Posts by Angela Wright

Robin Johnson26 said:If we were headed to Mayo Clinic, I wouldn't even know which department to call or what specific referral to ask for... everything feels so incredibly blurry without concrete test results in hand, you know? The local hospital here messed up the initial procedures, and working with the PHD didn't achieve a damn thing because they're still stuck guessing if it's a primary tumor... but look, I just don't get it—we have one solid fact, that it's a malignant tumor, and the idea that doctors are essentially spinning their wheels with that information is just plain wrong....

Call the oncology department at Mayo Clinic. Explain the whole situation—tell them how the local hospital can't provide a proper diagnosis and that you want to redo the PHD. They should point you toward the next steps. If they actually agree to see you, cancel the appointment at the Institute; honestly, the Institute is a much better bet than wherever Grandma is stuck right now. And frankly, try to pull some strings if you can. Unfortunately, in this system, things rarely move forward unless you have a connection.😢

Robin Johnson26 said:I call for samples and ask them to be sent to Washington, D.C., and they aren't just being rude—the doctor is being utterly unbearable. She actually told me I wasn't competent enough to handle this and asked why I was interfering in their business...

Tell her she can hand them over nicely, or she can receive a formal memorandum from a law firm detailing the specific fines if she ignores a direct request. You have an absolute right to access those samples and seek a second opinion without any repercussions. This has nothing to do with her, the hospital, or any biochemist, and it certainly has nothing to do with your competence—for heaven's sake, you aren't the one performing the analysis. It is a legitimate patient right, and if she has an issue with that, that is her own private problem. Mayo Clinic issues samples without any hassle upon signing a release for repeating a PHD elsewhere; it’s unbelievable that this is becoming an issue at a small clinic.
While we might not know the exact location of the primary tumor yet, getting a more detailed and potentially superior cell analysis could pinpoint where the tumor is located and help rule out things like sarcoma. Right now, Grandma's diagnosis is an occult tumor (metastases from an unknown primary site), and in situations like this, it would be standard practice to refer a patient to a major medical center for more in-depth testing rather than playing God and wasting precious time just to feed an ego.

I don't think they performed the analysis incorrectly; I think they simply lacked the experience to recognize certain indicators.

You have to get Grandma on board and insist that she cooperates if she wants to actually get treated, because if she doesn't, everything is going to go downhill fast. If she refuses, then you'll just have to respect her decision, no matter how much it hurts.

Mima29, I hate to say it, but there’s really no point in trying to offer any concrete hope right now. Everything hinges on getting a timely and accurate diagnosis—that's the foundation everything else is built on. Right now, you're dealing with a grandmother who's being difficult and a diagnosis that's questionable at best. It’s a pretty rough hand to be dealt all at once. 😢

Robin Johnson26 said:Ever since last Christmas, my grandmother has been dealing with this lump growing just above her left collarbone—she actually misidentified it as her breastbone. We tried everything to get it under control, but nothing worked. Once we finally got her in for an exam, the doctor ordered a biopsy. By then, around May, the mass was already the size of a woman's hand. The biopsy confirmed malignant cells, and the doctor initially suspected they might have spread from lung cancer. However, after looking at her chest X-ray, which came back clear, she became uncertain and started suspecting lymphoma instead. She suggested removing a lymph node for testing; the samples were supposed to be sent to Washington, D.C., for analysis, but they ended up running them at the local hospital instead. Even then, they couldn't pinpoint the source, only stating that there is a primary tumor somewhere in her body. After all this runaround, we’re heading to the MD Anderson Cancer Center today, though they haven't scheduled our follow-up until July 21st, 2014. We've been stuck in this loop of examinations for a month now without any real answers. The local hospital suggested admitting her for ten days to run deeper tests, including more biopsies and punctures, but Grandma refused to go in. In the meantime, we have to get deep lung imaging and a full blood panel done. I know how bad this sounds—I'm fully aware of the gravity here—but we're just grasping at straws, searching for any shred of hope. That's why I'm posting here... I just need to know if there's still a chance to help her.

If you can manage it, get her over to the Mayo Clinic! I’m not trying to bash the other facility, but when it comes to these kinds of situations, the Mayo Clinic is miles ahead. Waiting until July 21st while facing a potential malignancy is simply too much time to lose.

