Posts by Angela Wright

copperwolf112 said:This subforum is titled "Health." Forty days of posting... just a great way to strip away all your muscle mass. And once that's done, what's the plan? Your basal metabolic rate is trashed, and you can't even start eating normally again without risking serious complications. You might as well have called this thread "Anorexia."

I don't think you actually grasp the depth of what we're discussing here. This method is often the absolute last resort for people fighting terminal cancer who have been written off by everyone else. Go read the Dr. Lepin blog; maybe it'll clear things up for you.👍

Look, in my book, fasting and religious fasting aren't even the same thing. Fasting is specifically about abstaining from certain foods—usually meat—it's not just starving yourself.

wanderingwolf78 said:We had a full MRI done at diagnostics 2000, and they didn't find anything except those metastases in his lungs and adrenal glands. All of his tumor markers came back negative, there’s no blood in his stool, no urinary issues—his kidneys and all his other organs are fine.
We were thinking about heading over to Denver for a PET CT, but the doctors there basically told us we probably wouldn't gain any more insight and would just be putting him through the ringer with the travel.

The problem is my dad has such a violent gag reflex that performing a bronchoscopy or a gastroscopy is practically impossible. He won't even agree to more testing because he just can't take it anymore. I asked three different hospitals, and they all agreed that we need to start therapy immediately before the metastases really take hold.

I don't know if this stage is already too advanced or if it's realistic to expect any improvement. When we checked into the oncology outpatient unit, the doctor told me she wasn't sure if chemo even made sense, because her goal isn't to have the treatment kill him before the cancer does 😕 .
On the other hand, others told us it's a good sign that everything else looks okay—that there aren't metastases in his bones or vital organs. I honestly have no idea what the prognosis is or if there's anything left to hope for.
My mom is grieving at home; she's already essentially buried him. It fills me with guilt because I keep repeating to her that it's normal for him to have a fever, that it's normal for his blood work to look bad, and that it's normal for him to be weak and losing weight. Now, I'm starting to lose faith in my own words.

Oh, 😢
What did they say about the possibility of it being some form of leukemia or lymphoma? A friend of mine was diagnosed with Hodgins at 16, and for six months, they kept passing her around from one specialist to another before finally realizing what it was. By then, she already had metastases in her chest. Luckily, she pulled through.
I really don't know what else to advise you besides seeking a second opinion. Maybe try to get copies of his records and send them somewhere else to be reviewed.
Try to be understanding with your mother. She can't function like this, and it's only going to make things worse for your dad. You're facing a massive obstacle and you have to find a way through it, but her constant weeping and mourning over a man who still wants to fight is completely counterproductive. You might need to be a bit firmer with her; if you don't, things will only escalate, and you'll end up carrying the weight of her grief on top of everything else, which is the last thing you need.
Don't dwell on the prognosis. My mother was hit with what was likely one of the worst types of cancer, and she has already defied the odds twice over. No one can tell you with 100% certainty what's going to happen. What you *do* know is that the cancer has to be treated ASAP—both the metastases and the primary site—but the primary is the most critical since everything stems from it. The issue here is that he feels so terrible that the big question is how chemo will even affect him, which is why that doctor said what she said. Try to work with the doctors to stabilize him somehow—maybe get him hospitalized so they can manage his symptoms enough to at least get him through some radiation. That might slow things down and buy you enough time to eventually uncover that primary tumor.
Hang in there. I know it's brutal, but eventually, something is going to give.

Drew Nguyen47 said:Unfortunately, even my parents couldn't track down the primary tumor. He was actually treated abroad.🙄
I’ve spoken with both an American doctor and one from overseas—they tell me that in about 15% of cases, they truly just can't locate the primary site. Honestly, it left me feeling pretty bitter; how is it even possible to miss the primary source???🤣 But I suppose medicine really does have its limits.

To be honest, what Christian Wood63 wrote hit home for me: treatment should really be an art form, tailored specifically to the unique traits of the individual patient. Instead, doctors—whether due to genuine ignorance or simply lacking the time to give anyone undivided attention—try to shove every patient into some textbook stereotype. And that's exactly why you see those bizarre stories of "hopeless" patients making miraculous recoveries.

