Posts by Angela Wright

steelbadger83 said:It’s true—everyone forgets that the families of those suffering need psychological support too. It's not just that the patient doesn't get adequate help, let alone free care via a referral; it's that the families aren't even considered.

In the United States (where people are pretty practical), have they released various brochures? Things like "how to support a spouse," "how to help children," or "supporting parents"? That kind of advice actually matters.

Personally, I'm thinking about registering a non-profit focused primarily on breast cancer, though we could expand to other types. The goal would be a one-stop shop where patients and their families can find all the information, advice, and recommendations they need regarding their illness—everything from surgeons, oncologists, and internists to radiologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, physiatrists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and even holistic specialists. As part of this, we’d print guides such as: "What to eat during treatment," "How to talk to your kids," "Understanding chemotherapy: types and purposes," "Managing life during radiation," "Physical activity and physiatry tips," and "The stages of accepting a diagnosis and behavioral patterns."

That’s exactly what I was thinking. People here are essentially left to fend for themselves, and it infuriates me that while there is psychological support and groups available for alcoholics and drug addicts, there isn't anything similar for cancer patients—even though there are far more of them, and they often aren't even responsible for their own illness. If it weren't for the brave individuals fighting cancer who step forward publicly to demand access to free, top-tier medication, or to push for prevention through stem cell research and annual awareness days, the public wouldn't even be talking about this disease. It's just too terrifying for most people to face. In the minds of the average person, cancer is synonymous with death, and nobody wants to talk about death. But in the minds of the patients and their families, cancer is a fight for survival, and that fight involves much more than just successful oncological treatment.

Morgan Williams4 said:It happens all the time where people swarm a sick person, trying to show they care, but they end up suffocating them instead. Worst of all, the patient sees nothing but pity in their eyes, which is a total motivation killer. In my book, you have to be much more careful about how you approach someone who's struggling.

I couldn't agree more. That’s why I’m calling once again for anyone with actual influence to push for a program within the general US healthcare system that includes psychological support and counseling for the families of those affected. Right now, there's only mental health resources for the patients themselves—not that anyone ever offered my mom a single session with a psychologist.
It's incredibly tough to know where to draw the line with behavior, because you need to stay completely rational, but everyone is under massive stress when dealing with such a radical situation.

Carol Ramirez said:Today marks the third week since my grandfather’s first round of chemo, and his hair finally started falling out.
He tried to play it off by wearing a baseball cap all day, but he couldn't hide it from me. Sometimes I honestly feel like he has more grit in him than I do.

Yeah, there are moments when it truly looks like they're handling this better than we are. We stand there paralyzed, staring at a massive mountain of a problem, feeling like we should be doing something, yet we just freeze up.
I suspect your granddad decided that if someone in the family had to take this hit, it might as well be him instead of you.
There are days I wish I could just shoulder my mother's illness myself to spare her the struggle, but she’d likely find it harder. She always tells me that even though she’s still relatively young, she’s already lived a full life—she built a home, raised me, and says she couldn't be prouder of the person I've become. Meanwhile, I've got my entire life stretched out ahead of me.

Don't sweat it; your grandfather's hair will grow back, and it'll probably be thicker than it was before.👍
And even if it doesn't and he stays bald, as long as he's healthy, who cares? He can rock the shaved look!

Watching loved ones battle serious illnesses is an absolute nightmare, and it’s not just them suffering—it's the family members and everyone close to them who get dragged into the fray. Since our healthcare system and society at large are pretty terrible at providing the psychological support people actually need during these times, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Having been right in the thick of this struggle myself, I started this forum so those of us navigating these waters can offer genuine advice and real support to one another.

Feel free to vent or share your story here. I promise I will always be around to reply, offer some perspective, or at the very least, stand beside you while you're going through hell—which, let's face it, can often feel even more grueling than the fight against the disease itself.

I've walked through this fire personally, and honestly, I'm still walking through it. It's the kind of suffering no one should ever have to endure alone.

Sending big hugs to everyone.

