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Dizziness & headaches in Health · Mar 11, 2010

copperpilot11 said:Thanks for the encouragement. Sarah Johnson11 suggested in my other thread about my thyroid that I should book a hematologist appointment ASAP, so that's the plan. As for my hearing, it's actually fine; I hear perfectly well. But a few weeks ago, right before this whole mess started, some fluid leaked out of my right ear. I wasn't sure what color it was. I went to my primary care doctor today—for the thousandth time—and asked her to check both ears and flush them out. I deal with earwax buildup in my right ear constantly, probably just how I'm built. Flushing didn't help, and she mentioned my eardrum looked cloudy, asking if I'd had infections before. Since I haven't, it just made things more confusing. My ear feels full or clogged sometimes, ever since the vertigo kicked in, but nothing hurts and I can hear okay. So, I don't think it's an infection or a blockage.

I didn't mention the iron or anything else because those levels were normal. I only listed the stuff that was off, whether too high or too low.

It's definitely a smart move to get a full hematological workup given the low platelet count and those weirdly shaped cells. Thrombocytopenia is generally categorized
into primary and secondary types. Primary includes things like immune thrombocytopenia or cyclic thrombocytopenia, while secondary cases usually stem from underlying issues like diseases of the blood-forming organs, spleen problems, or certain infections.
Along with the bloodwork, you really ought to get an audiology exam done, plus have someone look at your spine and see a neurologist.
Honestly, don't go jumping straight to thinking about tumors. Just focus on getting a diagnosis, whether it turns out to be a blood issue or something involving your spine.
The sooner you knock out these tests and nail down a diagnosis, the sooner you can actually start treatment.
A tumor is unlikely; if that were the case, you'd likely be struggling with vision, reading, and probably high blood pressure too. Also, a word of advice: stop Googling everything. Seriously. The biggest mistake people make is trying to self-diagnose online, which just leads to a spiral of anxiety and depression.
Hang in there. It's almost certainly not what you're fearing. Just go see the specialists; they have the tools to rule things out, confirm what's actually happening, and get you on the right medication.
If everything comes back okay, don't sweat it. Just have a little patience while you wait for the results.👍

Kidney issues - questions and concerns... in Health · Dec 8, 2009

Anthony Wilson4 said:Thanks so much for getting back to me!
I should probably clarify one thing, though—I didn't explain myself very well before. He actually turned down the biopsy simply because he didn't have the time... I mean, I get it, life happens, but you really can't mess around when it comes to your health. He was also looking at a potential two-week hospital stay, and that's what ultimately made him bail on the whole thing. But, he's planning to get everything sorted out right after the New Year...

Thanks again

Your dad is dealing with glomerulonephritis—basically kidney failure—which is exactly why that kidney biopsy is non-negotiable if you want to pinpoint the actual cause of the insufficiency.
There’s a specific thread on glomerulonephritis where we all vent about our kidney issues; you can find everything there regarding the biopsy I'll eventually have to face myself, along with everyone else in that group.
Any kind of insufficiency can lead toward dialysis, but a lot of us manage quite well under control using high doses of corticosteroids, whether that's through an IV or orally—it really just depends on what they find during the procedure.
Honestly, your best bet is to head over to that dedicated topic. There's a wealth of info there about the disease, the treatments, and how some of us have managed to pull through successfully.
Hang in there. It’s definitely not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world either, especially since there's still enough time to get this handled before dialysis becomes a necessity.👍

Kidney issues - questions and concerns... in Health · Nov 25, 2009

Terry Davis40 said:Sorry, I didn't even notice you guys had messaged me—apologies for the delay 😘

I was at my appointment until about 7:00 and just walked through the door.
First off, I have to give a shout-out to Dr. Chikara—he’s phenomenal. He’s incredibly easy to talk to, and we covered everything; I asked him every single thing on my mind, so it actually turned out to be a pretty decent experience.