There's probably also a responsibility on our part to listen to our bodies throughout our lives—to know what works for us, what makes us feel better or worse, and so on. That way, if illness does strike, we at least have some baseline knowledge of ourselves. But that's a whole different conversation...😉

It actually reminds me of the Račanov case. If I recall correctly, they only discovered his primary tumor was in the kidney after they were in Germany. Maybe you're right and that 15% really is untraceable, but that doesn't mean every missed diagnosis falls into that category. Based on how that oncologist (failed to) examine him, I’d bet it was more about a certain kind of pragmatism: "it's too far gone, so why bother wrestling with it?" Ugh, I know that type of medical mindset all too well. 🙄

wanderingwolf78 said:Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting here.
My dad first showed signs of illness in early June—fever, general weakness, and significant weight loss. About three months prior, he caught the flu and had his lungs imaged at Jordanovac due to some breathing issues. Those results came back clear.
Fast forward to now: they found multiple granulomas in his lungs, which biopsies confirmed are metastases. They also found a metastasis in his adrenal gland. The primary tumor has never been located. He’s completed two rounds of chemo, and we start the third this Tuesday. My biggest fear right now is the weight loss; since his last cycle, he's dropped another 4 kg. He started at over 100 kg and is now down to 86 kg.

Nobody has given us any concrete expectations regarding what to expect, how to manage his nutrition, or what medications we can access.

I'm looking for advice on what to give him to help him gain weight quickly, and whether we can get coverage through CMS.

What are your thoughts on "smart drugs" like ?
Is it worth trying them, and does anyone know who could recommend a specific drug from that massive list? It's incredibly confusing because we don't even know exactly what we're fighting against.

Honestly, I'm not even counting on the oncologist at the major city hospital; he didn't even have the decency to look my father in the eye. He just flipped through papers and typed on his computer. I think the only thing he actually asked was what symptoms he was having.

How many rounds of chemo will he have to go through? Has anyone dealt with something similar?

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this.

My advice? Try to find someone who will actually give him honest, thorough care and hunt down that primary tumor. Otherwise, all the surgeries, chemo, and radiation targeting the metastases are basically a waste of time. My dad's first cousin is currently in a terminal state because his doctors also failed to locate the primary site. It infuriates me when specialists act like they're searching through clouds, operating under the assumption that if their "brilliant" minds can't find the source, nobody else can😠. Take him somewhere else if you have to—don't waste precious time. I don't believe it's impossible to find the primary tumor.

Regarding nutrition, he is entitled to Prosure or Ensure shakes, which are carton-packaged drinks containing all the essential nutrients needed in a single serving. There's usually a small co-pay for the whole package, but otherwise, one carton is roughly $23 if I recall correctly.

northernpilot said:I'm 16 years old and I've had blood work done twice now, getting the exact same results both times.

Bilirubin within normal limits
AST within normal limits
ALT 80 (normal range 10-33)
GGT 41 (normal range 10-27)
CRP within normal limits

Can someone explain these results and give me some advice?

Thanks

AST, ALT, and GGT are liver enzymes, while CRP is a reactive protein produced by the liver; elevated levels can signal acute inflammation.
When those numbers spike, it usually points toward some kind of liver issue. Since you're just a kid—and I'm assuming you aren't touching alcohol—my best advice is to cut way back on greasy fast food and soda. You should also ask your doctor for a hepatitis panel. That could be the culprit here, especially since your ALT is higher than your AST, which is a classic pattern seen with hepatitis. Honestly, your doctor will probably just order those tests anyway without you even having to ask.

Here is a breakdown of all the lab samples, including the ones you're asking about:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blood-tests/about/acm-20385055

Drew Nguyen47 said:Has anyone here actually tried the Breuss diet and seen any real results? Please, if you have, share your story. My dad just started this regimen, so I'm trying to figure out if there's any substance to it based on what you guys have experienced.

Look, near the beginning of this thread, lepina showed up and claimed he beat cancer using this exact method. Just scroll back through the posts; you'll find him. Honestly, you should go check out his blog too.

Laura Gomez31 said:My cycle is usually about 32 days... 🤷
🙂

Look, don't go spiraling into a depression just yet🙂. Even if you missed ovulation—which would be pretty out of left field if your periods are normally regular😕—there are ways to kickstart things. You’ll likely just get put on some kind of pill therapy.
By the way, how have you been doing with your weight? Did you drop a few pounds suddenly, or maybe deal with a ton of stress?

