Posts by Angela Wright

Lawrence Wells said:You’re playing a dangerous game with that piercing! You could easily introduce bacteria every single time you take it out and put it back in.

Spot on, especially considering the mouth is a massive breeding ground for bacteria—not to mention how much more concentrated things get compared to, say, an earlobe. Messing with lip and tongue piercings can get ugly fast.
It’s pretty obvious that the piercing site is prone to infection, so I honestly think it would be better to just head to a doctor and get a prescription for some antibiotic ointment. Picking at it is only going to flare up the inflammation, and you could end up with a nasty situation on your hands.

Timothy Perez86 said:Hey, it's me again. I've read everything I could find online, following it to a T. But things have taken a serious turn because everything just got so complicated. My dad survived his first brain aneurysm surgery and recovered pretty quickly. However, about a week ago, they took him back in for another procedure—it was purely a life-saving measure because the initial repair on that aneurysm wasn't done correctly. During this second surgery, they had to remove a clot that formed during the initial rupture. He’s in much worse shape now, though he is slowly recovering. They’re predicting he’ll need yet another re-operation on that same aneurysm. I wanted to ask if anyone knows what his chances are of pulling through, and if he’ll be able to normalize at least a little bit afterward, or if there might be major lasting consequences. I'm just asking because if anyone has dealt with this in their family, please let me know; the doctors are being very guarded and aren't giving us much information. I know I'm asking a lot, but thanks in advance.

Man. 😢 It sounds like they really put him through the wringer. Personally, my experiences have been quite positive. When my mom had surgery for her glioblastoma, she shared a room with three other women who were all there for aneurysm surgeries. One of them actually lost her sight because the aneurysm was positioned right against the optic nerve. Her doctor gave her a choice: go in immediately knowing those risks, or wait a few months for the hospital to get new equipment for a newer type of procedure that carried fewer complications. That woman had three young kids with no one else to look after them, so she chose to get it over with right away—and it looks like she missed the mark, because she ended up spending another month in a rehabilitation facility after the surgery.
All the other women handled their surgeries beautifully without any complications.
Ivanna, there are so many variables at play here. No two people are the same, and no two aneurysms are in the same spot. On top of that, the skill level and experience of the surgeons make a massive difference.
My advice? Get hold of all his medical records and seek a second opinion before they cut him open again.
Opening the skull is inherently high-risk; any time you're messing with the brain, you're playing with life itself. I've always gotten the impression that neurosurgeons try to fix as much as possible during a single opening.
If your dad pulls through all of this, he’ll likely need some serious recovery time and rehab at a specialized center, because it seems inevitable that all this tinkering with the brain will cause some neurological glitches. Plenty of people have to relearn how to walk, talk, read, or do basic math... anything can happen (though my mom didn't end up with any issues, for instance), but modern rehabilitation is actually quite effective.
Don't panic and go running around asking people if he'll survive or not, because only God knows the answer to that. What you *can* do is ensure that your dad is under the care of the best possible doctor available.

Carol Edwards81 said:Hey everyone,
My dad (56) was diagnosed with colon cancer yesterday. 😢
He’s been dealing with digestive issues for years, but he just kept putting off the tests his doctor insisted he get done...
The tumor is large, leaving only about 6 mm of the intestinal passage open. He also had an abdominal ultrasound where they mentioned some changes in his liver; they think it might be unrelated, but they still want him to get a CT scan to be sure.
Honestly, I have no clue how to act. I am terrified, but I know I can't let him see that. 😢
If anyone has gone through this type of cancer or has any advice at all, thank you in advance.
Sorry if I'm repeating myself, I haven't had a chance to catch up on the whole thread yet, but I will over the next few days....

Fear is a completely normal, natural reaction. It usually settles once treatment actually begins. I truly hope those liver findings aren't related to the colon cancer. Doctors wouldn't leave things hanging with vague statements like that unless there was a reason to wait for more data. If there are no metastases in the liver, treating the cancer becomes much more straightforward and the prognosis improves significantly.
Try to act as normally as possible. You cannot allow an atmosphere to develop where the illness starts running your entire lives. It has to stay under control, and you need to set that tone from day one. Your dad is still the same man he has always been; he just happens to be fighting a disease that can be beaten. You have to build a positive mindset right from the start—just take it one day at a time and tackle whatever comes your way. Right now, just wait for those results so you have a clear picture of what you're facing and what the next steps are. Trying to jump ahead and worry about the future is completely counterproductive.

