Posts by vividsailor7

wiredpanther7 said:https://s24.postimg.org/tp4rtd7th/15...16628845_o.jpg
https://s30.postimg.org/td66xi20x/15...90245124_o.jpg

Alright, here’s the situation: I was born in '90. Back when I was between 7 and 11 years old, I was battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma—it was deep in my pelvis, right around the appendix, bladder, and some part of my intestines (I can't quite recall which specific part now). I've been in remission for 16 years. Before that, I dealt with febrile seizures until I was 7. Right now, I'm on birth control pills—Adexa—and taking Augmentin because of a urinary tract infection.
So, my doctor just gave me the latest update. Aside from the urine tests—which is a whole other nightmare, by the way, since I’m not even dealing with body aches or inflammation, just finishing up a course of Amoxicillin—she says my liver enzymes look good. They were borderline last time, which is a huge deal for me because I need them stable to stay on birth control. She also says I’m not anemic. But honestly? I’m not buying it. My hemoglobin levels are technically "normal," yet my MCV (the size of my red blood cells) is low. It doesn't add up! Is there a specific way to pinpoint exactly what kind of anemia this might be? Because regardless of what the numbers say, I am constantly dizzy, exhausted, and just feeling plain sick. Something isn't right.
I'm mostly dealing with digestive issues right now—it’s been brutal. I'm talking bloody diarrhea, a low-grade fever that hits around 99.5°F occasionally, and more than ten bowel movements a day. Literally anything I eat sends me sprinting to the bathroom within ten minutes. My stomach is killing me; it's constantly cramping and tense, even when the acute pain subsides. It's a nightmare. I'm currently in the middle of getting this sorted out with my gastroenterologist, and I'll be admitted to a day hospital soon to have some tests done.
I’ve been looking into protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis—specifically testing for tTG levels in the blood—and honestly, it's a lot to wrap your head around. It isn't just a simple blood draw; it’s a deep dive into how your body is actually functioning at a molecular level.
I’ve already cleared Hepatitis B and C, and I'm HIV negative. As for the Hep B, I actually fought my way through that while I was undergoing chemotherapy.
I’m heading in to get my stool tested—full microbiology panel, too. That means they're checking everything: bacteriology (including *C. diff*), parasites, viruses, and fungi. Plus, I need to get a urine culture done as well.
Abdominal ultrasound.
So, I finally went to see the hematologist. Honestly, after all the waiting and the endless back-and-forth, I was bracing myself for some kind of bureaucratic nightmare or a doctor who wouldn't listen. But we're getting there. It’s one step at a time, I suppose.
After reviewing all those lab markers, I’ve decided there's no other way around it: we're moving forward with a native sigmoidoscopy and a biopsy. It's time to get some real answers.

I’m mostly just spinning my wheels here. My doctor mentioned there's a chance of a relapse, and she also brought up some potential intestinal inflammation. Honestly, I didn't even get a chance to grill her about my liver numbers or the anemia—things are moving too fast. So, what do you all make of these results?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and one more thing—for the record, they’re finding almost identical results even without this inflammation acting up.

I honestly think you’ve handled this processing exceptionally well. Seriously, it's top-tier work.
If I were looking at those lab results, I’d absolutely insist on getting Calcium, Phosphorus, LDH, and CK checked out. There's no way around it.

lonehawk88 said:Can someone who actually knows how to read urinalysis results please walk me through what these findings might mean? My wife just had her urine tests done. She’s been feeling pretty miserable—running fevers between 100 and 102°F, dealing with intense lower back pain, frequent headaches, and just total physical exhaustion. She’s 41 and has already been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. The first round of testing showed numerous microorganisms and some mucus. Her RBC/hemoglobin was at 30, leukocytes were up at 75, and the sediment showed 6-7 leukocytes and 3-4 erythrocytes. Her doctor prescribed an antibiotic—I don't know which one, she already tossed the box—but she went back for follow-up testing 15 days after finishing the course. Here are the new values:
Color: pale yellow.
Appearance: looks haggard.
Glucose: Bilirubin level is sitting at zero.
Ketones: Relative density: 1.020
RBC/hemoglobin: 100 H
Reaction😛h. 6.0
Protein: Urobilinogen: Nitrites: 0
Leukocytes: Urine Sediment
Leukocytes: 0-1
Erythrocytes: 5-6
Epithelial cells: some
Bacteria: some

She really ought to get an ultrasound and an ECHO of her urinary tract.

