Posts by Angela Wright

What happened to you guys? Where's all the fight? Let's get those posts moving before we lose our spot at the top of the trending list.😕
Keep typing. I’m still right here and I’m not stopping.👍

Amy Morgan34 said:Believe me or don't, but I've become totally immune to Advil—it doesn't touch my pain anymore!

You should really get your liver enzymes checked. At this point, switching to Aspirin might be your best bet; it's much easier on the liver.

Anonymous said:Man, you are really going through it. 😢
I honestly can't wrap my head around how a doctor could just shrug and tell you that's just how it is. 😕
You absolutely cannot brush this off; you need to get a second, maybe even third, opinion from different specialists to see what they actually think about this.

For what it's worth, I deal with pretty intense pain myself, though my situation is nothing like yours.
I take Aleve the second I feel even a tiny twinge, because I refuse to wait until the pain becomes unbearable.
I used Advil before, which works just as well.

Aleve absolutely trashed my liver.

Amy Morgan34 said:Angela Wright: "Honey, go see your OB-GYN for an ultrasound. You might be dealing with endometriosis or PCOS."

I didn't explicitly ask for one, but my doctor did run an ultrasound and everything came back perfect! Plus, I can't touch birth control pills because of some underlying health issues.

Thanks for the advice, ladies.🙂

In my experience, you need three separate ultrasounds—one at the start of your cycle, one halfway through, and one right before your period hits. Some cysts actually develop mid-cycle and then rupture during menstruation, which causes excruciating pain and heavy bleeding; by the time you head in for a scan after your period ends, everything looks totally normal. There's also another thing I just learned recently: about 20% of women naturally have a thicker uterine lining, which shows up as intense cramping and heavy flow. That’s my lucky number, so every month is basically a battlefield when I'm not on the pill.🙄

Look, you need to go see an OB-GYN for an ultrasound. It could be endometriosis or PCOS. Dealing with agonizing cramps and heavy bleeding like that is a textbook symptom for both. For years, doctors just gave me the runaround and told me everything was fine, until I finally demanded an ultrasound. That’s when they actually found something, which turned out to be endometriosis. Honestly, the best move for you would be talking to a specialist about birth control pills to balance things out and dial back those heavy flows. Taking hormonal BC will absolutely fix the issue—it'll turn your heavy bleeding from needing a super absorbent pad to barely needing anything at all—and it's way easier on your liver than the constant barrage of painkillers you're likely popping right now.

quietpilot87 said:I don't think the BMI formula holds any water when you're dealing with bodybuilders or exceptionally tall people.
By those standards, my boyfriend—who stands 6'5" and weighs about 240 lbs—is right on the edge of a BMI of 30, yet he’s anything but fat.

To be fair, there used to be specific calculators tailored for men and women separately, though I can't seem to track them down online anymore.🙄

Here is a BMI calculator so you can all deal with it yourselves 😉

slyseal28 said:My darling just had his chest CT scan, and the results are absolutely FANTASTIC!!!

The report states: "...No signs of potential tumor enlargement in the mediastinal lymph nodes. The trachea and both main bronchi show normal lumen width and regular flow. Following IV contrast administration, there are no signs of pathological opacification. Regarding the lung parenchyma, no focal lesions or signs of pleural effusion were detected."

The only things visible are scars: "On the left, an extremely high aortic arch is visible, along with soft tissue, fibrotic, postoperative, and post-radiation scarring extending distally from the aortic arch and left laterally from the pulmonary artery trunk." — that’s where that SS-monster was, and now it's GONE!!!

We did the CT at a private clinic called Diagnostic Imaging Center. We actually had his MRI done there before the surgery. The clinic takes Medicare, so you can go with a referral, though you might wait about 2-3 weeks in that case. The staff is professional, kind, and welcoming, whether you have a referral or are paying out of pocket. Plus, they keep meticulous patient records, so they had no trouble printing the old scans to compare them with the new ones.

My Pigeon is doing wonderful now. He’ll likely head back to work after the New Year. For now, he needs to rest... These days of waiting have really drained us. Things feel a bit heavy; we've carried so much anxiety and fear lately. We still have a follow-up with the attending physician next week and a PET scan on December 19th, and then we should be set for the year. I'm not sure how often we'll need checkups, but I assume it'll be at shorter intervals, maybe every three months or so.

