Dear Carl Brooks4, your kids are grown adults now. Let them be there for you. I was once that daughter who lost her mom to a rare brain tumor when she was only 57. She spent my whole life shielding me, keeping me under a glass bell jar... but you just can't protect a child from life itself. Realizing that she had pushed me right over the edge into an abyss led me straight to the brink of anorexia. I couldn't imagine a life so messy without her; I needed her desperately... and it wasn't until I hit rock bottom that my shell finally cracked, and I actually started living. I realized that life is everything—it’s not just roses, but it’s not just thorns either. You have to face things head-on and learn how to deal with them. After years of failed relationships in my youth, I actually met my husband at my most vulnerable moment. If my mother hadn't gotten sick, I wouldn't have my two beautiful children today. In that sense, I think it's time to let your children grow up. They have a mother who is ill and needs their full support and strength. It is time for them to face real life and become your pillars. That is the best thing you can do for them, and for yourself—to find peace knowing you've raised people who are ready for whatever life throws at them. I'm writing this both as a daughter and as a mother, because I've seen both sides of the coin. Let them help you. Let them show you that you raised two strong, capable human beings, and don't ever forget that nothing can take away the closeness and connection you share.
Honestly, I don't know how some of you idiots even manage to get your hands on Zaldiar. You clearly have no idea what you're talking about. That stuff isn't for your little everyday aches; it’s a heavy-duty therapy prescribed specifically for the kind of excruciating pain caused by metastatic cancer. We're talking about agony that hits you like a freight train. It’s intense, and the way it hits you can be overwhelming. If you think you need this for a common headache, you’re completely out of your mind. When you're dealing with pain this abnormal, you can't just brush it off; you need to put it under a microscope and get a thorough gynecological exam immediately. Seriously, don't wait. You also need to look into some of those AB Pil alternatives—honestly, taking something like that is a much smaller evil than popping heavy hitters like Zaldiar, Tramal, or Ketoral. I’ve been dealing with endometriosis, and let me tell you, I had three different gynecologists look me in the eye and insist everything was perfectly fine. It wasn't until I pushed for an ultrasound that the reality actually hit the table—turns out, they were dead wrong. Look, most people who tell you it’s "normal" for things to hurt that much are basically telling you they aren't sane. If you’re out there hunting for a second opinion because the pain is that intense, you already know deep down that something is wrong. Don't let anyone gaslight you into thinking extreme pain is just part of the deal. Get a real doctor.
Listen, Carl Brooks4, if you had any other kind of cancer diagnosis, believe me, you’d feel just as miserable. Everyone is dealing with their own version of hell, so don't let that stop you from reaching out to people facing different diagnoses. It's true that your CA is a rare head and neck tumor. I know that for those types of diagnoses, Erbitux is an excellent option—it's used for metastatic wild-type colorectal carcinomas and is FDA-approved for that here in the States. However, it's also used "off-label" for head and neck tumors and has shown really impressive results. I'm not entirely certain if it's strictly reserved for metastatic cases, but my advice is to go ahead and ask around. You should plan for the long haul, keeping in mind that at some point, you might need to seek treatment at a major Center of Excellence specifically dedicated to your diagnosis. Since the epicenter of your illness is so close to where a laryngeal tumor would be, it's very possible you'll deal with the exact same side effects from treatment. There are support groups for people who have undergone laryngectomies in the US; try searching online for them. I know they stay incredibly active, and I'm confident they can offer some solid advice. And please, feel free to reach out here if you need any support. Hang in there and just keep fighting. God helps those who are brave.🙂
Alex Walker5 said:Are you folks in favor or against this? I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or any advice you might have. Personally, I support the legalization of cannabis in America for both medical and recreational use.
I shouldn't have been surprised that you're backing the recreational side too—that explains why you're so fired up about it. 😁 If you think people are going to be able to walk into a pharmacy and pick up flower for medical use anytime soon, you're dreaming. We're talking strictly about cannabinoid-based medicinal preparations until actual pharmaceutical drugs based on those compounds get fully registered. You won't be seeing anything like that sitting on a drugstore shelf anytime soon.
Sophia Reyes3, I’m thinking back to a girl about your age who had a story almost identical to yours. She actually went to see Dr. Baselga in Barcelona. When it comes to breast cancer, he is basically the gold standard, the absolute top of the field. Unfortunately, she didn't find her way to him early enough 😢 but, just so you know, the treatment plan he laid out for her worked in the sense that it managed to keep things stable for a while. Anyway, I hope this bit of information helps you out somehow. Hang in there and don't you dare give up!
