Posts by Angela Wright

So, I’m sitting here right now, chewing on the whole concept of fasting. It’s interesting how so many different cultures approach healing through starvation. Maybe it works because when you deprive the body of food, it starts hunting for anything it can consume—and eventually, it targets the cancer cells. You flush out toxins with fluids and burn through your fat stores, and once those reserves run dry, the body might just identify the tumor as the next available fuel source for energy. Or, perhaps more simply, the body becomes hyper-sensitive, making it easier to distinguish the malignancy from healthy tissue, which triggers the immune system to step up and wipe it out.
What are your thoughts on this?

ruggednomad182, you absolute legend! 🙏 That man truly blessed you with his kindness! You’ve got nothing but good things coming your way!

mellowlynx8 said:I want to know how you all deal with yourselves. With your own internal crises? Look, when your entire day revolves around a patient—someone you love deeply, someone you’d gladly sacrifice your own hobbies, nights out, or plans for—it’s easy to be selfless. But what do you do when you just hit a wall and feel completely overwhelmed by it all?

Illness becomes this permanent fixture in your life, affecting both the patient and the whole family. That initial phase is brutal, but eventually, you adapt. You accept it because, frankly, there isn't any other option, and that's just how humans are wired. Personally, I try to grab any spare second I can to get some fresh air, walk the dog, catch a movie, or grab a coffee. But honestly? Some days I don't have the energy for "going out." Sometimes, just lying at home and watching a movie while hugging my loved one is enough. Connecting with others here on this forum—people who are in the exact same boat—is also a huge release for me. Being able to offer a bit of advice or comfort to someone else gives me a real sense of peace and fulfillment.
One major thing that happens to the mindset of people dealing with illness, or those tethered to someone who is, is realizing how little you actually need to be happy. You start appreciating those tiny, joyful details you used to overlook. I don't think anyone comes out of a situation like this without that realization.
Do I ever feel like I've had enough? Like I'm totally fed up? It happens multiple times a day. You want to live, you have all this drive for things like your career, but everything is essentially on "pause" indefinitely. Fortunately, that feeling usually passes in a few moments. It’s similar to that heavy feeling you get early in the morning when you have to drag yourself out of bed for work; you're exhausted, you don't want to go, it feels like an uphill battle, but you push through because it's your responsibility. In this case, it's love that pulls you up. And I never, ever show that frustration in front of my mom. I think it would absolutely break her.

Melissa Kim45 said:Man! 🙏 Respect!🙏

They tried telling me that lifting them was just about having a "good grip." I asked the nurses at the hospital, and they showed me—and honestly, looking at it now, it’s enough to make you want to die—I don't know. I just remember them pointing things out and explaining, "do it like this," accompanied by some vague, blurry descriptions. Things stabilized for a while so we didn't need to do it, but we'll need to again, and I am nowhere near ready. It’s like my brain just wiped the memory to protect itself. You can't lift a completely limp patient; it feels like trying to hoist 550 pounds.

Call me crazy, but I don't care—my brother and I actually started laughing 😲 (we probably just snapped) because we couldn't manage to lift maybe 90 pounds together.

There’s a trick where you use a sheet placed under the patient, lift one side, and use that to roll them onto their side. Usually, in a hospital setting, two nurses or aides always work together to handle immobile patients. When Mom was hospitalized last year, they let me stay by her side all day, so I saw exactly how they handled her and the other women in the room. That’s pretty much how the system works.
To be honest, I actually managed to figure out a way to get a grip and turn her in bed by myself. It’s exhausting, which explains why hospitals always send two people—there are just too many people to move.
I’ve also come up with a workaround for showering (once a week). Since we can't get her into the tub, and because our tub is built into the wall, we can't fit a transverse shower bench, I shower her by putting her on a specialized lift, clearing everything off the bathroom floor, wrapping the washing machine in plastic, positioning her over the drain, and showering her right there. Afterward, I just sweep all the water into the drain with a broom. Still, it’s a world of difference when someone gets a real shower; they feel so much lighter than just wiping them down with cloths or washing them over a basin.
One piece of advice for everyone reading this:
If you don't have a walk-in shower, INSTALL A WALK-IN SHOWER. Don't wait for an emergency or for someone to fall ill! Someone could pull a muscle in their leg and suddenly find themselves unable to get into a tub on their own. We’ve wanted to do this renovation for years, but we kept putting it off, and now here we are, paying the price.

