Posts by Angela Wright

Amy Hayes28 said:Just send me what it says and I'll translate it for you.

Hey girl, everything good? I just sent you a DM.

Karen Fox36 said:Hi everyone,
I haven't posted in a while because my schedule has been absolutely slammed. It’s finally been confirmed that my mom has Glioblastoma IV 😢, but honestly, I don't have the luxury of sitting around crying; I need to channel every ounce of my energy into fighting this thing. I just need a little guidance. We managed to get some injections—specifically Iscador 0.1 and 2. We haven't started administering them yet, though, because the instructions are all in German and I only speak English🙄 Can anyone give me some advice on how to go about giving these to her?? I would be incredibly grateful. Also, my aunt is flying in from England soon and she's bringing a huge haul of supplements and stuff she tracked down at pharmacies over there that she heard might help (pineapple root tablets, shark cartilage, Q10, various oils, etc.)

I am so sorry😢
Just keep fighting. I still firmly believe that beating glioblastoma is possible😠

I’ve honestly lost all faith in doctors lately. My husband is going through the exact same thing—over the last year, he’s developed at least 20 of those hard, fatty lumps all over his body. When he finally went to see a physician to ask about them, she basically just shrugged and said, "It’s nothing, do you want surgery or not?" It took everything I had just to convince him to go in the first place, especially since these aren't just tiny bumps; they are large, noticeable lumps that appeared incredibly fast. And her reaction was just that? Dismissive? Naturally, he isn't going back to her, but he hasn't seen anyone else either because he just doesn't know who to trust anymore.

Your husband likely has lipomas. They're just benign clusters of fat tissue that can be removed if they're causing issues. Unfortunately, there's no clear understanding of what triggers them, and they tend to keep coming back. My boyfriend is covered in them; they started cropping up right after his father passed away. My own theory is that this is a psychological issue manifesting physically. He has a tendency to suppress his emotions and avoid conflict at all costs. He bottles everything up inside, and then his body reacts by pushing these lumps out. Every time life hits him with a major setback, new ones pop up immediately.
Usually, these lipomas are removed in an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, and you get to head straight home right after.

Amanda White81 said:I’ve been struggling with my weight for quite a while now—the last few years have been a constant battle with being chronically underweight. Nothing seems to work to help me put on any actual mass. Every time I go to see my doctor, she just brushes me off like I should be thanking her; she acts as if I’m one of those girls dreaming of being thin... HELLO ???? I am anything but happy about this when I feel like a walking skeleton. I’m 5'6" and only weigh 99 pounds. She just tells me to eat more—as if that’s easy when I have zero appetite—and that's where the conversation ends.
So, about two months ago, they found a clear cyst on one of my ovaries, and my CA125 levels were up at 50. I went to a private clinic to get a full blood panel done—everything from biochemistry to hematology and a urinalysis—and took the results straight to my doctor to see if everything looked normal. She barely even gave them a glance. Barely. 😲 😲 So, when I finally confronted her about it—like, "Hey, what exactly does it mean that my sodium levels are low?"—she just looked at me and said, "Well, you clearly need to start eating more salt."🙄 And honestly? I have a massive salt habit.😕
Basically, no matter what I asked her, she just brushed it off like it was nothing—totally trivial. But there are six different things flagged in my lab results that clearly aren't right. I actually asked her for a referral (to some specialist, I don't even know where) just to rule out parasites or something similar, since someone mentioned that could be the culprit behind my lack of appetite and weight loss. Instead of actually listening, she immediately just scribbled me a prescription for Pfizer.😲 😲 Why would I even bother watching that? I’m just here to take my pills... I mean, HELLO ????

I’m looking for recommendations for a solid GP—someone who actually takes the time to listen. I need a doctor who won't just brush me off, but will sit down, hear out my health concerns, and have a real conversation about what's going on. If you know someone like that, please let me know. It isn’t about the money. I just want to hear a damn intelligent explanation, an actual opinion, or some kind of useful suggestion, because her constant dismissiveness is driving me absolutely insane. If she wasn't such a nightmare to deal with, I wouldn't feel like a walking skeleton, especially since my lab results are actually looking fine.