Anyway, everyone, we are doing great and we are so happy! Both of us have birthdays coming up this week, and this CT result is the most beautiful birthday gift we could ask for! We beat that SS-monster!!!

You know, I told George on our way home from meeting you all that if Pigeon doesn't beat this, nobody will😍. And I was right! He earned this victory, and you deserve to have such a Great man by your side👍! God bless you!

Nancy Thomas18 said:Thanks for all the kind words of support from those who reached out. To be honest, I’ve been feeling pretty terrible these past few days, and the anxiety is starting to set in—wondering if I’ll have to go under the knife again because things have gotten complicated. I just can't seem to shake this abscess forming under my liver, though it's significantly smaller now than it was after the first surgery. This Friday, I'm finally heading in to schedule my chemo sessions, so the stress is hitting a peak. Reading through so many posts, it seems like everyone deals with horrific side effects, and I’m terrified of how I'll manage, but I know I have to. My biggest wish is just to live long enough to see my son graduate. If I can make it through that, then three more years of life isn't asking for much; I really hope that dream comes true, I don't want to be a jinx.
Hang in there, everyone fighting for your loved ones. For us patients, we just have to grit our teeth and fight through it, one day at a time... pushing toward a little more happiness. Sending my best to you all, and my deepest condolences to anyone who has lost someone.

Listen, believe me when I say there is a way through every single situation. You have to hold onto the belief that you will recover. Instead of picturing your son's graduation, try visualizing holding your great-grandchild in your arms. The power of suggestion is incredibly potent, and you shouldn't underestimate it. Losing this battle isn't even an option for you. Losing the fight doesn't exist!
Regarding the chemo, you need to make sure you have some kind of support system to drive you and stay by your side. I don't know if you have friends or family besides your son who can dedicate themselves to you like that. If not, you can call Hospice and ask for help. They can provide a volunteer who will step in whenever you need, drive you to chemo, and stay with you as long as necessary. There was a period when I was alone with my mom while she could still walk, but she kept falling; I had a volunteer living nearby, so whenever my mom went down, the woman would jump in her car and be there in a flash to help me get her back up.
Give them a call and arrange some assistance. They operate on a volunteer basis, and their help is free of charge.

Morgan Wilson7 said:Look, I get what bleed is and I know what DPI means, but this whole assignment feels incredibly mindless!
I’ve run into this so many times where clients demand a 150 DPI file, and I’m sitting there overthinking how to set it up!
Honestly? I just eyeball the bleed and set it roughly, usually using guidelines, and call it a day. If they’re the ones handling the printing, they should be smart enough to adjust the margins if I haven't defined them!

Well, fine, at least I'm not the only one who thinks this task is stupid! 😁

DPI stands for dots per inch—that's the print resolution.
PPI stands for pixels per inch—that's the screen resolution.

DPI settings are handled on the printer side. Since people constantly mix these two terms up, it’s highly likely whoever assigned you this job got their terminology scrambled.

If you want my advice, grab a technical manual. You aren't going to master the nuances of this trade without one. You need to nail these fundamentals; otherwise, you're just spinning your wheels, if you catch my drift.

Printer Resolution

The number of ink dots per inch (dpi) produced by all laser printers, including imagesetters. Most consumer-grade laser printers have a resolution of 600 dpi, while professional imagesetters reach 1200 dpi or higher. To figure out the right resolution for your image when printing to any laser printer—especially high-end imagesetters—check the "screen frequency" guidelines.

Inkjet printers actually produce a microscopic spray of ink rather than distinct physical dots; regardless, most inkjet models have an effective resolution ranging from 300 to 720 dpi. To find your specific printer's sweet spot, consult the manufacturer's documentation.

Melissa Kim45 said:Hey everyone. 🙂

...

It’s fine! It'll stay fine.🙂

ruggedpanther64 said:The last two years have felt more passive... like there’s just this constant lump stuck in my throat.

