David Fowler9 said:I’m taking this stuff without any breaks... I've already gone through five pills from the new pack today... I've been on this medication for a year now.
Wait, aren't those placebo pills meant to trigger your period, if I remember correctly? Have you finished the whole pack already? By the way, I was browsing some American medical sites and they mention that missing a period can actually be a side effect, so it might just be the Yaz itself. Still, you should probably call your OB-GYN and check. Also, there are plenty of contraindications; things like ibuprofen can interact with it and potentially spike your hormone levels... have you taken anything like Motrin or something else on the list?
What medications may increase potassium? NSAIDs—ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), naproxen (Aleve® and others) when taken long-term and daily for arthritis or other problems, potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone and others), potassium supplementation, ACE inhibitors (Capoten®, Vasotec®, Zestril®, and others), angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (Cozaar®, Diovan®, Avapro®, and others), aldosterone antagonists, and heparin.
Has anyone else dealt with their period skipping while on birth control? I’m feeling all the symptoms—cramping, lower back pain—but nothing has actually happened yet. I haven't missed a single pill, but I'm honestly freaking out right now.😕
So, how many days has it actually been? Usually, you get it during that week-long break when you aren't taking pills like Yasmin. Their instructions basically say if it doesn't show up during those non-pill days, just start the next pack right on schedule when you're supposed to. That said, some women deal with hyperthyroidism, which can mess with how these pills work and lead to pregnancy. Just in case, if it doesn't arrive within that scheduled break, give your OBGYN a call and get some professional advice.
Final Statement: squamous cell carcinoma, well-differentiated (G1), pT3N3, presence of lymphovascular and perineural invasion, resection margins are clear of tumor.
I would just appreciate a little clarification on what lymphovascular and perineural invasion mean, along with a brief summary of the rest. I gather this is esophageal cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes, but I would love it if someone could explain it in more detail.
T3 refers to the size of the primary tumor (I assume we're looking at something larger than 5 cm here), N3 indicates the number or degree of lymph node involvement around the tumor, and M0 means no distant metastases were found. You can find more info here: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/f...ection/staging As for the rest, if I’m reading this correctly as a layperson, it describes involvement of the lymphatic vessels, and that perineural invasion (PNI) means malignant cells are located around or along the nerves. That isn't exactly the best news either, because it suggests the tumor might have an easier path to spreading further by bypassing natural barriers. Now, whether removing the tumor eliminates that risk entirely or if the threat still lingers, I honestly couldn't say.
My mother used to take Nonii, and besides the fact that she’s already dealing with papilloma, it absolutely trashed her liver. Another catch with Nonii is that since it grows in volcanic soil, it can end up packed with heavy metals. Apparently, the Tahitian stuff is the authentic version and is supposedly metal-free, but I think it costs about $53 a liter, and you're forced to buy them in six-bottle packs. One bottle lasts maybe a week or so. And the taste? Honestly, it's revolting. My rule of thumb is that herbal supplements should come from plants native to our own neck of the woods. Plus, don't overdo it—don't take more than three different supplements at once. Personally, I’d stick to Propolis and Beta Glucan, and maybe keep the door open for some high-strength probiotics later on. Radiation doesn't really have many side effects, aside from maybe some fatigue or potential skin burns, which shouldn't be treated with anything except a liquid called Gentian Violet, if I recall correctly.
Amanda Miller69 said:My father-in-law is finally heading home today after being stuck in the hospital for two months and a week.😁. He’s eating normally and feeling alright, but we’re a bit worried about this occasional hiccuping—his wife is terrified it might be a sign of metastases. We’ll know more later today once he gets his test results back and sits down to talk with the doctor. Also, we’re debating whether to wait for him to get a bit stronger before seeing the oncologist, or if we should just jump straight to the appointment right away.
Thank God! 🙂. If those hiccups turn into a recurring issue, I know you can pick up some affordable medication over in Mexico to help regulate them (I think they cost around $6.75), but for the life of me, I can't recall the name.
Mom is throwing up bile—it looks like everything is affected... unfortunately, there isn't much we can do besides keeping her hydrated with IV drips and making sure she gets tiny amounts of food spread out across the entire day... you know how it goes.😢
Edward Grant3, please accept my deepest condolences... I hope there's some small comfort in knowing he passed surrounded by his loved ones. As time moves forward, I truly believe that thought will bring you more peace and settle your heart. So, honor him now by finding closure, and move forward with peace and pride in your soul. Dad will always be right there with you. 🙂
Apply an ice cube to his lips... honey, stay strong, because by all accounts, this truly is the day 😢 May the Almighty grant you strength and help you keep peace in your hearts. Hang in there 🙂
Fiz, I was just thinking about Biogai. They're those probiotic drops used for kids. It might actually work. Personally, I’ve tried them, and they taste pretty nasty, especially if you mix them into water, tea, or juice.