Amy Hayes28 said:He’s getting insulin, so his levels dropped to 14.
I guess we'll see about using Mannitol instead of Dexedrine—that's an option, right?
I already asked them about switching since his heart is weak and Dexedrine just puts too much strain on him, but honestly, it feels like fighting windmills. Who am I kidding? I shouldn't even be suggesting this kind of thing.🙄
Listen, Ivanica, you should seriously go to medical school so America can finally get some decent doctors.😁

Mannitol acts like an osmotic agent to pull down edema, but it carries a massive yo-yo effect. Usually, for severe swelling, they hit it with Mannitol first to stabilize things, then maintain that state with Dexedrine.
Unfortunately, those drugs are a double-edged sword, and they end up using them simultaneously. My dad is hopefully on some cardiac meds like Atenolol now.

Forget my med school dreams—I don't have the stomach for it. Instead, I'm just going to start an Association where we actually collaborate with competent doctors. Trust me, they exist. I've got two of them just in my own family.
👍

Megan Grant73 said:Does anyone happen to have a contact number for Dr. Boris Vucelić over at the Mayo Clinic in Washington, D.C.?

If you have the info, just shoot me a private message with the number.

If you don't already know, does anyone actually have a clue how I can get ahold of that number?

Boris Vucelić heads up the Gastroenterology Department at the Mayo Clinic. If you’re looking to get in touch with him, don't bother hunting for a direct line—it’s a fool's errand. The simplest way to navigate this is to call the Mayo Clinic directly, ask for his specific department, and then coordinate with the nursing staff to find out when he’s actually available for consultations. Doctors at places like the Mayo Clinic are absolutely slammed; trying to reach them by phone is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Most of them keep their private numbers strictly under wraps, and even if you did manage to get a cell number, they tend to swap phones out several times a year anyway. Your best bet is to make the call around 9:00 AM, right before the morning rounds and consultation meetings kick off. That’s usually the sweet spot where you might actually catch someone on the unit.

Look, that high blood sugar is being triggered by the dexamethasone. It’s provoking it. A reading of 30 is insanely high—we're talking potential coma territory here. You absolutely have to demand they prescribe some oral glucose medication, because even though the level is at 30, insulin is still an option. Give Vuk Vrhovec a call and ask for advice, especially since you're dealing with patients whose blood sugar is this volatile.

And here I was thinking my mom's 17 was way too high.🙄 She was taking Glucophage.

Amy Hayes28 said:Man, he’s becoming impossible to deal with...*
Poor old guy, stuck dealing with him😢
Now that his blood work is a total disaster, I try to get him to be honest about how much Ceylon cinnamon juice, Propolis, Noni, or Beta-glucans he’s actually taking.
Of course, he claims he hasn't taken anything, but if his doctor told him it was working, he’d believe it in a heartbeat, even if it were complete garbage.🙄
He’s starting to realize I was right all along, but what’s the point now?
And trying to pin down the doctor is a lost cause—finding him is like trying to hit a six on a lottery ticket.😁

Try being Tactical when you talk to your dad. You know, ask things like, "What would you think if..." or "I heard from so-and-so that Propolis really helped them. What do you think?" Be just a little more persistent. I already mentioned this way back at the start of this thread. I went through similar battles with my mom, and the best way to handle it was this specific approach. It gives her the space to make her own decisions while I’m still indirectly nudging her toward the right choice.

Amy Hayes28 said:A little bit behind schedule...

Happy New Year to everyone! First and foremost, I'm wishing you all nothing but great health!!

