Posts by Angela Wright

neongull12 said:Hi there!

So, here’s the deal—I’m not diabetic or anything, but I was told on another forum that this might be the right place to ask... basically, I was wondering if anyone here has actually tried getting a medical pedicure from a specialist at a salon? I’ve been dealing with ingrown nails and some pretty brutal calluses on my heels and all over my feet, and honestly, the pain whenever I walk has become just unbearable. I think I’ve finally hit my limit, so I'm going to have to find a professional shop to go to. If you guys have any advice or experiences you could share, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks, and take care! 🙂

I personally know of a medical pedicure salon located in an office building in Arlington, right near the entrance to the neighborhood. A friend of mine actually drove her grandmother all the way from Brooklyn just to go there. They seem top-notch; the lady they treated had actually lost several toes before, so you'd need a truly elite technician to handle a patient in that condition safely.
Maybe try Googling it; I'm not sure of the exact name of the shop.

Linda Williams77 said:Hi everyone,
I’ve been lurking on this forum for about a year now, and I finally decided to speak up just to get some of this off my chest.
Today marks exactly one year since my grandmother had her surgery. It was stomach cancer that had already spread to her esophagus and duodenum... They opened her up, then they had to close her back up...
After that, she was supposed to go through six cycles of chemo, but she only managed to pull off four (she called the whole ordeal a total CIRCUS🙂) ...each session lasted three days. Just sitting there for eight hours at the Mayo Clinic, waiting for her to finish...
I lost count of how many coffees I drank from the vending machines on the ground floor, how many cigarettes I smoked out front of the clinic, and all the different lives I witnessed while making 62 miles trips from the top floor down to the basement where she stayed for her chemo (while she sat there endlessly rewatching reruns of yesterday's soap operas 🙂)....
Once the chemo wrapped up, we were all desperate enough to try eating a turkey deli sandwich from that little corner deli across from the clinic... 🙂
She had clearly lost weight by then, but she was doing as well as anyone could in her shoes.
To this day, she doesn't know the full extent of the situation or where the cancer actually went. I explicitly told the doctors not to tell her anything; I'm terrified that knowing might be the thing that finally breaks her spirit... She only mentioned to me about a month ago, "Honey, I think it's all spreading again."
After the chemo, she had to undergo radiation, which she couldn't handle either...
Things just kept getting worse and worse...
Now we've reached the point where we're changing her diapers several times a day, she can't get out of bed, she can't eat anything without vomiting, and she's constantly dehydrated...
You want to help her so badly, but you look at her weighing barely 90 pounds and realize there's nothing you can do... It is truly gut-wrenching when you're completely powerless. When I get in the car to drive home, I can't stop the tears from falling, even though I thought I'd run dry long ago... And I just keep hearing her say, "Oh, my sweet child..." 😢(
Everyone keeps saying, "Just pray she doesn't suffer too long," but it makes me wonder if I'm just a selfish, bad person for not thinking that way—for wanting her to stay with me for as long as possible. I just miss everything we used to do together... the cooking, and the way she would make sure my boyfriend was fed until he couldn't eat another bite, and our trips out shopping for new cookware...
P.S. I feel a little better now that I've written this.

Grandma knows. She might be old, but she isn't stupid. I think it’s easier for that generation because of their mindset—they don't talk about it, they don't label it.
The best way to help her is to provide comfort: keeping her hydrated with IV fluids, keeping her clean and comfortable, and minimizing her suffering as much as humanly possible.
Parting ways is inevitable. Losing someone so close is the final step in growing up—learning to accept our own mortality.
You’re going to be okay.

dustymarlin10 said:Hi everyone,
I’ve been lurking in this thread for a long time, but I haven't felt the need to chime in until now.
Here’s the situation.
About a year ago, my daughter-in-law was hit with a suspicious lump during a routine mammogram.
It was a small mass, confirmed via biopsy as cancer, and she had it surgically removed within two weeks.
She finished radiation shortly after; everything was handled quickly and efficiently by the medical team.
All her test results are clear—physically speaking, she’s doing fine.
However, emotionally, it’s a completely different story.
From day one, she makes sure everyone around her knows she’s a patient.
She’s constantly clutching at her breast.
Every little thing causes her to wince.
She updates our daughter on her "condition" during every single conversation, even though she’s technically in the clear based on what her doctors are telling her.
She refuses to join any breast cancer support groups ("why would I want to hang out with those women?"), and she won't even consider seeing a therapist because she doesn't want to be labeled "crazy"—even though she’s been on medication her entire life, whether it was necessary or not.
Her constant pressure has pushed my wife (who doesn't even live with her) to her breaking point, and our other daughter, who does live with her, is slowly losing her mind too.
The truth is, my daughter-in-law has been a "patient" her whole life; every family conversation eventually gravitates toward her ailments, even trivial things like constipation...
It’s reached a point where even the grandkids (who are practically adults now) don't want to visit because they can't stomach the endless litany of complaints...
Please don't take this as me being heartless or cold; my primary concern here is the mental health and emotional stability of my wife, which has been seriously shaken by this behavior.

