Posts by fadedtrucker5

Kate Brooks2 said:It’s great that you finally have some breathing room to recharge without constantly worrying about treatment. You’re such a light for us here, and I think we all look forward to your updates. I’ve even started reading them to my husband because they’re so uplifting—they really help pull us out of the ashes.
My father-in-law got home today. He's exhausted, honestly... just drained from the therapy and the whole hospital ordeal, I suppose. He had some new blood work done before leaving the facility, and it isn't half bad. A few things dropped, but everything seems to be within the normal range, mostly. His platelets fell from 134 down to 99, but maybe we’ll manage to get those back up over the next 21 days. He doesn't have much of an appetite today, though I haven't pushed him. He had breakfast, took his meds and supplements, and now he's just sipping on some royal jelly juice I made. He's mostly just sleeping and resting. I told him I wouldn't nag him about food during these first few days; he needs to rest and stay hydrated, and we'll get his diet back on track later. I gave him some pikovit syrup, hoping it might help his appetite a bit. I also made a bunch of juice with homegrown beets, carrots, lemon, apple, and grapefruit... but we'll try that tomorrow or in a few days. Kisses to everyone, hang in there.

Everything will turn out fine, I guess. I’m not worrying at all! He's a fighter, and he has a great team behind him. Just stay positive and don't give up! 🙏

melloworca6 said:Finally. I guess. 🙂 I guess you managed to push through one part of it. Maybe. 😁

I did! And I start work on September 1st. 🎉
My next round of chemo starts on September 17th. I'm trying to boost my immune system until then, I guess. I have to go get bloodwork and a urine test done tomorrow morning to see how much my levels have dropped. Maybe. 👍

🙂

Just checking in. I finished my last radiation session today, so no more trips to the hospital starting tomorrow. 🎉 Follow-up is in a month, then a new round of chemo. Until then, I guess I'll just rest, do whatever I feel like, and try to spread some joy and positivity. 🙏

Kate Brooks2 said:I’m hoping for the same thing. Things feel a little better today, mostly because the day I get to head home is getting closer.
We'll pull him through. We aren't giving up.
Thanks for the reply, sweetheart. Much appreciated.

Way to go! Just stay positive and take it one day at a time. I'm praying for you guys...

My last radiation session is tomorrow—or maybe today. 🎉 Or so I hope.

In the meantime, I've developed this rash on my chest and torso. It itches like crazy and keeps spreading downward. I've been using aloe vera, which helps a bit, I guess. Apparently, it's a side effect of Temodal. 🤷 A colleague of mine had the exact same thing, so I'm trying not to panic...
My hair is still falling out constantly, just enough to be annoying, and now I'm starting to look dangerously like Mavrović. 🤣 Once everything is gone, maybe I'll just get a breast reduction (might as well have plenty to spare for Rihanna). My sister says I look like Neelix from Star Trek, though I feel more like Seven of Nine. 🙂..

September 1st is the date burned into my mind. That's when I return to work, back among people who know the score—people who don't pressure me, who understand without pitying me. I just need to get back to my routine, my job, my coworkers, even the "stress." 😍 That’s what will actually heal me...

Insomnia is still my best friend. If I'm lucky, I might get 3 or 4 hours of sleep with the help of a pill. Maybe that'll pass once the Temodal is out of my system. 🎉
I'm just waiting to finish up tomorrow. Then I'll find out how long the break is before the next chemo cycle, what my blood counts look like after all this, and when my follow-up is. Then, finally, I'll be a free woman. 🎉

If anyone needs anything, let me know. I'll help if I can. All I can say—whether you're sick or someone you love is—is to always think positively. It's never been the case that it didn't help somehow. You have to realize some things are within your control and others aren't. You can tell people you love them, that you're there for them, that you care.

