Posts by Angela Wright

Charles Cook4 said:A kinesiologist? Hmm, that hadn't crossed my mind... thanks for the suggestion. 😉 As for a pulmonologist, I just don't have the time right now. There isn't one available in my city for at least another month, so it’s not exactly easy...

They definitely have programs designed specifically for people with Asthma. What kind of skiing do you think Ana Jelušić would be into?

Maybe try posting an inquiry on the recreation boards. I'm sure there are groups out there filled with people dealing with Asthma too.

Charles Cook4 said:I'm 26 years old, and I've been dealing with asthma since I was five...
It was incredibly severe before puberty, but things have settled down now... If I don't push myself physically, I can go six months without an attack...
However, I want to start running... Just a little at a time... I know I shouldn't overdo it, but any advice would be appreciated from anyone else out there living with asthma who runs recreationally...
Even the practical stuff, like where to keep my inhaler while I'm out on a run...🙂

My take? You shouldn't dive into any training regimen without consulting a pulmonologist and a kinesiologist first. They need to be the ones to suggest your ideal pace and tell you exactly what your maximum exertion level should look like.

Kimberly Cox58 said:Good evening, I’m hoping someone can help me out. I'm feeling a bit lost looking over my husband's test results. He had colon cancer surgery exactly one month ago. Recovery has been great so far, but the pathology report shows a Duke B tumor. He's about to start chemotherapy now. We just did his blood work before starting chemo, and I'm confused by the GGT—it came back at 60. During our talk with the doctor, he mentioned that this number suggests something might be going on with the liver. I was in such a state of shock at the time that I didn't think to ask for specifics. Now I'm really curious, especially since they already performed a liver ultrasound and found nothing. Thanks.

A GGT of 60 isn't actually that high (the upper limit is usually 55). While you typically see spikes like that in heavy drinkers, it also happens with people dealing with fatty liver or hepatitis. It might be worth asking for a referral for hepatitis markers. It’s a straightforward blood test and definitely worth knowing, because things like hepatitis can be easily transmitted and sometimes don't even show any symptoms.

restlesspuma15 said:Hey everyone,
I couldn't find a single unified thread covering pre-op instructions.
Since the staff at my hospital is pretty cold and standoffish, I'm left with a ton of questions. To make matters worse, I’m getting conflicting info from different people, and my surgery date is creeping up fast...
For example, if my surgery is scheduled for March 21st, when should I head in for my blood work, urinalysis, and heart and lung screenings? Is ten days out too early?

How long does it usually take to get results back from a local clinic?

Thanks, y'all.

It isn't too early, but I'd be careful about rushing the cardiac stuff because the wait times for appointments can be brutal. I actually lucked out and got squeezed in ahead of schedule because they had a last-minute opening, but that was before the current centralized scheduling system went into effect, so I'm not sure how the backlog looks now. Usually, chest X-ray results come back within a day or two depending on how fast the radiologist turns them around—same goes for the heart tests if there's a cardiologist on-site to sign off immediately. As for blood and urine, you'll typically have those results by the next day.

slysurfer14 said:Has anyone here dealt with LCH? (That's what I found online).
How is it treated and everything else?
We don't have a confirmed diagnosis yet (not me, my daughter), but the test results are pointing right at it...

Here is a link where everything is laid out in pretty great detail.

Like I mentioned before, they’re working on a Salisbury using external fixators. It’s a long road to recovery—you really have to plan for about six months on crutches.
There is a super active group over on Facebook where you can find tons of photos and firsthand experiences.

Timothy Moore71 said:To any medical professionals reading this, I truly hope you might see this

Last night, I felt this strange, heavy pressure in my stomach area—it was accompanied by nausea, too—and suddenly, I just had this overwhelming urge to relieve that pressure. I rushed into the bathroom and ended up coughing/spitting dark red blood into the sink.

I’ve been trying to use Google to make sense of it, and honestly, the panic started small but quickly spiraled out of control. The search results say anything is possible... everything from sinus issues to TB, or even a tumor.

What should my next steps be? Should I call 911 right now, head to the Emergency Room on my own tonight, or just wait and see my primary care physician tomorrow?

What could this symptom actually be pointing toward?