Betty Allen65 said:Reading this brings back everything we went through just a few months ago.
And you want to know what hurts the most? It’s the realization that it was her—the girl who never had "five minutes to sit still" because she was always constantly running around, busy with one thing or another.
She wouldn't let a home health nurse near us. Not even close. It was just her dad and me. Dad was the one handling the pain injections and dressing that open wound on her hip, while I did the hair brushing and diaper changes. My brother would play his video games right next to her so she could at least watch him play...

About a week or two before she left us, she looks at me—right through her mask—sticks out her tongue (my sweetest little angel!!) and asks, "What's wrong? Why are you so sad?" I told her I was sad because I was scared for her.
She just goes, "What are you afraid of, Mom?? Are you afraid I'm going to die?? Hehe, well, I'm already dead!!!!! I'm wearing diapers, I can't move on my own, I can't eat, I can't go to school, I can't go skiing, I can't go to parties with my friends... I'm already dead!"

I don't know if this offers any comfort, but your precious girl was truly alive; it was just the reality of her condition that was killing her spirit. Her mind stayed vibrant and free until the very end. She remained your little girl through and through.
My mom is lost. She has no sense of time anymore and sometimes slips into complete dementia. Reality and dreams blur together for her; she just can't connect the dots anymore. Still, every once in a while, she has these moments of clarity. They’re getting rarer, but I am so incredibly grateful for them. I pray to God to grant me just one more moment with the true version of my mother, because she isn't really there anymore—not physically, and not mentally. She’s just a shadow, a fragment of the woman she used to be. My beautiful mama...😢

Melissa Kim45 said:Hey, everyone. 👋

I’m looking to get some perspective from people who actually have experience dealing with critically ill patients.
A suggestion was put on the table recently. There are a few of us dealing with similar situations at home—we know each other through mutual acquaintances or just by seeing one another around. Some are closer than others, but the idea is to connect and organize ourselves (as much as possible) so we can support one another. The concept, as I understand it, is that if someone can't make it, or gets sick themselves, or just can't manage, or simply needs a break (like when you have to travel for work or just need to head somewhere for two days just to catch up on sleep because God knows we all need it), the others in this "group" would step in. We'd handle transportation to doctors, picking up medications, visiting them at home or in the hospital, grocery runs, cooking, cleaning, administering meds—whatever is needed.
Even though it sounds like a solid idea on the surface, the reaction was a total disaster.
Everyone is 😱 against it. And honestly, so am I.
Of course, everyone has their own specific needs, but at its core—there are plenty of things we could do to lighten each other's loads.
What do you all think about something like this? Just speaking in general terms, without getting bogged down in details, but you know what I mean—critically ill patients face pretty much the same struggles. And their families do too.

To me, it sounds great, but I have my doubts🤔 about whether my mom would ever feel comfortable having anyone else—especially a stranger—change her diapers besides me, my dad, or a professional nurse. Plus, we have our own little system that works for us, which might be totally unappealing to someone else. For instance, I have to head to San Francisco for two days (my best friend is getting married), and the thought of leaving my old man alone makes me sick to my stomach. 😢 It takes two people just to help my mother sit up on a commode; one of them has to be strong (a man) because she’s basically a dead weight—zero balance, completely atrophied, yet still 160 lbs thanks to those damn steroids. And as for needing rest, believe me, I need it more than anything. 🙂 Between lifting her at 5:30 AM, getting her onto the commode, administering glycerin suppositories, waiting for her to go, and then getting her back into bed on a waterproof pad and cleaning her up... it’s a lot. You have to do everything solo—lifting arms, lifting legs, turning her on her side—because you can't exactly put a clean diaper on a body that's already soaked with urine. We have to get all of this done while my dad is still home before he leaves for work, because once he's gone, there's nobody to help me lift her. Our home health aide doesn't arrive until around 8:30, so she really just handles washing her up, brushing teeth, and maybe changing a diaper if Mom hasn't had an accident already. We tried lifting her ourselves once, and she just slipped right onto the floor. Luckily, my boyfriend was nearby and came to help; the two of us simply couldn't do it. That is my single biggest struggle; everything else regarding her care is manageable.
For those temporary gaps of an hour or two, I've managed to find help through volunteers from a local hospice organization. So, if I have to run an errand in town, I call a volunteer, but that’s a rare occurrence. For now, my dad and I just coordinate and make it work.