So, regarding my kidneys—they are honestly massive 😁. You could say I've got actual chunks of kidney in there. Apparently, each one has two renal arteries (from what I gather, they usually only have one), and they're somewhat split—so when I twist (my waist, I mean), they twist too. That might suggest they're connected, but since the baby has made her own space in my abdomen and pushed my intestines up toward my diaphragm, that connection isn't visible. No signs of stones, though.
The doctor says my kidneys are certainly unique, but since the function is good and pregnancy prevents any other deep testing, he suggested we touch base again in a year.
So, yeah... here I am, the woman with the powerhouse kidneys. 🤣
The baby might eventually press against the ducts and cause some trouble, but if that happens, I can come back in for another checkup—though even then, they won't be able to do much since that's usually only resolved by delivery.
After everything, it looks like it's just a congenital anomaly. Since it isn't causing any issues right now, we'll figure out further scans or any potential "radiation" next year.

I guess I really am a freak of nature. 😁

Thanks for the support, ladies; it really meant a lot that you reached out because I was honestly pretty terrified. 🙂

If it's something you were born with, it means you've lived your whole life functioning totally normally. Plus, the fact that they're happy to wait a year for a follow-up proves it's nothing serious or dangerous.
That's wonderful news, and like I told you before, as long as their function is intact, it's a win for both you and the baby.
I'm so relieved it's nothing more serious.
Wishing you all the best—just enjoy these days of pregnancy.

Kidney issues - questions and concerns... in Health · Nov 24, 2009

You definitely went for that checkup, right? Because you've gone totally silent on us. Come on, give us an update so we aren't just sitting here wondering how you're holding up... we're actually interested, you know!

Kidney issues - questions and concerns... in Health · Nov 23, 2009

Terry Davis40, I’m really hoping tomorrow's checkup and those results turn out great for you and the little one. Please, please keep me posted.
Fingers crossed—sending nothing but good vibes to both of you!!!!!👍

Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses in Health · Nov 23, 2009

Amanda Miller69 said:Once the initial shock wears off, they’ll find their footing mentally. My mom had those moments where she’d say she was done fighting, but I always reminded her that she had to keep going for my sake—that I loved her and needed her. That usually gave her enough fuel to keep pushing.
I’m crossing my fingers that it works, and please know I'm here if you need anything at all.😘

Well, I'm back. Honestly, I think you probably suspected this, but I have a question for you—and really for anyone here who has dealt with this specific type of carcinoma.
She finally got discharged from the hospital today, so I can actually type out the diagnosis from her discharge papers.

PHD - Cystadenocarcinoma papillare serosum invasium ovati 1.dex.
Thromboembolism
Duodenal bulb ulceration - no active bleeding.

Did your mother deal with this exact type of carcinoma, or has anyone else here? From what I understand, it's papillary ovarian cancer.
For now, the abdomen and its organs look okay—no metastases there.
However, the lung scan shows a lymph node and a shadow that suggests a possible metastasis.
She’s been sent home to recover briefly before seeing an oncologist, who will then decide on a chemotherapy regimen.

Her overall condition is quite poor. She barely communicates, eats very little, and just wants solitude and peace, which we are respecting.
As much as it pains me to say, I can't fully care for her right now because, unfortunately, my own health is in a terrible state. I've been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia for years now, and lately, I feel like I'm back at square one, right at the beginning of the illness. But, I know I'll pull through eventually; I'm mentally tough, and more importantly, I'm driven by this deep optimism... whereas she isn't. I don't think it's the time to push anything on her, since she doesn't want to discuss it, so we're just giving her space.🤷 Maybe later on, she'll be ready to accept some of it.
I worry about her constantly. It breaks my heart, and I'd give anything to pass even a tiny shred of my energy or my will to live over to her. I am right there by her side, though I feel so powerless. Others are handling most of the heavy lifting, while I just act as support—mostly a silent observer at this point. I'm at a loss for words; I don't know how to talk to her to get her to engage, because I truly believe it's easier when you let all the grief and pain surface through tears. At least, that's my take, but maybe I'm wrong...
Thanks for the support and the advice.