Love you all, hang in there! 😘 🙂

Kate Brooks2 said:Now we have a whole new issue 😢 Everything was going so smoothly without much trouble during this first cycle, but today, right at the end, things had to go south. Our patient isn't physically doing poorly; he’s only just starting to feel that agitation and nausea today. He’s still drinking plenty and trying to eat fruit since he couldn't manage much after breakfast. The biggest problem is his sudden mental crash today. We spent over an hour talking to him about fighting, about other people who came out okay on the other side... just everything. But he keeps repeating the same thing... how everything feels so bleak now... how this is all just suffering... how he’d rather just stop this therapy altogether, no matter what... how he sees this entire thing as pure torture because there's no quality of life left... just endless stories. We're trying, and we will try, to lift his spirits again once we're home, but mentally, he seems really low. How can I boost his morale even a little?
Greetings to everyone fighting these terrible illnesses, whether you are the patient or
have someone who is sick :-*

From what I can gather, is the patient heading home soon? Once they get home, they'll perk up! Hospitals are incredibly gloomy and depressing. If someone sent me back to a hospital right now, I’d just wither away! It matters that he's physically stable for now, and when he gets home, just wrap him in love and try not to give him those sad looks. From my own experience, I know no illness is as terrifying as seeing the fear in the eyes of the people who love you and are afraid of losing you. There's nothing worse in this world. So, just love and positivity! You'll pull through! 🙂

Kate Reed63 said:Hey everyone

Does anyone happen to know how to deal with a Hiccup after chemo...!?
Thanks!!

I know this might sound ridiculous, but I have my own way of managing a Hiccup normally.
Honestly, I hate hiccuping because it makes my whole body ache immediately, so one doctor taught me a trick to stop it. I'm not sure if it works for everything or what kind of hiccups you get after chemo, but:

When it starts, you should:

1. Stand up
2. Lean forward at a 45-degree angle (if possible)
3. Throw your head back as far as you can
4. Take a glass of water and take 1-2 sips while staying in that position

The Hiccup should stop. It has something to do with the diaphragm, but I can't really explain the mechanics. I suppose it might help someone.
For a mild Hiccup, sometimes just raising your left arm high into the Air for a few seconds is enough. 👍

I probably sound crazy even to myself. 😍

Raymond Jackson38 said:Hey everyone.

I’ve been on this forum for years, and I have to admit, I’ve skipped over this page plenty of times looking for health answers that mattered to me at the moment. You think, maybe those things only happen to someone else. You sympathize, but you don't really dive into the mess.
Then suddenly, something happens and pulls you into a vortex you didn't even know existed. You realize in a cruel way that serious illnesses don't just happen to distant acquaintances, but to your own family. It's my dad; he was diagnosed with Stage III kidney cancer. He had surgery and is back home to recover before starting the next phase of treatment. They found tumor cells in nearby nodes, the fat tissue around the kidney, and adjacent blood vessels. There isn't solid proof yet that it has spread elsewhere, but there's a valid suspicion. The doctors are cautious—actually, I'd say they're pessimistically cautious.
I apologize for not reading the previous posts before jumping straight in asking for help, but I feel like every second counts. I’m asking anyone with experience to just give me some initial guidance on which supplements might help boost his immunity, improve his blood work, and prepare him for the fight ahead.
Right now, he's taking honey with royal jelly, some Aloe Vera preparation, drinking beet and carrot juice, and eating organic vegetables along with plenty of fruit and heavy nutrition.
What else would you recommend??

They advertise Noni, Japanese mushrooms... Is that actually useful, or are people just profiting from someone else's misery?

Any advice is welcome. I’m going to go study the previous posts now. Thanks in advance to everyone, and I wish for a speedy recovery.

First off—I am so sorry about the diagnosis, but nothing is set in stone yet, and you have to stay positive! Every day we hear on the news about new treatments being found, and in a few years, they'll be treating tumors like a common cold.

For immune support:

Solgar Beta 1,3 Glucan, 3x1 of 200mg (around $72) available at all pharmacies
Heder native propolis 2 x2 before meals (around $50) available at all pharmacies
Magnesium (preferably Magnesium direct Biolectra) because it's a powder and enters the bloodstream immediately. It's not a pill, so it doesn't put extra strain on the liver.

As many vitamins as possible, since it's a powerful antioxidant.

Ask the pharmacist about other preparations—there's something called Cellu Deffens or something like that.