I’m guessing your wrist is killing you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OIRK...elated&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BZzE...elated&search=

If it isn't that, you can just dig through the suggested videos on the side.😉

@Christian Wood63/">@@Christian Wood63

I've tried tapering my mom off the Dexedrine several times now, and every single time it ends in disaster. Her neurological outbursts just skyrocket, getting so bad that one day we practically couldn't wake her up—though that wasn't from the withdrawal itself, just the swelling getting worse. Right now, the only thing that seems to keep her somewhat alert is the boost she gets when we feed her. It feels like she’s on a direct flight toward a coma, and I’m terrified that pulling back on the Dexedrine will just fast-track that process.

Regarding the mannitol, I know it works, but my neurologist mentioned it carries a massive "yo-yo effect" when dealing with brain edema caused by a tumor. Usually, they use the mannitol to aggressively bring the swelling down quickly before stabilizing with Dexedrine. My issue is, who on earth would actually give it to her? I could probably pull strings to get my hands on the drug, but I have no clue what the dosage should be, how often to administer it, or when to stop. Besides, what home health nurse is actually going to take the illegal risk of hooking her up to an IV for this?🤷
Personally, if I were that nurse, I highly doubt I’d touch it.

And I don't quite follow this part about Ibuprofen. Are you saying it has the same effect as Dexedrine?😕 If that were true, it would be a game-changer, but I have no idea what dose would even help, considering she’s currently on 16 mg of Dexedrine a day.

We just picked up some Silmarin capsules, which are a natural supplement for liver support. We also cut her Phemiton dose in half.

Honestly, I’m at a total loss. We’re just stumbling around in the dark, trying to navigate this based on nothing but gut instinct and guesswork.
I’ve started having serious doubts about the Tahitian Noni, too. We’re going to pause it for a while and then redo her liver function tests to see if there’s actually any real improvement.
Where can you even find that Boswellia extract? Is this the stuff:http://www.super-smart.eu/article.pl...n&fromid=GG132

brightgardener8 said:I’m trying to believe it, honestly—I'm just lying to myself at this point—but the weather hasn't shifted in days, and she’s still just as lost... 😕

And who's to say how atmospheric pressure actually affects things? For all we know, high pressure might be just as bad.
We spoke with my mom's oncologist today. It looks like her liver is starting to fail.😢 Her liver enzymes are through the roof—absolutely astronomical—and everything points to that. Between the brain tumor and this, it looks like liver failure will be what ultimately takes her out.

Brian Mitchell44 said:Well, he was at the hospital, and they ran him through every single test imaginable, and apparently, everything came back fine. We’re heading back in tomorrow for more, though I honestly can't say for certain what the exact reason is yet.

Basically, the doctor thinks it’s all due to this sudden growth spurt: we're talking an 11cm jump in one year and then another 13cm the year before. 😲

Phew, I was actually starting to panic a little when I realized you hadn't posted until today... glad to hear it's nothing serious.🙂

brightgardener8 said:We actually had about ten days of stability where Mom was doing great. On the phone, she sounded like she was back to her old self, totally healthy, but then yesterday, everything just fell apart again. She’s lost all that ground. 😢

Time😳... when Mom is struggling and things start looking up, I find it easier to cope knowing it’s just part of the cycle.

Carol Myers53 said:I’m looking for some fresh inspiration regarding potential topics for a popular science medical journal.
Who should I interview, what subjects should I tackle, which organizations should I reach out to for guest articles (anti-smoking campaigns, the opioid crisis, drug addiction, etc.)—anything new...
Any and all ideas are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

Here are a few questions I’ve been dying to ask the American Cancer Society. I’ve tried reaching out via email several times, but my messages just keep bouncing back to me.
Why didn't they get involved in establishing a stem cell bank much earlier, before Anne Hathaway stepped up?
And why is it that when a patient receives a cancer diagnosis, they aren't handed at least a basic brochure explaining their specific condition, where to find psychological support, dietary advice, or tips on how to explain everything to their kids and family?
Specifically, what kind of concrete actions are those donations and funds actually being spent on?

electricgardener14 said:He’s in San Diego right now at the hospital, having just finished his third round of chemo. The pain hasn't let up; because of the bone metastases, he can't even sit up in bed, let alone walk. Everything is moving way too fast. Back on May 1st of this year, we were hiking up Marjan, and he was powering through those steep trails without even breaking a sweat while I was practically crawling to the summit—and now look at him. Sometimes it feels like he’s messing with me, you know? Like he's telling me, "Stop playing around, get out of that bed, and let's go grab coffee."
They are trying to wean him off the Voltaren, which he takes constantly alongside Palladon. Do you happen to know why? Is Voltaren really that dangerous? It’s the only thing that actually touches the pain; everything else just puts him to sleep while the agony continues. They’re planning radiation on his spine next week, and some people have told me that radiation actually got them back on their feet, so we're holding onto that hope.
How is your mom?
Best,

