Posts by Angela Wright

graniteridge5 said:They get some kind of injection added to their IV, but they aren't getting any pills...
What exactly do you mean by "immune boosters"? Are we talking about papaya tea, beet juice, or Cordyceps supplements? That's the stuff she takes just to stay upright... along with multivitamins or just hitting the vitamins in her smoothies...

She's getting Dexamethasone intravenously.
Everything you just listed counts as an immune booster—basically anything meant to ramp up the immune system. You want to take those things during the gaps between treatment cycles so the body can actually recover for the next round; you definitely don't take them on the actual days she's undergoing therapy.

graniteridge5 said:First comes the Paclitaxel/Carboplatin combo... does that cause weight gain, or have we just pumped her system full of all those supplements meant to boost her immunity?

No, it’s the chemo itself. But before she even starts a session, she'll almost certainly be given Dexamethasone or Medrol (corticosteroids). Beyond just being anti-inflammatory, they help dial down side effects like nausea.
What can actually sabotage the chemo's effectiveness, though, are all those various immune boosters and antioxidants. They tend to bind to the free radicals produced by the chemotherapy—the very things tasked with destroying the cancer cells. It's like trying to fight a fire while throwing water at the firefighters. Avoid taking those supplements on the days she actually receives treatment.

graniteridge5 said:Guys, I’m reading all these posts where everyone is nauseous and can't eat a thing during chemo, but my mom is eating like a horse. Since she started her treatment, she’s actually gained over 10 pounds... Is it possible the chemo isn't working? To be fair, she’s taking everything under the sun for her immunity and strength—beet juice, Cordyceps supplements, papaya tea, vitamins, honey, and these aloe vera and honey concoctions.

I don't know whether to be happy that she still has her strength—I mean, obviously I'm glad she feels great—but I'm terrified that maybe the treatment isn't doing its job..

The absence or even the presence of side effects from chemotherapy, radiation, or any other type of treatmenthas absolutely zero correlation with how effective the treatment actually is.

Thank God your mom isn't dealing with those issues, because some people struggle so much with the treatment that they have to pause or stop it entirely, which then definitely impacts the outcome.
If she’s being given steroids like Medrol, those almost certainly cause increased appetite and "weight gain."

I’d say we’re looking at some kind of generic here. I did a quick search on the IRS site and it keeps pulling up some pharmaceutical company out of Mexico.

silvercanyon7 said:Hey there,

I haven't had the time to scroll through everything to see if this has been asked already, so I'm just going to jump in:
My dad has a neuroendocrine tumor. He’s finished his chemo and completed ten days of radiation. In about two or three days, he starts rehab, where the main focus is physical therapy to help him get back on his feet—he's actually been using a walker for the last ten days or so.
While he was in the hospital, he lost quite a bit of weight, so right now we're focusing on rebuilding his strength and getting more calories into him. Fortunately, his appetite is good; he's feeling much better now and the pain has subsided. He actually told me the radiation made him feel like he was coming back to life.

Does anyone have any specific dietary suggestions? I think I know a fair amount about nutrition when it comes to healthy people who are active, but once you're dealing with something like this, I feel like a total amateur.
I want him to put the weight back on as soon as possible because I know he needs that energy for his rehabilitation and training sessions.

Everything moved so incredibly fast here in the States (he got the diagnosis back in June). I'm riding a massive wave of emotions myself, but I'm staying strong for him. I'm just grateful we're facing this fight together.

Once I'm a bit more mentally stable (I'm seven and a half months pregnant, so the hormones are definitely playing a part in how I'm feeling), I'll try to write something more detailed.

I wish all of you, and myself, nothing but the best. What we're all going through is incredibly unfair, but we can't lose hope. We have to give it everything we've got to push through these crises.

http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/type/ You can find detailed information on this site regarding nutrition tailored specifically to different types of tumors. Highly recommend checking it out.

Kimberly Wright said:Intensive care?! Give me a break. People like that shouldn't even be taking up space in a hospital.
Good grief. 🙂

Exactly. Because when hospitals focused on curative medicine can't actually help them, they end up squatting in beds that should belong to patients who actually need intensive care to have a shot at recovery or survival.
People like this are just casualties of a broken healthcare system run by politicians who think they're untouchable and immortal.

