Posts by Angela Wright

Dana Miller2 said:I’m jumping in here too.
I'm not really looking for advice or anything specific.
My mom is dying and there's just nothing we can do to help her.😢
We're all just waiting for the end.
Honestly, I don't even know why I'm posting this.
Maybe I just need to hear some encouraging words.
I want to wish everyone else out there still fighting for their loved ones tons of strength, patience, and a peaceful outcome this 🙂

🙂...I am so sorry, but just like everything else in life, this will pass, and you will be okay again one day. You'll be a different person because of it, but you'll be okay.
Cherish every single second you have left with her and tell her how much you love her. I used to say it to my mom all the time, but now I feel like I didn't say it enough... it never feels like enough. 😢
Stay strong.

It’s almost like there’s some hidden epicenter of infection buried somewhere deep inside you. How are your teeth doing lately? And have you actually gone in for a urinalysis yet?

Brenda Cooper3 said:I’ve finally realized something—call it my personal theory, if you will. Everything that tastes absolutely revolting is actually good for you, while everything that tastes delicious is usually junk. 😁
Anyone else feel the same way?? haha

Spot on! I’d just add that anything tasting good is a one-way ticket to gaining weight. 😠

Thomas Davis55 said:Just thirty days of total abstinence 😁

Once your hormone levels stabilize and the acne finally clears up, you can go back to your old lifestyle—as long as you strictly limit sex or masturbation to maybe two or three times a week at most. That’s how you prevent those massive hormonal rollercoasters from wrecking your system. I can't promise this works for everyone, but I was a nightmare case myself, and I managed to clear my skin just by regulating my internal chemistry. Most dermatologists and their expensive prescriptions are just selling people a lie when the solution is actually this straightforward.

Sure, why don't you cite a peer-reviewed study? Who knows, you might solve a global crisis and snag a Nobel Prize on your first try.😉

Richard Sanchez8 said:Hey everyone, my upper lip has been pretty swollen for the last five days. I went to see a doctor yesterday and got some allergy pills, though honestly, I wasn't expecting much change. Over the last ten days, I noticed this tiny bit of redness right where my lip meets my skin—barely anything, but you know me, I spend way too much time staring in the mirror! This morning, it looks a little redder than before. It’s not intense, but there's definitely a difference. Is the redness related to the swelling? The redness is on the edge, but the swelling feels more "inside" the lip; nothing is visible there, just that the lip itself looks about 20% larger. Could this be herpes? I'm 20 years old and I've never had it once in my life...

Doesn't look like herpes to me.
Check out these photos and decide for yourself: http://derma.freehostia.com/derma_sl...s_simplex2.jpg
In my opinion, it just looks like irritation from the cold weather and constant lip licking.
Just use some ointment.

Drew Booth said:Hey, I'm 25. About six months ago, I had chickenpox, and because my immune system took a hit and I was under a lot of stress, I developed gastritis (my stomach is fine now). Then I had surgery nine months ago, and just recently had to get an infected tooth pulled...

I know your immunity stays low for a while after chickenpox, but since I got over them six months ago, is it possible I'm still this weak because of it?
I seem to get sick every single month. A few days ago, I hit a 102 fever, ended up with canker sores, and some oral thrush on my tongue... now my gums are so inflamed I can barely eat, so I'm using Orajel and Nystatin.

I've been taking multivitamins and now Omega-3 per my doctor's recommendation, but clearly, I'm getting sick again... I think I've lost about 17 pounds in the last six months, mostly due to all these diets...

My blood work comes back perfect—everything looks fine—but it's just constant flu, viruses, and colds, plus this gum issue right now...
Is it actually possible for such a long period of weakened immunity to stem from those chickenpox, or do you guys have an idea for another cause?

Thanks and Happy Holidays 🙂

It looks like you've just been hit by one thing after another. First the chickenpox, and then it seems that infected tooth you eventually had surgery for really did its damage too.
Just keep taking your Omega-3. You might want to try some immune support drops and some organic propolis (www.naturemade.com) and make sure you're eating well!