How can we help?

This isn't a psychological issue; it's a personality trait. You're dealing with a "professional martyr," someone who uses illness as a tool to command attention. They are essentially egocentrics. My advice? Put her on "ignore." If she asks why people aren't visiting anymore, be blunt about it. Personally, I’d tell her, "Look, we love you just as much as ever, whether you're sick or not." Unfortunately, there isn't a magic fix—you either have to tune it out or try to redirect her focus. She needs to find a hobby or some kind of purpose.
Alternatively, try reaching out to a local survivor's club—they deal with the same type of personalities—and ask if one of the ladies could drop by for a visit. It's basically their hobby. Just make up a totally random reason for the visit so it feels spontaneous, and let them get talking. Once they get going, maybe they'll drag her along on a group trip or a pilgrimage, or go on outings to places in Austria or various spas... it might actually save your sanity.👍
By the way, the club operates out of the oncology institute and is part of the unknown association LINK

neongull12 said:Does Medtronic deal with pressure points on the feet, specifically around the heels? You know, those really painful ones😢 Does anyone have a specific recommendation in the Ogrizovic area? I’m looking for someone who is actually gentle and patient. 😁

You're better off asking in the diabetes thread. People living with diabetes practically have to be experts in foot care just to stay out of trouble, so they'll likely know exactly who the pros are and can point you toward someone reliable.👍

Kate Lewis48 said:I honestly crave a bit of optimism right now; I feel like I'm running on empty.

She just got notified that she's starting a corticosteroid infusion. They also need to get her on an anti-seizure medication because the current blood pressure spikes are making her much more prone to seizures. The catch? Since she’s currently an inpatient, nobody can pick up prescriptions in her name, and the hospital doesn't have this specific drug in stock. The Chief of Medicine is supposed to sit down with her tomorrow, but for now, we're stuck in limbo.

When they told us over five years ago that she only had six months left to live, we didn't back down. I have to admit, this whole situation is absolutely gutting me, but I have to stay strong for her.

Edit: We should be getting a second opinion tomorrow. She was originally treated in Rhode Island after ending up in the ER due to swelling in her arm, tongue, and lips. At the time, we were terrified it was a stroke.

A primary care physician can write the prescription, and a family member should be able to pick it up using their ID—especially since it's a controlled substance. Regardless, while someone is receiving inpatient care, the hospital is legally required to provide all necessary prescribed medications. This isn't some rare specialty drug requiring emergency international importation; it's standard medication that epilepsy patients take every single day.

By "second opinion," I meant seeking a specialist who operates independently of Medicare and its specific guidelines. Whether you choose a private oncologist or a specialized clinic elsewhere is entirely down to your own preference and what's feasible.

Kate Lewis48 said:Hey everyone,

I don't even know where to start. My mom has been fighting her original breast cancer for about 15 years now. Over the years, it’s metastasized to her liver and bones, and just yesterday we found out it hit her brain too. There’s a tumor in her brain pressing on her motor center, so her left arm basically doesn't work anymore. She’s got zero strength left and can’t even hold onto things.
She was admitted to the hospital today, and the doctor basically told us there isn't much left to be done—maybe radiation, though we could always turn that down. He estimated she has maybe six months to a year left. 😢
If anyone here has dealt with a diagnosis like this, please, I need advice. Would radiation actually give her a few more months, or would it just prolong the agony? She’s such a vibrant, lively person... God, it’s so hard seeing her like this. Up until now, we’ve always just said, "Don't worry, we'll fix it," but now it feels like we can't. Every time I hear her voice, I feel like it might be the last time. 😢 How can I help her?

I’d go with the radiation, because those targets are incredibly sensitive. That pressure is causing edema in her brain (fluid buildup and tissue swelling), which is why she's having neurological issues like the loss of function in her arm. You manage that with corticosteroids like dexamethasone, and they usually administer mannitol intravenously first to pull that edema back.
And honestly, I don't buy the idea that nothing else can be done.
Check out these pages and those to see if you can find a clinical trial, and definitely try to get a second opinion.