Melissa Sullivan said:Is there anywhere in Washington, D.C. where I can test for Chlamydia trachomatis IgG, IgA, and IgM? Is that a blood test for Chlamydia? I’ve had swabs done several times now and they come back totally clear every single time, so I’m honestly wondering if this is even necessary. This was recommended to me as part of my treatment at an out-of-town ClinicThanks.
Thanks

Probably an infectious disease specialist.

Lisa Morgan27 said:Is it okay to combine two antidepressants—taking Fevarin 50 mg at night and half a pill of Zoloft (from a 50 mg dose) in the morning?

Did a psychiatrist actually prescribe this specific combo?
Otherwise, this combination makes absolutely zero sense because both drugs are SSRIs.
They have essentially the same mechanism of action. It’s like taking two different ACE inhibitors, say Lisinopril and Benazepril; it’s redundant and pointless, even if I have seen doctors pull stunts like that before.

casualeagle6 said:Does anyone know where I can get tested for toxoplasmosis and ACE levels using my Medicare referral in Cleveland, Indianapolis, or Washington, D.C.?
We're finally hunting down the root cause of this iridocyclitis. I managed to knock out some of the tests right here in my own city, but these two specific ones are still hanging over my head, and honestly, I'm feeling pretty lost on where to go.

Thanks so much!

You can get both of those done at either the KBCSM or the Mayo Clinic.

Christian Jackson10 said:I have a question for any experts hanging out here—if anyone can weigh in, I’d appreciate it.

These are my blood work results from the last seven years. They’ve been hovering right on the edge of the normal range this entire time, so I'm trying to figure out if this is just how I'm built or if there's actually something serious going on.
I'm a 40-year-old male, 6'3", 174 lbs (weight is steady), non-smoker, and I drink moderately (maybe a beer or two a week).

2009. RBC: 4.21, hemoglobin: 135, hematocrit: 0.404
2011. RBC: 4.22, hemoglobin: 138, hematocrit: 0.413
2013. RBC: 4.29, hemoglobin: 137, hematocrit: 0.413
2015. RBC: 4.22, hemoglobin: 139, hematocrit: 0.406

I don't really have any specific symptoms, and my diet is normal. I've just always been pale by nature. 🙂
These labs come from my physicals every two years. Basically, these numbers are constantly sitting at the bottom end of the scale...

Normal results

Sandra Brooks91 said:Thanks for the reply. What exactly would today's processing include? Nothing was actually done besides being prescribed Sortis.

I didn't start taking it because I saw that women of reproductive age who aren't using protection shouldn't be on it. Of course, nobody bothered to ask me if I was even planning on having kids or anything like that...

You should probably reach out to an endocrinology clinic or a metabolic disorder specialist.

redcyclist7 said:I'm not sure if I'm asking this in the right place, so forgive me if I am. Basically, I just moved to NYC and I need to find a primary care physician. I haven't officially registered my residency here yet, so I have no clue if I can even pick a doctor in this area? If I can, does anyone have a recommendation? A good doctor? Thanks!

Your best bet is to head down to Medicare and ask for a list of licensed physicians who are actually accepting new patients. Honestly, half of them are already completely maxed out or just totally overwhelmed.

Aaron Rodriguez62 said:I suppose I should finally open a thread about this.
Greetings, everyone.
My migraines first manifested just over a year ago, starting with visual disturbances—flashing lights followed by a sort of blurred vision. Within a month, it happened twice more, and since then, it has recurred perhaps two or three times every few months. However, things have shifted recently. After over 25 years of smoking roughly 30 cigarettes a day, I decided to quit. It’s been about three weeks since my last cigarette, and now these migraines have become a daily occurrence. In fact, as I sit here typing this, I believe the aura is currently active, though the actual headache hasn't taken hold yet. If anyone has navigated similar experiences, I would appreciate it if you could share them with me.
Best regards,

You absolutely need to get a full neurological workup done—I'm talking blood work, an EKG, an EEG, a CT scan, and an MRI. Once you have all that data, you can actually make an informed decision on whether you just need acute treatment with triptans, like Zomig, or if you need to start on preventative medication.

frozenheron53 said:Hey everyone,

My father just went for a routine physical—basically a preventative checkup. He’s 66. As far as we can tell, he isn't showing any symptoms at all; no pain, no issues with his stomach or appetite, nothing. Everything seems fine on the surface.