The stuff listed above is what I use. Just yesterday I was reading a study on this native propolis, which has supposedly been proven to inhibit tumor cells (they did testing on mice with tumors and they were cured with native propolis!)—I'll find the study and share the link with you later. It helps the liver break down toxins... I guess.🙏

Good luck!

mellowhawk84 said:Hey everyone. I guess it’s nice having a corner of the internet where you can actually share something useful, though I'm new here, so sorry if this story has already been told. Basically, my family—me, my brother, my dad, and the whole extended crew—is dealing with a massive crisis because of my mother's mental illness. Every single day is just screaming and chaos. It feels like everything is our fault. We can barely have a normal conversation with her; even when we try, she just finds something to nitpick and immediately starts to increase the tension. God forbid someone makes a joke, she takes it all the wrong way. Her moods swing wildly from crying to yelling constantly throughout the day. Living with her is exhausting. Her behavior is destroying us; we just endure these mental outbursts. It's impossible to get anything done near her, let alone study for an exam, which is tough since my brother is still in college and I've already finished my degree. At night, she doesn't sleep. She wakes up a hundred times, coming into our rooms to check if we're sleeping, so there's zero privacy or peace. This has been going on for seven years. She’s been hospitalized at a psychiatric facility twice, most recently back in 2006. Right now, she doesn't work at all, just
does housework, whereas working seasonal jobs down by the coast used to keep her calm, but she refuses to do that anymore. Her condition is just getting worse. The yelling is constant. It's gotten to the point where our relatives barely visit because she’s picked fights with almost everyone, even her own mother. I can't remember the last time I brought a friend over, or a girlfriend, or even had a chat with a neighbor. When people see or hear her, they just shut themselves away, and honestly, sometimes I'm embarrassed just walking down the street. My dad works out on the coast, so he’s fine while he's away, but when he comes home for the winter, he has to deal with this too. Everyone would be happier if she’d just agree to treatment, but whenever we suggest she go see a
doctor, she tells us we're all the crazy ones, so it just turns into another fight. Maybe someone else here has dealt with this at home and knows how it feels. I've seen plenty of illnesses, but I think this might be the worst one. I'm just terrified that one day, I'll end up being like that. Ugh.

I can only send you love and good vibes, but unfortunately, I can't fix the situation with your mother. Maybe hospitalization really is necessary.
Hang in there 🙂

Kate Brooks2 said:fadedtrucker5, you’re an absolute saint to me 🙂))) I honestly can't put into words how happy it makes me to hear you're doing better.
Things here haven't really changed much, though he did run a fever today. Everything else seems fine, I guess, but my main fear right now is just... I don't know, that his spirit might break.
Best to everyone

Just one more round of radiation and I'm done, I suppose. Hopefully that happens this Monday.🙏

A fever is pretty standard, along with plenty of other symptoms that pop up during chemotherapy. There's no point in panicking; just follow what the doctors say.
Maybe try talking to the patient about future plans—all the good stuff waiting for them in a few weeks, months, or even a year. It’s important they stay occupied, focusing less on the illness and more on themselves and what they actually enjoy. One has to find happiness in life rather than dwelling on the negative.🙂

Kate Brooks2 said:fadedtrucker5, bravo to you. Your strength, that positive energy... and helping others. I guess.
Visited our patient at the hospital today. He seems okay, I guess. No nausea or anything from the therapy, though he did mention some pain last night—not that it was anything major, apparently.
I finally managed to get some actual, real information from the hospital regarding his condition. They told me it’s essentially a soft tissue sarcoma. No one had even mentioned that to us until now, so I guess I'm just caught off guard. They recommended Revit (that dietary supplement with royal jelly), which he can take even during chemo. I grabbed it immediately, and he started taking it today. On top of that, they said there might be a chance for another surgery if the therapy works well. Maybe.
I hope that's how it plays out. He seems to be doing great, and I'm just relieved he isn't feeling nauseous. This first round wraps up on Saturday, but they won't let him head home until Monday, since they don't handle discharges on Sundays. I guess I'm actually glad about that.
If he ends up dealing with any pain, I guess these might actually help him more. Anyway, stay safe everyone. 🙂)))

I'm just glad everything seems to be holding up okay. I guess we can only hope for better. 🙏
Stay positive and live healthy—just keep pushing forward. I guess you should hold onto anything that might actually help. Doctors claim like 90% of healing happens in the mind through positivity, and maybe I'm right about that too.
Every day is a gift, I suppose. One should probably be happy about it. 🙏
Love you guys. Hang in there, I guess. 😍

melloworca6 said:🙏

I guess others will just rise from the ashes too. 🙏 fadedtrucker5, you're actually a prime example of how someone should be—just full of positivity. I mean, I don't even doubt you'll leave all this behind without a second thought. 🙂

