Posts by Lisa White54

Angela Wright said:We’re just fragile, temporary things. One second you’re here, the next—poof—you’re gone. Honestly, obsessing over how someone is gonna kick the bucket soon just drags your whole vibe down into this dark, anxious hole. It’s better to stop spiraling about death and actually focus on making your life worth living while you've still got it.

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Amanda Wright28 said:MEGOSTAT - Bristol Myers Squibb..

Does anyone actually know anything about this med? Someone handed it to me saying it’d help get my appetite back. I’m healthy otherwise, food just doesn't interest me right now.
Anyone here actually used this stuff before?
From what I gather, it's meant for boosting appetite and treating anorexia, or for people who have dropped weight because of some serious illness...
I'm wondering if anyone has taken it while being perfectly healthy just to pack on some pounds or gain strength..
I even heard people talking about it at the gym..
I'm a bit skeptical, honestly. I want to hear your raw opinions—even though I've already read through a massive list of side effects. If you know anything about this drug from your own experience, or even just what you've seen others go through—does it actually work, or does it mess with your system?

Thanks! 😁

My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer five years ago, and he takes Megastat every once in a while. For him, Megastat works wonders for his appetite—he eats like a beast! It helps him get his weight back up. He only takes it when needed, basically whenever he starts losing weight or loses his drive to eat.
Same thing with my brother-in-law; he's battling pancreatic cancer and lost a ton of weight, so he uses Megastat too. He started eating again, and his appetite finally came back..
That's just what I've seen firsthand.
Nobody we know had any side effects.

Kimberly Wright said:man, 🙂
it’s the exact same thing with my mom. just the smell of food makes her feel like she's gonna barf.
does your aunt's appetite come back once she's done with the treatment cycle?

nah 🤷
I told her to ask them for something for the nausea, but she says they're already pumping her full of anti-nausea meds over at 🤷

thinking about hitting up a local pharmacy today to see if there's anything herbal I can grab..

Has anyone tried Zofran? It was a total lifesaver for my husband when he was dealing with nausea.

Megan Fowler78 said:Where’s Lisa White54? She was supposed to head out for her husband's follow-up appointment at the end of February, and she just went totally MIA after that... God, I really hope everything's okay and she pops back up here soon. 🙏
Hey there, fellow fighters.

Hey, I'm back!
So, my husband was stuck in the hospital last month getting run through the wringer with tests. They did a brain CT, lung CT, and abdominal scans. The good news? The report says there aren't any signs that the cancer is coming back. Total win, right? But then—finally—he gets sent in for a bone scan. That one showed some increased activity in his left shoulder and both ribs. Also, it mentioned weakened radiopharmaceutical uptake in his upper spine, which they're saying is just a consequence of radiation. What does "consequence of radiation" even mean in plain English??? Honestly, I’m just sitting here spiraling and overthinking every single word.
So, we finally got that X-ray done on his left shoulder and ribs. The report is pretty vague—it says they can’t rule out some osteolytic lesions forming. Honestly? Still totally lost in the fog here. Now they've referred him for a DEXA scan to check his bone density. We were actually supposed to head out yesterday, but the snow was so bad we had to push it back. We're aiming for the 22nd instead. I don't really get what this bone density thing is supposed to reveal for us, though. Usually, you only see people getting those scans when they're dealing with osteoporosis, right?
I’m terrified that we’re looking at metastases. And honestly? I’m just as scared of this other thing: what if they decide there's no point in treating him anymore? Like, maybe they think he's already had everything he needs, or that they can't actually help him anymore, so why bother throwing money at expensive meds when they feel like nothing more can be done... I mean, if that was the case, why are they even driving us around? I'm not crazy here. I can practically read between the lines of what those test results are saying, even though they're trying so hard to sweep it under the rug. It just isn't fair.

Kimberly Wright said:Man, emotions just hit me out of nowhere today. I guess I’ve had way too much downtime lately, because my brain started spiraling and honestly, it's hitting hard. Plus, we're heading in tomorrow to pick up the PET/CT results... so yeah. Just one of those days.