Maria Fisher46 said:K

The same logic applies to international options. A doctor can certainly give a recommendation based on the facilities they are personally familiar with, but expecting any single physician to be an expert on every specialized clinic across the globe is just plain impossible.

In my experience working alongside oncologists and patients battling cancer, I’ve encountered only two doctors who actually take initiative—and usually, it's their patients doing the heavy lifting by "Googling" through medical studies and searching for overseas clinics once they feel they’ve hit a dead end with the local options here in the States. Mind you, these doctors specialize in rare tumors, so maybe that explains it. But honestly, it is incredibly rare to see a doctor officially risk their neck by recommending a patient seek treatment abroad just to avoid getting heat from the administration.

This is a massive uphill battle for young residents coming out of training without real-world experience. Our medical education system leaves them essentially stranded; there is almost zero practical application involved, leaving a new doctor on the front lines feeling completely abandoned and ill-equipped.

I was referring to everyone—both the rookies and the veterans. Specifically, I mean the sheer courage required to actually think for yourself and apply your hard-earned skills when they contradict some textbook from 1980 or those rigid, outdated protocols that vary from one hospital wing to another just because "that’s what the Department Head wants." Of course, the younger generation doesn't have anyone to look up to when the seniors are too terrified of retaliation to step out of line. There is zero enthusiasm left. The system crushes it out of the young ones, and the old guard lost theirs decades ago. They show up, run through the motions according to protocol, and then sit there while the Chief condescends to them during a consultation because they dared to prescribe a dose of Avastin that exceeds some budget limit set by the hospital board... that’s the reality I’m talking about. There is no assertiveness, no passion, and absolutely no sense of teamwork or professional solidarity. And don't even get me started on how senior doctors often withhold knowledge from younger colleagues, acting like they're protecting their territory so the next generation doesn't surpass them. It is absolutely pathetic how much ego drives these people.

Maria Fisher46 said:Look, you can't possibly dump every single shred of data regarding a medical condition onto someone. It’s just not feasible. There will always be gaps, pieces of the puzzle left on the table. At the end of the day, no doctor on this planet possesses the absolute totality of knowledge concerning any specific disease. Even if a physician were to sit down and recite every last scrap of information they personally hold in their head—down to the very last syllable—it still wouldn't mean the patient is fully acquainted with the entire scope of what they're facing. Knowledge isn't infinite, and neither is a doctor's capacity to relay it. 😉

I think my point is pretty obvious here. A doctor has a fundamental responsibility to lay everything on the table—every single detail regarding the diagnosis, the nature of the illness, and the actual roadmap for treatment. It’s common sense. They need to provide the full picture specifically to prevent these kinds of massive misunderstandings from happening in the first place. 🙂

Melissa James70 said:I'm assuming that's what the author was trying to get at:

A truly great doctor is someone who has the backbone to say "no" when a patient tries to pull strings or manipulate the situation to get exactly what they want, regardless of medical standards or professional ethics.

The way it’s written right now, it reads like this:

A good doctor isn't just someone who knows their way around a medical textbook; they’re someone who actually listens when you speak. It’s easy to find someone with a fancy degree from Johns Hopkins, but finding someone who treats you like a human being instead of just another case number on a clipboard? That’s where it gets tricky. Real care requires more than just a prescription pad—it takes intuition and empathy. person She’s shutting it down, plain and simple. No hesitation, no sugarcoating—just a hard, assertive "no." (something or someone) How would you even begin to approach that? She. She completely shut him out. i She played him like a fiddle. They’re demanding things that fly in the face of everything we know about medical ethics and standard practice.

A doctor is exactly the kind of person who falls apart when someone tries to cut corners or bypass the established standards of the profession. 😉

I’m not usually one to go around correcting people, but the entire meaning was completely warped—honestly, I was just as confused as anyone else when I first read it.

That’s facts. 😁 I should have just put that in parentheses; it would have made things a lot clearer.

Lisa Myers said:On top of everything else the folks here have already pointed out, I’ll add my two cents: to me, a truly decent doctor is one who provides EVERY single piece of information regarding their patient's illness and treatment plan. I'm not talking about the doctors I usually run into—those types who basically shrug and say, "Here, take this pill," or "Go see a specialist," leaving you stuck waiting six months for an appointment while you sit there wondering if you're actually dying or just fine. Look, I get it, they don't have thirty minutes to chat with every single person walking through the door, but surely a doctor can figure out the essentials to tell a patient. It should be straightforward: "You have this condition, we're going to tackle it using this method, and if that doesn't work, we'll pivot to this or that..."