Karen Torres42 said:We picked some up today, and honestly, they were way more expensive at the CVS Pharmacy, so we’re going to try ordering directly instead. I never really viewed it as a "medicine" per se—more like something to support him through this and give him a little boost.
Can you tell me what dosages you were giving your mom??
Is it possible to use it to help regulate digestion, since he's having issues there right now?
Sending warm hugs to everyone

My mom was taking heavy doses—5 capsules three times a day—though, to be completely honest, I can't even recall why that specific amount was chosen or who suggested it in the first place. Toward the end, I scaled her back to 3 capsules three times a day, and I actually started opening the capsules up to mix the propolis into her probiotic yogurt because she just couldn't swallow the pills anymore.
As far as digestion goes, propolis might firm things up a bit—at least it did for me—but my mom didn't have any trouble with that. One thing I did notice, though, was that her stool had a pretty strong odor.
We used to order five boxes at a time to save on shipping, and they’d usually throw in an extra box for free. Back then, it cost about $37 boxes.

ironsailor22 said:Karen Torres42 Regarding propolis dosage, you’d take about 2 tablets a day if you’re healthy, but it can go up to 6 or more if you're actually sick. You just split the daily dose into two parts and take them, say, an hour before meals. It’s honestly pointless to jump straight into massive doses right out of the gate; my advice is to start him on 2 x 2 tablets a day and then wait a bit to see if there’s any actual progress. Also, don't bother buying it at a CVS Pharmacy because it's way cheaper if you just call them directly to order. Their website has a phone number, and within two or three days, the mail carrier will drop it off right at your door.
I believe it helps boost immunity and strengthen the body, but I’m not buying into any "miracle cure" hype. It’s just one of those mass-market products sold under the guise that they can slow down or stop tumor growth, which is more of a marketing gimmick than reality. Still, I think it’s worth trying if nothing else works—if only for the psychological effect of knowing you actually tried something.

There was a study done on propolis at the NIH where they proved its effectiveness against malignant cells in vitro, and they even suggested it might somehow repair damaged DNA...but let's be clear: it isn't a cancer drug, it's not sold as one, and thankfully, when people talk about it, they make that distinction very obvious.
What propolis *is*—and what definitely works—is that it protects against infections, which are incredibly dangerous for people undergoing radiation and chemo; I would bet my life on that. My mother was bedridden for a full year and a half, from the neck down, and she passed away—unlike other people I knew with the exact same diagnosis who died from the illness itself rather than an infection. Even toward the end, she didn't have a single pressure sore. Since then, I've been recommending it to everyone.
The most recent example is my own experience when I gave birth at 28 weeks. My little guy spent 40 days in the NICU and dealt with two serious infections that cleared up in just a week because, alongside his prescribed meds, I started hitting him with heavy doses of propolis through my breast milk. Given how tiny he was and the nature of those infections, we were expecting a much longer stay in the incubator and on a ventilator.

Jessica Jones18 said:Just a few weeks ago, I went in for a vitamin and mineral screening, and honestly, it was a total wake-up call—I’m basically deficient in everything. It really caught me off guard because I eat tons of veggies, though I’ll admit I don't touch fruit nearly enough. I’m really trying to avoid just popping handfuls of supplements every day; I'd much rather get what I need straight from my meals. Can anyone recommend some specific superfoods that are packed with certain vitamins or minerals? Thanks!

Did you go to one of those local drugstores where they use that little handheld device that pricks your finger to check your resistance levels?
If that's what happened, honestly, forget about it. ☕
Just stick to eating clean and getting moving.

slymaker16 said:I'm not entirely sure if this is the right forum for this question. My grandmother passed away a few weeks ago. They never reached a definitive diagnosis, but since she dealt with stomach cancer three years ago, her doctor suspects it was intestinal metastasis, though they couldn't confirm it through any specific testing.
Basically, she was drinking this supplement called Ensure (I can't be 100% certain of the name), and we have a few containers left over. I’d love to give them to someone who actually needs them, assuming it isn't strictly reserved for stomach cancer patients and is more for general illness.

Since it's a liquid supplement, I'm a bit hesitant about mailing it.