What am I even supposed to say? Nothing, really. Absolutely nothing. I honestly don't know where to start or what there is left to write.
We just couldn't agree to that medication. First off, my dad refuses to shut up about anything that isn't "traditional" medicine, and honestly, they wouldn't have been able to swing the cost anyway. Besides, nobody had the nerve to point out that there’s always a way to find the money when it comes to health. Maybe if we had reached a breaking point, they would've finally given it a shot for a few weeks while they scraped the funds together, but the old man rejects anything that doesn't fall under the umbrella of classic medicine.
That’s exactly why they had to halt his radiation treatment—his blood work is a mess right now (by the way, his blood sugar hit 30). On top of that, he’s dealing with a massive ear infection that nobody has even bothered to treat yet.🙄
I’m absolutely sick of everything right now. To make matters worse, my old man refuses to ask those "god-complex" doctors a single question because he's terrified of offending them—as if you aren't allowed to actually speak up in a medical appointment! It’s driving me insane.👎
Right before Christmas, his radiation orders were changed. Dr. Soltysek noted that we should start with imaging of the lower back area, but since then, we haven't been able to track down another doctor to sign off on the paperwork. So, the scans are still stuck on the old settings—though at this point, it’s not even necessary anymore.
For the first ten days, they were hit with 10-minute radiation sessions. It was all pretty much guesswork because there wasn't even a doctor on hand to determine the exact dosage or what specifically needed targeting, so they just went in with rough estimates. Look, you don't have to believe me, but this is the reality of it—and honestly, I could tell you about much worse stuff than this. Total flop.
I asked the doctor for a final diagnosis, and he just hits me with this arrogant attitude, basically asking, "Why do you even need to know? You didn't go to medical school, so what does it matter to you?"
In the end, I started babbling about something that made absolutely zero sense. I sat there scribbling it all down, only to realize later that someone had gone and smeared my work with a marker.🙄 Anyway, something that has absolutely nothing to do with this.😢
We decided to take him to a private doctor this Monday without letting the hospital know. We just need someone to clean out that infection, and we're going to get an MRI done so we can finally see if anything has actually changed.
So, basically, they just sleep through everything, forgetting it all happened...
One day, things are going to get better.😢

That’s a tough break. Look, the guy has clearly decided to play by his own rules, and honestly, you’re probably not going to talk him out of it.
When you're dealing with doctors who act like this, you honestly need to bring a little arrogance to the table. If they approach you with that kind of attitude, you have to push back. Corner them again. Tell them straight up that they've made a mistake regarding your diagnosis, because once you actually look into the facts, what they're saying just doesn't hold water.
Be brave, stay proud, and just be yourself, honey.

P.S. If you managed to track down the name of that medication, please let me know.

Your belly button is basically just a little crater where dead skin cells and sweat collect, creating a breeding ground for bacteria that feast on that debris—and that’s exactly what causes the stench. There's no way around it: when you shower, you need to actually scrub inside there with soap and a washcloth to get all that dead skin out.

Just one single cigarette wraps your entire lungs in incredibly toxic smoke for about 15 minutes after you finish it.
I caught this fact yesterday during an episode of "War of the Roses" over on PBS, so now it's your turn to chew on that.🤷

Scott Allen10 said:@Angela Wright/">@@Angela Wright

Look, I’m definitely not trying to call you wrong here... honestly, I respect everyone's take on this. My comment wasn't meant as a direct rebuttal to you, but more like a side note tied back to what the original poster brought up in the first place.🙂

I didn't take it that way either; I was just clarifying my reasoning. It didn't feel right to dump everything out in my very first post, and I was genuinely curious to see what those of you with actual expertise had to say about it.🙂

Timothy Perez86 said:Hey everyone, I'm new to this group. 🙂 Just wanted to wish you all a happy holiday season and hope 2008 brings nothing but health and happiness to you and your families. To wrap things up, I was wondering if anyone here has any experience dealing with a brain aneurysm?

Welcome, John!
You can find info regarding cerebral aneurysms here.
If you catch it early, modern medicine handles it incredibly well. Surgical techniques have come such a long way that the risk of neurological side effects from "touching" the brain has been reduced to a bare minimum.

Scott Allen10 said:Some kind of UTI doesn't seem relevant to the current situation.