It's not just "all necessary" info; it's *everything*. Legally speaking, they are obligated to disclose the full picture. People love to hide behind that word "necessary" to manipulate the situation. They assume that because you aren't a doctor—maybe you're just a guy rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a member of the AFL-CIO, or someone with a law degree—that you won't be able to wrap your head around the complexities.😉

wiredcanyon2 said:Hey everyone. I’m looking for some honest input here: what actually makes a "good" doctor in your eyes, whether it's your primary care physician or a specialist? What kind of bedside manner, communication style, or level of empathy do you look for? On the flip side, what are those red flags—either in doctors or patients—that just tank the whole relationship? I'm curious about how people categorize physicians into "great," "mediocre," or "terrible." Feel free to share your general experiences (keep names out of it, obviously) 😁 Best regards

A good doctor:
1. Is someone who doesn't just stop learning once they graduate from medical school or finish their residency at a place like the Democratic Party headquarters; they stay hungry and keep pursuing advanced education and specialized training indefinitely.

2. Is someone who can strip away the jargon and explain every detail regarding a condition, diagnosis, and treatment plan using plain English. They should lay out all available options—both domestic and international—and respect the patient's right to make an informed, autonomous decision about their own body without fear of being judged or penalized for their choice.

3. Is someone who maintains firm boundaries and shuts down any attempts by a patient to manipulate the situation to get what they want by bypassing standard medical protocols or ethics.

4. Is someone who actively collaborates with other specialists and colleagues, which is often the absolute prerequisite for successfully treating complex, multi-faceted illnesses.

5. Is someone who doesn't just blindly follow a textbook, but understands how to apply medicine within the nuanced reality of actual clinical practice.

That’s my initial list. To be clear, if a doctor fails even one of these points, I consider them a bad doctor.

Megan Williams6 said:It looks like I've been completely misunderstood. I said I didn't give a damn about that stupid blanket because it isn't even HER blanket, it's mine. I told her I would wash it for her, but she wouldn't let me; instead, she insisted on scrubbing it in the tub herself. That's why I was angry at her—because she SHOULDN'T be overexerting herself. She needs to prioritize her health, which is far more important than that stupid blanket (it's actually just that factory cover for a futon bed).
I am simply trying to help her. I massage her legs with black seed oil, I make her drinks out of every healthy thing imaginable so she's more loaded with vitamins than a pharmacy, I bring her food, change her linens, and do everything she can't do anymore... and now someone tells me I'm a burden to her? I never once complain in front of her about how hard it is; instead, I stay strong and encourage her to keep fighting, even though I know how difficult being sick is. Honestly, it feels like some people here think you aren't allowed to love your mother. I wish I didn't love her, because things would be a thousand times easier... and as for my wife and kids, they aren't being neglected; my mother lives in the apartment right next to us, so they aren't far away and they have everything they need. Actually, I'm just a fool for posting on this forum, because it just upsets me further, and I don't need that...🤷

And frankly, I don't get why you even bothered posting if you aren't willing to accept that other people see this situation differently.
There is absolutely no question that your intentions are good and your desire to help her is genuine—nobody here is disputing that. But based on everything you've laid out, the way you're going about it is fundamentally flawed. In that sense, it’s not that you're misunderstood, it's that we are. The rest of us can only wish both you and your mom the best of luck, because with the attitude you're presenting, you're certainly going to need it.

