?

Why are you looking for private options?
The patient needs to be hospitalized. An oncology patient requires stabilization within an oncology ward at a hospital.
Don't take "no" for an answer—be persistent!

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Nicholas Johnson8 said:That massive pleural effusion developed over just the last ten days—right after we started immunotherapy with pembrolizumab.
We were really holding out hope for some kind of breakthrough, especially since his PD-L1 expression was north of 90%.
But it looks like the treatment itself might have triggered this fluid buildup...

It’s entirely possible this isn't even cancer-related, but rather a heart issue if his strength is fading. As people age, the heart naturally weakens and struggles to maintain its capacity. It's also possible the therapy itself took a toll on his heart.
I am so incredibly sorry to hear this.

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Nicholas Johnson8 said:Thanks for the input.
But honestly... I’m going to push back if they refuse to do it. 🙂
That is, assuming the tests actually back up what that ER doctor claimed just by listening through a stethoscope.

When you're dealing with fluid buildup—especially pleural effusion—the real danger is that every single drainage procedure can actually trigger an even faster accumulation, which puts massive strain on the heart. It's a classic hallmark of the final stages of the disease. I don't know how else to put this more gently. Make sure to cherish every single moment you have left and focus entirely on keeping him comfortable.
Those shoulder pains are often caused by metastases, which could potentially be managed with targeted radiation therapy in just a few sessions.
Also, please reach out to a Pain Management Center. An anesthesiologist can carefully fine-tune a medication cocktail to provide relief without completely knocking him out.
Sending strength to everyone here, but above all, I hope you find clarity and peace of mind.

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Susan Sanders59 said:He had surgery yesterday, but they didn't have to do a colostomy... He says he feels okay; there’s some pain, but nothing he can't handle...

We're waiting on the pathology reports now. The surgeon mentioned the tumor was massive, but they managed to clear everything out. He said there aren't any visible spots left nearby, though he won't give a 100% guarantee that nothing pops up down the road (which makes sense)...

We're hoping for the best—we're staying really positive about this...

Do they usually perform these types of surgeries laparoscopically? That's the only part that feels off to me... I was expecting a traditional open surgery rather than laparoscopy...

The surgeons were mostly younger doctors. We've known one of them for years, so the rapport felt different compared to the others. Dad says the whole experience felt more like being at a high-end private clinic like the Mayo Clinic 😁

Whenever it's an option, they go with the least invasive method. Generally speaking, the younger doctors tend to be more skilled when it comes to laparoscopic procedures.
Trivia: I remember reading an article once about how residents were actually more proficient at laparoscopic surgery than the senior professors. Apparently, it came down to growing up playing video games, which sharpened their ability to perceive 3D depth through a 2D screen from a young age.
Who says gaming is a bad thing?

Reading through all these comments is giving me an immediate headache. Everything about the curriculum, the teaching methods, the subjects, and the entire school system is fundamentally broken. They keep inventing new classes and tweaking schedules, endlessly debating what should be added or cut, yet hardly any student graduates today truly independent or possessing the actual skill of *how* to learn. This idea of making critical thinking a standalone subject? It’s a joke. Every teacher—every intellectual in their respective field—should be designing their lessons to force students to think critically by default.
To me, this whole direction feels less like promoting diversity and equality and more like training a generation of drones. The end result will be traumatized, dull-witted kids who are obsessed with trivial nonsense but wouldn't last a single day if we had a major power outage or a water shortage. Not to mention anything else.
The "solution" they've proposed is to implement full-day schooling—it's like trying to put out a fire with gasoline.

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