I was basically shooting in the dark here because I saw a woman lying right next to my mom who had these exact same symptoms—minus the hiccups and shoulder pain—that David Myers4 listed for his father. Even though we’re talking about completely different diseases and procedures, the symptoms were a mirror image. They messed around for a week until the woman started choking and gasping for air. Apparently, she ended up with a pulmonary embolism on top of falling into toxic shock caused by E. coli. Whether those two things were linked is anyone's guess, but to me, it felt like they couldn't see the forest for the trees. She ended up in the ICU, and we never even found out if she pulled through. This lady—who, ironically, was a retired anesthesiologist—was on a catheter and only putting out about half a liter of orange fluid a day. Meanwhile, I was by my mother's side non-stop, keeping her hydrated with parsley tea, and she was passing over 2 liters a day. I was doing all of that specifically because I knew an undetected UTI could delay the cancer treatment, which was absolutely critical to start immediately.

Whatever the case, I just hope they get things sorted in time so the patient can actually start their cancer treatment.

Linda Hill29 said:My dad was diagnosed with stomach cancer about 20 days ago. He had surgery 15 days ago, where they removed his entire stomach and lymph nodes. The pathology report showed two positive lymph nodes. It’s all terrifying, but right now, the biggest issue is his postoperative recovery, which frankly hasn't been good at all. He actually seemed best immediately after the surgery. But once they pulled out his feeding tube, the drain, and the urinary catheter (he still has a central line), everything just went downhill. The day after that, he started vomiting, then the hiccups hit him. His temperature was fine initially, but on the 10th day post-op, he spiked a fever of 102. On the 13th day, he was hit with this agonizing pain in his left shoulder and under his left rib cage. They gave him Dolantin. At one point, he even started shaking uncontrollably. They ran tests: ultrasound looked okay, chest X-ray was clear, bowel passage seems fine, and we're waiting on blood cultures. They started him on antibiotics. Today is day 15, and he is incredibly weak and exhausted. The intense pain has subsided, but his left abdomen is tender, and the pain flashes back briefly depending on how he moves, especially when sitting up or lying back down. The doctors suspect sepsis and think something is going on on his left side, but the problem is that nothing shows up on the ultrasound. They're wondering if there might be a slight leak at the anastomosis, but everything is up in the air. Right now, everyone is just waiting for clarity, but it feels like they're running out of ideas to solve it. Meanwhile, my father—who is 55 and has always been strong and steady—is slowly wasting away and losing weight, and he hasn't even started chemotherapy yet. I don't know what to do. Should I insist on more testing, like a CT scan? I'm terrified the sutures are failing, or that it's sepsis, or peritonitis... I'm scared they aren't doing everything possible. This is my first time posting on the forum, so I don't really know the rules or how things work here, but please, I need help. If anyone has any ideas or has gone through something similar, please let me know. I'm so scared and I have no idea what lies ahead; everything so far has been brutal. I can't stop seeing his exhausted face in my mind... and just 20 days ago, he was perfectly fine, strong, and full of life.

I'm just a layperson, so take this with a grain of salt. It's possible he picked up a urinary tract infection from the catheterization, and the bacteria spread, which would explain why they suspect sepsis. Usually, it’s E. coli or Staph aureus. Ask them if they've run a urinalysis.
The only thing you can really do is look into immune support supplements for him. We've discussed this extensively on this forum, and some of them are genuinely well-received. On the main thread, you'll find a sub-forum that could be extremely helpful—reach out there, and also check the website for the "Good Morning America" association www.zanovidan.hr, where you can find useful information.
Don't spiral into despair; instead, be persistent. Lean on the doctors. Sometimes they drop the ball not because they're bad people, but because they're overworked—there are too many patients and not enough staff to give every individual the intensive focus required for high-quality care. If you lobby for him and demand second opinions, you force them to pay closer attention. Unfortunately, that's just how hospitals work. There are plenty of us on this forum who will tell you the exact same thing.
Take it one step at a time. Just stay on top of them.