Megan Williams6 said:We finally got the biopsy done. We should have the results in the next few days, and then we’ll figure out our next move. Why am I bringing up sarcoma? Because the specialist at Nemetov wrote it down—she said the histopathology is consistent with leiomyosarcoma... Plus, the doctors over at the rib specialists were worried about the size of the tumor and suggested it might be a primary osteosarcoma, along with a uterine leiomyoma... Of course, I’d be overjoyed if it wasn't a sarcoma (to Mom, it seems to have been growing slowly for about six years, just to reach this stage now), but sarcomas grow incredibly fast... regardless, there is a mass there, and it's pressing on her nerves and muscles, causing her terrible pain lately. Previously, it was her right side where the tumor above the hip joint had wrapped around the iliac bone, but after four days of soaking in the pool about ten days ago, that stopped hurting, and now her left leg and left side have started aching... maybe that's because she spent all day on her feet using that walker, doing laundry, ironing, cooking, since it actually hurts less when she's moving than when she sits or lies down... I tell her repeatedly to just rest, but she constantly has to be doing something. Today, she could barely get out of bed to use the bathroom; apparently, she insisted on using some stupid "bath cover" that weighs about 100 kg once it fills with water... it drives me crazy. Or maybe it's the Tramal, which isn't even helping the pain anymore, and she can't eat because of it... When we were down in Miami recently, she wasn't taking the Tramal, just one Advil a day, and everything was fine... she ate like she hadn't seen food in a lifetime and everything seemed normal, but as soon as we got back to Indianapolis, things went south again... maybe it's because she isn't showering—the lack of water and sun... I installed a new showerhead and grab bars for her, but now there's that cover sitting in the tub that looks like it's drying, so tomorrow we'll put it out on the balcony to dry... she cares more about that cover than her own health—I don't give a damn about the cover or any of that, I just want her condition to improve, and we'll deal with the rest later... I don't know what comes next, we'll see. Honestly, I can't function without sedatives anymore because the fear is just overwhelming. Best to everyone.🙂

To you. It’s all just playing around. 😳The biggest issue in all of this isn't the sarcoma, nor the breast pain, nor even the combination of the heat, the ocean, and the braces—it’s not even the biopsy. The real problem is YOU. It’s how you are being to yourself, and more importantly, it’s the massive, unnecessary burden you are placing on your sick mother. On top of everything she’s already fighting, you're forcing her to deal with this extra weight while she's trying to manage her own pain. That is where the true problem lies. It’s just your irrational fear of losing your mother.Nothing else matters—all that counts is that she lives forever, or at least as long as you’re still breathing. It shouldn't even matter if she wants a damn clean deck, or if she wants to scrub and wring everything out in her own tub with her own two hands, or iron whatever she pleases exactly when she feels like it. Your mother is truly an exceptional, selfless woman for putting up with all this from you. My late mother—and honestly, me too—would have kicked your ass straight to the hospital just to get your weight down and your blood pressure checked, and then sent you right back home to your wife and kids, because at the end of the day, they should be the ones who come first in your life.
Look, man, I get it. It’s great that you love her this much, and it's honestly admirable how much you value everything she’s done for you. But the way you're actually expressing it? That's completely unhealthy. To put it bluntly—and I'm not trying to be mean here—it's downright pathological.
In that regard, I am in complete agreement with analogbison13—and I mean that with nothing but good intentions.

Megan Williams6 said:I have a question regarding that apricot kernel treatment (vitamin B-17 Laetrile)—there are claims that it can treat cancer, though it doesn't specify which type, so I was wondering if it would be effective against Sarcoma as well?🤷

It’ll absolutely wipe him out along with whatever else is left of that tumor. We're talking pure cyanide here—the kind of lethal poison people handle way too recklessly without a second thought.
I honestly still don't get what you're basing this whole "mom has sarcoma" conviction on. Let’s be real: if she actually had that, given how much you guys are dragging your feet with this biopsy, her condition would have absolutely cratered by now. If she were even still upright, that is.
You claim your mother is your entire world and that you live solely for her—that she’s the absolute center of your universe. Honestly, looking at how you carry yourself, that just doesn't track. You don't act like someone who lives for anyone else, least of all when you look at how you treat yourself. It’s incredibly immature.

It’s pretty straightforward: you just need to replenish your glucose levels and get those electrolytes back in balance.

Listen, silverlynx16,
I honestly don't understand how you're even permitted to use an avatar and a handle like that. It’s essentially a walking advertisement for a specific brand logo. Based on a handful of published studies claiming some positive impact on malignant cells, this brand is out there raking in massive profits from desperate people—all while offering results that pale in comparison to actual cytostatics. Real drugs undergo incredibly rigorous, extensive, and long-term testing, both in vitro and in vivo. Their development involves the blood, sweat, and tears of countless specialists, from biologists and physicians to pharmacologists, involving manufacturing processes infinitely more complex than whatever you're peddling.
To be blunt, I’ve walked this entire path alongside a loved one, navigating everything from standard oncological protocols to various well-known and obscure alternative and complementary supplements. After losing them, I didn't just move on; I dove deep into the science, fueled by heavy, firsthand experience. Because of that, I don't see your "well-meaning" advice or opinions as anything other than predatory. You're just circling the wagons where you might find another desperate soul willing to cough up about $50 $0.00 for a bit of false hope—assuming they can even stomach the taste and smell.
In that spirit, I’m appealing to whatever shred of humanity you have left (unless you aren't even Homo sapiens) to please refrain from posting here, at least under this persona and avatar. Rest assured, everyone currently facing a cancer diagnosis is already aware of your product; most have likely already looked into it. You won't lose a cent in marketing or profit by backing off, but you might actually leave us with a tiny bit of dignity in a space where our dignity is already being trampled daily by unavoidable bureaucratic machines.
Thanks in advance