Maya, please accept my deepest, most sincere condolences. You did everything you possibly could, so please, be proud of yourself and your Mom. Hang in there, dear. I’m wishing you peace of mind and wishing her eternal rest.
Bryan Cooper90 said:Hey everyone, I couldn't find a thread covering this, so I figured I'd just start one. If the mods think this shouldn't be here, go ahead and pull the plug.
So, a few days ago after my shower, I noticed this weird lump on the left side of my chest. It’s about 3x3 cm, maybe a bit narrower. I checked another forum and they said it’s most likely just a lipoma, but obviously, it's better to get a doctor's opinion. Here's the catch: I really don't want to tell my family about this for a while. They'll absolutely lose it because my aunt is battling cancer right now—she's almost in the clear, though. I wanted to run it by you guys first before deciding what to do next.
Liposarcoma is a type of cancer found in fatty connective tissue, but it's incredibly rare—we're talking one in every 100,000 people. Most lumps like that turn out to be lipomas, which are just benign growths. Either way, seeing a surgeon will settle the question once and for all, but statistically speaking, you've got nothing to worry about. 😉
Dear Alma, based on what I've seen before, I’m afraid you might be right. It looks like a relapse on the Temodal is happening, and that edema is clearly spiraling out of control. Get her to the ER right away; they need to run an emergency CT scan immediately. I am so sorry, but you have to act now—without anti-edema therapy, she’s going to crash fast, and things will go downhill in a heartbeat. Hang in there.
My dear Maya, reading this just breaks my heart... everything you’re going through feels all too familiar...😢 I honestly don't know what to say, other than to lean on God's providence. Maybe He won't grant a miracle cure, but He will provide grace to all of you, ensuring the most peaceful path forward. She has truly earned her peace through all the good she's done in her life. Be proud of your Mom and proud of yourself, honey. You’ll find a way to get through this, one step at a time. 🙂
Amanda Wells75 said:Is this already the terminal phase, or is there still hope? Mom is still lucid and sharp.
Yes, honey... it’s just going to be a slow drift toward sleep until she slips into a semi-conscious state. Given how much fluid is building up, eventually, it’s going to hit the lungs and settle around the heart... that’s usually how the progression goes. 😢 I just really hope you guys can get her pain managed properly. Hang in there. Just stay by her side, hold her tight, kiss her, and talk to her about all those beautiful memories—keep those good times alive for her. 🙂
steelwalker26 said:Right, because there's clearly a direct causal chain here: sex -> immune system crash -> passing out with seizures.
Nice one, buddy. Way to go, making jokes while girls are literally losing consciousness.
If this were my sister or my daughter, I’d beat you senseless before you could even find a hospital.
Look, man, there's really no need for these kinds of emotional outbursts... and let's be real, she isn't some helpless child incapable of looking after herself, and since she's an adult, she can seek out her own help just like anyone else. Everyone is responsible for themselves. 🙄
melloworca6 said:People don't even realize how much you have to wait for basic exams and scans. You either shell out serious cash at a private clinic—especially if you need something like a CT scan—or you spend months wandering around public hospitals just waiting for your turn.
Honestly, if you haven't experienced the absolute circus that is our healthcare system, you wouldn't understand. You could practically die five times over before they finally call you in for a diagnostic test. 😢
Exactly... I just went to a private clinic for an abdominal ultrasound and only waited two days, and they actually had the nerve to ask which appointment time worked best for me. My dad drove me because I was in too much pain to get behind the wheel, and halfway there, I noticed his mole had changed color and told him he needed to see his doctor immediately. While he was waiting for my appointment, he happened to notice a dermatologist's office right there, so he knocked. The doctor saw him instantly and took care of that mole plus two others... it cost him a cool $400 on the spot, but hey, it was done. If he’d tried to go through Medicare, he would’ve been sitting on a waiting list for months. Of course, it wasn't a life-threatening emergency, but then again, every "emergency" has an expiration date—you either stabilize or you drop dead. That's why people only get things handled quickly when they hit the ER. Most people have absolutely no clue about anything regarding health or taking responsibility for their own bodies. Luckily, some still know enough to seek out professional advice... but most don't even know that much.
Kyle Martin67 said:I think this happened yesterday evening; I wonder what they can actually check for her at the ER...