Kidney issues - questions and concerns... in Health · Nov 22, 2009

Terry Davis40 said:Sarah Johnson11, thanks for the breakdown 🙂

Robert Nelson12, glad to hear you're feeling better 🙂

thanks everyone—it helps a bit, I guess, having people actually listen and offer advice 🙂 🙂

Look, we're right here with you, so please, just ask anything that crosses your mind.
Our collective experience with kidney issues has been... well, extensive, to say the least, and frankly, I truly hope you never have to join our club.

It might turn out to be perfectly fine—maybe it’s just pregnancy-related and there's absolutely nothing to worry about.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your results come back clean and that you can check back in with some good news.🙂👍

Kidney issues - questions and concerns... in Health · Nov 22, 2009

Terry Davis40 said:p.s. my urine test from the physical was basically the same—except the sediment part mentions B.O., whatever that's supposed to mean.

Look, based on what you've shared, your urine tests look perfectly fine—which was actually backed up by the culture too.
If we were looking at some major kidney disease, I doubt your numbers would be sitting right there on the edge of the normal range.
As for why your kidney looks so enlarged and has that weird shape... honestly, nothing here gives us a clear answer yet.
Once you get that color Doppler done, please reach out and let us know the results. Maybe then we'll all have a better idea of what's actually going on.
Sending you good vibes—hope everything turns out okay.👍

Kidney issues - questions and concerns... in Health · Nov 21, 2009

Terry Davis40 said:Thanks for getting back to me. 🙂

I had my urine tested and did a culture—it came back sterile.
So, I guess I don't really get why she made such a huge deal out of it. 🤷
As for the cervical swab, the doctor concluded I have ureaplasma, so she prescribed antibiotics for both me and my partner. I finished a 10-day course of erythromycin along with Clindamycin cream.

I'm peeing regularly—a bit more often than usual since the placenta is low—but other than that, I honestly don't have any issues at all. 🤷

If kidney function is normal and the urine is sterile, we could be looking at something like polycystic kidney disease—just my two cents—or perhaps there’s a tiny stone that the doctor couldn't spot because of the pregnancy, which might be partially blocking a duct and causing urine buildup and kidney swelling. But if that were the case, you'd likely see an infection or feel some pain.🤷I’d look into those possibilities first.
As long as your urine is sterile and your kidneys are functioning properly, nothing is going to happen to the baby; it's physically impossible.
Kidney issues can be incredibly sneaky. I suffer from glomerulonephritis myself, and I don't feel a thing, yet my lab results tell a different story—that's the tricky part with them. Pain usually shows up when there's an actual infection, stones, or grit, whereas serious underlying diseases often fly under the radar without any symptoms. I'm not saying that's what you're dealing with, just a heads-up.
The only real headache here is that you're pregnant, which limits what kind of tests they can run to nail down a diagnosis.
Don't panic. Honestly, I don't think this is anything catastrophic or something that will wreck your health.
It would be a much bigger issue if your kidney function was actually impaired, which would show up in your urine and blood work—and that would be bad news for both you and the baby. If your blood pressure stays normal, try to stay calm and just keep monitoring it constantly. If you start noticing swelling in your legs or a spike in blood pressure, you need to call your doctor immediately.
Maybe start by doing a 24-hour urine collection? Did your doctor suggest anything specific after the exam?

Kidney issues - questions and concerns... in Health · Nov 21, 2009

Terry Davis40 said:Had my checkup today and the doctor noted that my left kidney looks larger—specifically the lower pole seems bulky and shifted medially, almost like it's merging with the central echo complex. The right one looks totally fine, though; normal size, shape, and structure, with everything looking standard around the central complex. She mentioned the possibility of a horseshoe kidney, but since I’m pregnant, she didn't want to press on my abdomen to check for a connection. Plus, my scan from two years ago didn't mention anything like this—it just said both kidneys were normal in size and structure. Functionality is fine, though.
Honestly, the doctor seemed genuinely worried about me today, which actually scared me more than the kidney itself—especially since I'm not feeling any pain or discomfort. I'm five months pregnant, so I'm wondering what this could mean and if there are any risks for the baby? Could it just be swelling due to the pregnancy, or maybe related to those antibiotics I took two weeks ago for ureaplasma?
I'm pretty confused, so if anyone knows what this might imply, please let me know.
I have a renal color Doppler scheduled for next week, and then I guess we'll see where they send me from there.