I really need some help here—I’m honestly spiraling. My gynecologist is telling me I need surgery to remove a cyst, but given how thin I already am, I’m terrified. I’m scared that going through this is just going to make me lose even more weight...
🙂
Thanks in advance! 🙏

Look, honey, just go ahead and ask your doctor to run some thyroid hormone panels. Honestly, I’m surprised she hasn't ordered them already. If she gives you any pushback, just grab your medical records and find a new physician—there are plenty of them out there. I have this gut feeling that once she starts handing out Vera like candy, she’ll suddenly find the time to write that referral too. If those levels are spiking or crashing, you’ve found your answer for why you can't keep weight on. You'll get some pills from an endocrinologist, things will level out in a month or two, and you'll finally put on some pounds. Then your doctor can sit there acting all proud of herself for "finally" figuring out what was wrong.😉
That ovarian cyst, given the elevated CA-125 levels, is most likely endometriosis. By the way, your marker isn't even that high—mine hit 135 when I had endo. You're probably looking at surgery to get this sorted, but don't sweat it; your gynecologist will walk you through everything. Oh, and if your primary care doctor won't give you a referral for thyroid hormone testing, your OB-GYN can handle that for you.

electricpanther17 said:I wasn't anemic either—and I’ve already seen a neurologist, who confirmed everything is perfectly fine from a neurological standpoint.

The only other things that come to mind are your inner ear's vestibular system, thyroid issues, or even your reproductive hormones. Since you mentioned the dizziness seems tied to your cycle, there’s a strong chance it’s a hormonal fluctuation issue. Honestly, go get a second opinion from an endocrinologist and a gynecologist.

Go get some blood work done. You might be dealing with anemia. If it turns out your levels are fine, then you definitely need to go see a neurologist.

crimsonmason44 said:God really gave you a unique gift—that knack for comfort and encouragement that helps me and so many others who are struggling..

We all carry that gift inside us; it's part of our nature, and whenever it bubbles to the surface, it reaches someone else, whether it’s sooner or later. It’s a blessing to have someone to help guide your perspective, and honestly, it all works like a chain reaction.🙂
Pass it on.😉

Amy Hayes28 said:Why the pain? Why the loss of consciousness??
I’m honestly at my breaking point here.😠

Because life itself is forged in struggle. Existence is essentially suffering. We are constantly fighting an uphill battle just to stay afloat. We have to drag ourselves to class when we’re exhausted, show up to work when we’re sick... it starts with those tiny, everyday annoyances and scales up from there. You scrape your knee and you bleed. Human beings are fragile, vulnerable creatures prone to constant aches and pains. But we were also given the capacity to adapt and rise above our circumstances. Suffering isn't inherently negative; it's the catalyst for growth. It forces our minds to evolve and reach a higher level of understanding. True good can only be born from hardship. Think about a mother in labor—it's agonizing, but the moment that baby arrives, all that pain is instantly eclipsed by pure joy.
Pain is an inevitable part of the human experience. No matter how much we think our own struggles are worse than someone else's, everyone carries their own weight. Asking "why suffer?" is a dead end because suffering is baked into the very fabric of being human, and finding the meaning behind it is a journey we all have to take.

I don't know what you want from me. If you have something to say, just say it. Stop wasting everyone's time with one-word posts. kaže:
Greetings to all you fighters!
I honestly want to thank you all for the compassion I’ve found here. I read your posts with a heavy heart, feeling like I'm right there with you in every moment. But lately, I’ve been burying myself in work just to stay afloat—running away from this grief and pain that hits me harder every single day. In those first few weeks, we were running on pure adrenaline and survival instinct. We managed to hold it together through sheer willpower, but now that initial shock has worn off, and everything is becoming increasingly difficult. I don't know if this is how it's supposed to feel. It's like the reality is finally sinking in—that he isn't here anymore. There are moments where I catch myself starting to say something to him, only to be slammed by the realization that he's gone. It’s a crushing wave every single time. I can't even wrap my head around the fact that he's truly gone. And then there’s that senseless question: Why him? During his illness, I never once wasted my energy asking "why." I didn't have the capacity for it. But now, I find myself feeling this simmering anger—anger at the sickness, and anger that he had to leave us. There aren't enough words in the English language to describe this emptiness. I feel like I might never actually accept the truth of his passing. As you can tell, I can't even bring myself to use the word "died."
I want to thank everyone here for being part of this, and especially those who had the guts to get this whole thing off the ground. I’m sharing some of my most private thoughts with you all right now... it honestly feels like you're the only ones who actually get me. To everyone else out there, I put on a brave face. People tell me all the time how strong I am, how well I'm handling everything, and how much I've got it together. But that's just the act. In reality, I'm falling apart behind closed doors—waking up in tears and going to bed in tears.

