Posts by Angela Wright

Carol Ramirez said:I used to rub Hepatrombin on my grandfather's veins and the swelling around them because the gel has this cooling effect on the skin. Of course, I never put it on any scabs—just the swollen areas. It’s basically the kind of gel you see athletes using all the time for injuries. And honestly, it worked wonders.
I just decided to try it on my own, and one time a nurse at the hospital actually caught me applying it and told me it was a brilliant idea. 👍

I did the exact same thing for my mom with her veins, though looking back now, seeing how much people obsess over these various Heparins, Hepans, Hepalpans, and Hepatrombins, it feels like everyone is just selling snake oil.🙄
It left me feeling pretty lost.

Sophia Richardson62 said:I have a question... Is it actually possible for doctors to miss cancer entirely based on all the test results?
They’ve already diagnosed me with several other things, just nothing like this...

EDIT: Sorry if I'm off-topic here.

It's absolutely possible, especially with certain types of lymphoma.
A close friend of mine was treated for a throat infection for five whole months before they realized she actually had Hodgkin's. They knew something wasn't right, but they just couldn't pin it down as cancer.

Honey, keep your head held high—as high as you possibly can—and don't bother looking down at those lesser beings unless it's to show them mercy. You are a massive soul, truly; you’re actually so much bigger than they are that your sheer scale and their own petty envy just blind them. No one and nothing can strip away your love for your mother or her love for you. Nobody can take away that sacred, blissful peace in your soul and heart, or that feeling of genuine, true blessing from God—a blessing earned only by carrying the heavy cross that you, through God's providence, bear all the way to the end. You did this for YOUR mother and for YOURSELF, and just like your mom said—blessed is the womb that carried your husband. Honestly, is there any family more fortunate or more blessed than yours in your entire extended tree? Take a second to step back and look at the actual lives those people who hurt you are living; once you see it, you'll realize where all that bitterness comes from, and you'll start to sincerely pity them from the bottom of your heart. You are a strong, honest, proud, brave, and decent woman with an equally wonderful husband and beautiful, healthy children. Can anyone really ask for anything more than that? God will reward you while you're still on this earth, and when your time eventually comes, your mother will come for you and carry you on her wings straight to the gates of Paradise. You have a powerful advocate watching over you in heaven for your whole life! Remember that, and hold it in your heart and mind forever.
You haven't lost your brothers; they are the ones who stand to lose you. If any part of your mother's influence and upbringing remains in them, they'll realize very quickly that you are someone worth holding onto in their lives. If they choose otherwise, then unfortunately, there's nothing you can do; may God grant them health and happiness. You remain pure and untarnished, just like your sacrifice. You don't owe anyone a single thing.
I truly hope from the bottom of my heart that God blesses your suffering by bringing a new life into the world soon to grace your happy family.
BE PROUD😘
Love, Jane

Elizabeth Collins60 said:I honestly admire the courage you all show; I feel like I’m losing mine... I don't know if it's just one of those days... or maybe it's because my dad's condition has taken such a sharp turn for the worse. He's in agony, he's completely drained of strength, and he seems so weak—it almost feels like he’s given up. Yesterday, he fought with everything he had left just to come visit me. Usually, he uses a wheelchair since he lost his right leg eight years ago, but even then, nothing ever stopped him from living life to the fullest; he went everywhere and did everything, sometimes even more than people who can walk perfectly fine. But yesterday, he was so frail he actually had to use a cane just to navigate the few steps into my apartment, and he pushed himself to the absolute limit to get there. To be honest, I have this sinking feeling that was his final visit. Today, he’s on 50 mcg of Durogesic, along with several doses of Anacin and Lumidol, and yet the pain still ravages him. He just stares blankly at one spot, barely saying a word, and it absolutely breaks my heart. My mom and I try to act like everything is fine, but the second I leave the room, I break down crying... because he was never the weak or sickly type. I just want to pull him close and tell him I love him, even though he already knows, but I’m terrified that doing so would just devastate him because he'd realize I'm saying goodbye.
I talk to everyone here more than anyone else, and THANK YOU for that. I think of you all, and you give me strength. Sending love.