I know exactly how you feel. That constant, gnawing fear, the restlessness, that total sense of uncertainty... It’s heavy. Honestly, I don't even know how I'm doing anymore—or if I even exist at all. 😕Just normal.
I'm pulling for you. Hang in there.

biljaa said:I just have to say, I'm seriously proud of both you and Catherine...

Preach!
🙂

How many people actually need to step up and go public before anything changes? People will spend days acting like a "brick wall," protesting against Flower Alley, but if you asked those exact same people if they’d actually get involved in a massive issue like this, I doubt a single one would join in..

It’s because they think it doesn't involve them. Like, someone else got sick somewhere out there... not them! I have a personal example of this: back when I was at the facility where I work—and yeah, let's be clear, it's a hospital, a specialized one, but still a hospital!—I was collecting signatures for a petition for the Association for a New Day. It was a petition promoting patient rights (and let's face it, we're all potential patients!), though I think most of you heard about it a year or two ago. The result? Maybe ten people signed it. Nobody else gave a damn! Good grief, it’s not like my husband is the only one dealing with illness. And it wasn't even about him specifically... it was honestly devastating. I didn't even bother forwarding the petition any further after that. But I realized one thing: nobody cares unless it hits home!
Nancy Hernandez43, I'm glad you spoke up..

Angela Wright said:Check out today's episode of Open:
In America, we lose 34 people to cancer every single day. Why the hell aren't we putting enough money into prevention, better diagnostics, and actual treatment? What are the biggest hurdles patients are hitting right now? And how do we even find a way out for these oncology patients and their doctors?

I haven't had a chance to jump in here until now... honestly? I'm glad I didn't watch it. I'm still sitting here feeling bitter, pissed off, and just plain scared.
Major props to slyseal28.
That Secretary from the Department of Health and Human Services went straight for the low blows—it was pathetic. But then again... why even bother??

Merry and blessed Christmas to all the fighters on this forum.

analogfalcon2 said:Thanks for getting back to me, Angela Wright. My husband was diagnosed with stage three adenocarcinoma and he isn't a candidate for surgery—it’s hit his bronchi and is pressing on his left vocal cord, so he’s been down to just whispering for three months now. The tumor is about 3.5 cm. He’s started chemo, looking at 4 cycles for now. That’s pretty much all I know. He’s being treated in a clinic in a major US city under Dr. Perić, who isn't exactly the chatty type; whenever I ask anything, I just get one-word answers like "yes" or "no." That’s why I’m out here looking for advice—I just want to understand more so I can actually help him. Thanks again!

Hey analogfalcon2, five years ago my husband was diagnosed with bronchial and tracheal cancer when he was 47. The prognosis was grim; they basically told us not to expect anything and gave us zero hope. He had a 6 cm tumor. He went through eight rounds of chemo and 22 radiation treatments. The tumor? Gone. Not a single metastatic cell in sight.
Look, he’s still here, five years later! And he’s doing great.

Hang in there, stay strong, and keep fighting.

Robin Torres4 said:Can someone please tell me if they've dealt with side effects from Taxol chemo?
My mom has lung cancer and finished her 6th round of chemo over a month ago, but the pain in her feet just won't quit. Her skin has gotten super thin too—even the slightest touch hurts like crazy. What can she take to ease the pain, and how long does this stuff usually last after finishing chemo?
Thanks in advance

It might not even be the chemo itself... Have you guys checked in with a doctor yet? Honestly, I think she needs to get her feet looked at specifically.
Best,

gentletiger46, major props to you! Honestly, it makes my day seeing you doing so well and just putting out those good vibes.
With an attitude like that, there's no way you aren't going to crush it!
Big shoutout to everyone.

Amanda Martinez28 said:My dad passed away on October 5th, and we had his funeral on October 6th—right on my birthday.

Amanda Martinez28, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Your dad is definitely in a better place now, and he knows you did absolutely everything in your power for him.
Hang in there.