🤷 Look, go see a doctor immediately. It could be anything. A decent physician will actually listen to you, but make sure you insist they run a chest X-ray or some imaging on your lungs.

ironseal13 said:... my tooth is killing me and this stuff above didn't even touch it!

Here is what the Mayo Clinic website says about Lupocet:

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

How should you take LUPOCET tablets?
Adults and children over 12 years old:

Take 1 to 2 LUPOCET tablets 3 to 4 times daily, as needed.

Wait at least 4 to 6 hours between individual doses. In cases of severe kidney impairment, the interval between doses should be at least 8 hours.
Do not exceed 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.
The maximum recommended daily dose is also the absolute maximum allowed.

How long can you use LUPOCET tablets?
For adults, use for no longer than 10 days without consulting a doctor; for children, no more than 3 days.
If your symptoms don't improve despite using LUPOCET, or if new symptoms emerge, consult a pharmacist or physician.

So, you can still take them. Honestly, though, if I were you, I'd just head straight to the emergency dentist. Use a cold compress on your face—it might help a little.

Are you a smoker?

Nancy Thomas18 said:Hi everyone,
I've been reading through this thread for a while now, going back through all the pages. I was personally diagnosed with colon carcinoma and went through two surgeries in just about a month. Being here, I’ve found comfort in all the kind things you guys say to one another. It's just me and my son—he’s studying in NYC, so I've been facing these crises mostly on my own, and that's how it'll continue for a bit. I really admire Angela Wright; I truly believe she's the kind of extraordinary person anyone would want by their side, whether they're healthy or sick. I also look up to Diana, who is such a fierce fighter, something I feel I'm still lacking. I'm just about to start chemo, and I have so many questions that I can't seem to find answers to. If anyone is willing to share some advice on nutrition, how to handle the chemo sessions, or what to expect regarding post-op complications, I would be so grateful. I'll keep reading and might reach out from time to time when things get rough, but generally, I'm here, and maybe one day I'll be able to help someone else with my own experience. Hang in there—we fight until the end.

Dear, besides this forum, feel free to check out www.carcinoms.com too.
Even though you're on your own right now, you don't have to face these struggles alone, and you aren't alone.😘

Benjamin Thomas8 said:I’ve tried Monuril twice—it's that German powder packet, the kind where you just dissolve it in water like an Alka-Seltzer and drink it. Apparently, it's supposed to kick in after about ten days, and if the infection is particularly nasty, you take two or three doses spaced out over time rather than all at once.
I took one dose a few months back, and lately, I’ve been taking some herbal honey along with some other supplements meant to fight inflammation and, uh, urinary tract stuff... whatever... and I just finished another dose of Monuril recently. Honestly? It still hasn't cleared things up. I can just feel it.
At this rate, I think I'm going to have to go through another round of Monuril.
A neighbor of mine mentioned she took two doses and felt completely fine right after.
But I don't know, my immune system feels totally shot; I'm dealing with these persistent warts that won't go away, I'm catching every cold that passes by, and it's just constant.
I'm really hoping the Monuril combined with the herbal honey does the trick... because if it doesn't, I'm honestly at a loss.
The thing is, I've been on a massive amount of antibiotics this year alone—not just for the Escherichia, but for several other issues as well.
Have you ever heard anything about Monuril? Does it actually work like they say it does?!

I haven't heard of it, so I can't say for sure. As for this Ninur, you take one capsule twice a day, followed by one capsule daily for six months, which is supposed to wipe out the bacteria for good.
Regarding your immune system, you need to find something to give it a boost. Personally, I’ve had the best luck using native propolis—check it out here: www.hedera.com
Given the massive amount of antibiotics you've already cycled through, your doctor probably didn't bother with another round because the bacteria have likely built up a resistance. At that point, those antibiotics aren't doing anything except tearing down your natural defenses even further.

shadowheron4 said:Dear Angela Wright, unfortunately, I spoke with Dr. Grgic and he confirmed everything I said before was true. I just can't let him lead me on anymore. He’s honestly such a pathetic, miserable man. He basically admitted his hands are tied here and told me straight up that I need to find a new oncologist. It's absolutely unbelievable. When I told him I was going to take this to the press, he didn't even deny it—he just said I could, as long as I don't mention his name, because the poor guy is probably terrified of losing his job. I’ve already reached out to some other women I know who are also being treated by him, and they’ve all heard the rumors; everyone is in total shock. What on earth are we supposed to do now?🤷