Honestly, since Dad refused oncology treatment, it’s hardly a surprise he’s dealing with so many fractures—it's most likely due to bone metastases. The doctors didn't see any point in running more diagnostics since he made it clear he wasn't interested in pursuing treatment. To be blunt, it looks like Dad is in the terminal stage, and unfortunately, the end is approaching. At this point, the best thing for him is palliative care to ensure he remains comfortable and pain-free, stays hydrated, nourished, and surrounded by his loved ones. Major surgeries aren't an option anymore; maybe just minor procedures if they can actually provide some relief. I’m sorry, but that's just how things stand. Stay strong and be proud of him.
goldencrane3 said:Is it actually possible to switch oncologists, and if so, how do I go about it?
Technically, sure. In reality? It’s an uphill battle. When you're already established within one hospital system, trying to jump to another is a nightmare, let alone trying to find a different doctor within the same facility—it's practically impossible. Most other hospitals will just brush you off, essentially telling you, "You aren't our patient, go back to yours." It almost always boils down to the bottom line; they don't want to deal with the billing or the paperwork. Unless you have some heavy-duty connections, getting them to take you in is a massive stretch.
goldencrane3 said:We all try our best to just enjoy life. Sometimes I even briefly forget he’s sick, and then there he is—it's like he's grown wings, so happy and fighting so hard to get stronger. Now that my boyfriend and I are finally living alone in our own apartment, we're celebrating our first Christmas together, but then it hits me... Dad might not be here for it... Sometimes, when I’m feeling truly down and miserable, I find myself wondering how I’ll even manage to get through the funeral. Isn't it horrific that such thoughts even cross my mind!?
It isn't horrific. But if I can tell you anything based on what I went through, it’s that nothing ever goes the way you imagine it will, from start to finish. Given everything, things turned out as well as they possibly could have. Look, the rough patch with my mom lasted a really long time. She was practically bedridden for at least a year. The day she passed away didn't feel any different from any other day over that last year... she just faded away... ...don't dwell on it. We're all here now, but tomorrow none of us are guaranteed to be. So many people came to say their goodbyes to my mom, only to pass away themselves before she did. That's just life. It is completely normal to celebrate Christmas with your boyfriend; who knows if any of us will still be around by then, or if we'll all still be here. Surviving the funeral was much easier than living through two and a half years of my mother's agony. Life is the hard part; dying is the easy part.
goldencrane3 said:Hey everyone. I have a question for those who have unfortunately dealt with glioblastoma, specifically Angela Wright. My dad is fighting glioblastoma; he was diagnosed at the start of October last year. He’s already gone through radiation and four rounds of chemo. Now, his oncologist has called it quits on the chemo because the tumor kept progressing despite the treatment. To be honest, the chemo really took a massive toll on him, and we’ve already started bracing ourselves for the end... The oncologist prescribed dex, which he’s been on for two months now. It’s no exaggeration to say he looks better—the difference between how he looked before and after the dex is night and day. Because of my professional background, I’m well-versed in pharmacology, so I know this isn't a permanent fix. I’m wondering, roughly how much longer do we have? I am constantly on edge, and I'm terrified of letting myself hope.
Look, it’s all incredibly individual... In my mother's case, it lasted about two and a half years. By the time she hit that last dose of Temodal, she was basically bedridden and couldn't get back up. From there, the disease just steadily progressed, stripping away her physical abilities bit by bit. It started with her legs, then moved to her arms, and eventually, she lost the ability to speak entirely—she could only move her eyes, though thankfully she was still able to swallow until the very end. Dex helps keep the edema somewhat under control and eases the pressure and pain, but the tumor keeps advancing regardless. I feel for you; there are just too many of these gliomas lately, even though they're supposed to be rare according to the classifications. It's obvious that the incidence rates are shifting on a global scale. Don't waste your energy obsessing over how much time is left. The end is coming sooner than anyone wants to admit, so just make sure you soak up every single meaningful moment you can with him.
Look, all this "if only I had" and "if only he had" talk is just empty nonsense... you clearly had the best intentions, but dammit, you didn't just take him to some local vet; you took him to a hospital where they perform surgeries and provide intensive care every single day. Since this situation has dragged on far too long and you’ve lost faith in the current setup, I think the smartest move is to request a transfer to Gastroenterology at Rebro. They have top-tier GI specialists there, and the oncology department is excellent too.
Jamie Jones8 said:A friend of mine is fighting stomach cancer... there are metastases present and she’s still undergoing chemo... she’s completely withdrawn, sent me a message saying, "I feel terrible, I don't want to talk," and it's breaking my heart because I just can't get through to her... but I don't want to be pushy... She's at the hospital in another state having "peritoneal lavage"... please, what does that mean? What are they doing to her? She has ascites, too.
