Joshua Moore7 said:Dear friends, I stumbled upon this forum while searching online. I am trying my hardest to translate a medical report into plain English, but I just can't make sense of it. I would be incredibly grateful if you could help me out. Here is the report... The patient was admitted to the clinic for a status reevaluation following a low anterior resection of the rectum with mesorectectomy and coloanal anastomosis, due to rectal adenocarcinoma with liver metastases. Postoperatively, the patient received four cycles of chemotherapy (FOLFOX). A recent MSCT scan shows nodular changes in both lung fields up to 5mm in diameter, as well as target lesions consistent with secondary deposits in the liver. Upon admission, a full examination confirmed the aforementioned diagnoses. An MRI of the abdomen and pelvis revealed multiple focal lesions in the basal parts of both lungs, described as secondary deposits, measuring up to 26x17mm. Within the liver parenchyma, multiple focal lesions were identified as secondary lesions, the largest being 26x17mm in segment V. Additionally, peritoneal dissemination and abdominal lymphadenopathy were noted.
I don't quite follow—what part specifically is confusing to you? Basically, the individual had surgery for rectal cancer and was admitted for follow-up after finishing chemo. The scans show that the metastases—meaning those secondary spots in the liver and lungs (they even listed the exact sizes and locations)—are still there and have been confirmed. It also shows peritoneal dissemination and abdominal lymphadenopathy, which, if I recall correctly, involves fluid buildup in the abdomen. All things considered, the report isn't good news at all, especially since they went through chemo and the situation essentially remains unchanged. 😢
shadowcrane27 said:Quick question... I had a C-section two weeks ago. They discharged me on day five after checking the incision, cleaning things up, and the doctor mentioned some stitches on one side of the wound. Since then, nobody has said a word about them—they just told me to take the bandage off on day eight and shower normally. Now, on that same side, about an inch from the edge of the cut, I can see this little white, clear, plastic-looking thread poking out of my skin. I have no clue what to do with it. Does it just fall out on its own, or does someone need to pull it out? I see some people here mentioning they went back on day eight specifically to get stitches removed, but nobody told me that was necessary, and it’s not mentioned in my discharge papers at all...
You've got absorbable sutures. Your body will just soak them up and they'll disappear. I had a bit poking out once too, so I just clipped it with nail scissors so it wouldn't bother me.
It’s pretty funny because this guy is basically a walking textbook for that pseudo-philosophy "natural healers" peddle—the kind of nonsense you have to steer clear of at all costs. Honestly, if you find yourself near those types, you might as well be carrying garlic around your neck along with a crucifix and holy water just to stay safe.
Austin Stewart2, infections aren't exactly rare for cancer patients undergoing chemo, which is why any spike in temperature triggers immediate antibiotic treatment. His immune system has been completely wrecked by the treatment, so he’s basically a sitting duck right now. You have to be incredibly careful—no wandering around aimlessly and definitely no visitors. Something that we healthy people might brush off as a minor sniffle or a scratchy throat can turn into a life-threatening crisis for someone in his position. There's some nasty virus going around lately that wiped both me and the baby out; we actually ended up spending a day at Chicago Mercy because apparently, everyone is catching this thing. He won't be able to touch chemo again until this infection settles down and his white blood cell count climbs back up. They'll probably put him on Neupogen to get those numbers moving.
Sarah Wells23, unfortunately, we're stuck playing the waiting game with antibiotics. If things don't start looking up soon, we're looking at the risk of sepsis... let’s try not to get too pessimistic though; sometimes older folks just need a little more time for the body to catch up.
Austin Stewart2, you might find some relief using a Betadine mouthwash or even just rinsing with sage tea.