Think of Ensure as a meal replacement designed for people who, for whatever reason, just can't sit down to a regular meal. One serving acts as a full meal replacement, hitting all the necessary marks for proteins, minerals, vitamins, and carbs.
And don't worry about the shipping; you can mail it without any issues. Nothing is going to happen to the drink during transit.

dustyjackal33 said:They told us there was absolutely zero chance he’d go under for surgery!!
Yesterday was a total nightmare; his pain levels spiked so hard we actually had to call 911. They pumped him full of a cocktail of injections—think Toradol, Norflex, and something to relax his muscles—and after that, he was doing great! He was talking some total nonsense, but honestly, that was just the drugs talking!
He’s actually feeling good today, too. He slept straight through until 3 PM and said he finally caught up on rest, all while sleeping on his back!! He even got out of bed without any issues while I went to the bathroom to get ready for the day!
The doctor mentioned this is pretty standard and that these kinds of ups and downs are expected!!

As for radiation therapy, we aren't 100% certain yet, but it looks like he’ll be going for it!! He’s also getting those patches that release morphine slowly over three days, so hopefully, that provides some extra relief!

I’m praying things get easier for him. Maybe I'm being selfish, but part of me just wants him to stay here with us for as long as possible.

P.S. He was joking today that he’s heading to the beach tomorrow, haha!!

He’ll be using Duragesic patches.
It isn't selfish to want him by your side for as long as you can, but at the end of the day, it's quality of life that really matters. I truly hope he gets to experience what time he has left without being in agony.
Wishing you all the strength in the world to hang in there and stay by his side.

If we’re looking at widespread metastases stretching along the entire length of the spine, I’m worried that surgery just isn't on the table anymore. The real danger with these kinds of tumors is that if you try to cut into them, they can go absolutely haywire. At that stage, you might be looking at nothing more than palliative care or targeted radiation to manage the worst spots.
Radiation therapy has to be administered in very specific, precise doses.
My advice? Get a second opinion. You also have to account for a certain level of clinical pragmatism here; with the massive backlogs and waiting lists for radiation centers across the US, doctors often don't want to burn through precious time or resources on cases that are purely palliative.😢

ruggedwolf12 said:I know these situations happen, and I know death is just part of life. It’s all hitting me so hard because I lost my grandfather when I was only seven. He passed away from Alzheimer's. I just have this lingering feeling that I never really got to say a proper goodbye to him. That’s why I’m terrified this is going to happen all over again. Thank you, Angela Wright, for your kind words. I’ll try to stay positive. Honestly, I’m just praying that if this is indeed cancer, my grandfather can get through it with minimal pain and won't have to suffer much. 😢

It’s always too soon for goodbyes, and we’re always left feeling like there were things left unsaid. That’s just how life works. If this is cancer, and if he truly is in the terminal stage, there is actually a lot you can do to ensure his remaining time is spent with as little suffering as possible. You can help your family immensely by researching palliative care for cancer patients online. There are plenty of us here with firsthand experience, so don't hesitate to ask—we'll answer whatever questions come up.

I still remember when my grandfather passed. He was the main figure in my life, the one who truly shaped my character. He was an incredible man. I lived with him and my grandmother during my first six years, and they were essentially my first parents. I was about three years older than you, and the situation felt very similar, though my grandfather struggled with several other health issues over a long period before everything finally caught up with him. It was devastating, but looking back, losing him was a lesson—a way of preparing me for the loss of my own parents. When I eventually lost my mother, everything I went through with my grandparents helped me carry that much heavier burden. Life has a way of training us for the harder hits.

ruggedwolf12 said:Hi, I’m starting this story with a massive lump in my throat. My grandfather just got his blood work back yesterday. He had to get blood drawn because he was having pains in his right side. Of course, nobody suspected anything serious at first. He went in to have the blood taken and had some imaging done on that part of his abdomen (I'm not exactly sure which scan it was). During the imaging, they noted his liver was slightly enlarged, but again, the doctors didn't think much of it. They gave him some pills and told him to come back for more blood work if things didn't improve. Since things didn't improve, he went back for the tests. Then came the shock—the results were way worse; the second set of labs was a hundred times worse than the first. I don't know all the specific details and nobody is telling me anything (I'm not even fifteen yet). Living through this is horrific. They suspect liver cancer. Grandfather has lost his appetite, he's starting to have chest pains, he can't have bowel movements, he's lost weight, and his body looks distorted with a bloated stomach—which makes me think the cancer has spread. He goes to the doctor for an exam on Monday (it hasn't been officially confirmed as cancer yet, but everything points that way). I hate this waiting game, and I hate the thought of them looking for CANCER 😢 Grandfather is already 77 and I know he's lived a full life, but I just can't accept this situation. Please, give me some advice, tell me it's something else, something curable; my whole world is falling apart. I love my grandfather so much and I don't want to lose him 😢