My mom had two episodes today where she was gasping for air, like a fish out of water, just struggling and moaning. It was horrific. Then, once the weather cleared up this afternoon, she seemed to settle immediately. She's incredibly sensitive to changes in the weather. We turned her onto her side, and she fell asleep like a baby. Her breathing is steady and deep now. We’re just taking it one day at a time.
Hang in there, because things don't always have to be as grim as they seem.😘

Melissa Sanchez70 said:thanks, coppergardener...

I’m heading back to my doctor tomorrow. It drives me crazy having to hunt for answers like this; she acts like she couldn't care less when I actually show up, and you can't get a straight answer out of her to save your life.
When I asked if the kid should be on some kind of treatment, all I got was a shrug and an "I guess he could"... and then she completely forgot to write the prescription.
Honestly, it feels terrible having to basically suggest the medical plan to her—she’s supposed to be the doctor here, for crying out loud.
In her mind, Gentamicin is the magic cure for everything... please.

Find a new doctor. If you're in Chicago, there are plenty of specialists who actually know what they're doing.

Sandra Williams73 said:I’m dealing with this yellow discharge that pops up right after sex. It doesn't smell bad or itch or anything. I had some swabs done at Chase where they found Staphylococcus faecalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae, so they put me on Cleocin cream.
But the whole thing just keeps happening immediately after intercourse.

Has anyone else dealt with this? And shouldn't my partner be getting treated too?

thanks :-)

It's highly likely your partner needs treatment as well. He really needs to go get tested himself to see if he's carrying the same issue.

I’m betting the doctors will pull out every trick in the book, using whatever meds they need to bolster her heart enough to get her through this surgery. At this point, all you can really do is stay right by her side, keep her spirits up, and keep pushing for any other options they might have overlooked.

I’m pulling for you both; I truly hope everything turns out okay and that this whole ordeal becomes nothing more than a brutal chapter in your lives—one that ultimately serves as a massive testament to how much you love and lean on one another.
Hang in there, both of you.

Anonymous said:Angela, do you have any info on this new drug?
Where did you read that?

Like I mentioned over in the glioblastoma thread, I heard this through Vpava, who got the scoop from a doctor at the Mayo Clinic. We actually spoke just a few days ago specifically about this; she couldn't get a hold of the physician because they're currently on vacation, but as soon as they're back, she's going to call again to get the official name of the medication and all the specifics. Sadly, Vpava only heard this news right after her husband passed away, so she might have missed some of the finer details in the heat of the moment.
Don't worry, everyone—as soon as we have more concrete information, either she or I will post everything right here on the forum.👍
From what I recall the doctor saying, the drug is expected to enter clinical trials here in the States by the end of the year, it will likely be covered by insurance, and apparently, it's already being used in clinical settings overseas.

Honestly, that strikes me as weird too.😕

Are you using any kind of intimate hygiene gels? Because nothing else really jumps out at me. Your best bet might be to just take it somewhere else for a second opinion and get another analysis.

Ashley Edwards57 said:Alright, I get it... I think I'm going to respond to their call this Tuesday at the flower shop.

I’m curious about the actual extraction process—is it dangerous, does it hurt, how long does it take...

Since you didn't bother checking the link I sent you, I'll just copy-paste it here so you don't have to struggle.😉 :

How is bone marrow harvested?

Bone marrow is extracted from the pelvic bones. Since this isn't exactly a painless procedure, the marrow harvest is performed under general anesthesia in an operating room. You'll need to stay in the hospital for three days.

How are peripheral stem cells collected?

Peripheral stem cells are collected through a process called leukapheresis.

What exactly is leukapheresis?