Look, you really are incredibly strong. Everything you’re feeling right now—all that raw emotion—it’s actually healthy. It’s natural. You’re grieving, and that’s just how the process works; you’re probably hitting the peak of it right now, but once you get through this stretch, things will start looking up. Life doesn't stop moving, though. It’ll carry you through the rough patches, and eventually, you’ll find the strength to finally let your father rest in peace within you. He’ll live on in your memories until you meet again.
Just let yourself feel it. Let that grief pour out of you. It might feel overwhelming now, but eventually, it’ll bring this profound sense of peace—a quietness that lets you remember your dad with a smile instead of just a heavy heart. I’ve found that if you stop measuring a life by its length and start looking at its depth, everything changes. That’s how I’m coping with my mom’s illness. Instead of obsessing over how much time we lost, I look at how full her life actually was. She was surrounded by love, constant friendship, and genuine joy; even when things got dark, she never had to face the shadows alone. I stopped asking, "Why her?" and started asking, "Why not her?" Honestly, she was such a wonderful woman, and sometimes, this is just part of being human. If it hadn't been her, it could have been any other mother—maybe someone struggling with a toddler, lacking family support, or feeling completely isolated. I truly believe I’ve seen God’s grace through these moments. At the end of the day, we all have our time to move on from this world.

My grandmother basically raised me until I was six. My parents were only around every other weekend because they were working in NYC while I stayed with my grandma and grandpa in St. Louis. She was a second mother to me; whenever school was out, I’d be packing my bags just to go spend every possible minute by her side. When she passed, she died practically in my arms. It hit me hard, but looking back, that was just how our lives were structured. Even now, I'll catch myself remembering some silly little thing she used to do and start laughing out of nowhere.
Seriously, can you actually find humor in the dead?😉

😘 Watch your back.

My partner actually got some identical capsules just a few days ago, which immediately reminded me of seeing these right here. They're called ITRAC 3, and he was prescribed them to deal with a nail fungus infection.

brightgardener8 said:Angela Wright, did you get some rest? How's your dad holding up without you around?

I'm back—just got home last night. The weather was actually gorgeous; it stayed so warm that we didn't even need jackets, just walking around in short sleeves under the sun. We only caught a chill on the very first day.
Dad managed to hold things down pretty well. A former home health aide he knows from her side gigs ($13 hours) has been stepping in to help out when needed. She’s an absolute gem; we actually met her way before Mom got sick because she used to look after Dad’s late aunt. Now that the aunt has moved into assisted living, she’s been stopping by to help Mom with bathing, changing, and getting her settled into bed...
Honestly, he even managed to clear out those closets full of old junk and outdated clothes. If Mom were feeling up to it, she probably would have given him a rare pat on the back, since she isn't exactly the type to hand out compliments easily.😍
All in all, I'd give the whole situation a solid passing grade.👍

Peter Thomas23 said:So, I decided to take my blood work results down to the doctor, and let me tell you—the second I sat down in that chair, I knew exactly what was coming. It’s always the same story with her. She doesn't mince words, either. She looks me straight in the eye and tells me, "You're eating like there's no tomorrow." And when I asked if things were actually as dire as she was making them sound? She basically told me that while it isn't an immediate crisis, if she told me everything was fine, I’d just go right back to my old habits anyway. The breakdown is simple: my triglycerides are through the roof, which basically means my liver can't process the junk I'm shoving into it, and as a result, my liver enzymes are spiked. My reading hit 51, even though the limit is supposed to be 48. So, she’s officially put me on a three-month ban from pretty much everything I actually enjoy eating. Dammit. She also dropped a bit of perspective, mentioning that there are people out there walking around with cholesterol levels at 12, so apparently, I'm not the worst case scenario. Still, the lesson learned is this: it's worth getting your blood checked at least once a year. Up until now, I was lazy and only went every two years, but from here on out, I'm doing it annually. No excuses.
And here’s the kicker... they tell me if I just stick to a healthy diet, everything will go back to being "normal." Yeah, right. As if losing another 45 pounds is just going to happen overnight. Honestly, screw that. I’ve got plenty of work to do before next summer rolls around.
Just figured I’d throw this out there—might be useful for someone.