Emily Peterson15 said:Oh, I forgot to mention... there isn't any blood in my stool. I assume that's usually the sign that something is actually wrong with the gut, but since there's no blood, maybe I don't need to see anyone? Also, which specialist should I be looking for if I want an intestinal exam? Any recommendations?

Just because you don't see blood doesn't mean it isn't there.
It’s pretty obvious that this pain you're feeling is tied directly to constipation. You need to fix your diet—start eating more yogurt, fruit, and vegetables. And stay away from bananas; they tend to bind things up.
If this keeps happening, go see a doctor.

If this doesn't settle down soon, you really need to head to the ER. Intense abdominal pain isn't just some minor discomfort—it can be a massive red flag for serious issues like internal bleeding, ectopic pregnancies, or bowel obstructions.

boldotter96 said:Surgery was done on December 8, 2009, and here is the latest HP report:
Since most of the tumor was already cleared out during that previous curettage, they can't get an accurate read on its actual size. It hasn't started digging into the myometrium, though it does involve some focal endometrial glands. There’s no sign of lymphovascular invasion, either. The cervical tissue shows nothing more than mild signs of chronic inflammation.
Total meltdown. pT2aNxMx FIGO IIA
My doctor’s take is pretty straightforward: what happened, happened. We got it out, you’re a healthy woman, and there’s no need for any extra treatment because we caught it right when we were supposed to.
I'm heading to my tumor board meeting then:
The surgeon who performed my operation, working alongside my specialist as part of the multidisciplinary tumor board, is leaning toward a specific plan: preventive brachytherapy combined with a maximum ovarian excision.
The radiologist just gave me the news, and honestly? It’s a total non-starter. We aren't talking about some mild treatment here—it’s both external and internal radiation, and it’s heavy-duty because we're looking at FIGO IIA. Looking back, leaving those ovaries in was a complete waste of time; there's nothing left of them that matters now. 😢
So, here’s what the pathologist is telling me: only one endocervical gland was affected, there’s no lymphovascular invasion, and the cervix itself looks completely clear.
And here we go, another one of those debates starting up... honestly, I feel like I’m just sitting there watching a tennis match from the sidelines. 🎾
The oncologist shuts down the debate by suggesting I get a rectosigmoidoscopy and a CA 19-9 test before we decide on any next steps. Honestly, I just walked out of there, and halfway home, I actually started laughing—mostly because I felt so sick to my stomach. Look, I'm just going to go ahead and get the colonoscopy done. 😳So, I’ve got my pathology results back, and it shows an adenocarcinoma. My CA19-9 came in at 4.2, while the reference range goes up to 33. Any thoughts?
Now I’m just sitting here waiting for the next tumor board meeting—wondering if they're going to come at me with a bunch of half-baked new ideas or if we're finally getting a definitive decision.
Three doctors, three completely different takes... you can only imagine the mental state I'm in right now. It’s pure chaos. If they hadn't held that entire debate behind my back without me being there to hear it, it might have been slightly less maddening. And don't even get me started on the surgeon who actually handled my procedure.
So, that’s my story. I’d love to hear your take on all of this. Thanks in advance, and sending you all my best.

Look, speaking from my own indirect experience here, I’m telling you: listen to the oncologist. They are the only ones on the team who actually specialize in this specific area. Everyone else—the surgeon, the pathologist, the radiologist—did their job perfectly fine. The surgeon operated, the pathologist confirmed the diagnosis, and the radiologist read the scans. But the oncologist? They’re the one who ordered all those tests that show everything is sitting at a solid 5. Chemotherapy and radiation aren't like taking an aspirin just to be safe; they aren't preventative measures you toss around casually. They can cause real harm if there isn't a clear reason to use them. The oncologist will make the final call, and that is the decision you need to stick to.
You can always go looking for a second opinion once everything finally settles down.

rowdyotter65 said:I checked everything; my OBGYN said my ovaries look fine, so there’s no need to test my hormone levels. Still, she put me on Diane 35 anyway, and my dermatologist told me to take them for six months—I'm halfway through month three now. I really appreciate you checking in and offering advice; it feels like my doctors here couldn't care less about what I'm going through. I'll see how things shake out after the first month.