Leukapheresis is a procedure used to separate peripheral stem cells from a donor's circulation. The leukapheresis machine works similarly to a dialysis machine. Blood is drawn from one arm into the device, where it undergoes centrifugation to isolate the stem cells, while the rest of the blood is returned to the donor's circulation through the other arm.

Is anesthesia required
for collecting peripheral stem cells?

No, the procedure is painless and there is no need for anesthesia.

wickedangel;10085626 said:

Christian Wood63 said:Maybe it's just easier for me because of my line of work,
but I’d suggest doing this at home without needing any intense training with those tiny needles. You'll run into way fewer headaches, and trust me, once you get the hang of it, you won't even think about the nausea while taking Temozolomide.

We're using Ondansetron—and we're going to try flaxseeds too, thanks!! What works for constipation during treatment?

Glycerin suppositories. For my mom, sometimes just smearing a little liquid glycerin right there is enough to get things moving immediately.

Ashley Edwards57 said:I'm wondering what the actual process looks like—how long does it take, and is it painful?

Basically, I'm thinking about doing this, so I want to know what I'm getting into...

Any experiences would be appreciated... thanks in advance!

First off, you have to give blood so they can run a tissue typing test. They log your data into the registry, and if someone shows up who’s a match and needs bone marrow, they'll call you up to donate.
Everything you need is laid out right here: http://www.anne-hathaway-foundation.org/c...a/pitanja.aspx

Gerald Morgan4 said:Listen up... my girl has been struggling with bad headaches lately..
Since she used to deal with anemia, we figured that was the culprit first. She went in for blood work, but her iron levels were totally fine. Then she thought maybe it was just PMS, but nope. We checked sinuses and even saw an eye doctor, but everything came back normal. It looks like our only move left is booking a neurologist.

Anyway, here’s the quick c & p:

"The whole head hurts, sometimes the temples, right now it's the crown... It lasts from morning until night."

Based on this, it doesn't seem like a typical migraine because the pain is constant.. Does anyone have any clue what we're dealing with? (I know there are a million different reasons for headaches, but still 😁) :\

Thanks in advance 🙂

My own experience with chronic headaches has been pretty miserable, but like you mentioned, it could be anything under the sun. Seeing a neurologist is definitely the best call.
Besides the headache itself, is she experiencing anything else—like dizziness, losing balance, facial drooping (where one side of the mouth hangs down), weakness in one arm, visual spots or flashes, or extremely high blood pressure? If any of those symptoms are present, you should head straight to the emergency neurological clinic at the hospital.

electricgardener14 said:Thanks for asking, Angela Wright,
things aren't too bad right now. He finished his second round of chemo and is heading into radiation, but he can't sit or even walk because of the pelvic pain. Do you have any experience with this—does radiating those specific areas help at all? Aside from that, the pain is slightly more manageable. Using Voltaren plus Durogesic patches helps him get by, but his doctor mentioned we should probably swap out the Voltaren for something else since he shouldn't be on it long-term. Any suggestions? Right now, Voltaren is the perfect fit because it manages the pain and keeps his temperature under control, which has been hovering constantly. I honestly don't know why his fever won't break; is a persistent low-grade fever just a symptom of the underlying disease?
How's your mom doing? Is she feeling any better?
Best,
electricgardener14

Thank God! I have no idea how they manage bone metastases, but I assume it’s handled through chemo as well, though I'm not certain. Personally, I think stronger ibuprofen might work better than Voltaren. Since they act as both analgesics and anti-inflammatories, they might provide better relief for the inflammation. You should definitely ask the doctor.
I also think it might be worth looking into an acupuncturist to see if that could take some of the edge off the pain. I've seen plenty of cases where it helped people dealing with things like rheumatoid arthritis, where the pain levels are just as intense. It's worth looking into.