Honestly, forget all that talk about Voltaren. It seems completely pointless to obsess over that side of things when he's in this much pain and it's actually working. What's the worst that happens—he gets cancer? 🙄
I don't know about the radiation, but there's usually some truth to what people say about it helping.
My mom is doing terribly. Lately, I've been obsessed with this haunting thought that I'll wake up in the morning to find her dead in her bed. I just wish she would pass while we are actually by her side.

electricgardener14 said:I’ve been sitting here reflecting on what you said, Angela Wright, rewinding the tape back four months to when my husband was first diagnosed. Suddenly, I was drowning in phone calls from everyone—people I knew and people I barely recognized—all just checking in on his health. Even on the street, neighbors I only nod to would corner me to dig for details about his illness, clearly just looking for fresh ammunition for their next gossip session. I was terrified by it all; I hadn't even processed what was happening or figured out my next move, yet everyone expected me to spend my entire day answering phones and providing status updates. So, I made a choice: I cut them off. I simply stopped picking up. I know I hurt some real friends in the process, but I felt this desperate, primal need to isolate myself and just be left alone. Now, I’m slowly emerging from that shell. The true friends have separated themselves from the noise; they understood what I was going through and what I'm still enduring. But the reality remains that, aside from popping onto this forum occasionally, I haven't opened up to anyone about his illness, how I’m holding up, my fears, or my nightmares. I just can't bring myself to be vulnerable with anyone. It all hurts too much, and inside, I feel like a ticking time bomb. Damn this disease... damn it all.
electricgardener14

Ah, the neighbors... of course, there are always those types who treat someone else's suffering and mental anguish like it's gourmet food. I honestly can't wrap my head around that mentality. My situation was almost identical; everyone was calling to get the latest scoop—friends, acquaintances, even close family and best friends. Then, once the whole thing became old news, they all vanished into thin air.
electricgardener14, as absurd as it might sound, I truly hope you find some sense of purpose within your pain and heartache, and through that, find some peace. It’s the only way to actually move forward without breaking.
What’s the current status? Is he in pain, or is the treatment he received enough to keep him stable for now? Is he in Washington, D.C. or San Diego?
Stay strong and keep that courage you've shown so far.😘

Nancy Hernandez43 said:I’m glad this forum gives you strength. I can’t go a single day without popping in here to feel the support from everyone.

There’s an old saying that true heroes are revealed in times of hardship. It wasn’t until my mom was diagnosed with cancer that I realized how few actual friends I truly have. One woman I once considered one of my best friends hasn't even attempted to check in on me in months. People just don't get it—they don't realize how vital support is. You have to be mentally bulletproof just to endure the constant ups and downs that come with caring for someone who is sick.

I’ve been through pretty much the exact same thing, and I’m sitting here thinking the same thoughts you are. Right now, I’m in that phase of realizing that most people simply aren't capable of offering real support in situations like this. Cancer is a taboo subject; it’s something terrifying that people associate with darkness, death, pain, and suffering. Some people just can't stomach it—especially if it isn't happening within their own immediate family. And honestly? They have every right to feel that way😳 . These things throw them completely off balance, stripping away their rationality. In a way, it’s actually better that they distance themselves when they can't provide what we desperately need: a steady hand and wise words. Truly capable people are rare, and anyone lucky enough to have even one such person in their inner circle is winning at life.
For me, this entire ordeal has acted like a massive filter for my "friendships." I can tell you right now, I don't miss those "friends" one bit, but that doesn't mean I won't grab a coffee with them or call to see how they're doing. Honestly, through this process, I’m learning about myself. I'm realizing how much stronger I am than they are, because I can rise above the reality of what’s happening to my mom—and to me—while they act pathetic by failing to show even the basic courtesy of a phone call to say they're thinking of me, even if they don't ask how I am. Life moves on, and now I know exactly what to expect from whom.
On the flip side, I’ve experienced this massive paradox where people I wouldn't have even asked for a glass of water suddenly stepped up to help. People react to trauma in different ways, and they're sensitive to different triggers.
Don't let it weigh you down too much.