Robin Johnson26 said:The biopsy was done, but at some local community hospital—they didn't send him over to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Here’s the pathology report: the material (labeled as a lymph node on the left side of the neck) shows an irregular mass about 2 cm in diameter. Histologically, the cross-section reveals "follicular" lymphatic areas in the center with dominant necrosis. The peripheral clusters are mostly in a solid-swirling pattern consisting of polymorphic hyperchromatic tumor cells. The histology points toward metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma.

A biopsy report is just a scrap of paper if you don't verify it properly.
Get those samples sent straight to New York City immediately!

Kevin Garcia12 said:I don't quite get what you mean by "left rib." On another thread, I saw you mention a diagnosis of "metastatic cancer of the neck and chest," which means the primary site could be anywhere—from the ear, parotid glands, nose, face, larynx, pharynx, tongue, thyroid, lungs, stomach, breast, or even the bones themselves, plus dozens of other organs depending on the situation. As for the type, it could be melanoma, lymphoma, carcinoma, or sarcoma. So, to answer your question: NOBODY can give you a definitive answer based solely on this data. You need to look at the full documentation and figure out what else needs to be done to pinpoint the origin. It’s best to show all of this to a decent oncologist (which I am not) so they can give their opinion. But if you want my personal take on the prognosis? It's grim... A mass the size of a fist is never a good sign, regardless of where it started or what kind of tumor it is.

I agree with everything said here except for that last sentence... the physical size of a metastasis doesn't tell you anything concrete about whether the outlook is good or bad. Without specific pathology results, it is impossible to determine the exact tumor type, its grade, or the stage of the disease. There are tiny tumors that can kill a person within a month, and then there are massive tumors where people have more favorable prognoses and can undergo successful treatment until the very end... it all hinges on exactly what we are dealing with.

I have a hunch it's a sarcoma, especially given how vague the descriptions are. Sarcomas are rare, and pathologists often struggle to identify them because some types might not even cross their desks once in an entire career. Like I mentioned on another thread, if the diagnosis remains this non-specific, you need to seek a second opinion immediately—specifically, getting the pathology re-analyzed at a different center.

Robin Johnson26 said:I’m asking for some help here... my grandmother has a growth about the size of a woman's hand right over her sternum. The doctors are suspecting a primary tumor, possibly lung cancer. I’d really appreciate any thoughts... we’ve gone through all the tests, biopsies, and they even removed an enlarged node, but we’re still stuck waiting for results. Her next appointment isn't until July 21st... if anyone has advice or recommendations, please let me know....

Until you have the pathology report in hand, there is absolutely nothing anyone can advise or recommend. It’s just speculation at this point. My only suggestion is this: if you don't have those pathology results within ten days, demand the tissue samples and biopsy slides on a formal release. Take them elsewhere for a second opinion—send them to New York City if the testing wasn't done there, or if it's required, send them out of state. You need a fresh set of eyes.

Brian Campbell6 said:Look, it’s not like I’m some kind of loser or anything. Honestly—back in the day, maybe ten years ago—I was way more active and... well, let's just say things were happening much more frequently, and yet, nothing ever came of it.

See? It finally happened, but it’s really no big deal. Clearly, it was just some passing infection or maybe a tiny capillary burst—it happens. That’s all five 😉
Embrace getting older; they say sex actually hits its peak during this stage of life 😉

Larry Walker24 said:Man, you're the one causing the anxiety here! Just enjoy the sex.

Blood can also come from going way too hard during solo sessions.

Just chill out, it's fine.

I’m with him on this one.

You’ve got youth and drive on your side, plus a wife you actually love and enjoy being intimate with... don't blow that up by stressing over nothing. Youth is fleeting; eventually, the years catch up and gravity takes its toll on both of you.😉 You'll have plenty of time to deal with actual medical issues later in life when your back starts giving out and you're looking at your partner 😉 😁

Magnesium really does the trick for me because it helps dial down those muscle spasms. You might want to try taking some Advil.

cosmiclynx12 said:I just got my urine culture results back and it says:

Test: Urine - bacteriological aerobic and mycological

Microbiological test results:

Physiological urethral flora - what does that actually mean? 😕

It means the flora inside your urinary tract is totally normal—basically, there's nothing there that shouldn't be.

Patrick Lopez33 said:Anyone got any advice or ideas? Today is day two of the antibiotics. I'm feeling slightly better, but there's still this nagging pain right under my ribs... My joints are starting to loosen up a bit, though.