Urinary tract infections are incredibly common during pregnancy. As the uterus expands, it can press against the bladder and ureters in various spots, making it harder for urine to flow through those tubes as quickly or freely as it normally would. The longer urine sits in those tubes before hitting the bladder, the higher the chance bacteria will settle in and latch onto the lining before being flushed out. Plus, pregnant women face a higher risk of an infection spreading up to the kidneys, which is what I suspect might be happening in your case.
Since you're already in your fifth month, taking antibiotics should be perfectly fine, but first and foremost, you need to get a urinalysis and a urine culture done to identify exactly which bacteria triggered the UTI.

Don't spiral into worry, but do take this seriously. Follow up with a doctor who will see this through to the end. In the meantime, try increasing your intake of cranberry juice or uva ursi tea—just don't mix them, pick one or the other.
In the end, everything is going to turn out alright, and I sincerely👍 wish
you the best.

Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses in Health · Nov 20, 2009

Amanda Miller69 said:My mom actually handled her first round of chemo relatively well. I mean, there was some nausea, a bit of diarrhea, and obviously the hair loss, plus she started getting that tingling sensation in her feet. For the nausea, she relied on Reglan, and honestly? Simple microwave popcorn and those strong menthol cough drops were lifesavers. She just ate and drank whatever her body would actually accept at the time. People even say a little Coca-Cola can help settle the stomach, though I know doctors wouldn't exactly put that on a recommended list for patients.
So, she went through three rounds of chemo—some kind of experimental protocol, I think—but nothing moved the needle. They eventually switched her over to an older treatment, Taxol, I believe, and that actually worked. Her markers dropped, she underwent two surgeries, and things seemed okay for a while. But then, just a few months later, the recurrence hit. She tried oral chemotherapy next, but it was useless. By the third surgery—where they basically had to remove half her abdomen—she was finished. The cancer had already metastasized through the abdominal cavity, hitting the liver, the stomach... everywhere, really. There was just no help left to give. On top of all that, she caught a nasty hospital infection, and her body simply didn't have the strength to fight back anymore. The whole ordeal dragged on for a year and ten months. It was caught at Stage IIIc, which is already quite advanced, and she fought like hell until the very end. Honestly? I didn't think she’d make it. Not because I wanted her to go, but because my father passed away from a heart attack just a year before her diagnosis. They were so incredibly close... I couldn't help but feel like she was just going to follow him.
Doctors never really commit to a prognosis. It’s one of those things they just won't touch. I remember asking Dr. Ćorušić—he was the one who operated on my mom over at Memorial Hospital—exactly how much time she had left. He said something to me that I'll honestly never forget. He looked me right in the eye and said, "Look, I'm neither God nor a psychic; at the end of the day, it's all up to your mother."
Look, you’re in for quite a fight ahead. It’s going to be a marathon, not a sprint, and providing steady support is everything right now. You really need to focus on keeping her immune system as strong as possible—I'd suggest looking into an immune-boosting supplement, maybe some beta-glucan or even high-quality propolis. As for the blood counts? A homemade juice blend of beet, carrot, and apple can actually do wonders. One more thing, though... she should probably steer clear of red meat, refined sugar, and white flour. There's a lot of talk about how cancer feeds on those things, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
So, I was thinking about this one incredible book by David Servan-Schreiber... it’s essentially an anti-cancer manifesto. It’s like this comprehensive guide for anyone trying to navigate survival or—more importantly—trying to build a lifestyle that keeps the whole thing at bay in the first place. It covers everything, really. We're talking diet, the actual biology of cancer, even the psychological side of things. It's quite a deep dive.