Karen Fox36 said:First off, Happy New Year 2008 to everyone! My mom just had a checkup, and the doctor mentioned her case is actually quite interesting because it isn't spreading further, which is pretty unusual for a glioblastoma. Now she’s been prescribed Medrol—does anyone know why they go with that? Also, is anyone here using Green Magma? I’ve been reading some fascinating accounts online.
All the best again, sending love to you all

It’s good news that it's staying put! You really have to buy time while waiting for a better treatment to hit the market.
Medrol is a corticosteroid, specifically containing dexamethasone, which works to reduce the swelling around the tumor. That swelling puts pressure on the brain, which is what triggers those various neurological issues.
Personally, I don't get why some patients get Medrol while others get Deksić. My mom was on Deksić, and when I asked the doctor why she wasn't on Medrol, I was told it just isn't as effective at handling brain edema compared to other types of swelling caused by tumor growth elsewhere in the body.

We haven't heard from you in a while, Amy Hayes28. Honey, I hope everything is okay. Please check in and let us know how things are going with that new brain tumor medication they were mentioning for your dad.

Anonymous said:Angela Wright, I’m not sure if you even remember me since you didn't get back to my last post, but regardless, I wanted to say thank you for starting this thread and for those kind words you shared when I needed them most. To be honest, I was terrified we wouldn't make it to New Year's Day together because of my mom's illness—and in a way, we aren't, since she's currently stuck in the hospital. 😢 But he's finally heading home tomorrow. 🙂

Thank you so much, beautiful. I hope every single word you've written here brings comfort—not just to me, but to everyone else in this thread too. May that kindness come back to you twofold in all the years ahead. 😉

Man, I am so sorry, I honestly have no idea how I missed that.😢
I'm glad your mom is coming home. It’ll be a good chance to make up for all that lost time.😉
I hope you’ve learned from this little example that jumping to conclusions is a losing game. You spend all your time spinning these dark scenarios in your head, building up a mountain of fear and anxiety over things that haven't even happened yet. Then, reality hits, and you realize everything turned out completely different from the nightmare you were busy constructing. You basically spent all that energy stressing yourself out and creating massive pressure for absolutely no reason.
That’s why I want to tell you and everyone else once again— Stop trying to live in the future.Let things play out exactly how they’re meant to, but always stay present and ready to step up whenever you can. Anything else is just an illusion—it's a massive energy drain that serves absolutely no purpose.

casualpanther1 said:Just wanted to give you all a heads-up: I’m joining the ranks of those facing brain surgery over the next two weeks. I’ve been at the local medical center for about two weeks now—just spending the weekend back home for a breather—but on January 7th, 2008, I’m heading over to the Vinogradski hospital to undergo the procedure.

Good God, you guys are really hitting a streak here.🙄 😢 This whole situation just goes to show how unpredictable life can be. Honestly, I think there was a bit of Divine intervention at play here, stepping in at just the right moment to get things moving so your wife can keep receiving the fierce, unwavering support she needs to fight this. I really hope she’s holding up okay; I can only imagine how incredibly heavy everything feels for her right now. Hang in there, Serge. Just stay brave. Please reach out the second it's over and you're actually up to typing—we're all thinking of you. If you need anything at all, you know we've got your back.

To all you wonderful people out there.
May the days ahead roll by one after another just as they should, and I hope you all stay as resilient and battle-ready as you've been so far. When you inevitably stumble, remember that there’s always someone here ready to pull you back up. This year is going to be a turning point because we finally have this Association, which can—and absolutely must—drive meaningful progress. Our goal is to provide real protection, shield you from the usual bureaucratic headaches, and above all, offer genuine, heartfelt support to people who have lived through exactly what you've endured. Most of you are probably experiencing for the first time what it truly means to face a situation you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. We are going to need every bit of your backing during our upcoming initiatives. A small handful of us can't possibly stand against the entire rusted machinery of the system on our own. So, as soon as our actions kick off—and you'll hear about them immediately—get everyone you know involved. Rally anyone standing by your side to lobby for a better tomorrow for all of us and for our children.

I want to say thanks once again to everyone here for the support and for cheering me on through this past year—easily the hardest stretch of my life. I truly appreciate all the advice, the comfort, and the sympathy you’ve shown me during my lowest points. God bless you all!