And what exactly do you think they can examine, her throat? She’ll probably just head over to a subreddit to ask instead. 🙄...🤦 Look, just get your act together and pedal straight to the emergency room. 🙂
Honestly, I think that was an epileptic seizure. Sleep deprivation and alcohol were probably the triggers. You really need to get her to Dr. Miller for a full workup—blood tests, EEGs, maybe even more specialized imaging if needed. It’s a shame you didn't head straight to the ER; they could have run all those tests immediately. Look, when someone has these kinds of abnormal loss-of-consciousness episodes accompanied by seizures, you don't go Googling symptoms or scrolling through online forums to figure out what happened—you go to the emergency room. I agree with melloworca6, just get to the ER right now. If they discharge her, then you can deal with the wait times at the local clinic, but if they admit her for observation immediately, even better. It'll save you from a diagnostic process that could drag on for weeks or even months. Has she had episodes like this before, where she collapses and loses her memory of the event?
It is also absolutely critical that she gets a solid seven hours of uninterrupted sleep and stays away from alcohol, high-stress situations, or anything overstimulating—think movies with intense special effects or heavy video gaming—until you get some clarity on what actually happened. Here's the thing: if we are dealing with epilepsy, every single subsequent seizure causes additional damage to the brain. If it happens again right in front of you, make sure to place something between her teeth—like a belt, a folded cloth, or a wallet—so she doesn't accidentally bite through her tongue.
Steven Cook56 said:Thanks for the input. To be honest, I went in for an endoscopy just two months after these issues started, and everything came back totally normal. The weirdest part is how easy it is to throw up—I don't even have to force it, you know? Like, I just strain a little and the food comes right back up. And once I've vomited, I actually feel a lot better...
Go get another gastroscopy, but this time, go see a different gastroenterologist. I’d bet anything that the results will look completely different this time around. I've run into plenty of conflicting opinions on this, but some people claim that H. pylori weakens the sphincter, which triggers that reflux where stomach contents shoot back up into the esophagus. Since the esophagus doesn't have the acid-resistant lining that the stomach does, you end up with damage, which leads to that sensation of swallowing lumps. You get all this discomfort right behind your sternum that makes you think it's your heart, and then the panic sets in, making your heart race for real. My husband went through the exact same thing and was eventually diagnosed with GERD. Luckily, he didn't have H. pylori, but during those nighttime episodes, it looked like he was having a full-blown heart attack.
Look, man, from what you're describing, you've got classic symptoms of GERD—gastroesophageal reflux disease. Do some digging online, or just check out the dedicated thread we have here on GERD. As for the H. pylori, you really need to go back for another breath test to see if that thing is still hanging around. That bacteria is incredibly stubborn; one round of antibiotics often isn't enough to kick it to the curb. You’ve got to be aggressive and persistent with both the reflux and the infection, because if you let them slide, they can cause esophageal damage that eventually turns into cancer over time. To manage this right now, stop eating after 6 PM, stay away from chocolate, and skip the mint—that peppermint tea won't help you. Try sleeping with your head elevated, and make sure you're sitting up straight rather than slouching and putting all that pressure on your stomach. Definitely keep some Pepcid or Zantac on hand.
Amanda Wells75 said:Mom was discharged today. Her release papers say they drained 6 liters of fluid, and she received blood transfusions and IV fluids. Now, there's this specific sentence in there that's bothering me: "Ultrasound via abdominal probe: abundant free fluid with significant carcinosis." Does that mean the cancer has spread throughout the entire abdomen?
Unfortunately, it's widespread. 😢 That explains why so much fluid keeps building up. I honestly don't know what to say to comfort you... Look, she's home now, and being in her own space seems to be the most important thing for her mental state right now. As for everything else, you'll just have to deal with it as things progress. Stay strong, and most importantly, try to keep your head above water. If you start falling apart, it’s going to be incredibly hard on her—it becomes an extra burden she shouldn't have to carry. Find some kind of outlet to redirect your focus, otherwise, you're going to snap. For me, having my dog was a lifesaver, along with those little 15-minute walks around the apartment complex three times a day.
Amanda Wells75 said:I think it’s terrible when you feel like you're being "haunted." Personally, I believe it's just because you're on this forum every single day, constantly running into people who are battling illness or dealing with their families, and you end up reliving someone else's pain and suffering every day.
I’ve actually thought about that myself, but then again, how could anyone else's situation hit me harder than what happened with my Mom...? Well, I hope you're right.
granitewolf15 said:It’s my first time posting in this subforum, so I’m not entirely sure if I’ve landed in the right spot. I’m looking for a hospital bed for patient care. Does anyone have experience with this? Can you offer some advice or recommend specific models? Thanks.
You absolutely need one with hydraulic controls and an anti-decubitus air mattress. You might be able to borrow one through a local charity or the Hospice Friends of America if they have any available right now. Alternatively, you can rent one for about $300$133 a month from a state-run or private nursing home or clinic. You’ll need to go there in person to sit down, talk to them, and see what their options are.