Here are the results:

Erythrocytes - 5.75 (ref 4.34-5.72)
Hemoglobin - 168 (ref 138 to 175)
Hematocrit - 0.505 (ref 0.415 - 0.530)
MCV - 87.8 (ref 83.0-97.2)
MCH - 29.2 (ref 27.4 - 33.9)
MCHC - 333 (ref 320-345)
Leukocytes - 10.6 (ref 3.4-9.7)
Neutrophil seg. - 65.0 (ref 44-72)
Eosinophil - 4.1 (ref 0-7)
Basophil - 0.9 (0-1)
Lymphocytes - 22.4 (20-46)
Monocytes - 7.6 (2-12)
Platelets - 253 (ref 158-424)
S-glucose - 5.30 (ref 4.40-6.40)
Urea - 8.4(ref 2.8 - 8.3)
Creatinine - 109 (ref 64-104)
Amylase - 266 (ref 0-400)
AST - 24 (ref 11-38)
ALT - 22 (ref 12-48)
Cholesterol 6.6 (ref < 5.00)
Triglycerides 1.4 (ref < 1.7)
PSA - 1.69 (ref 0-4)

Urinalysis was normal.

After that, he went to get his lungs checked out.
Chest X-ray and profile summation imaging of thoracic organs. Lung parenchyma shows normal bilateral transparency. Free phrenic sinus. No acute infiltrates or pleural effusion found. Heart shadow appears normal.

Then, he took a stool sample from three different days to test for occult blood.
Day 1 - blood reaction - trace
Day 2 - blood reaction - positive
Day 3 - blood reaction - positive

Following that, he had an abdominal ultrasound.
The liver is normal in size, shape, and contour, and it looks homogeneous. The gallbladder has no pathological content. The pancreas is normal in size and homogeneous. Both kidneys are normal in size and shape, with wavy contours and no signs of ectasia or lithiasis. The spleen is normal in size and shape.

Because of this, I recommended he ask his doctor for some additional tests, so here is what I asked him to request.
Iron: 8.6 (ref 11-32)
UIBC - 51 (ref 25-54)
TIBC - 59 (ref 49-72)
CRP - 1.6 (ref < 5.0)
CEA - 0.6 (ref up to 5.0)
CA 19-9 - 8.6 (ref < 27)

Could this potentially be colon cancer? Can anyone interpret these results, or is it impossible to say anything until he undergoes a gastroscopy and colonoscopy?

It’s possible the blood is coming from hemorrhoids, but he definitely needs a full colonoscopy to 100% rule out cancer or even polyps.
He should also get his ferritin checked, along with a 24-hour proteinuria test and creatinine clearance.
Does he have any issues with blood pressure?
What does the complete lipid panel look like (LDL, HDL)?
Depending on those results, he might be put on a statin, like Lipitor 10mg or Crestor 5-10mg.
Is he taking any medications (aspirin, NSAIDs)?

Noah Cook13 said:Greetings,
On my own initiative, I went to a private lab to get my total and free testosterone levels checked.
Results: Total testosterone: 10.45 nmol/L Ref. 6.07-27.10
Free testosterone: 310.0 nmol/L Ref. 91-579

The symptoms I'm dealing with are insomnia, lack of drive, mood swings, sensitive nipples, dizziness, lethargy...

I'm 33 years old, 5'9", and weigh about 172 lbs.
Are my total testosterone values too low for my age?
If they are, what should my next step be?
Thanks.

In my opinion, that total testosterone is borderline low. You definitely need to run these tests again. Furthermore, you really ought to get your PRL, LH, FSH, TSH, total and free testosterone, and estradiol checked—honestly, getting a full blood panel would be a smart move.

Ryan Rodriguez87 said:Can someone actually competent tell me what these numbers really mean
for tumor markers?
http://prntscr.com/4a38ua
Thanks in advance.

Read the first post!

slylynx26 said:Lately, I’ve been seeing dark urine every once in a while (usually after heavy physical exertion). I’ve had my urine and blood checked, and everything seems fine—even the urine culture came back sterile. My CBC Panel is okay, and my ALT, AST, Bilirubin, Urea... everything is within range. However, my urinalysis shows positive Urobilinogen (which should be negative) and 5-15 erythrocytes (where normal is 0-2). The erythrocytes are also marked with two ++.

Just to note, I get sharp pains occasionally, and I was on antibiotics recently (not sure if that matters). I am also currently undergoing significant physical strain.