Go grab some high-potency probiotics—you can find them at places like Whole Foods—because those antibiotics are just going to make your reflux issues even worse. Taking some Pepcid might help ease things too.

restlesstinker77 said:Thanks for getting back to me, Angela Wright. My doctor basically brushed it off, saying it’s nothing major, and just handed me some pills, claiming it'll pass. She didn't mention anything about a urine culture, and there’s zero mention of bacteria in my results—I included everything I have. Is it possible that high red and white blood cell counts in my urine could point to more serious kidney issues? I get sharp pains in my left kidney pretty often, and everyone keeps telling me those massive dark circles under my eyes might be a sign of kidney trouble too... :/ thanks 🙂

You could end up with that if an untreated bladder infection migrates up to your kidneys 😢 What did she prescribe you?

Zachary Howard2, it all worked out perfectly in the end. Everything is going to be just fine.

Unfortunately, I have to back up what Sarah Chase7 is saying here... we're usually talking about a window of just a few hours, maybe even a single day. It’s like a slow shutdown; the heart and lungs start to fail, and then the organs just begin to give out one by one. 😢

Brian Campbell6 said:So, things were pretty much business as usual during sex last night. My wife was really pushing for us to give it a shot, and eventually, I just gave in.

The main thing is, there wasn't any sign of blood or anything. Everything seemed totally fine.

Now, the big question—should I actually bother making an appointment with my doctor, or just let it go?

Go get tested—both you and your wife. Better safe than sorry. Regular checkups are standard procedure for women anyway, but men really ought to be getting them done from time to time too.

Amanda Miller69 said:I’ve narrowed it down to two options: Dr. Janevski over in Jordan or Dr. Suarez at Vineyard. Both are supposedly top-tier surgeons. Does anyone have any intel on them?
The biggest headache right now is my stubborn, bullheaded in-laws. They're digging their heels in. At the Jordan facility, they could actually operate as early as next week—the doctor mentioned this should have been an emergency right after his gastroscopy, but the local hospital in Springfield is a total joke when it comes to wait times. For the Vineyard option, I can only try to talk them into it.
I keep trying to explain that we need to go where the earliest appointment is, but now they’re obsessing over Vineyard just because they think the Jordan place is "only a lung hospital"... it’s infuriating. You try to do the right thing and you just hit a brick wall.

If he doesn't get surgery immediately, he could end up stuck in that "lung-only hospital" indefinitely because of those lung metastases. 😢
Ugh, 🙂
Honestly, the best move might be to just give it to him straight: "Dad, you don't even have a week to waste. If those metastases spread, by this time next year you'll be staring at the ceiling in a hospice ward. These doctors are the best in the business and they handle this every single day."
If you hit another wall, let me know. I might have a few other angles we can use to convince him. 😉

That burning sensation climbing up behind your breastbone sounds like textbook acid reflux. You’re likely dealing with GERD or gastroesophageal reflux. We actually have an entire dedicated thread on this forum covering that specific misery. Honestly, it might be worth seeing a gastroenterologist to get a proper exam and check if you’ve got a *Helicobacter pylori* infection lurking in there. Now, GERD itself isn't going to cause issues with your wisdom teeth or joint pain, but a bacterial infection stemming from that damn wisdom tooth could trigger inflammatory arthritis in your joints. That is a nasty way to go because it can permanently wreck your cartilage, much like how you can find more info here—go pester your doctor and make sure they consider this possibility!
Either way, that wisdom tooth needs to come out ASAP.

dustymaker642 said:Thanks again. I've got my OB-GYN appointment this Wednesday, so we'll see what happens. Honestly, I'm pretty terrified.

Don't sweat it, things will work themselves out. This kind of thing isn't even that uncommon during pregnancy.

dustymaker642 said:Thanks for the input and the advice. I'm currently in my 13th week of pregnancy, so I really need to touch base with my OB-GYN first to see what's safe and what isn't. 🤷

Look, let's be real: E. coli is a nasty bug to be dealing with while you're pregnant. In this situation, the benefits of taking an antibiotic far outweigh any potential risks. Nitrofurantoin is a standard urinary tract antiseptic, though I can't say for certain how it compares to other antibiotics regarding fetal safety.
Go grab some D-Mannose powder; you should be able to find it at any local pharmacy or health food store. It works wonders because once you dissolve it in water, it travels straight to the bladder where it essentially latches onto the E. coli through its crystal lattice structure, making it much easier to flush out and preventing new colonies from forming. Think of it as a sugar that gets completely processed and expelled by your system. And obviously, you need to chug water constantly to keep that flow going.