I know exactly how you feel—believe me, I've been right there in that same headspace. Honestly, it’s exhausting. If you need anything at all, just ask. I'll help out however I can, and trust me, I actually know my way around this stuff.
Hang in there.🙂

Thanks so much, dear, for such an incredibly thorough response. We actually took some of your advice to heart today—well, we started getting things organized and prepared, at least. You know me, I like to have everything lined up and ready to go before the moment actually hits. Better to be prepared than scrambling later, right?
She’s currently in the ICU, where they had to give her a blood transfusion because that ulceration caused some pretty significant bleeding. Right now, she's hooked up to an IV, just hanging in there. The doctor is feeling cautiously optimistic—hoping that, if things go our way, that whole situation should start stabilizing over the next few days. Fingers crossed.
Now, look... given that she was on a specific type of heparin-based therapy, there’s a real possibility they might have actually triggered the perforation themselves. Or, you know, it could just be some whole complicated chain of events. Honestly? I haven't the slightest clue.
It’s just one thing after another at this point. First, I’m dealing with post-op thromboembolism, and now—as if that wasn't enough of a nightmare—there's an ulceration. Honestly... what even is this? I’m sitting here staring at the wall, completely lost on how anyone is supposed to recover from this, let alone get strong enough to face chemotherapy. That's the part that really gets me. It’s not just the diagnosis itself, which is already grim enough, but the sheer exhaustion of trying to figure out how to survive the "recovery" before the real fight even starts. It's just... overwhelming.
She’s always been the brave one—tough as nails, really—but now? I don't know. I get this sinking feeling that she’s just losing so much ground mentally that it's going to end up speeding the whole damn process along. It's heartbreaking to watch.
God, I honestly don't even know anymore. I’m just... stuck. I truly have no idea what to say.
Thanks again. Honestly, once she’s back on her feet—if that even happens—I’ll reach out if I need anything. But let's be real, looking at her right now... she looks absolutely terrible. It's rough.

And I honestly can't thank you enough for being so patient with me—and for actually wanting to clear things up, too. Seriously.
And help... yeah, that too. For support.😢😘

Thyroid surgery experiences/advice in Health · Nov 19, 2009

Yeah, regarding that last question of yours 😂😂as far as I know—and believe me, I know plenty of people who’ve had their thyroid removed—nobody has died from it.

As for the weight gain issue, there really isn't a reason to worry about packing on the pounds because you'll be on hormone replacement therapy. It’s not the medication itself that makes you gain weight; rather, it's the underlying hypothyroidism that does it due to a slowed metabolism. But you won't be stuck in that loop because once the surgery is done, you're under medical supervision and get started on your replacement therapy almost immediately—I think it's within about two weeks or so.
I think I've covered everything now, but if I missed anything at all, please, feel free to ask. I don't mind answering.👍

Thyroid surgery experiences/advice in Health · Nov 19, 2009

I might as well mention that, thanks to my euthyrox, I’m functioning just like any other person dealing with thyroid issues—honestly, I don't have any problems at all.👍

Thyroid surgery experiences/advice in Health · Nov 19, 2009

Brian Morales2 said:Since I work as a pharmacist, I find the whole world of alternative medicine pretty fascinating, though I suppose I should ask: what specific types of alternative treatments are we even talking about here?