My mom is doing just as poorly. This change in weather has completely wiped her out. We're struggling to get her to eat again. I am thanking God every single day for our home health nurses. They are truly wonderful; I honestly don't know what we would do without their help.

electricgardener14 said:Honey,
please accept my deepest condolences. Your mother was such an incredibly blessed woman simply because she had you as a daughter. You truly did everything within your power—you followed every prescription and tried every single treatment available to you—but this damn disease was just too powerful. She’s found her peace now, and you need to find a way to step back into your own life and move forward. Be just as strong as she was, and please, take care of yourself.
electricgardener14

How is your husband holding up?

Linda Campbell said:She passed away tonight at 10:30 PM. She fought until her very last breath; we were by her side all day today, kissing her, holding her hands, kissing her face. She knew she wasn't alone.
Don't ever give up, everyone. The two of us sat down last night and finalized everything—we were supposed to start the new therapy this morning, and she was actually really motivated for it.
I feel incredibly peaceful right now because she has finally found her peace, and personally, I have nothing to regret; I fought until the bitter end and tried absolutely everything. I was at the hospital with her two or three times every single day. I was always there cheering her on, trying to lift her spirits; she had the nicest pajamas in the entire hospital and the most beautiful wig, which I bought myself. She was an extraordinary woman throughout her whole life, including this final day. Incidentally, today is the feast day of Saint Mother Teresa, and she truly shared that same spirit.
My best to you all, and please, don't be afraid.

🙂
I am so sorry, and my heart breaks for you. You are a wonderful person, and your mother passed away peacefully because of you. Let it comfort you that you had the chance to be there with her until the very end, that she was conscious, and that she was loved with the kind of devotion only a truly amazing daughter can provide.
My deepest condolences, dear, and please continue to stay as brave as you have been. 😘

brightgardener8 said:Is your mom still going through chemo right now?
We started the second cycle of Temodal today, and we bumped the dose up to 320 mg. My mom is dealing with nausea and vomiting again... We’re actually going to try that remedy involving linen because I’m at my wit's end. Apparently, Reglan and Peptoran just aren't cutting it.

No, I was speaking hypothetically—just wondering "what if"—but the idea of anything being administered intravenously (and since high doses of dexamethasone aren't exactly sustainable for my mom long-term, it's really just a matter of time before she needs a cannula) is a major hurdle for us.
I'm just holding onto hope that this new medication might still offer her some kind of lifeline.😳 I just pray she stays lucid enough to see it through, because what we've experienced so far has been nothing short of a miracle.

Ashley Bishop32 said:Hey everyone, I've been lurking here for a while and was wondering where Diana dear has been?

She popped up once or twice recently. She’s probably just deep in the trenches of another treatment cycle right now. She'll resurface once the dust settles. Honestly, that woman is an absolute force of nature.👍

Christian Wood63 said:maybe it’s just easier for me because of the line of work I’m in,
but my advice would be to handle this at home with some basic training using a fine needle; you'll run into way fewer issues, and trust me, once you start taking Temodar, you won't even remember what nausea feels like.

Easier said than done. Man, if you only knew the absolute nightmare I went through just trying to get permission to administer dexamethasone injections at home. I had the stomach for it, but honestly, digging around for a vein in someone's arm?😳 To be perfectly blunt, I wouldn't dare😱 . Maybe I could talk my home health nurse into it now—if she were willing to just set up a PICC line for those five days of therapy to make getting the meds easier—since we've become friends, but even then, how we'd actually get the medication is still a huge question mark. Our local primary care doctors are in a state of total chaos when it comes to administering anything. They have to have a written directive from a specialist for everything, otherwise Medicare comes breathing down their necks, threatening their paychecks and questioning their competency. Meanwhile, that same Medicare "competently" rejects specialists' recommendations during committee reviews, not to mention that these committees are often filled with doctors who haven't seen an active patient in years. We couldn't even get the dexamethasone vials; we ended up having to buy them out-of-pocket at private pharmacies.👎

They need to go see their doctor. I’m assuming they were given local anesthesia during the root canal, so they should check if that could be triggering these symptoms—though my gut tells me it's more likely a fever. Getting a nerve pulled isn't exactly a walk in the park, so it’s entirely possible this is some kind of reaction.