Amanda Martinez28 said:My dad left us on October 5th, and we had his funeral on October 6th—right on my birthday.
I don't even know what to say, other than it was horrific. Just absolutely terrifying. And I had to witness all of it because he kept calling for me, and he was lucid almost until the very end. Watching your closest person struggle for breath right in front of you while they're sick—and then having him practically beg you for help? God, it’s just devastating. I'll never be able to shake the image of the EMT crew skipping over him at first, and then seeing her, all swollen and exhausted, kneeling by his bed trying desperately to find a vein. Even the guy from the day before started breaking down, crying and calling for backup just to find a vein. But the hardest part? My dad passed away in my mom's arms around 3:15 PM on the 4th, then again in my brother's arms around 6:00 PM, and then somehow, around 9:00 PM, right before the doctor arrived, he seemed to come back to life just from the sound of us screaming and grieving for him. It's impossible to put into words. After that second time, I just went to church, lit a candle, and asked God to take him home soon. I just have to hope that he isn't angry, and that he knows everything I did, I did for his own good.

To everyone else out there fighting this evil, I truly, deeply hope you win. Every single victory you get is a win for me too, and I'll always be standing right here with you.

Hang in there,

Amanda Martinez28, please accept my sincerest condolences. Your dad is definitely in a better place now, and he knows you did absolutely everything in your power for him.
Stay strong.

Laura Scott48 said:we lost the fight....sending nothing but the best to everyone still out there fighting with everything they've got

Laura Scott48, I am so incredibly sorry. Please accept my deepest condolences.

nimbletrucker72 said:So, the fight is over. We just finished gearing up for the battle, and now it's done. Everything is different now. Honestly, the only silver lining is that there isn't any more pain or struggling with that poor, worn-out body anymore. .................................sending love and thanks to everyone! I LOVE YOU DAD, FROM YOUR LITTLE SIS

Please accept my deepest condolences. I am so sorry...

Susan Diaz91 said:she passed away... in her sleep... 🙂
i can't even find the words to describe this grief... honestly guys, I feel like my heart is actually going to snap 🙂
.... this pain is just unreal

Lara, I am so incredibly sorry. Please accept my deepest condolences. You were so brave through all of this.. Your mom is in a much better place now, she's moved past this valley of suffering and I know she’s so proud to call you her daughter.

Lara,
I’m so sorry about your mom. You went totally silent on me, so I just assumed everything was fine.
Look, some things in life are just set in stone. They’re brutal to swallow, but there's nothing we can do about them... we're just stuck.
Stay strong. Go give your mom a huge hug for your little one.

Sam Murphy33 said:She just left.... thanks everyone... she didn't fight it, she just gave up...

Look, please take my deepest condolences. Just try to stay strong. If it helps at all, just think about how she's in a much better place now, somewhere peaceful where there isn't any more suffering. All that pain and hurt? Gone. The only thing she actually took with her was all the love you gave her...

Angela Wright said:Look, Sandra Morales27, honestly, only people walking in your shoes actually get it. You aren't alone in this, and you definitely aren't the only one. You're just part of a group of women who got shoved into a corner where they have to fight just to decide if they’re going to keep pushing or just throw in the towel. At the end of the day, the call is entirely up to you. People who quit? They didn't make it through. But plenty of folks who chose to keep fighting came out the other side as winners. And yeah, it sucks. Nobody ever promised it would be easy. It’s a grind, but it can be done. Just live! Life and this whole struggle includes the small stuff too—buying some cute clothes, grabbing coffee, hitting up a movie or a play... you've got that chance now, so take it! Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. All we can really do is fight for a new day.
If things get hairy and you need help, go find it. Demand what you need. There are nonprofits out there that can step up, plus you've got the internet and forums where you can grab advice, swap stories, and meet other women dealing with the exact same thing... trust me, those friendships are the real deal and stay with you forever. No matter how ugly the situation looks, there's always something good you can squeeze out of it.

Stay tough and keep swinging! Nobody else is gonna do the heavy lifting for you, and they can't!

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