Chloe Johnson91 said:Hey everyone, I could really use some input and advice here...
Here’s the deal: my period started on the 8th of this month and wrapped up after six days, so around the 13th (Saturday). Sunday was totally fine, but then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I noticed this watery discharge. Then this morning, I spotted a little bit of blood. What's going on? Is this normal? This is the first time anything like this has happened to me, and I don't want to freak out unnecessarily, but I have no idea if others deal with this too.

Sometimes it just takes a few extra days for all those leftover clots to clear out. I don't know how old you are, though. If you're still young and just started having periods recently, these kinds of irregular spotting episodes aren't unusual while your hormones are still finding their rhythm.
It could also be a minor infection. Give it another day, and if things don't settle down, go see your OB-GYN.

I received this bracelet as a graduation gift. It’s beautiful and looks classy, but if you're looking for actual functionality, I wouldn't count on it. It's supposed to protect against arthritis, yet here I am dealing with my first confirmed symptoms—painful morning stiffness in my hands and visible changes in my finger joints—all while wearing this thing constantly.
Personally, I wouldn't buy it for any reason other than just how it looks.

lonecrane42 said:how to fix this annoying issue. I've been using products from Avon, and they do a decent job at stopping the sweat. But how do you actually solve this for good?😘

The real catch with those over-the-counter stuff is that they just plug up your pores right where you apply the spray or gel. You aren't stopping the moisture; you're just forcing the sweat to find a different exit point somewhere else on your body.
Sweat isn't the enemy here. The culprit is usually fungi thriving because of poorly ventilated shoes. When the sweat can't evaporate naturally, you end up with that nasty odor.

My advice? Try dropping a little bit of lavender essential oil into each shoe, or mix a single drop into the foot cream you use every morning. Lavender oil acts as a natural antiseptic that stops fungus in its tracks.
That's exactly how my husband keeps things under control.

The general consensus seems to be that any diet forcing you to drop more than ten pounds in a single month is basically a recipe for disaster rather than actual health.

northernmarlin79 said:Look, I get it—poorly differentiated is the worst kind of diagnosis... but we still don't know how far it's spread. He’s heading into the hospital this Monday for more testing, so we’ll finally have some real answers then.
I tried Googling it... but honestly, I didn't find anything useful that I hadn't already figured out.
Has anyone here actually dealt with something like this before?

Listen, "poorly differentiated" isn't a death sentence! People pull themselves back from the brink in those exact situations all the time. All those people who love to jump on threads and predict someone's doom can go tell that nonsense to their grandmother instead!😠
My own mother has a brain tumor, and according to the "experts," she should have passed away a long time ago. Yet, here she is, still fighting, while that one prognosticator doctor basically lost his touch way before her supposed expiration date.
In medicine, nothing is set in stone. Humans aren't just spare parts in a machine, so stop obsessing over everything you read online. You likely already know what you need to know, and once the full lab results come back, the doctors will map out the best treatment plan specifically for him. From there, it’s up to him and up to you to fight and push through.
Sending you all the strength in the world—you’re going to get through this!

What are the actual odds of picking up hepatitis at the dentist? I've heard people claim those offices are one of the easiest places to catch it.

mistyranger4 said:Hey everyone!

I’m facing a massive challenge right now. My husband is seriously ill with muscular dystrophy; he’s barely mobile and spends his days home alone while I’m out working full-time. We live just outside of NYC.
Up until now, a family friend has been helping out with his care—basically staying close by to make sure he has everything he needs—but she’s moving abroad, so we won't have her to rely on anymore. I have absolutely zero experience finding professional caregivers, so any intel or advice you can share would be a lifesaver. I put an ad out on Craigslist, but I haven't had much luck since we’re located in the suburbs of NYC. Based on what you've seen, what are the typical rates for home care? What red flags should I watch out for? Honestly, any story—good, bad, or ugly—would be incredibly helpful.
Thanks in advance!

I’m in a very similar boat, except I’m unemployed and my mother is completely immobile. A woman reached out offering to help specifically with bedside assistance (she wouldn't handle the heavy lifting or bathing, just being there to assist with other needs), essentially leaving the physical labor to me while she stays on hand from 10 to 15 hours a day for $833 a month. Apparently, that's considered a steal. You really have to be prepared to shell out a decent, average salary just to have someone look after your husband. Unfortunately, I'm just not in a financial position to afford that kind of care for my mom.🙂

Nancy Smith72 said:I’ve run into a bit of a snag and could really use some advice.