Carol Ramirez said:Thank you so much for the response and all the advice!! 😘

I've been making him fennel tea; it’s great for his stomach and helps his appetite, and I already have chicken simmering in a pot with vegetables.
For immunity, he's taking cod liver oil along with some kind of concoction made of aloe, chicory, wine, propolis, and who knows what else...
I'm reading through this page you left me—it looks incredibly promising, but I have no clue how to actually get my hands on it. Where can I buy it and what's the price tag? I have a friend in Washington, D.C. who could bring it to me if it's available at a local pharmacy. Also, does online ordering work?
So far, Grandpa hasn't had any side effects, other than noticing his hair thinning out a bit. He hasn't vomited once. He's always been an incredibly tough guy, physically powerful, and it absolutely breaks my heart to see him looking this broken. He barely even has the energy to speak.

You can order the propolis by mail. A bottle costs $37 plus shipping via COD, whereas it'll be slightly more expensive at a pharmacy (around $6.75). Honestly, the best move might be to have your friend order it to her address and then ship it to you in Canada. She should give them a call (they're open until 4 PM) at +385 (0)21 325-410 to place the order. I hope you're financially prepared, because he’s going to need those high doses. You should ask the woman at Heder which dose would be most appropriate given the circumstances. Since propolis is a natural supplement, there's no such thing as an overdose. It definitely won't hurt him. Because of the patent Dr. Radić secured for extracting propolis from the honeycomb, this specific form is the most potent version available.
It's a good sign that your grandfather is strong; he'll handle all of this better for it. I know it looks horrific right now, but this is the only path toward recovery. He will get better—he just needs to push through this phase.

Carol Ramirez said:I’m at my wits' end. I’m looking after my grandfather alone, and he’s developed a fever following his second round of chemo. He’s completely wiped out—can’t eat, can’t sleep. Anything I try to make, he barely even tastes it. To make matters worse, he’s dealing with a urinary tract infection now, which is just adding more misery to the mix.

The doctor told me the fever is just a standard reaction to the chemotherapy. On top of that, his blood pressure is bottoming out at 90/55, even though he’s dealt with high blood pressure for years and usually takes prescribed meds for it. He had to stop taking them because, frankly, there's no point right now. Is there anything I can actually do to give him even a tiny bit of strength? The doctor suggested giving him aspirin...😢

He needs something to break that fever and bolster his immune system. For the fever, I’d suggest something gentle like Medicine that won't wreck his stomach since it's likely super sensitive right now; using something like Pain or aspirin could potentially trigger bleeding. My mom went through her chemo without any side effects other than losing her hair, but she did vomit three times. We gave her heavy doses of Native Propolis (www.hedera.com). I happened to get their link via email and checked out their site, where they have testimonials from people who faced horrific chemo side effects that vanished once they started using Native Propolis. My mom took about 15 capsules a day during her treatment along with about 3 ounces of Noni juice (split into three servings throughout the day). Her blood work stayed perfectly within the normal range the entire time.
Whether it’s Native Propolis, Noni, or some other antioxidant doesn't really matter; what matters is getting something into him to boost his immunity and keep him steady so they don't have to halt the treatment. These things work best when taken consistently.
To help with his appetite, you might try giving him Pikovit syrup or those chewable tablets. They're basically vitamins we give kids when they won't eat, but we're actually giving them to my elderly aunt right now (she doesn't have cancer, but she refuses to eat and is losing weight fast), and it opens up her appetite and seems to lift her spirits.
Avoid heavy, greasy foods. Stick to light chicken broths or broccoli soup, which is also fantastic for fighting cancer.
Regarding his blood pressure, make sure he stays hydrated with plenty of fluids—specifically green tea. Have him sip on it constantly. He should probably stay away from coffee at least while he's undergoing chemo.

Joshua Flores48 said:Can someone tell me which medication is used and how long it typically takes for brain swelling to go down so they can finally perform the surgery?