Does anyone know why only these specific values are elevated while everything else looks fine?

You really ought to bring a sample of that dark urine in for testing.
It would also be a smart move to get an Abdominal Ultrasound. Plus, you need to run a full lab panel: liver function, CRP, LDH, CK, blood glucose, direct bilirubin, glucose, urate, urea, and Creatinine.

Richard Rodriguez10 said:Hi everyone,
I'm new here and I am desperate for some help. Maybe someone else can relate to this nightmare, or has dealt with something similar...
I suffered a terrifying reaction involving Quincke edema (facial swelling) and generalized hives. Within twenty minutes, my entire body flared up—my face, tongue, throat, hands, feet... my skin was just covered in blisters🙂. Apparently, it was a severe reaction. I spent three days in the hospital on corticosteroids. When they discharged me, I fully expected them to schedule an allergy test, especially since this is a life-threatening situation, but... nothing. On the day
this all went down, I was at the dentist. She applied some medication into my tooth, rambling about expiration dates and how the previous filling material wasn't working... who knows why. She swapped it out for a new one. Three hours later, I was sitting in an ER. Now, it feels incredibly strange because not a single doctor wanted to actually talk to me. Even my primary care physician just told me to stick to a strict diet until I feel better. When I asked about an allergy test, he said it wasn't necessary... leaving me totally in the dark about my own allergy. What am I supposed to avoid? Private allergy testing is obscenely expensive, and frankly, why should I foot the bill when I pay for premium insurance? It feels like either the dentist messed up and they're covering their tracks, or I'm just left hanging. Please, I need advice. What should I do? 😕

It wouldn't be a bad idea to go see an allergist or immunologist—ideally at the Holy Spirit hospital.

velvetmoose9 said:I have to admit, I am incredibly pleasantly surprised by how effective Daflon is (even though my initial reaction was just a dismissive wave of the hand, thinking, "Oh great, just another scam from Big Pharma").
The feedback from countless patients—especially those who actually give a damn about being healthy and functioning normally—is almost universally positive.
People often feel a subjective improvement while they are still on their very first pack 😲 (though you absolutely MUST stick to the manufacturer's instructions regarding dosage and duration!)
There was even a period where they dropped the price significantly (if my memory serves me right, back last fall 🤔), but then they hiked it right back up, riding high on the drug's clinical success.
Sure, people grumble a bit, but the moment things start "acting up" again, they run straight back to Daflon. 🙂 .
At first, there was some friction at the pharmacies if you didn't have a specific recommendation from a vascular surgeon, but they’ve loosened those criteria quite a bit since then.

I think last year Pfizer was petitioning Medicare to include it on the DL, but it looks like it didn't go through. I'm not entirely sure what the hold-up was.

Michelle Kelly4 said:Hi everyone,
Starting my stool culture tomorrow. I'm not entirely sure if this is the right place to ask, but I have a few questions...
I tested positive for Salmonella, so I've been pulled from work (currently on medical leave).
I'm wondering what the actual procedure is for a stool culture, how long it takes to get the results back, and when I might be cleared to head back to work?
Thanks in advance for any help.

The results should be ready within 5 days.

Anthony Davis72 said:I have one question. I just went in for some testing:
Antithyroglobulin antibodies
Thyrocytes antibodies

One value is 600, the other is 700.
What on earth am I looking at here?

We're talking autoimmune thyroid diseases here.
I’m assuming you've already had your TSH checked.

restlessangler said:The reasons for the blood and urine work:
First—my condition is flaring up—specifically Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (the skin issues are getting worse).
Second—I mentioned that weird smell in my urine (it was strong, like rotten eggs or ammonia, though I didn't have other symptoms besides that first day where I felt like I had to go right after I already went; everything else has been fine since then).

http://s28.postimg.org/xf40efu31/fotografija.jpg

It would be wise to get this done at a hospital facility in the States.
If there's a fever or painful urination involved, you could potentially start an empiric treatment, like Cipro.
Once the basic lab work is finished (creatinine, urea, urate, urine, CRP),
you should follow up with blood pressure and pulse checks, plus a 24-hour microalbuminuria test and a kidney ultrasound.