I take Yaz birth control, and up until now, I haven’t dealt with any side effects at all. However, during this last cycle, I wasn't as consistent with my timing—I ended up taking a pill late a few times. Even though I haven't finished the full 21-day pack yet, I started experiencing some light spotting, mostly just a brownish-red discharge.

Can anyone tell me if this could be a direct result of being irregular with the pills?
Has anyone else dealt with this, or maybe heard anything about it?

Thanks

I'm on Yaz too, and I actually had that exact same weird, light spotting happen once. It only lasted about a day and a half. Honestly, it seems pretty normal for that to pop up occasionally, likely depending on how your hormone levels are fluctuating. I definitely have moments where I forget my pills, though I can't even remember if that was the case this specific time. My cycle afterward was totally fine, even though my periods are much lighter now than they were before I started using hormonal contraception.

Carol Ramirez said:Regardless, thanks for reaching out.
We aren't questioning the medical findings or the treatment plan one bit. We're following everything to the letter. He’s under constant supervision right now, with bloodwork being done every seven days just to make sure his white blood cell count doesn't tank, which would prevent him from getting his next round of chemo next week.
I wasn't suggesting we meddle with what the doctors prescribe—we stick strictly to their advice. It’s more that they suggested we look into alternative ways to help him maintain his weight and keep his blood counts steady while giving his immune system a boost, so I figured someone here might have some actual, sensible advice. I saw some discussions on other threads mentioning that a blend of apple, carrot, and beet juice helps quite a bit, so we started doing that today.
I'm hoping someone might chime in with some additional ideas.

My mom handled her chemo incredibly well thanks to native propolis.
You can find all the details at www.amazon.com
Check out this forum too: http://www.reddit.com/r/health/ where our regular users share their own methods for tackling those brutal chemo side effects. But honestly, nothing beats hearing directly from people who've been through it.

Zachary Thompson9 said:For heaven's sake, pentilin isn't penicillin.
A defibrillator?? That won't work

I honestly thought it was just a typo at first. But now it sounds like some other kind of antibiotic altogether. Care to enlighten us on what we're actually dealing with here?

Peter King7 said:They really need to rule out a cerebrovascular event, but a sudden drop in hearing can also be caused by a viral middle ear infection—and those don't always come with pain.
If that's what we're looking at, they need to move fast with surgery to prevent permanent nerve damage, which can happen surprisingly quickly. Honestly, the procedure itself isn't a big deal; they just make a small incision in the eardrum to clear things out, and there isn't much pain afterward.

I was thinking the exact same thing. I just doubt they'd throw penicillin at him unless they were certain it was an infection. The doctors over at Vineyard are actually top-tier, especially the neurologists.

djubre44 said:Hey everyone. My dad suddenly felt sick today and lost all hearing in his right ear out of nowhere, plus his balance is completely shot. We rushed him over to the Vineyard and he’s currently admitted there on penicillin. I was asking around and heard that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be a game-changer if you catch it early enough. Has anyone here dealt with something similar? Also, does anyone know what the damage is for HBOT sessions and how many you usually need to see results? Thanks.

What kind of tests did they run on him? Did they just do bloodwork or go deeper than that? You really have to pin down the actual cause of the deafness. Since he's on penicillin, we're likely looking at a bacterial infection. Look, I know hyperbaric chambers can work, but it’s hit or miss depending on the specific situation. There's also a chance this hearing loss is just temporary. Honestly, the best move is to sit down with his doctor; they're the ones with the expertise. If there's going to be any benefit from the chamber, they'll be the ones to refer him.

Sandra Barnes91 said:Can I pick up some Arctic Ice gel at a local pharmacy or CVS to help with muscle and joint pain? What’s the price point like, does it actually work, and is it going to irritate my skin?😕

You can find it at a pharmacy, though I haven't spotted it at a CVS. I'm not sure about the exact price, but it shouldn't break the bank—maybe around $10 bucks. It works wonders, honestly, especially when I've got a headache or inflamed muscles, and it hasn't caused any skin irritation for me.