I forgot to mention one thing: I haven't eaten anything since 5:00 PM, so I don't think food is the culprit here.

Thank you

Get to the ER immediately. There are serious conditions, like internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity, that are life-threatening and require urgent medical intervention. Don't waste any time—go find help at a hospital right now!

Henry Garcia5 said:Please help if anyone knows anything about a tumor in the small pelvis. It's a woman. She had surgery, but they couldn't get everything out because there was heavy bleeding during the procedure. Now they are sending her to Canada to see if they can do something there. The diagnosis is: HEMANGIOPERICITOMA, low malignant potential. Please, if you know anything about this, answer me quickly—it's urgent.

We're looking at a rare tumor made up of blood vessels, which falls under the synovial sarcoma group. That’s exactly why it’s such a nightmare to operate on; because it's built from vessels, the bleeding risk is massive. Unfortunately, with sarcomas, surgical removal is usually the gold standard because these things tend to be stubborn against chemo and radiation. Since we're dealing with a low-malignancy case here, if the surgery actually succeeds, the outcome could be quite positive. They likely have more advanced techniques and better-trained specialists in Canada who might be able to pull off a minimally invasive approach.

ironnomad23 said:Hey everyone!

I just started radiation (breast cancer), and today was my 4th session. 🙂
Most of my medical questions get answered directly by the doctors—I usually just fire them off at them—🙂 but I noticed something today that isn't even health-related, so I wanted to see if anyone else has dealt with this:
The boots I was wearing while lying down during treatment have actually changed color!!!! Is it possible there's a connection between the radiation and that??

And don't think for a second that's the only thing on my mind. No way. I've pushed through all the shocks, the emotional breakdowns, and the nausea, and I've decided to just leave it all behind. From the very day that first cytology report arrived, I made a choice: I decided I was healed. Nothing is going to knock me off my tracks!!!

Sending good vibes and big hugs, along with my mandatory red lipstick! :*

It’s entirely possible that the radiation caused some kind of reaction with the dye in your boots, especially if they have any metal components. It actually caught my interest too, so I might ask a chemist friend of mine about it.
Also, I highly recommend that movie. 🙂

They need to get on antibiotics right now!

Nancy Lee said:When dealing with a lung cancer cough, what actually works besides Codeine? My dad’s coughing is brutal; he takes Codeine one day and barely feels any relief the next. He can’t even speak anymore—it’s just constant whispering.

Grab some Apisirup; it’s honestly fantastic. Both my kid and I were stuck with a cough for over a month, and nothing touched it until we tried Apisirup—it worked almost overnight, literally within two days. I deal with allergies and asthma, but luckily I'm not allergic to pollen or honey, so it worked perfectly for me. Since it's packed with natural herbal ingredients and honey, you don't really have to worry about overdosing on it.

@nimblepanther14/">@@nimblepanther14
"If I were" and "if it had been"—those are just empty hypotheticals. The question isn't what could have happened; the reality is that once things start spiraling, they usually go downhill at lightning speed. Even if she had left "in time," there’s a very good chance we’d be looking at the exact same outcome.
I am truly sorry. Stay strong.😢

A nail with a pulsing subungual hematoma happens because the blood has nowhere to go while the injury is still fresh. It sounds like you aren't particularly worried about it, so you probably view it as a lingering bruise that should just reabsorb over the next few months
as the nail grows out. Bottom line: don't sweat it, you're fine 😉.

Gerald Bishop, I’m truly sorry you were hit with all of this at once. Unfortunately, your situation isn't an outlier; we're going to see more cases like yours moving forward.
I know staying positive feels nearly impossible after everything you've been through, but if I can offer any advice, it’s this: deal with things only as they arrive. Don't dwell on them, don't fantasize about the "what ifs," and for heaven's sake, don't try to manufacture drama for a future that hasn't happened yet. Life offers zero guarantees for anything other than the fact that we are temporary—we're here today, and tomorrow? Who knows. All we can actually control is making our lives as high-quality as possible right now. In that sense, make plans for today and maybe a tiny bit for tomorrow, but nothing beyond that. That is how you help yourself most. Besides, we all carry a reservoir of strength inside us that we aren't even aware of; we have this raw, animalistic resilience. Decide right now that regardless of the outcome, this will not break you. That's the only way to play it.
Hang in there. You're going to be okay.

nimblepanther14 said:Do you think it's possible they just don't want to take the risk because the patient's body is too weak?
Is it okay if I email them in Spain with translated test results and a doctor's opinion to see what they think... any experience with this? Do they actually respond to questions like that?