Susan Fowler35 said:I want to jump in here too... my dad had colon cancer surgery three years ago. He went in for checkups every three months and everything looked fine until about two and a half months ago when things took a turn for the worse. He started getting these intense dizzy spells and eventually collapsed, landing him in the ER. That’s when they found out he had three tumors in his cerebellum, one in his cerebrum, and some in his lungs. Basically, the metastases had spread, and from there, it was just a downward spiral. He spent five weeks in the hospital, and for two of those, he was completely bedridden. His motor skills tanked so badly he ended up needing diapers. He managed a tiny bit of recovery—just enough for them to clear him for radiation therapy—but after five sessions, we were waiting another three weeks to see if he’d get strong enough to walk so he could start chemo. Instead, he crashed again after that treatment, and he’s just getting worse by the day. Now he’s on oral chemo. On top of a mountain of pills, he was prescribed Medrol, which he absolutely cannot stomach; it just makes him vomit. For the last two days, he hasn't eaten anything, and he’s developed sores in his mouth. I keep checking in with one specific oncologist who actually told me I could call him whenever we hit a wall. Honestly, you have to hand it to doctors like that, even though they're few and far between. 😢 What I really need to know is if anyone has advice. I know he doesn't have much time left, but I want to find ways to make him more comfortable. He hasn't eaten in two days, won't take the chemo pills, refuses the Medrol, and will only take Dexamethasone and morphine for the pain.
Well, Medrol is a corticosteroid. I'm not sure why else he'd be taking it if he's already on Dex. 🤷 Usually, when people are on steroids, they're also given something like Pepto-Bismol or an antacid for the stomach specifically because of that. If you want to help your dad, the priority should be managing his pain, making sure he isn't hungry or thirsty, and keeping him clean. But most importantly, make sure he's surrounded by people he loves. If possible, keep him at home in his own bed.
You absolutely cannot put anything on radiation burns, especially not powder. You shouldn't be applying any kind of makeup or lotions to them. Instead, they use this specific purple liquid—I can't recall the exact brand name off the top of my head—but the radiology technicians at places like Mayo Clinic know exactly what it is.
Austin Stewart2 said:Just a quick thought to break up this heavy mood... my heart goes out to anyone who has lost someone close to them... My mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just over 20 years ago—she was only 34 at the time. It was stage three, she had everything removed surgically, and went through 12 rounds of chemo. Back then, we were basically sourcing medicine from overseas because nothing like the supplements they push today existed yet. Still, she fought tooth and nail to be ready for every single cycle; she was drinking goat milk, quail eggs, artichoke, kombucha, aloe vera... she can't even remember the half of what she forced herself to swallow. After finishing two years of chemotherapy, during a routine follow-up, they found cancer in her kidney. She had that removed too. Everything was fine until about ten years ago when she started bleeding; they found a tumor on her bladder. It was essentially "scraped" away, caused by the daily toll of cytostatics destroying her healthy cells along with the bad ones. Since she stopped those drugs, she’s been breathing easy and living fully. Her mindset was her biggest asset, and her faith carried her through it all. Now, my father has just finished his second round of chemo for colon cancer. He’s dealing with terrible nausea, but he just headed out for a walk. He isn't winning the mental battle quite like she did, but he's fighting his own way. He's taking aronia and beta-glucan... though three days ago, he had some bacon and sausage. Look, I'm not going to forbid him from eating. I just want him to eat. No matter how much this illness has hit us, or how quietly and sneakily cancer crept into our lives, our whole family has stood up and started fighting with everything we've got. We aren't backing down. People ask me about the prognosis, and I tell them I don't care. To me, the prognosis is simply getting up every day, surviving it, and being able to lie down in bed peacefully. Don't think for a second that I haven't read the statistics for Model X... I know exactly what they say. But we fight, and every single day survived is a victory. That's what I want to tell everyone who might be at the beginning, feeling lost or helpless... just listen to your loved one who is battling this, and fight alongside them. Because when it comes to the war against cancer, we all go into the trenches together.
Your mother is truly a miracle😲.🙂 Most likely, those other tumors were a direct consequence of the radiation from the ovarian cancer, especially the one on the bladder. She clearly possesses an incredibly strong will and a powerful immune system.
About a year ago, I posted here because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Fast forward one year later: she’s completed eight rounds of chemo (four cycles of the AC protocol followed by four cycles of AC-T) and has had her reconstruction surgery.
Back in month seven, we did all the scans, and everything came back clear. Maybe that offers a little hope to someone out there. Since it's non-invasive, we'll be repeating the tests in month nine.
If anyone needs advice on anything—whether it's boosting the immune system, emotional support, or just venting—please reach out. So many people on this forum helped me get through this brutal year just by talking.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss, graniteorca42.