In the beginning, the anxiety used to eat me alive. Every single checkup felt like a life-or-death verdict. Honestly, it makes sense—I spent 37 years feeling like I was invincible, and then out of nowhere, lung cancer hits you right in the face. I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea that you could be living your life while simultaneously being sick; in my mind, a diagnosis was synonymous with an expiration date.
But then, right before one of my appointments, I was sitting outside enjoying some warm spring air with my stepmother. She’s a sharp woman, and she told me, "Look, don't lose your cool if the results aren't perfect. It doesn't mean everything is falling apart. Sometimes they're good, sometimes they're not. Fluctuations are just part of the deal." That was the lightbulb moment for me. I finally started viewing my cancer as a chronic condition I have to manage, rather than a death sentence.
Some days are better than others. There are moments when everything just falls apart and I break down, staring at a bucket list that feels more like a list of things I'll never get to finish. I feel frustrated with myself, and yeah, I'm scared of dying... But at the end of the day, I'm still here, I'm mobile, I'm getting things done, and it feels wrong to complain constantly... there are people facing much harder battles than mine.

This post perfectly captures her incredible strength. She really is a role model for anyone facing life's toughest hurdles. She left a mark on this forum, and she definitely left one on me with her words. Rest in Peace; may she find nothing but peace.😘

casualcrane41 said:About three months ago, my stomach started acting up, and lately, it’s been hurting almost every single day... honestly, it feels more like those menstrual cramps you get, just way milder. More like this constant discomfort deep in my lower abdomen. I also recently noticed some yellowish-green discharge 😠... plus, my last period was 20 days late...
I’m heading to my OB-GYN on Monday because it’s clear things have gone from bad to worse.
The thing is, all these symptoms scream gonorrhea to me 👎 but I haven't had sex in about seven months. Back when I was active, it was with my ex, and he’d only ever been with one girl before me, so I highly doubt I caught anything from him. I was with someone else after him, but we weren't having sex... though I guess it's technically possible to pick up an STI regardless 😠. But honestly, how it happened doesn't matter right now; what’s eating at me is the thought that if I've been dealing with this pain for three months, who knows how far this infection has spread by now.👎
Does a gynecologist charge extra for STD testing? I need to know how much cash to bring with me.😬
I actually went recently to get tested for Hepatitis and HIV, and everything came back clean. I'm not exactly out there living a wild lifestyle, but that’s beside the point—you can catch something from pretty much anyone.
What do you guys think? 🙄 Maybe I'm totally overthinking it and it's just a standard infection... or a cyst... or something else entirely... I just don't know...
I know the doctor will hopefully clear everything up on Monday (or at least once the lab results are in), but I am spiraling right now because I can't believe this is happening to me 😠 especially since I've been sitting on this pain for three months, which means I've potentially messed myself up big time.😠

Forget gonorrhea! You clearly have a nasty infection. Honestly, I don't get why you waited this long to do something about it.👎 Even if it isn't gonorrhea, it doesn't mean it isn't doing damage! And stop stressing about the money; that's what savings are for—taking care of your health. You probably won't even have to pay out of pocket. The nurse will likely take swabs and send them off to the lab for you.

Megan Brooks said:The lead pipes don't matter because if they did, elderly people would be dropping dead from poisoning en masse by now. As soon as water starts moving through a pipe, a layer of limescale builds up on the inside and seals off the toxins. That’s what my professor taught me. If you know Haraminčić, you know his word is gospel.

Sure, there's some truth to that, but it's equally true that we use much more chlorine now, and chlorine dissolves scale. When a chunk of that buildup flakes off, it takes the lead right along with it. And regarding the elderly dying—people die from everything under the sun, including the massive surge in cancer rates. Heavy metal poisoning can certainly be one of those contributing factors behind malignant diseases. If your professor were actually right, we'd still be installing lead pipes in modern homes instead of switching to plastic.
Anyway, drink whatever water works for you, whether it's based on your budget or how it tastes. In Washington, D.C., I stick to bottled water, but when I'm out in the suburbs, I just use the tap.