I don't have all the details because she never liked talking about this damn cancer... help me understand what they are doing to her right now.
Dear Jamie, I totally get why you're desperate to reach out and figure out exactly what's happening, but you have to remember that this is her battle. It’s hitting her way harder—emotionally, mentally, and physically—than it’s hitting you. Respect her need for silence. If she doesn't want to talk about it, let her be. She has more than enough reasons to shut down, and honestly, it's clearly her way of coping. Regarding the lavage, it could be a few things, but it's likely involving some drainage around the gallbladder or pancreas area. Don't drive yourself crazy over the medical specifics; even if you had a full medical report in your hands, there isn't anything you could do to change the outcome. They are simply performing the procedures necessary to manage her symptoms and improve her quality of life. Just be the friend she needs right now—talk to her about anything *except* the illness. Her life is so much bigger than this cancer and these metastases, even if they are consuming all her energy at the moment.
Dennis Carter2 said:I just joined this forum because my father fell ill with lung cancer. He has a 9x7cm tumor located in his right lung. Surgery wasn't an option, so they suggested chemotherapy. Unfortunately, my dad is refusing medical help and turned down the therapy. Right now, he’s just using some ointment and some cannabis oil we barely managed to get our hands on. I can't say for sure if he feels better than when he was in the hospital, but I honestly don't know. What have your experiences been like with this?
In terms of actually curing it? None. I know smoking weed helps manage the pain, but regarding the oil, I know a guy who had a brain tumor and used it, yet things still progressed and, predictably, he passed away.
It’s a shame, really. If your dad has made up his mind, you’re going to have to live with that decision, though I have to point out how much of a waste it is since there aren't any metastases. A friend of my mom's had small cell lung cancer, and luckily, it hadn't spread. People often call this disease "the 100-day cancer"—you can probably guess why. She went through chemo and radiation, and she’s been cancer-free for four years now! Around here, people view chemotherapy as being even worse than the disease itself, so many people have an immediate aversion to it. 😢
Elizabeth Watson28 said:The metastases have spread to my back, lungs, kidneys, and liver. I’ve agreed to radiation on my back, but I’m refusing chemotherapy. Is there any other way to treat this? Thanks in advance for all the answers
What exactly is the diagnosis?
Look, having metastases is definitely not a stroke of good luck, but there are certainly variations where doctors can get things under control... everything is on the table, but it really hinges on the specific diagnosis. Nowadays, we have access to all sorts of biological therapies, targeted drugs, and cytostatics. Clinical trials for new medications are much more accessible than they used to be. You also have options like proton therapy, Gamma Knife, CyberKnife... it all comes down to the diagnosis and the current status—specifically how many metastases there are, which organs are involved, and exactly where they are located. All of those factors dictate the next steps and the treatment method. Don't give up! There are people on this forum fighting metastases for years, and some have even pushed through over 70 rounds of chemo!
Zachary Howard2 said:I managed to get him the syrup—it’s called Sanostol now—but he refuses to take it. He won't touch anything unless a doctor explicitly orders it or if it's "hospital food." He's just incredibly stubborn; you can't get through to him... 🙂 Yesterday they brought him spaghetti bolognese for dinner again. Hellooo? It was spiced so heavily it actually hurt. He didn't eat a bite, so we ended up giving the nurses and the doctor a piece of our minds yesterday. The doctor promised he’d bring someone by today to sit down and talk me through everything. Today is the same old story: fever and vomiting, and some dark material in the vomit. My sister-in-law panicked and rushed upstairs, though it wasn't quite what she feared. She finally pressured a doctor into ordering a chest X-ray because she’s convinced there's pneumonia being covered up because they messed things up. That vomiting and the fever could be related to all this, and honestly, the vomiting could also be a reaction to the antibiotics. They've been pumping him full of two different kinds for a month and a half now, and it feels like they're just poisoning him. On Monday, his primary doctor is finally coming in with a specialist, so we're praying for some actual progress. This whole situation is driving us absolutely insane. If there's any doctor following this thread, could you please explain what is actually going on here?
Yeah, I figured she thought he was one of those types who treats a doctor like a priest and takes everything they say as Holy Scripture...🙄 Look, that black stuff in the vomit really doesn't sit right with me. 😢 Hang in there until Monday. Just try to power through together until the doctor gets back from vacation... man, what a nightmare to need hospital care right in the middle of the holidays. 🙂
brisklynx51, please accept my sincerest condolences... I'm wishing you and your family peace of heart, and may you find comfort in one another during this time. May your father rest in peace.