Get over to the UN diet forum. We’ve all been there, getting our liver enzymes checked constantly because of it.👍

Everything you tu say looks pretty good 😉

Carol Sanchez2 said:So what exactly is a PET/CT scan? I actually went in for a mole checkup the other day since I have quite a few, and my dermatologist flagged a couple of them for monitoring. She just looked at them, so I don't really get how she can tell if something is bad just by looking. Shouldn't there be some kind of lab test or deeper screening?

If I recall correctly, a PET/CT is basically a scan used to pinpoint malignant cells. Even when an MRI doesn't pick up a tumor, you can't just assume everything is clear; microscopic cells can still be lurking in the body, waiting to multiply and turn into something aggressive. This type of scan catches those malignant changes in their infancy, which makes treatment way more effective.

As for the skin, a dermatologist can judge what’s going on just by inspecting the shape of a mole or a growth. There are specific benchmarks they look for—things like color, growth patterns, and how quickly it changed shape over time.
Don't sweat it; if she said you're fine, you're fine.👍

Ines, I am so sorry😢
May he rest in peace, and may you find some stillness in your heart and soul. You did everything humanly possible, and your devotion truly helped make his passing as painless as it could be.

On another note, I just headed out again for a long weekend trip to visit the graves of my loved ones back home in Dalmatia. I was freezing my tail off the last two nights, but today is absolutely gorgeous—sunny and crystal clear. I’m thinking of all of you and sending nothing but good, sunny vibes your way.😘

Elizabeth Gonzalez55 said:Hello to all the brave souls on this forum.

My partner is only 24, and he’s been living with melanoma for five years now. We honestly thought surgery had settled everything; we had such big plans for our future, but then a PET/CT scan two weeks ago showed metastases in the lymph nodes.
Even though I've spent these past few years living in constant fear of a result like this—knowing deep down this scenario was always a possibility—I still can't wrap my head around it. My entire world just flipped upside down in an instant. Nothing feels the same anymore; even colors and sounds feel different. Nothing.
The only thing keeping me going, the reason I get out of bed every single morning, is this tiny sliver of hope: the belief that he might actually be the one to beat those stupidly small positive statistics. And I am going to do absolutely everything in my power to help make that happen. That’s why I’m here—I want to hear about everyone's experiences, any advice, or useful info. Anything at all that can help, especially if anyone has specific insights regarding malignant melanoma.

Starting today, I’m going to go back and read this thread from the very first post; I’m sure a lot of valuable things have already been shared.

Welcome to the group.🙂

First thing's first: forget the statistics and the grim prognoses. Life itself is one long, continuous battle, much like the one your partner is fighting right now. Just being by his side through this is already a massive victory. With cancer, you never truly know when it might resurface, but a recurrence doesn't mean it's unbeatable. Never let the demon see you falter or show weakness, because that's exactly what feeds it.
My mom is going through a rough patch, and yesterday I found myself defiantly singing along to music while doing the laundry. I’m holding up fine. You will be fine too. Just push back against it and don't let the dark thoughts take hold. Take it one day at a time, and try to keep your future plans focused on tomorrow rather than years down the line. We are here for you, so please keep posting. You'll learn a lot, and hopefully, some of this info will save you from wandering aimlessly through the maze of the American healthcare system, which can drain the very energy you need for the fight. Stay strong. 🙂

electricgardener14 said:Hi everyone,
my husband is finally coming home tomorrow after finishing his fourth round of chemo. His blood work is an absolute disaster—he’s pale as a ghost, weak, and just completely wiped out. I am desperate for any advice on how to get his blood counts back up and how to fix his digestion, because he's really struggling there too. All these medications they have him on are just causing terrible constipation.
Hang in there, everyone,
electricgardener14