Trust me, there’s no such thing as a "gentle" alternative treatment.
I had surgery to remove my thyroid because of follicular carcinoma.
Honestly, compared to recovering from a major hysterectomy and removing my ovaries, this surgical procedure felt like a walk in the park.
The anesthesia part was seamless; I woke up without any issues at all. My anesthesiologist even told me while she was putting me under that we’d need to check in once I came around, and she was right—we were communicating perfectly normally almost immediately.
There wasn't any pain during the process, nor afterward.
When I finally took the stitches out, I was a little bummed about how the scar looked, but after a few months of using some healing cream, you can barely even see it now. It's practically invisible.
If I remember anything vividly, it's just how incredibly hungry I was. I was dying for breakfast—just some toast and spread—and I ended up eating double portions, which is hilarious because I am absolutely not a morning person.
The only hiccup was that they had to deal with my parathyroid glands along with the thyroid, which caused my calcium levels to drop. It made my body feel a bit sluggish and "stuck," but the doctors handled it instantly; it just meant staying in the hospital for an extra day or two. There is really no reason to panic or be terrified. I would go through it all again today in a heartbeat, no fear involved. In fact, undergoing a bone biopsy for leukemia screening was way more brutal than this surgery ever was.
I realize everyone has a different pain threshold, and let's face it, the unknown is terrifying, but seriously—don't let the fear get to you.
If you have more questions, just ask. I don't mind if you send a private message, too, since my memory isn't perfect and I might have missed something.
Wishing you all the best. If you're still curious, just ask.👍

Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses in Health · Nov 19, 2009

Amanda Miller69 said:My mom fought ovarian cancer, and sadly, she didn't make it.
Predicting outcomes is... well, it’s a thankless task, really. Everyone is just different. In my mom's case, the doctors gave her six months, but she managed to stretch it to two years. She went through six rounds of chemo plus another six cycles of oral chemo. To help boost her immunity and aid recovery, she used things like BioBran, raw propolis, and royal jelly—but nowadays, you can find an immune-boosting supplement like Imunomax, which supposedly (according to the claims, anyway) even helps with ovarian cancer.
As for thromboembolism, I honestly don't know anything about that; we never had to deal with it.
The most important thing is keeping her spirits up, making sure she feels your support, and giving her something to focus on.
Up until her final days, my mom was still traveling, going to the theater, hitting up concerts... she wasn't one to just roll over.
I know your head must be spinning with a thousand questions, so go ahead—fire away.

First off, I am so incredibly sorry about your mother. Life is just... it’s cruel like that sometimes, and illness is relentless, but she’ll always be right there in your heart and your thoughts.

Thank you for the advice. It feels like everything just hit us all at once. Just fifteen days ago, she was a perfectly healthy woman without a single diagnosis to her name. Then, this morning, everything went sideways—blood in her stool, doctors running tests, and now she's been moved to the ICU with a diagnosis of duodenal ulceration.
I honestly can't wrap my head around how all of this is happening so fast, especially given her current state.
Whether she can even start chemotherapy is anyone's guess, considering how bad things look right now—she’s pale, completely helpless, barely able to hold a conversation. And we're sitting here feeling pretty useless, unable to do much to help until they stabilize her.
I should probably mention that the tumor on her right ovary has spread to the uterus and the intestines, and it was already starting to break down, so it's a very advanced stage. It makes me wonder if chemo will even be effective once they actually get her started on it. The doctors are being extremely vague; none of them will give us a straight prognosis or tell us anything concrete, even though we can see the situation is dire. They won't say just *how* bad it is. She doesn't even know the results of the pathology report yet—she doesn't realize it's definitely cancer or that chemo is looming. Poor thing, I think deep down she knows everything, and seeing the fear and panic in her eyes... she's just constantly in tears.
How did your mom handle the chemotherapy?
Did you guys use any specific medications to help with the nausea?
How long was she seriously ill toward the end, and did she have metastases in the abdominal cavity or further afield?
What are we actually facing here?
I wanted to ask so many more things, but everything is just a jumbled mess in my head right now and I can't focus.
Thanks for understanding.😢😢

Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses in Health · Nov 18, 2009

Angela Wright said:There was this absolutely wonderful woman who used to visit this forum, dina9. She battled ovarian cancer for a full thirteen years, and during that fight, she actually developed bladder cancer too—a new primary site caused by the radiation treatments.
I just know she would have had something incredibly wise to say right now, but all I can conclude is that anything is possible. Right up until her very last days, she spent her time traveling around visiting people who were often far less sick than she was, just to lift their spirits.
Try searching for one of her posts. Even today, her words radiate optimism and strength to anyone lucky enough to read them.