Oh, honey... 😢
My guess is that if it is CA, then it's likely colon cancer, which is most common at that age, and it has metastasized to the liver.
Just wait for the official results. I know this waiting period is pure torture, but try to look at this situation as a sort of life lesson. You are going to face many, many situations like this in your lifetime. Mature people find a way to face them and carry on. Try to be that kind of person, too, and don't let yourself become negative in front of your grandfather or your parents.

dustyjackal33 said:I don't even know where to start. Five years ago, my dad had surgery for colon cancer, and everything was going great—until two months ago. Now, the cancer has spread throughout his spine, causing a spinal fracture from the metastases.
He's been on morphine for three weeks now and has an epidural catheter in his spine.
The doctors are basically saying radiation isn't "worth it," but we're fighting to get him that treatment.
Does anyone know what the survival odds actually look like with a diagnosis like this?
Thanks in advance.

Radiation for the spine is palliative care, meaning the goal is to halt the progression of the metastasis and manage the pain. That said, you haven't given me the full picture of his condition. Are there metastases elsewhere? What is his overall physical state?
There are certainly chances for survival, but the real question is the quality of life he'll have.
Hang in there and try to be his rock.

I’m totally fine with this; honestly, it’s one of the few smart moves Kennedy's has made lately. I still have nightmares about those chaotic mornings at the local community health center—standing there while I was pregnant, surrounded by people coughing, spitting, sniffing, burping, kids screaming their heads off, and seniors constantly grumbling... it was pure hell. I don't know what kind of conditions nurses are dealing with elsewhere, but my doctor has her own private practice setup: she has her exam room, a dedicated station for wound care, and a small reception area where the nurse handles all the paperwork and referrals. My only real worry is that because nurses have been buried under mountains of mandatory paperwork for years, they might be out of practice when it comes to drawing blood. To do it right—without digging around in your arm or leaving massive bruises—you really need to be a seasoned pro who does it every single day.

slyseal28 said:According to the Medicare formulary, both Avastin and Erbitux are listed as first-line treatments. The catch is that Erbitux is specifically reserved for patients whose metastases are limited to the liver—making them potential candidates for surgical removal—and, obviously, they can't have the KRAS gene mutation. That’s the whole reason we run the KRAS test.

Link to the drug formulary here:
Page 69 - criteria for Erbitux
Page 70 - criteria for Avastin

I was describing a scenario that’s actually pretty standard (even though I clarified in my opening sentence that both can be used as first-line options 😉). Usually, doctors start with Avastin, which means if they want to switch to Erbitux later, it won't happen until the third line of treatment, provided the patient tolerates it.
My concern is that this specific case is going to hit a wall with insurance coverage. Right now, the medical need is to administer either Erbitux or Avastin during the second line of treatment, but that doesn't align with Medicare's current indications.🙄🙄🙄

Robert Grant84 said:Medicine isn't my specialty, but I honestly think they botched my mom's care. After her colon surgery for Duke Cancer involving several lymph nodes, they gave her some kind of weak chemo.
It wasn't until after a fourth surgery and six months of pure misery—dealing with raw meat issues, intestinal tangles, and three more procedures—that they finally put her on Folfiri. Now, after just three cycles, you can actually feel tumor tissue in her abdomen according to the discharge papers...
So, apparently, even this isn't doing a damn thing. 👎
Should we stick with the Folfiri, or should we push for a break and maybe look into testing for Erbitux?

Mom really should have been on Avastin or Erbitux as a first-line treatment, and frankly, I don't get why she wasn't. Usually, people facing colon cancer get Avastin right away, while Erbitux doesn't even come into play until the third line of defense. This looks like the standard Medicare protocol, if you know what I mean.
Get her tested for K-RAS.

😁
We’re "beyond" all that. In this country, we don't just sit around waiting months for a diagnosis because of some massive backlog. So, technically, there isn't an issue here—because if you haven't been diagnosed, the problem doesn't officially exist. 👍

copperraven53 said:What I miss most is that feeling of being close to him—just having him kiss me while we’re cuddling. 😬

😢 It’s a heavy feeling... but honestly, I kind of embrace it. There’s something about that overwhelming sadness that puts things into perspective. It hits you hard, making you realize how lucky we are compared to people living with paralysis or dealing with permanent disabilities. When you face that kind of weight, you suddenly find yourself incredibly grateful just to be able to feel the rest of your body.
I did a little digging online, and after scouring some foreign forums, I found that while some women do eventually see their skin bounce back, it takes a significant amount of time—and for others, it honestly just never happens.