To the Clinic Director, I am writing this formal protest to demand that Dr. Grgic be allowed to continue managing my medical case immediately. Any attempt to remove him from my care is not just a bureaucratic inconvenience; it is a direct violation of the standard of care I am entitled to receive. Under established medical guidelines and patient rights laws, a patient has a fundamental right to continuity of care. Forcing a change in physicians mid-treatment isn't just bad practice—it’s reckless. We aren't talking about a routine check-up for a minor ailment here. I am dealing with an incredibly heavy, life-altering diagnosis, and the stability of my treatment plan is paramount. Beyond the legalities, there is the matter of basic human decency and medical ethics. It is profoundly inhumane to uproot a patient facing such severe health challenges. To expect someone in my position to endure the exhausting process of meeting a new doctor, explaining my entire history all over again, and attempting to build a foundation of trust from scratch while fighting for my life is nothing short of cruel. Trust is earned through consistency, and Dr. Grgic has already done that work. Breaking that bond now serves no clinical purpose and only adds unnecessary psychological trauma to an already devastating situation. Consider this my final notice. If you insist on disrupting my care by replacing Dr. Grgic, I will not hesitate to take this fight elsewhere. I am fully prepared to escalate this matter to the Patient Rights Advocacy Group and bring this entire situation to the attention of the local news media. I expect a resolution that prioritizes my health and stability over administrative whims. Leave my physician in place.
Unfortunately, that’s the extent of what you can do. Anything beyond that is just a massive drain on your resources—it's nothing but wasted motion. You need to save every ounce of that energy for the actual fight.
Please, reach out and share what you're going through on the forum page too. www.carcinoms.com It should be possible to get an official statement regarding this whole new situation through that channel, so you might not even have to navigate this mess on your own. Actually, we’re in the process of setting up an association these days—one that will focus on tackling these kinds of issues and problems instead of just dealing with the illness itself.

shadowheron4 said:God bless you all. Is anyone here, or is anyone close to you, being treated by either Dr. Grgic or Dr. Gamulin at the University Hospital? I’ve personally been seeing Dr. Grgic for four years now, but yesterday I heard some news that absolutely floored me. Apparently, Dr. Grgic, Dr. Gamulin, and a handful of other oncologists have been barred from treating all types of cancer. Specifically, those two have been restricted solely to urinary tract cancers, which means the rest of us have to go find brand new oncologists. They’ve essentially had all their other patients "stripped" away from them. Now, after four years, I can't even see my own doctor anymore! This is criminal—they are stripping away our constitutional right to choose our own physician! I’m still reeling from this. Does anyone know anything about what's going on? Sending my best to everyone, stay strong...😕 😠

Oh, please, no—Dr. Grgic will definitely continue to take care of you. Look, the reality is that almost all oncologists specialize in specific types of cancer. It seems like they’ve decided to tighten up the organization at the University Hospital, so what feels like a huge injustice to you is actually just standard medical practice. They probably brought in new staff to cover the gaps. While my mom was being treated by Dr. Gamulin, she was working on her doctorate, which she likely just finished; it makes perfect sense that she'll be focusing on the area where she is most highly specialized. For most cancers, there are established treatment protocols, so theoretically, it shouldn't matter who is leading your care. However, since the University Hospital is a research hub, they focus on studying and researching new treatments based on which doctors specialize in which specific tumor types.

analogranger41 said:Thanks for the input.
I was thinking about hitting up the doctor, but honestly, I’m feeling a bit awkward about it. What do I even know 😢

Come on, man, get over yourself. It’s not like you’re showing up to his office with a bottle of Coke shoved up your ass.😉 😍
Just walk in, tell him what's bothering you, and he'll write you a prescription and send you on your way. Simple as that.👍

Linda Campbell said:That’s a great call. We definitely need a space for support and mutual help, and I think starting a fresh thread is the way to go—it keeps things organized for everyone.

Here it is: "Support thread for those who have lost loved ones after fighting a serious illness"

Please reach out here.