I recall reading somewhere that when your immune system takes a massive hit, it can trigger a shingles outbreak. Given this low-grade fever and the way my liver's been acting lately, I wouldn't rule it out.

Kevin Hernandez said:So why am I feeling absolutely zero pain during the day? Is this some kind of nocturnal illness?🙂

I’m assuming you’re dealing with some myofascial trigger points—basically little knots caught between your muscle fibers. It’s nothing life-threatening, but I know firsthand how much they can suck. You can usually work through it with regular massage, targeted stretching, and maybe an ultrasound treatment if it gets stubborn.

Here is what one doctor is saying.

Think of myogelosis as a localized thickening within the muscle tissue, often triggered by repetitive strain or intense muscle contractions. It’s usually pretty painful, especially when that buildup sits right on top of a bone—think about how much it would hurt if you had a knot pressing against your shoulder blade or your sacrum. Once that muscle shifts from its fluid, "sol" state into a more rigid, gel-like consistency, the change is permanent. You can't actually revert the tissue back to its original state, but you can definitely manage the fallout. Using specific physical therapies, like ultrasound treatment—which we call gelotripsy—can help break up that tension and take the edge off the pain.
Korsin is basically just applying heat directly to those specific muscle groups.

Dr. Porter Perić.
I am a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation and rheumatology.

Get a referral for a physiatrist to check you out, no matter what the issue is.

Jamie Newman5 said:It could honestly be any of those things. Just go get a full blood panel and an abdominal ultrasound so you aren't sitting there guessing.

😕

goldenotter252 said:... I honestly don't think I've ever called out to God more than I have right now, even though I've been through the absolute wringer... who knows why this happens to a person, what they did to deserve it... what wrong did they commit in their life? You find yourself snapping at someone you love over some trivial, meaningless little thing, and then suddenly you're hit with something like this.... it’s incredibly hard on him and his family right now; I'm an outsider when it comes to blood relations, but my heart is right there with them...

Look, honey, the reality that you, me, and every single one of us has to face is that there is no "why" or "because" here. It’s a human disease, and it strikes people. It doesn't pick sides; it doesn't distinguish between the good and the bad. We all carry that potential within us, and sometimes a trigger hits, and cancer just happens. We have to learn how to stop wasting our energy asking questions that will never yield an answer. Instead, we have to face the situation, accept it—because fighting it is futile and you'll just end up having to accept it anyway—and look for a way forward, a way to fight. That decision, right there, is sometimes the most vital thing in a person's life.
We all have a limited amount of time on this planet, and nobody knows what tomorrow holds. We live our lives wrapped in this false illusion of security, but honestly, I feel so much happier and more at peace within myself, despite the agony of watching my mother fade, since I realized there is zero certainty in this world. I stopped asking "why me, why us, why my mom?" and started asking "why not us?" Because of that finite time and the sheer unpredictability of existence—since life is inherently uncertain—we need to live every single day as if it were our last. We need to savor everything, especially those tiny things we usually take for granted, because once those small moments vanish, we miss them terribly, sometimes to the point of physical pain.
Don't forget, we are human, so nothing truly human should feel foreign to us. That includes illness, that includes dying—it's the full circle of life. What matters, what's most important, is how we walk through that circle and how we eventually close it.
I hated God for taking my mom when I needed her most. I was incredibly selfish. I forgot that we had walked as winners through all these years and that I could have lost her a thousand times over when I was a kid (she’d drive through the hills and valleys from Washington, D.C. to San Diego and back every single weekend just to be with me, through rain and snow; once, the car even flipped on a patch of black ice), and that we lived such a beautiful life together—a wonderful family, long summer vacations, great jobs, untouched by war... my mother had a good, fulfilled life. She was blessed and lived with immense happiness. Her time simply came. All I have left are those gorgeous memories of hours filled with music and laughter, our trips into the city, our coffees, our teasing... I haven't lost anything; it's all still inside me, and that makes it easier to carry this through to the end.
Regardless of what happens with your dear friend, keep in mind that he has experienced incredible happiness in starting a family, having a wife and kids, and wonderful friends... that is a massive gift in this world. Some people never get to experience anything that beautiful.
It’s hard, I know, but eventually, things will move forward and you will be there to support him and his family... life goes on, and I hope he can continue living in the kind of everyday circumstances he has always known.