I want to jump in here and point out something incredibly important. I've noticed a very specific pattern on American forums dedicated to these heavy, specialized topics: people mostly show up when things go wrong, when complications arise, or when a patient passes away to express their grief and seek solace. Generally speaking, people don't bother posting when they actually solve their problems or when the treatment process is heading in the right direction. Because of that, you get this overwhelming impression of total hopelessness and gloom in threads like this, even though reality isn't necessarily—and doesn't have to be—that bleak. When I started this thread, my goal was to ensure that beyond those who lost loved ones and want to find meaning in their pain through advice, those who have entered remission could also share their stories to give more meaning to their own battles. It feels like people just want to forget everything and move on without looking back at what I consider a vital part of the journey for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis. I hope to see that change.
graniteorca42, please accept my sincerest condolences. I know firsthand how much this hurts, and while I realize saying that probably doesn't offer much comfort right now, you eventually find a way to settle into the reality of the loss and just... keep moving. Life isn't what it used to be, obviously, but eventually, you start finding those tiny, unexpected moments of joy again. I truly hope you find peace in your heart and can eventually come to terms with her passing.
stormytinker4, please accept my sincerest condolences. 😢 It’s not much of a comfort, I know, but if that was truly his fate, who’s to say what extra suffering he might have been spared? Hang in there; peace will find him in the end.
@Sophia Anderson79/">@@Sophia Anderson79, nobody can give you a straight answer regarding the possibility of a relapse. It’s almost certainly a factor for anyone who has experienced remission, but that’s just a reality you have to learn to live with. You have to take it one day at a time, focus entirely on maximizing your quality of life, and stay on top of those regular checkups.
@stormytinker4/">@@stormytinker4, his dad is taking a diuretic to prevent fluid buildup, which is a common side effect of cancer. His blood pressure dropped and his heart rate spiked, likely because he's losing electrolytes. He needs to be consistent with the Kalinorm, and honestly, some Donat would probably do him a world of good right about now. I'm not exactly sure what the distinction is between Moduretik and Lasix, but I do know that Lasix works wonders.
Nicholas Myers said:Avastin is a medication administered strictly within a clinical setting—we're talking infusion vials here, right?—and a primary care physician has nothing to do with drugs like that.
Actually, no. Avastin is a targeted therapy, and while we often think of infusions, there are smart drugs available in capsule form that are currently on hospital formularies; for instance, they’re used alongside chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer. Take Temodal, for example—it's a first-line treatment for glioblastoma, administered in combination with radiation during the first cycle and then as a standalone treatment for the next five cycles. That is also on the hospital formulary. We are talking about targeted biological therapies here—extremely expensive medications—even though our legal framework in the US still hasn't clearly defined what actually constitutes an "expensive" drug. Because of that ambiguity, it's completely unclear what criteria will be used to decide if something is considered overpriced or a "budget-friendly" option. It looks like generic manufacturers are going to be hitting the jackpot in America. And based on how this works, the decision-making process is going to be a mess. An oncologist will propose a specific therapy, Medicare might withhold its blessing, and then you're left asking who is actually footing the bill and how much influence hospital review boards will truly have in the process... or if they'll even matter at all. To receive oncology treatment, a patient doesn't necessarily need to be hospitalized; they can take medications like Temodal at home and just head into the clinic for radiation sessions.
Nicholas Myers said:Angela Wright, a family practitioner isn't going to write you a prescription for Avastin. They don't handle that, nor do they deal with Sutent or anything else in that category.
When it comes to specialist-recommended medications prescribed by your primary care doctor, the rules are pretty black and white. There are very specific guidelines determining which drugs Medicare will cover and which ones you're stuck paying for out of pocket.
Well, based on this new update, it looks like those rules might be out the window. At least, it’s certainly not laid out clearly—I know for one I can't find it anywhere. 🤷
vividsailor7 said:I have no idea what kind of "torture" by the medical board you're talking about. Up until now, everything revolved around issuing medications and referrals, which was clearly too much for some people. Let me repeat: there were cases where my colleagues or I had to call out "the gentlemen" in charge because they refused to issue medications that were clearly indicated. Every single one of those conversations ended with them nodding along while they spewed nonsense about guidelines that make zero sense professionally. If a patient is indicated for Avastin, they will get it, just like they always have.