Daniel Lewis67 said:Hey there.
I already posted about my issues about two pages ago, but let's just summarize here. I’m currently on esomeprazole because my internist says I have acute gastritis. I’ve had full blood work and urine tests done twice now. My liver looks fine, except for a GGT of 62 (where the ref range goes up to 55), and in my last blood draw, the only other thing was a slightly elevated MPV. So, no parasites, no bacteria, nothing... Urine tests came back clean too.
The thing is, I’m still dealing with this dull, increasingly uncomfortable ache right under my right rib cage, along with occasional sharp pains on my right side. My stomach doesn't hurt at all—it's not making me nauseous, I don't have a fever, and I don't feel weak. Honestly, I feel great, except for this pain (kind of like a spleen ache when you exert yourself) located right under that right rib cage.
An ultrasound showed everything is normal—liver, pancreas, kidneys... everything looks fine, except for my stomach, where they saw significant thickening and irritation of the posterior wall, plus some sludge in my gallbladder. My stools look normal to the eye, though they haven't sent them for lab analysis yet.

My doctor is officially stumped, so she referred me to a gastroenterologist, but the appointment isn't for another two months! In the meantime, she sent me for microbiology tests and bloodwork to check for hepatitis markers. Right now, I’m taking Generic, esomeprazole, and colospu (my gut is pretty loud lately—lots of gas, bloating, and cramps here and there). I’m at a loss. Two months is an eternity to wait for a GI specialist when this pain is getting more intense by the day. As for the hepatitis stuff, I don't even care if it's positive—I'm not vomiting, I'm not jaundice, and I'm not exhausted, aside from this pain... To be clear, it’s not the kind of pain where I need to pop a pill, but it’s enough that I can't function normally. It does feel a bit better if I stand up and take a light walk, though.
Please, help. If anyone has any idea what might be going on with me...
Thanks

Your explanation is a bit vague.
1. You mentioned H. pylori infection, but in your previous post, you said it was GERD?
2. Have you ever had an EGD?
3. Did you see an actual internist, or just a primary care physician?
Ultrasounds are used to look at parenchymal organs, not the digestive tract itself.

Bryan Foster4 said:Regrettably, her psycho-physical state over the last week has not been what it used to be. She is under significant stress, and her stomach has been causing her trouble; she hasn't really eaten much. Last night, we had to push her to go to the emergency room. The diagnosis was air in the stomach; they gave her an injection, some sort of cocktail via IV, and prescribed a syrup. The doctor wasn't very encouraging; he assessed that this might be the beginning of the end, suggesting that the pain will likely increase, unfortunately.

She woke up at 7:30 this morning and mentioned she slept well. Today, we managed a nice two-hour walk with short breaks to rest. When we returned, she even ate a piece of meat and noted that her stomach didn't hurt. In the meantime, she hasn't had that liquid from the pharmacy for the past two weeks (she will resume tomorrow). If she starts feeling better, she will drink it constantly.

We are visiting the psychiatrist tomorrow, so we will see. Regarding her physical appearance, it is difficult for us to judge since we are with her constantly, but perhaps she looks a bit jaundiced, though not significantly. Her weight is 50 kg, having lost about 1 kg.

So, Doctor, we will respect that opinion. If you have any further thoughts, whether it be a diagnosis or a prognosis regarding timing, please feel free to message me privately or reply here so we know where we stand...

Well, you really need to write down those lab results, the diagnosis, and the exact therapy she received during that ER visit.
Does she have any chronic conditions like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, or heart issues?
Also, what is her blood pressure, and what medications is she currently taking?

hollowridge88 said:So, we just got back from the doctor... She was prescribed Reglan for the nausea and Seldiar for the diarrhea. The doctor basically shrugged it off as some kind of infection but sent her straight home anyway. He didn't even run blood work, nothing... I am honestly speechless and in total shock. This level of neglect and pure irresponsibility at the White Monastery is absolutely bottom-of-the-barrel. They’ve gutted the ER, and now the clinic can barely offer anything more than painkiller injections. But fine, that’s not even the point right now—I am just livid because everyone is distancing themselves from Mom. No one makes her health a priority; instead, they just want to shove some pills down her throat and kick her out the door. Honestly, in my book, having diarrhea for two weeks straight along with vomiting is NOT normal. I don't understand how any doctor could look at this and think it's okay!! No matter how much I try to hold onto hope or grab onto some shred of optimism, I lose it all every single day watching her suffer. Watching her be in pain, watching her vomit, seeing how weak she's become, the dizziness... seeing her lose her will, feeling so helpless, and watching her pull at her hair because she's just had enough... It's overwhelming. Despair, sadness, and utter hopelessness hit me all at once. But when she asks me, "Is everything going to be okay?" I always answer, "Yes, Mom, it'll be fine," and every single time, I have to swallow this massive lump in my throat because it feels like the biggest lie I've ever told myself or her. 😢