It’s entirely possible. Just like how it's possible they decide there's no point in fighting for more time because the disease is too widespread or too advanced—essentially stripping the patient of their right to make that choice themselves. Unfortunately, that kind of thing happens here all too often. 😢
Regarding emailing doctors abroad, try reaching out first just to ask if they're even open to inquiries. If they are, find out the cost, exactly what documentation they require, and which language they need everything in. Experiences vary wildly, but my gut tells me Baselga will likely try to be helpful.

nimblepanther14 said:Thanks for the reply.

I’m skeptical about all these supplements too, but you know how it goes... when you're stuck in a situation like this, you'd try just about anything. Even someone like me, who doesn't buy into that kind of stuff.
I've heard that Beta-glucan might be worth looking into... I think I'll give it a recommendation.

The biggest issue here is that even if it doesn't cause direct harm, using baking soda could seriously mess with her stomach, making it even harder for her to actually eat.

I'm not entirely sure which specific tumor we're talking about here, but from what I can gather, the real nightmare is the tumor that has spread into the abdomen. It’s causing this massive edema that puts pressure on the internal organs and makes the belly swell up constantly. Because of that, they have to go in for drainage every so often just to manage it. To make matters worse, the sheer level of pain it causes makes it nearly impossible for them to eat properly or even move around.
She was always naturally thin and struggled to put on any weight... and now she’s in a position where she actually needs to bulk up to fix things. But the clock is ticking, and she can't even start her therapy because she’s just too frail.

I get exactly what’s going on here, but like I said before, it’s not enough for me to just give you an opinion on whether this is a lost cause or not. The reality is that when things get this heavy and the medical bills start piling up, decisions often shift toward being "pragmatic." Too often, the actual human element—the chance to squeeze out more precious time or improve a patient's quality of life—gets tossed aside in favor of what makes sense on a balance sheet. That’s exactly why I suggested getting a second opinion.

nimblepanther14 said:So...
my sister is showing up at the ER when it's already looking pretty grim (breast cancer has metastasized to the abdomen)
chemotherapy isn't an option right now because she’s just too weak.
Basically, she has to get her strength up before she can even consider therapy.
Eating is a struggle due to the abdominal pain... she's sipping on those nutritional shakes (Prosur).
She barely eats anything... what can be done?
.. I don't live with them (I live with my daughter, my niece).
My niece is looking into some alternative therapy involving Maple syrup and baking soda... she thinks it's a lifeline. Personally, I'm skeptical, but I'm out of ideas.

I'm lost here. Is there any way for her to "strengthen up"? The doctor just said she needs to gain strength. No therapy is on the table until then (and apparently, we only have about a month, maybe two max)... She's naturally very ectomorphic, so even when she wasn't sick, she struggled to keep food down.

One more thing... I know it's not directly related, but maybe someone has advice...
How do I talk to my elderly parents? I can't call them without telling them their daughter is dying (god, that sounds so horrible... it hasn't even fully sunk in yet), but I can't just leave them in the dark either. And they aren't exactly in great health themselves (they're in their 80s)... plus my brother passed away a few years ago (not from cancer)... everything is just falling apart.

Prosur is a supplement designed to provide all the nutritional requirements of a standard meal, which is why it's used for patients in this state who can't eat. You should try starting slowly with soups and light foods, but you can't force it. However, she absolutely must take the Prosur; if she falls into cachexia, things will go downhill fast. 😢
None of this baking soda or Maple syrup nonsense is going to boost her immunity. That's just pseudoscientific garbage that, unfortunately, a lot of people fall for. I'd much rather recommend complementary supplements that actually have some studies backing their efficacy, like Beta-glucan, native propolis, etc. There's plenty of this stuff on the market—ask around at a local pharmacy—but don't give her more than two different supplements at once. Just let her pick one and stick to it.
It's hard to say exactly what can be done without seeing her specific medical history, but in cases like this, doctors sometimes prescribe Xeloda to help slow things down slightly while the patient recovers enough to handle actual oncological treatment.