Diane is actually great for that specific issue. So, have you noticed any actual improvement yet?
Just because your ovaries are supposedly "fine" doesn't mean your hormones are balanced. I don't quite follow the logic being used in 🤷 But regardless, the pills should help get everything back in sync.

rowdyotter65 said:My hair is thinning everywhere, not just in patches. My iron levels look fine, though I might be low on certain vitamins—I'm working on fixing that. I’ve got a dermatologist appointment next month for my skin since I’m finishing up a course of doxycycline (I dealt with acne before, but now it's this cluster of tiny breakouts... maybe it's my stomach? What other symptoms does Helico cause?) I'm hoping they can figure out the root cause. 😢

Helico doesn't really have its own specific set of "signature" symptoms; it mostly just triggers digestive issues like GERD, heartburn, and the like. You absolutely have to treat it with antibiotics because it can lead to stomach cancer. It's usually diagnosed through a gastroscopy where they take a tissue sample for a biopsy.
Regarding those breakouts and acne... have you looked into ovarian issues, like PCOS? Hair loss often shows up right alongside those kinds of hormonal struggles.
There's a chance that treating the infection with antibiotics could clear everything up at once, but whether that actually works for your specific situation is something only that interdisciplinary medical team I mentioned can tell you.

Look, honey, just be thankful to God that He actually gave you a sense of humor 😳

ruggedhawk11 said:I'm 16 years old and 5'10". I've only grown about an inch in the last two years... does that mean I'm done growing, or could there be something else going on??

P.S. Please, no jokes! 🙂)

You can, and you probably will. Most people keep growing until they hit 20 or 21.

You absolutely need to see a dermatologist. But honestly, just seeing a skin specialist isn't enough—you need an interdisciplinary approach here. You really ought to go through a systematic full-body screening, because hair loss like this often isn't just a surface issue; it’s frequently a red flag for something deeper inside, like a dental granuloma, a stomach infection from something like H. pylori, or even gallbladder inflammation.
Once you actually pin down the root cause, solving the problem becomes a much more straightforward task.

Kimberly Wright said:this whole healthcare setup sounds both fascinating and infuriating.😁

I honestly can't even focus on my mother because I'm constantly drowning in this endless administrative nightmare. It drives me absolutely insane—my mom has been paying into the system for 30 years, she pays for supplemental insurance, and yet she still can't get timely or decent healthcare when she actually needs it.😠

We booked a follow-up with a gastroenterologist a full month in advance for an appointment in December.
We sat there waiting five hours for a doctor who didn't even show up that day, despite having office hours once a week!!
Instead, we got some random doctor who couldn't tell us a single thing, so we left without getting anything done. They told us to come back next Monday with all our test results gathered. And do you want to know if the doctor showed up then? Nope, not a sign.👎
Even his nurse had no clue he’d been out in New York City for several days already.👎
That time, even the doctor from the previous Monday wasn't there; we were seen by a third stranger instead.

Since my mom begged me to just calm down, I didn't go looking for the department manager. What a disgrace.👎

Luckily, I have the stamina to handle spending entire days bouncing between hospitals, but the sheer lack of respect for sick people—who, by some miracle, make up the majority of people in these buildings—is staggering.

And then people claim, "Oh, there's no money, that's why healthcare is like this." During those five hours we spent sitting in that hospital, I memorized every single doctor, nurse, and staff member in that wing. Why? Because the entire crew was just wandering the halls, gossiping, and sipping coffee in the cafeteria.👎

Honey, listen to your wise mother and just breathe. I am telling you this most seriously, because if you don't, everything is just going to spiral out of control. Your mom is handling things incredibly well, and that’s what matters!
Everything you're saying is spot on, and you have every right to be furious, but right now, that anger isn't helping you, because you simply don't have the bandwidth for it. Your mom needs you focused. You aren't going to fix the systemic failures of the country. That's what advocacy groups like ours exist for—we fight the battles with the Department of Health and Human Services and insurance giants every single day. Believe me, these problems are so deep-rooted it would take a lifetime of work to untangle them.
What you *can* do is accept the reality of the situation and navigate it however you see fit. I'm certain you're smarter than most of the hacks who designed this system, so I know you'll figure a way through.
As for the system itself: expect the absolute worst, rely on yourself and God's providence, and hope for the best.
Be persistent, be a nuisance, and be passive-aggressive if you have to.👍