I suspect Reglan won't do much good, and it might actually make the diarrhea worse.
I'm sticking to what I said in my previous reply.

hollowridge88 said:Hello everyone. My mom has only managed to get through four rounds of chemotherapy so far, and honestly, there hasn’t been any improvement at all. After her chemo sessions, she can’t eat a single thing for five or six days straight—she just suffers through constant vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and absolutely agonizing pain. We actually tried switching her from a 25 mg morphine patch to 50 mg/h, but it was way too much given her current condition and low body weight. She ended up overdosing, so we had to scale back down to 25 mg/h. Now, she’s just stuck enduring these horrific pains. She was prescribed Zaldiar 325 mg tablets for the pain, but she isn't allowed to take them alongside the morphine patches. Before she started the patches, she was taking Tramadol 375 mg, but she can't touch that anymore either. Currently, she’s on Tramudin 100 mg, but it’s doing absolutely nothing for her. Does anyone have any advice on what we can give her to help manage this pain? In the meantime, we found out she’s definitely scheduled for four cycles of treatment, which will consist of six total chemo sessions. We are terrified that she simply won't be able to survive them. Three days ago, the doctor told us that the cancer has spread to her liver and that the goal now is strictly palliative—just extending her life. Over the last few days, Mom has been complaining intensely about pain in her kidneys, her legs, her back on both sides, and right where her liver is located. Because we haven't told her everything yet—since we believe that's the best way to handle it—she’s starting to ask questions and getting scared of everything herself.

hollowridge88 Asks:
She’s battling lung cancer that has already spread to the adrenal glands, the liver, and the bones—she even has these little nodules that are just more metastases. Now, she’s been dealing with constant diarrhea and vomiting for two weeks straight. Anything she manages to eat comes right back up immediately through vomiting or diarrhea. On top of that, this intense coughing has started. Does anyone actually know what this combination of symptoms signifies? We’re leaning toward the idea that she might have picked up some kind of bacterial infection in her stomach or intestines... but the coughing?? It doesn't add up.

When it comes to bone issues, palliative radiation is definitely an option that can be explored here.
You could also try Fentagesic, if your anesthesiologist recommends it.
When it comes to the whole vomiting and diarrhea situation, we really need to consider if there's an infectious cause at play here. It’s worth looking into—maybe run some stool cultures, a CBC, or check the CRP levels?
You really need to keep Seldiar, Ondansetron, and definitely Rehidromix in the mix.

Elizabeth Davis Asks:
My grandfather, who means the absolute world to me, has been diagnosed with a kidney tumor. He’s heading into the hospital this Monday for a battery of tests, and then we’re stuck playing the waiting game for a surgery date. They’re planning to remove his entire kidney, but the doctors have been blunt: the surgery itself is incredibly complex and high-risk, and honestly, the recovery looks just as daunting. He’s over 70, if that adds any context to how heavy this feels.
Has anyone else here dealt with something similar?

Whether or not he can go under the knife depends entirely on his overall physical condition and his comorbidities. We’re talking things like hypertension, diabetes, or heart issues—like if he's had a recent heart attack, suffers from angina pectoris, or deals with AFib. It's all about that baseline health.
Unfortunately, malignant tumors are more common than benign ones, such as oncocytomas or juxtaglomerular tumors.
Malignant types can include things like clear cell carcinomas or papillary carcinomas.
You won't really have any real answers until after the procedure and the pathology report comes back.