I sent you an answer regarding this and your other questions via email.

Joshua Flores48 said:My mom was just diagnosed with a brain tumor—specifically glioblastoma. Can anyone tell me what the best course of action is or which medication we should look into? I've read that Temodal is effective, but I also came across this drug developed here in the States called DCA, so I'm wondering if anyone knows more about that one. Thanks.

Joshua, my mom is fighting this too, so I actually started both this forum and another one focused on a new experimental drug—a morphogenetic protein.
Check out this forum: . If you have questions or want to dig into the clinical studies, shoot me a PM with your email address and I'll send them over. Honestly, if there's any other way I can help with advice or just a second opinion, don't hesitate to reach out.
As far as treatment goes, the standard protocol right now—which is pretty much the same everywhere in the US—is surgery first (if they can get it all), followed by a combination of radiation and Temodal for 30 days, then six cycles of five-day Temodal stretches. Temodal can extend life by anywhere from 6 to 36 months. If it comes back after therapy, they usually go in with a Gamma Knife (provided it's an option). I'm just hoping Temodal buys newly diagnosed patients enough time to see the clinical application of this morphogenetic protein, which should theoretically provide a massive boost to both lifespan and quality of life.

steelbadger83 said:Faith is a deeply personal thing—how you experience it is entirely up to you, so I’m not looking to start an argument here, but I can share my own perspective.
I believe God loves us all equally and doesn't want us to suffer. Suffering is actually a matter of personal choice, just like happiness, misfortune, sadness, anger, or joy... We are the architects of our own destiny through our thoughts; we choose the kind of life we lead and how we react to whatever life throws at us.
As for illness, I think people choose it based on what they are trying to achieve, and then they decide whether to heal or stay sick. To me, sickness can be one of the best things we can choose because it provides a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and self-discovery. The greatest gift it offers is the realization that love is the driving force behind everything. The goal of life isn't actually to reach God, but to realize that God is within us at all times, provided we live through LOVE. Through love, we become one with everything around us; there is no room for hatred, conflict, or arguments because if you truly love someone, you have no desire to be separate from them. But, to love others, we MUST FIRST LOVE OURSELVES. That is the secret to healing—when you love, you are free and happy, and illness simply finds nothing to latch onto.

Even though I'm not the one who is sick—it's my mother—I've reached the exact same conclusion as you. My only hesitation in talking about it is that most people don't see it this way, or they feel like I don't have the right to speak on the matter since I'm not the one battling cancer.

Honestly, I think my mom got sick instead of me, because I'm the only one in the family who went through that process of enlightenment and heightened awareness. If I had kept living with the same state of consciousness I had before her diagnosis, I probably would have ended up seriously ill myself, whether physically or mentally.
Also, people often view healing as purely physical. My mom refused to accept her illness until she made a trip to Lourdes (it doesn't really matter that it was Lourdes specifically; what matters is that she had to go somewhere, to travel, to seek answers and find God—she chose Lourdes). There, she experienced healing in the sense that she finally began to accept the circumstances of her life and adapt to them. Before that, she lived in a constant state of tension, stubbornly rejecting anything in her life that she didn't like, which was incredibly damaging to herself. She didn't realize that there really is no other way out than acceptance, and that everything eventually circles back to that one point.

I don't think you can explain this to people. You can only let them know. Each person has to reach this realization on their own, according to God's will.
Acceptance is the first step toward healing, perhaps even complete healing. Acceptance brings immense relief and peace to both the mind and the soul.

I've learned to accept things too, even if it's incredibly hard for me sometimes.

ruggednomad182 said:D

Do families dealing with serious illnesses actually suffer? Do they need support systems like counseling or something similar? Can those issues be addressed by starting a non-profit organization for patients where families can also find answers? I’ve felt these shifts firsthand within my own home. My kids lost focus at school. My wife was completely overwhelmed trying to balance family duties with looking after me. They just don't know how to act toward me because this isn't a normal way of life—it's not like things are running smoothly. Then there's the constant anxiety over money. I'm totally out of commission. I'm just not productive anymore. That's just the tip of the iceberg.

Sorry, but I couldn't quite see how your post connects to the quota topic, even though what you wrote is perfectly clear and we definitely share some of the same struggles.