Kimberly Wright said:the saga continues...
I honestly thought today would be the day I’d finally snap or at least lose my mind from the stress 🙂

After that whole mess with AT&T and trying so hard to snag that specific start date for therapy—fat chance! Now we have to go get a PET scan, argh!
It's all starting over! 😱

I truly don't understand how the rest of you manage to push through all this nonsense 🤷
I'm heading to my primary care doctor at least once a week just to pick up various referrals. Thank God I actually have a doctor and a nurse who have hearts; they leave my paperwork ready so I can just swing by after work without waiting forever.

But for every single oncology appointment, I have to schedule it manually. Even though there's an option to book via fax or email—which I tried, by the way—it absolutely does not work 😠 and then it's the same old story: begging my boss to let me slip away "just for a second" to handle something, and then begging the front desk just to get on the schedule. If I hadn't personally shown up yesterday to book my mom's appointment, who knows when she would have been seen while we sat around waiting for someone to acknowledge a fax.

The mere thought of what this is going to look like once chemo and radiation kick in scares me 🤷
How does healthcare transport even work?

Honey, we survive because we've already accepted that this is just how it is.
That's why we're here—to support each other and point each other in the right direction, right? 😉
Healthcare transport works like this: your doctor writes up a referral, and then you call them around 7 AM on the day you need a ride. They drive around town picking up everyone headed to the hospital. They aren't exactly reliable when it comes to timing, either. They practically took my mother on a scenic tour of the city before she finally made it to her MRI appointment.

Robert Lopez12 said:The skin on my fingers is peeling, specifically both of my thumbs right now.

I'm currently remodeling the house, so I've been doing a ton of drywall work and dealing with stuff like lime and cement. I haven't been wearing gloves because they just get in the way, so I'm wondering if that's what's causing this.

Any advice?👍

Yeah, absolutely. Honestly, man, you need to be more careful. At the very least, throw on some surgical gloves while you're working. Once you're done, slather your hands in Johnson & Johnson or, better yet, Vaseline. Really soak them in it.

swiftbear86 said:Look, I’m a smoker too... and I totally get it, quitting is incredibly tough.😁☕
But honestly, wouldn't it still be worth the effort???😕

Wait, quit smoking?
Since I don't smoke, I'm already winning from day one. 😁

That said, I’m throwing my full, honest support behind anyone trying to kick the habit. I know plenty of people who actually pulled it off, and they're living much better lives because they finally dropped that massive weight off their shoulders.👍

swiftbear86 said:What kind of injections are we talking about? Hormones are hormones, regardless of whether it's the pill or something else, right?😕

I mentioned earlier that I’m dealing with endometriosis. Basically, you can try to manage the symptoms with birth control pills, or you can opt for hormone injections—but those come with side effects so brutal they feel like being in a coma.

swiftbear86 said:By the way—smoking is an absolute no-go when you're using birth control!!!!!😠 The risk of blood clots jumps up significantly... and honestly, all those blood clotting tests people insist on before starting are usually pretty pointless because everyone's results come back normal anyway. A doctor should really just look at your medical history to decide if you're a good candidate or not. Smokers simply aren't candidates. Most of those tests are just done to make patients feel better, but they're expensive and largely unnecessary (I'm talking about things like clotting time and prothrombin time). The biggest cardiovascular risk window is usually within those first three months of use...
There's actually a medical textbook called "Benefits and Risks of Hormonal Contraception" by Dr. Shimunic and colleagues. If anyone can track down a copy, it's worth a read...
☕

I'm in.
I remember it vividly—back in 2005 when I had my endometriosis surgery. The doctor at the hospital gave me the lowdown on Yasmin just like he was talking to a kid: "Look, honey, if you smoke, forget about it... I'll be putting you straight on injections instead." So yeah, this whole Yasmin drama started way before any of these recent headlines.
Unfortunately, most people just prefer to look the other way when things get uncomfortable.