Thanks for getting back to me; I was actually hoping you might reply.
I’m going to go dig through some old posts now to see if I can learn more than what I currently know.
And honestly, even though hope is the last thing to die, talking to the doctor who performed my surgery—who told me the tumor tissue was basically in a state of decay and looked pretty grim overall—really stripped away that tiny shred of hope for a recovery.
Well, maybe someone else will chime in with their own experience.

Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses in Health · Nov 18, 2009

I'm new to this thread. In a way, I belong here too since I'm dealing with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but I'm actually posting for a different reason.
My first real encounter with this kind of nightmare was when my father battled lung cancer—and unfortunately, he lost that fight.
Fast forward to two weeks ago: my mother-in-law had surgery to remove a tumor on her right ovary, and the pathology report confirmed it’s carcinoma. It wasn't a simple fix, either; the tumor had spread to involve the uterus and part of her intestine, which made the surgery incredibly complex because they had to carefully separate everything. They had to call in a specialist surgeon to handle the separation, which thankfully went well.
However, five days later, she developed a thromboembolism and was moved to the internal medicine ward. She’s supposed to be discharged tomorrow, provided her D-dimer levels drop.
So, I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with this specific type of carcinoma? What are the prognoses like? I know they're hard to talk about, but I'm looking for any personal insight you can offer. Also, how does someone deal with chemotherapy after having a thromboembolism? Right now, she feels absolutely terrible—just completely wiped out—and there is no way she's ready for chemo. On top of that, is there anything we can give her to help speed up the post-op recovery, even just a little?
Mentally, she’s hit rock bottom, and honestly, so have the rest of us. We all try so hard to put on a brave face for her, acting like everything is going to be fine, but truthfully? I’m holding onto hope by a very thin thread.
Please, if you can, share your experiences. It would really help us figure out how to organize ourselves and support her the best we can.
I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed and scattered right now; I might have missed something important, but if it comes to mind, I'll post it.😢😢😢

Help, this is urgent! in Health · Oct 6, 2009

Casey Anderson2 said:She's only fourteen and a half, and she just went for a quick specialist appointment.

Wait, is the kid actually at home right now, or what?
I mean, if she’s capable of trekking to the doctor's office on her own, she isn't exactly on the verge of death.
It's pretty obvious she picked up some nasty bacteria from a cut and needs to give the doc the full story.
If things are truly that dire, why on earth would she go to an appointment alone? If this is a legitimate emergency, she should be in the ER right now so they can get her admitted, run all the necessary tests, and actually figure out what's going on.

Help, this is urgent! in Health · Oct 6, 2009

Casey Anderson2 said:Please, I am begging you, I'm using everything I have left to ask—someone I love more than anything in this world is dying.

The doctors... they're just clueless.

Symptoms:

Sudden weight loss, zero appetite, hair falling out, dizzy spells, passing out, vomiting.

I am so incredibly sorry. But what did the brain MRI show? What about the other test results?
Surely the doctors suspect *something* at this point, or they haven't even begun to look for a real cause.
What kind of workups have they actually done? And how old is this person?
There have to be some neurological changes happening somewhere.🤷

Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST] in Health · Sep 29, 2009

driftingseal3;22806700 said:I need an opinion—urgent.
Kid is 16 months old:
WBC 2.2 (6.0-16.0)
Monocytes 22 (5-13)
Reactive lymphocytes 3 (0)
Neutrophils 26 (30-72)

Everything else looks fine.[/QU

So, basically, leukopenia is just the medical way of saying the total white blood cell count in the blood is lower than what’s expected, or simply falls below the standard range set by the lab.
Certain infections or illnesses can really "suppress" or dial down the production of those white blood cells—you know, the ones responsible for carrying our immunity. Because of that, these numbers often act as indicators of an infection, most commonly viral ones. Looking at these results, it's possible your little one is currently fighting something off or perhaps just recovering from a recent virus. If there hasn't been any illness lately, then you'll likely need to run some follow-up tests to see what's going on.👍