Look at what’s highlighted here—it says everything you need to know. We’re talking about guidelines that are so incredibly vague that even the bureaucrats at Medicare can't make sense of them half the time. It’s all just a mess of conflicting limits. Here’s the kicker: if a Medicare auditor decides they don't like how a prescription was handled, they don't just ask questions; they go straight for the doctor's paycheck. They dock the physician's salary to cover the cost of the medication or the travel voucher, and there is zero recourse. No chance to appeal, no chance to explain the medical necessity. You prescribe Avastin for something outside of the one specific line item Medicare has authorized, and suddenly the doctor is paying for it out of pocket. It makes me wonder: what kind of cheap generic are they going to force you to prescribe just to stay in their good graces? 😍
My mom is taking Xeloda, and it’s causing these sores to break out around her fingernails. They’re constantly bleeding and just ooze blood whenever anything touches them. She’s been cleaning them with alcohol regularly and using a healing spray, but nothing seems to be working. :/ Has anyone dealt with this before?
I haven't personally gone through this, but honestly, scrubbing wounds with alcohol isn't exactly the smartest move. It can be pretty harsh. A better option would be something like Octenisept, and you might want to try applying some Silver Sulfadiazine; the silver ions in it really help speed up the healing process.
It looks like these new regulations are going to hit family practitioners and their patients the hardest. I have a family doctor in my own family, and what they’re putting them through right now is pure torture—let alone dumping this extra load on them. This is a calculated move to shift the entire burden of deciding on the most appropriate therapies—which used to be the responsibility of hospital specialists—straight onto the shoulders of primary care. So, go ahead, be a hero and reject a specialist's opinion. Tell an oncology patient with PTSD that you won't prescribe the new line of Avastin that the hospital oncologists correctly recommended, all while Medicare is breathing down your neck, threatening to hang you out to dry for exceeding referral or prescription limits. If the mess they made with antibiotics was any indication, I can only imagine the disaster coming our way.
I honestly think it's high time the medical profession finally unified, dropped the ego and the massive doses of vanity, and actually stood its ground. Taking a once-solid, reliable system and degrading the American healthcare system to the level of Albanian healthcare is nothing short of criminal. They aren't approving new specializations, residencies, or continuing education, yet practicing doctors are forced to play games with various pharmaceutical reps just to scrape together enough funds for the very conferences and training sessions they are mandated to attend from their first day on the job until retirement.
melloworca6 said:Here’s the article: and I made sure to give them a piece of my mind yesterday, item by item.
Long story short: doctors are going to be prescribing the cheapest options available, and if you want the premium stuff, you’re paying out of pocket. From what I can gather, specialists won't be calling the shots on therapy or tests anymore either; they’ll just make recommendations while Medicare makes the final call on everything. There’s also talk that we won't be able to seek treatment anywhere except at their specific hospitals and such.
I am not a fan of this at all, and I’ll get into why in a bit. It’s infuriating. Between health insurance and supplemental coverage, even as someone who's unemployed, I’m going to have to pay for my own meds if I don't want the cheap junk they’re pushing—and let's be real, the cheapest version isn't always the best one with that same formula. Meanwhile, you've got politicians getting whatever procedures they need treated abroad on Medicare's dime.
I'm right there with you. This whole mess flies in the face of basic patient rights. It’s disgusting.🤮 Given my extensive experience with Medicare—which is supposed to function as an insurance provider but actually acts like a useless bureaucratic machine dedicated solely to guarding the federal treasury—I decided against their supplemental plan. By the way, once you sign up for those, you're stuck for good. Instead, I pay for private insurance through a commercial firm and add a rider to cover co-pays. I'm not handing them another cent beyond the mandatory taxes they force on us.
Steven Smith2 said:Is there actually any hope that things will get better after this next round of chemo? Is there anything else out there besides chemotherapy we could even try?
Unfortunately, we’re dealing with end-stage disease where the cancer has spread to several vital organs. At this stage, the conversation isn't about chasing a remission anymore—that ship has sailed. It's strictly about maximizing quality of life. The goal now is to manage symptoms and stabilize the patient's condition for as long as possible. While there might be slight improvements in how they feel, modern American medicine is focused on maintaining this current phase and ensuring the highest level of comfort. Since the patient is currently in good enough shape overall, the doctors decided to push forward with a new line of therapy specifically to extend that window of time. Metastatic disease is just a brutal reality, and honestly, there isn't a "magic bullet" to trigger a remission at this point. However, one viable option is to look into clinical trials, which might offer access to more advanced drugs that aren't widely available yet.