Jessica Rodriguez said:What exactly do you mean by that? Have you actually dealt with something like this before?

I mean that someone might use their faith to justify an action like that. I’ve lived it myself—there was a time when I had to make a heavy decision on my mother's behalf. Honestly, I'm not going to unpack that here on the forum. It's too personal.
This is my final word on this thread.

Douglas King62 said:Thanks for the advice. I'm actually from San Francisco, and there isn't a real maxillofacial surgeon around here. I went to get two different opinions and they were totally different. The last one, Dr. Hodžić, recommended prof. Uglešić. He said he'd try to get in touch with him, though he warned me right away that it might be pretty hard to make that happen. Anyway, at the first exam, they found a palatal cyst in my oral cavity near tooth 7 on the upper left. They told me it needs to be surgically removed and that it’s benign. But then the second doctor said he couldn't tell if it was benign or malignant and insisted I should get a biopsy and just head to Washington, D.C. Honestly, I'm terrified that if he can't reach prof. Uglešić, I'll be stuck on my own. I'm only 24, and I really don't want some inexperienced person messing with this. Please, any info helps.

Look, honey, in a situation like yours, nobody can give you sound medical advice except a specialist. So, grab a plane ticket, get to NYC, and keep badgering them until someone finally sees you. Sometimes the best move is just showing up at a hospital and demanding a doctor take your case. That’s how several situations in my own family were handled. I know you’re totally spiraling right now, but please, try not to let the anxiety consume you—you don't actually know what you're dealing with yet. (I'm telling you this from my own life experience.) If, God forbid, things turn out to be bad, there will be plenty of time to worry then. For now, just take it slow and stay calm, because if you panic, you'll lose your footing entirely. Everything will be brought under control and handled the best way possible.
All I can tell you bluntly is that it doesn't necessarily have to be anything sinister. Granulomas can turn into all sorts of cysts. No one can give you a 100% diagnosis without the necessary tests, but at the same time, I find it hard to believe that first doctor would be so quick to claim it isn't malignant unless he truly believes it based on his experience.
Come on, just stay brave and try to think about how you'll be looking back on this whole mess by this summer!

Jessica Rodriguez said:How can you be so certain about disappointment? Why would 5,000 people show up to thank that man on his birthday? Why would even 100 show up, or why would even one single person bother to come at all?

Exactly. Who shows up to give thanks, who actually attends, and what their motivations are... you could ask thousands upon thousands of questions and never hit the bottom of it.

Look, my mother went to see this high-level holistic healer who claims massive success. She actually convinced my mom to delay her chemotherapy and radiation because she doesn't work with patients who have already undergone radiation. My mom spent an hour every single day for six months seeing her, and after those six months were up, the cancer came back...
Every month, way more people flock to Lourdes to offer thanks to the Virgin Mary. Honestly, this is deeply personal. I personally believe that true healing comes from within ourselves. I didn't just pull that out of thin air; I reached that conclusion through a massive amount of reflection and deep thought.

I appreciate the suggestion, but I really feel like this entire discussion has gone a bit off the rails by poking into the extremely intimate spheres of an individual's personal decisions and faith. While I think it's fine to express an opinion, any debate regarding this here is honestly redundant and pointless. So, I’m asking you all to please hold back or take this conversation to a different forum that you can open specifically for this topic.

Jessica Rodriguez said:Evil simply cannot be part of God's will.

Look, please, stop running to these various "healers." You’re just going to end up disappointed, and frankly, disappointment is the last thing anyone here needs right now. These types of healers are essentially just selling an escape hatch—they offer a way to sidestep the actual struggle and avoid carrying one's own cross by promising instant fixes. In the end, you'll just waste precious time, find yourself right back at square one, and realize through sheer exhaustion that you're the only one who can actually help yourself while the illness continues to progress...
Everything you need is already inside you, folks; if it is indeed the divine will, healing will follow.
Do the work on yourselves instead of waiting for someone else to perform it on you!
Also, I’m asking you all to please refrain from posting any offers from healers on this forum. The ratio of problems created to solutions offered here is completely disproportionate.
Thanks!