Bryan Foster4 said:MEDICAL REPORT

12/04/2013
The patient is presenting this case to the GI tumor protocol team. Diagnosis: Primary liver neoplasm.
Procedure: Biopsy performed on 10/31/2013 at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Pathology report: Poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma with
microangiovascular invasion.
Disease stage: c T3b N0 M0
Summary of diagnostic workup:
- Abdominal and pelvic MSCT (11/27/2013): A neoplastic process measuring 11x8x6.5 cm is visible in the right hepatic lobe (previously measured at 14.3x12.7x7.8 cm on the 10/18/2013 MSCT). There is thrombosis present in the portal vein, splenic vein, and superior mesenteric vein.
- Thoracic MSCT, brain imaging, and lumbar spine MRI: No evidence of metastatic spread.
- Lab results: GGT 206, AST 68, ALT 44, LDH 428.
- Tumor markers: AFP = 10.19, CA 19-9 = 43.96, CA 15-3 = 46.7, CA 125 = 35.1, NSE 25.3; CEA and CYFRA 21-1 are within normal limits.
Child-Pugh status: A (bilirubin 23, albumin 33, PV-INR 1.1, no ascites, no encephalopathy).
General condition is good. ECOG 1. No weight loss noted. Physical exam: negative for tumors. In October 2013, she was diagnosed with sensorimotor polyneuropathy of the lower extremities.

Team Decision:
Local therapy will be coordinated with the interventional radiologist alongside a prescription for systemic Sorafenib therapy. A Sorafenib approval request will be submitted to the drug approval committee. Once the medication is approved, the patient will be notified via telephone.
Upon the arrival of the medication to begin treatment, please present with current CBC, CMP, biochemistry (glucose, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, LDH, electrolytes) and the outpatient treatment referral, Dr. Smith.

Huh, certainly interesting.
Honestly, I really hope Professor Johnson can manage to fight for something here, because based on what’s written—tumor size, infiltration, and those liver vein thromboses—I can't exactly share his optimism. That said, there are some bright spots (no ascites, decent Child-Pugh score, no metastases, and it's limited to just one liver lobe).
What I would personally consider is introducing Propranolol into the therapy, or if she doesn't tolerate that, maybe trying Carvelol, given the venous thrombosis (possible portal hypertension?). Honestly, that looks like the biggest hurdle for chemoembolization.

I’ve been thinking about this lately, and honestly? It’s nothing short of infuriating. We talk about "surpassing" expectations like it’s some noble pursuit, but in reality, it’s usually just a recipe for burnout and broken promises. People love to throw that word around in corporate boardrooms from New York to San Francisco. They act like hitting a goal isn't enough—no, you have to shatter it, leap over it, and somehow find a way to make the impossible look easy. It sounds great on a motivational poster at a Starbucks, but let’s be real: it’s exhausting. When you constantly aim to surpass, you aren't just moving the goalposts; you're tearing them down entirely. And don't even get me started on the people who claim they did it just to feel superior. That’s not ambition; that’s just ego masquerading as progress. True excellence shouldn't be about leaving everyone else in the dust just to prove a point. It should be about steady, meaningful growth. But in this country, if you aren't constantly sprinting toward some imaginary finish line, people act like you're standing still. It's a treadmill that never stops, and frankly, I'm tired of the hype. kaže:
Is it actually true that a primary care physician can't just prescribe something and send over an electronic referral online? I've been hearing this nonsense floating around, and frankly, it sounds ridiculous. In this day and age, you'd think the whole system would be streamlined by now. Is anyone else seeing this, or am I just losing my mind?
In my situation, I’m heading back to my hometown for the next three weeks, but my family doctor is all the way in the city where I go to school. Am I seriously expected to make that entire trip just to pick up one single referral in person?

It's the truth. Period.
You can just order them online.

Grace Booth5 said:So... here we go again. After months of absolutely exhausting myself running from one hospital to the next—not to mention the sheer frustration of being flat-out denied entry to some of them—I’m still stuck in the exact same position. I still have absolutely no clue where to actually get these tests done.
I headed over to the Vineyard because I’d seen people on the forums mentioning that they perform specialized testing there—things like LAC, antiphospholipid antibodies, and IgE. 🙂 Of course they kicked me right out the door! It’s unbelievable. They clearly don't have the resources or the staff to actually run these tests properly, and honestly? It feels like they only care about treating their own private patients. And let's be real—who exactly qualifies as "their" patient anyway? Typical bureaucracy at its finest.

Alright, people, I need some help here... Can I run tests for LAC, antiphospholipid antibodies, total IgE, IgE levels, dsDNA, and ANA?
Listen, let me be crystal clear about this: I am absolutely not talking about Ribbon, I am not talking about Vineyard, I am certainly not talking about the Holy Spirit, and I am definitely not talking about Oakwood!

I’ve got different information on this. My understanding is that they should be able to handle the LAC and antiphospholipid antibody testing over at Mayo Clinic, while the rest would go through the Cleveland Clinic—though, if you ask me, everything could probably be handled right there at Mayo Clinic.