I'm wishing every one of you health, love, hope, and an abundance of faith, granted by the grace of our dear God.
Have a wonderful Summer season!🙂

Laura Kelly91 said:Dad has started having really intense pain around his lung area and his lower back (probably his kidneys). What could this be? The doctor told us to bring him into the hospital for an exam, but he refuses to go. He keeps saying he just wants to die at home—that's the first time he's ever said anything like that... I'm lost. He’s completely exhausted, miserable, and so anxious because of the pain. Does anyone have any idea if this is a sign that things are taking a turn for the worse, like he's heading toward the worst-case scenario? I feel terrible; I'm stuck here in Washington, D.C., while he's all alone over there...
Thanks for the replies!

Oh honey,😢
I think your best bet is to call 911. If it turns out to be the absolute worst, you won't have to live with the guilt later thinking you didn't do enough to make him comfortable. Maybe they can give him something for the pain right away, or perhaps the doctors at the hospital will prescribe him some Durogesic.
Personally, I would call emergency services. There isn't really another way.

brightgardener8 said:Well, I'm checking in too!
Not much has changed on our end. Mom is just doing things her own way. Even though she’s completely lost track of time—doesn't care if it's a holiday, a weekday, Wednesday, or Sunday... last night she was at a New Year's concert at Carnegie Hall. It was one of her biggest wishes, so we had to make it happen 😁
If her blood work looks okay, she’ll be continuing chemotherapy this week.
Sending my best to everyone, and I hope you all have a much happier New Year 2008!

It’s really wonderful that she got to go. My mom used to love going to those big galas, too. My dad and Mom never really did the whole prom scene back in the day, so they always made a point of going to Carnegie Hall instead.
I really hope you managed to find a little bit of relaxation yourself.

coastalwalker33 said:I actually had an appointment with this OB-GYN recently, and honestly, I walked out feeling like I hadn't understood a single word she said...
It was one of those situations where I practically had to interrogate her just to figure out what my actual diagnosis was. She seemed so eager to just get me out the door.
I didn't even realize what was going on until I got home and looked at the paperwork. It turns out I have PCOS. She told me I needed to start birth control to get my period back on track, but since those pills really didn't sit well with me, I stopped taking them—and my cycle has actually returned to normal. But now...
Does PCOS stay with you for life? And will I be able to get pregnant down the road? I honestly have no clue. If it’s a lifelong thing and she just glossed over that part during our visit, I’m going to be pretty upset with her...
Does anyone else here deal with PCOS? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

There is an entire thread dedicated solely to that topic.

Andrew Chase78 said:Two months ago, I went under the knife with a private surgeon to deal with this lump on my right side. Honestly, it’s been a massive insecurity of mine, so I finally pulled the trigger on surgery. During the consultation, he told me straight up it was just fatty tissue that could be easily removed. I didn't care about the cost—I just wanted it fixed—so I paid him in full, cash upfront. Everything seemed fine during the procedure; it was quick, done under local anesthesia, and the vibe at the clinic was chill. I wore a bandage for about a week, took it off, and thought I was golden. I was actually thrilled. But then, a week or two later, reality hit. That "lump" felt like it was back. It hadn't actually grown, though; the swelling just went down, revealing that everything was exactly the way it was before. We called the doctor and went back in for an immediate follow-up, only for him to backtrack. Suddenly, it wasn't fatty tissue after all—he claimed it was actually bone or something. He told me not to touch it and not to worry about it. Are you kidding me? I threw my money down the drain for nothing. If we had a deal to remove it, and I paid him fairly, he should have actually delivered what he promised. Now I'm stuck. I have an appointment scheduled next month at the Mayo Clinic to get a second opinion, so we'll see what they say. Anyone have any advice?🤷

😲
I can't believe a surgeon wouldn't even have a rough idea of the difference between a lipoma and bone tissue.🙄 Did he even bother doing a biopsy or a pathology report? Usually, it's standard practice for surgeons to send whatever they excise to a lab for analysis. This guy totally played you. If you feel like dealing with him further, go ahead, but otherwise, you don't have much choice but to wait for the experts at the Mayo Clinic to weigh in. If it really is bone, you might be looking at a benign bone tumor, like an osteoma.