My dad actually saw Mladen Dobrović just yesterday to have a lipoma removed from his neck. They had a quick phone consultation the day before, then he was seen right on schedule for the exam, and boom—he was already in surgery the very next day. He’s feeling zero pain and is honestly thrilled with how everything went. A colleague of his pointed him in this direction.
Since this guy's entire specialty revolves around the face and neck, I’d definitely recommend him; you might even want to check out this link: . Personally, I've seen some absolutely incredible surgical results from his work.

I caught a bit of a segment on NBC yesterday about providing psychological support to people battling cancer—specifically focusing on breast cancer patients. It sounded like they were discussing the launch of some kind of support group or organization dedicated to mental health assistance for those affected. Does anyone know if there’s an actual association being formed for this? If anyone happened to catch the broadcast, has a recording of it, or just knows what's going on, please let me know. steelbadger83?
😘 everyone

shadowfox75 said:I am posting in the HEALTH section for the first time, as my usual focus is on PSYCHOLOGY...
I am not sure if this has already been discussed here.
If it has, please feel free to simply ignore this thread...
I find myself in a situation where my mother needs a liver transplant due to cirrhosis caused by Hepatitis C, which she contracted during a surgery 18 years ago, back when that virus wasn't even recognized...
I wonder if our society—and myself personally—must first endure such a terrible tragedy before we wake up and realize that any one of us could be a potential donor. Or perhaps we need to read the letter from young Ana Rukavina, who pleaded for her life only to ultimately lose the battle because no one, from the government down to individual citizens, realized that stem cell research could one day save a life like hers.
It is heartbreaking that our fellow Americans waiting for organs face each of their days with dread, simply thanking God they made it through another night.
It is terrifying to look at the statistics: in just the first eight months of last year, there were only 48 liver transplants performed, yet in those same eight months, at least a thousand citizens died who could have been potential donors... to say nothing of kidney shortages...
Most of you likely won't find this relevant, as I certainly didn't care about it until I faced this tragedy—until the woman who carried me for nine months and nursed me with her own milk now requires a new organ just to stay alive...
I encourage anyone interested to comment on this thread, or at the very least, give some thought to what I have written...
THANK YOU

I know exactly how you feel. My mom is sick too, though in her case, there's no saving her.
Don't be surprised that people aren't jumping to engage with topics that involve illness and death. To the average person, a serious disease is synonymous with death, and talking about it is treated like a taboo. Death is unsettling; it shatters that sense of (fake) security we all cling to. Deep down, we all know we are mortal, but we don't want to burden ourselves by dwelling on someone else's sickness or their inevitable end.
Just let me ask you this: can you see clearly now who your true friends really are?
For my family, my mother's illness acted as the perfect filter for exactly that.

I hope your mother finds a donor as soon as possible (even if that means someone else's passing). Honestly, I just want a resolution for her and for everything to work out the best way possible. As for you, I wish you all the strength in the world so you can be her rock through this.

slydrifter33 said:Look, we’ve all talked about pimples and acne before, but I am honestly at my wit's end.
My face is actually fine—just the occasional breakout during PMS, which is manageable. But my back is covered in breakouts and massive cystic acne. It’s worst across my shoulders, my shoulder blades, and running up my spine toward my neck. These spots on my shoulder blades hurt so bad I can barely lie down some nights. I absolutely loathe summer because of this; I can't wear tank tops or sundresses, even when it’s a blistering 104 degrees outside. 👎Things calmed down for a bit, but now it's a total nightmare again.
I heard that drinking Kraft might be causing this... I've been having it every single day for two months now. 😕What do you guys think?

It's nearly impossible to pinpoint your exact trigger, but honestly, about 90% of girls dealing with PCOS struggle with skin issues. If that's the case, the root cause is hormonal. Go see a gynecologist for a full workup to rule that out.
I know plenty of women who started birth control just to clear up their complexion. Personally, I never had major acne, but I'd get breakouts in my T-zone and on my back every single month right before my period. Because of endometriosis, I'm on birth control (Yasmin) now, and my skin is flawless—smooth as a baby's bottom.
A friend of mine handled her issue through a dermatologist, but she went through absolute hell for three months straight, cycling through endless compresses, ointments, and pills. I know her doctor recommended zinc supplements, since they're supposed to be great for acne.