As for the parents, that is a truly heavy and tragic situation. 😢 My take is that in situations like this, it's best to tell them half the truth—that she is ill and undergoing treatment. You have to judge for yourselves exactly how much to say and in what manner; excessive details are out of the question. People need to be able to adjust to the reality and prepare for the worst-case scenario, because if they aren't, things become much harder later on.
In any case, I recommend seeking a second opinion from a major specialist clinic elsewhere. The world's leading expert on breast cancer is Jose Baselga.
Try getting the medical reports translated into Spanish or English and reach out to him for a consultation and a recommendation on the next steps.

Kenneth Johnson94 said:America has a massive chance to capitalize on the restrictions currently in place across Europe. If Canada, the USA, and Ukraine are all making bank off IVF, then America could basically become a total oasis for fertility treatments.

Alright, fine, but did we really need an entire thread just to reach that conclusion?😕
There’s an entire subforum dedicated to parents and kids covering IVF with about a billion related discussions already out there.

feralridge3 said:It’s no walk in the park trying to be there for someone who treated me pretty poorly growing up—especially once she remarried. My brother, or rather my half-brother, gets all the affection because she treats him so much better, which she actually admitted to me a few years back. My feelings toward her are just a mess. Our relationship is basically a hollow shell; there’s zero closeness here. 😢
Most of the help I provide is strictly financial.

My former oncologist (who’s retired now) told me straight up when I asked about my survival odds that I’d definitely make it because I’m a fighter. During those darkest stretches, I leaned on that thought constantly. That was back when I first started scraping money together for Temodal. "Resilience" is a flexible term, isn't it? 😉
I’m thinking about seeing a private psychiatrist. This whole situation is incredibly stressful, and honestly, I don't want to risk my tumor coming back. 🙂 After everything I've been through over the last five years, I decided to finally put myself first. It's "me first," then everyone else. But now, that resolve is wavering. I'm torn between "dying" for her or standing my ground. 😕 I am genuinely terrified of a recurrence.

Yeah, my last check-ups were fine. The issue is this hole in my eardrum. They won't say for sure if it's from the radiation. Because of that gap, I've dealt with two brutal throat infections. I'm waiting on an appointment with an ENT surgeon and some testing. Regardless of what the results show, I'm going to push to get that hole patched up. I'm done with constant infections and swallowing antibiotics.

Give whatever support you can, but do it solely for your own sake—for your own peace of mind and mental health. Don't leave yourself any room to regret it or feel like you're being taken advantage of later.
And yes, focus on yourself first. Everyone fights their own battles. Support can take many forms, so find a way to do it without letting it weigh you down more than necessary. You mentioned your brother is healthy and closer to her; if that's the case, it's on him to step up, drive her around, cook, and handle the logistics.

Keep staying strong.😉🙂

feralridge3 said:I honestly don't even know where to start. 😢
My mom just got home from the hospital after having her breast removed. She saw the surgeon yesterday and has an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow. It turns out the cancer has already spread to her bones. 😢
For months, she was just complaining about occasional aches in her hip and knee. Her GP sent her for some imaging and then referred her to physical therapy. Things actually seemed to get worse during that time; I kept nagging her to stick to her exercises, but she wouldn't listen. 🤦
I had no idea that breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the bone.
The absolute worst part is that she knows exactly what this looks like—a very close friend of hers went through the exact same diagnosis about 15 years ago and passed away.
Right now, she seems motivated to fight, though I can't tell if that's real or if it's just how things look to me and my brother.
She’s generally a pessimist, so truthfully, I’m struggling to stay hopeful that she'll pull through, especially since this is her fifth bout with cancer. 😢

Look, the one thing you absolutely have to believe in is that she will fight with every ounce of strength and willpower she possesses. That is the only certainty. Everything else in life is a gamble anyway; there are zero guarantees.
If they target those bone metastases with radiation, it should hold them in check. The real key is seeing how she responds to the chemo. Just focus on being her rock right now.
I hope you're holding up okay and that everything is fine aside from your ear issues. You are truly a powerhouse of a woman dealing with this diagnosis—you've got incredible grit, both mentally and physically.