Look, just be grateful to God that you’re healthy, your kid is doing well, and you’ve actually got your life together with enough money to live comfortably. Honestly, having that kind of stability is a massive blessing these days. You’ll find plenty of people who aren't as lucky acting bitter or jealous because of it, but let's be real—those people are the ones losing out in the end. My great-grandmother used to wrap up every single prayer with the same thing: "God, just give us health, and above all, give us good sense." That’s the mindset you should keep when you think about your extended family.

Chloe Gray5 said:Since my dad was discharged, we got the paperwork from the vascular surgeon. Apparently, they did an angiography, and it shows he has a 2.5x2.5 aortic aneurysm. On top of that, his common iliac arteries are dilated, and it looks like the internal ones are completely blocked. He also has localized issues in his right leg involving the tibial, superficial femoral, and profunda arteries.
And they just sent him home like this? Isn't that an emergency? I mean, I assume since he's on Marivarin, that's supposed to help break up the clots? Or regarding those clots in his right leg—can they actually be removed or dissolved somehow?
What really scares me is that the internal iliacs are totally blocked. Doesn't that mean all the organs in the pelvic area aren't getting blood flow?? I don't get how he could be at home in this state. Man. After everything else he’s been through, now this. I'm terrified he might lose his right leg or, God forbid, his life because of those internal iliacs.😢.

If they tried touching the same area again, he probably wouldn't make it. My dad definitely isn't in any condition to undergo another surgery, like an aortic aneurysm repair, which is incredibly heavy and risky. Look, they patched him up, roughly speaking, and now he just has to push through as long as he can. You have to be realistic and accept that he is very sick now and he's never going to be the man he used to be.

Nancy Lee said:Well, I checked with his doctor yesterday and she mentioned none of this stuff should interfere with the chemo.😕 He actually had his second round yesterday, and he’s feeling a bit weak today. No vomiting, just some nausea.
Yesterday, right before the session, the doctor told us his labs were looking better—basically, the first round of chemo worked.😍
By the way, is it normal for a pulmonologist to be leading the charge instead of an oncologist? He's being treated over at Jordanovac.

Some doctors swear by taking nothing at all, while others say it doesn't matter... honestly, who knows? Personally, I'm definitely opting for the supplements. And yeah, here in the US, lung cancer cases are often handled by pulmonologists rather than oncologists, which seems totally backwards to me, but that's just how the system works around here.

Linda Morales66 said:Last night, around 10 p.m.—just a month and a half after receiving the official diagnosis—my mom passed away... It was only a few hours after I went to visit her and said my final goodbyes..

I am so incredibly sorry. Please accept my deepest, most sincere condolences. 😢
Listen, honey, this was just her path. When things are meant to happen that way, they happen, but at least her struggle wasn't drawn out. She’s in a much better, happier place now. You sent her off beautifully and gave her peace; I'm certain she left this world feeling at rest because of you.
I know you're absolutely crushed right now and the grief feels heavy, but please believe me when I say you will find your footing again. Life isn't going to look the same, and it never will, but it will eventually take on a new shape. For now, just know she is at peace. I'm wishing you and your family nothing but strength and peace in your hearts.

Nancy Lee said:My dad is scheduled for his second round of chemo tomorrow. He’s currently on a heavy regimen of Aloe Arborescens, honey mixed with various herbs, carrot juice, beet and celery juice, green tea, and he eats low-fat cottage cheese with flaxseed oil.
Is there anything in that list he should cut out while undergoing chemo? He has microcellular lung cancer.

Personally, I'd ditch the Aloe, the tea, and the honey during treatment.