So, what kind of supplements is he actually taking right now?
I feel like we’ve covered this ground extensively here; there is a massive variety of options available. The key is to pick a direction, stick to it, and have faith in the process. For me, personally, I put my trust in native propolis. A lot of people swear by Noni or Alou, but honestly, I think what will help him most is being back home and eating real, comforting food. Just focus on plenty of nutritious, strengthening meals.
For the constipation, you could try Donat, Senna tea, Dulcolax suppositories, or even just prunes soaked in water... there are plenty of ways. When I help my mom, I sometimes use liquid glycerin via a syringe.

crimsonmason44 said:Hey everyone!
First off, my heart goes out to anyone here dealing with the loss of a loved one..😢

To lighten things up a bit, we finally have some actual good news. My dad went in for his scans last week after finishing two rounds of chemo (he was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases, which were operated on in early July; the initial prognosis was only 3-6 months)

And... the results are incredible. His brain looks clear, no metastases, and the lung scans show absolutely nothing—it’s like the shadows just vanished..🤷 It all feels surreal right now, but I know I have to hold onto this hope..🙄 Since miracles really can happen!! But I am stuck on one thing: if the scans look this good, why does he still have to go through more chemo?!
The doctor said we should be extremely pleased, but he didn't call it a miracle; Dad still has two more cycles of chemotherapy to complete.. What do you all think about this situation?! Obviously, I’m beyond happy, and this gives us the strength to keep fighting, but I'm also pretty confused..🤷

Hang in there, everyone. Stay strong.👍

He has to finish the full course of treatment for the exact same reason you have to finish an entire prescription of antibiotics, even if you feel totally fine after just two pills.
The ugly truth about cancer is that it’s a cellular-level battle. You can't see everything on an MRI, a CT scan, or an X-ray. A single rogue cell left behind is enough to start dividing again, causing the cancer to flare back up. That’s why you have to kill everything—both what shows up on the scan and what doesn't.
You should be incredibly proud and happy that after just two cycles, he's showing such a strong response. Keep doing exactly what you've been doing, because clearly, your current approach is working.
Sending tons of good vibes and endless support your way. News like this always makes my day better 🙂.

Grace Fowler said:Hey everyone!!
Just checking in quickly from Germany, where I've started my three-week immunotherapy round (those last six chemo sessions absolutely wrecked me). Everything seems fine so far... honestly, the level of patient care here is worlds apart from what we deal with back home. My doctor was really pleased with how I'm responding, so fingers crossed my next update is even better news. I want you all to know that even though I'm fighting my own battle, I'm right there with you in spirit, rooting for you in those selfless struggles you face for your loved ones. For me, this forum feels like—"Good morning, I'm heading out to grab coffee with friends." Thanks for everything. Grace

Come on, that's great🙂 . I'm glad you can find a little time to actually relax and breathe😍 . You're going to pull through this just fine, don't you worry, you'll see👍

Elizabeth Collins60 said:My dear friends, I’m feeling a little lost here... unfortunately, we’ve lost another one to this cruel disease. My dad passed away this past Sunday, October 21st, at 1:30 PM. The tears just won't stop falling; honestly, I still haven't wrapped my head around the fact that he’s gone and I won't see him again. I can't stop picturing him lying helpless in bed—that's not how I want to remember him. In my mind, he’s always out there in his stroller with our dog, just wandering through town while we grab a coffee. We have so many shared memories, so many beautiful moments, and it feels like he's still living inside me... even though every day gets harder and harder. But I don't regret anything. I gave him everything I had, staying by his side until the very end, and now I’m looking after Mom day and night. He was special, we had such a unique bond, and I was always his "little snowflake."

I am so sorry, mia.😢
Time will pass, and the sharp edges of this grief will eventually dull, leaving you with a quiet void and those beautiful memories that stay with you forever.
Lean on each other right now—you and your mom—mourning him together will make the weight easier to carry. Your dad will always be a part of you. Try to find a moment to breathe. Maybe in a week or so, you and your mom could take a little trip somewhere, even just a quick weekend getaway to clear your heads. I'm not sure if you're religious, but people often find peace visiting holy sites, like going to Lourdes; they say it acts like medicine for the soul.
Sending kisses and hugs to you and your mom. Keep being the powerhouse women you are.🙂