🙂
And I am! Just two more radiation sessions left—tomorrow and Monday. Today at the clinic, I "threatened" them that they wouldn't get any treats on Monday if the radiation machine doesn't work for these next two days... 😍
On Tuesday, I'm heading straight to my doctor to see if I can end my medical leave on August 31st. Hopefully, I'll be back at work by September 1st. I find myself dreaming about my office, my colleagues, the job... just a normal life. 😍

<3

Finished my last chemo session from the first round yesterday. 🙏
Still have three radiation treatments left—today, tomorrow, and Monday, God willing the machine actually works—then comes the break. They’re pulling blood on Monday to see how much I’ve "dropped" lately. After this pause, it’s more chemo with breaks every six months, though I’ll be taking a heavy dose at home...
I guess getting out of the hospital is the goal, but then again, I feel a bit guilty because I end up chatting with someone new every single day, trying to offer a little positivity or hope...

Yesterday, I was talking to a 67-year-old man who just had his second prostate surgery. He was absolutely terrified, so I told him his best years are still ahead and he needs to start planning for the next 2, 5, or 10 years—just stay positive about it all. I suppose I'll miss those moments; he thanked me like I’d handed him the world... 😍

Oh, and some woman in the waiting room mentioned that heart-shaped magnets really helped her father. 🤷 I should probably look into what that's actually about—all I know is they wear them during the scans. If anyone's interested, I can ask!

Hang in there, everyone, and try to stay positive—we woke up and got another day!
🙂

Kate Brooks2 said:Our patient had his first chemo session today. He seems okay for now, I guess. They told him he'll be doing five days straight, then a break for almost a month before starting again. Maybe he'll pull through this whole thing without too much trouble. Hopefully.
I guess we've all done our part for now. We plan to keep at it, maybe.
Greetings to everyone, especially musical artist div>

Long breaks are actually quite beneficial. I guess the blood might finally have enough time to recover. Maybe. 👍
Maybe he should take some immune supplements to help him pull through. Staying positive is probably key to recovery, too, I guess. Sending you all my best. Just surround him with love—everyone needs to carry a bit of the weight so he doesn't have to do it alone. 🙏

If anyone else needs advice on immunity supplements—I mentioned what I take a few pages back—but I guess everyone's body reacts differently. Maybe. 👍
I guess you just have to realize that asking isn't always easy. Maybe it's better to just listen to the doctors.
Prayer might be a decent way to meditate, I guess, but modern medicine is at an enviable level these days. One really should embrace it as the primary foundation.
And you all just cling to the internet!

Sending love. :*

Thanks to everyone for the support. To all the newcomers joining this thread because someone they love is sick—I’m truly sorry you're dealing with this, but maybe stay positive... it'll be okay, I guess.

Tomorrow is my last chemo session for this round, then it's radiation through August 22nd. Hopefully, I'll have about 23 days of downtime to get my blood counts back up. I'm aiming to be back at work by September 1st, maybe.😍

Love you all.🙂

I am sorry about the diagnosis 🙂
Everything you're doing is right, just keep going. Don't lose heart, stay positive, and focus on recovery. Listen to the doctors; maybe don't dig too much into the internet, since everyone is different and every illness hits an organism differently, I guess

In any case, don't give up on the illness, and let him do whatever makes him happy because that helps. For the family who is already grieving, maybe explain things clearly—that there's a fight ahead. Chemo and radiation should help, but he needs to maintain his immunity. I know people who lived for six years with inoperable tumors that were shrunk by radiation and chemo, even though they were only given a month... 🙏

Every day counts! And bravo to you for being so involved! I suppose showing him love will help him realize he isn't alone—it's important that everyone carries a small part of that burden so he doesn't have to carry it all

I am praying for you 😘

melloworca6 said:I sent you a DM. I have some questions, but I'd rather not air them out in public. 😘

Maybe. I guess. 😘

melloworca6 said:Maybe you're avoiding certain foods?

How do you handle those chemo sessions? Is the nausea pretty bad?

😘

I cut out milk and dairy entirely and switched to soy... I’m trying to ditch coffee too, but that’s been a struggle, I guess.

The first two days were just brutal. I couldn't even keep water down.🙂 But everything after that has been fine, more or less. No symptoms, except maybe some insomnia.🙂
My hair fell out right where they did the radiation, but honestly, I don't care one bit—people actually seem to love my new look (the wig).🙏

melloworca6 said:I guess... I have my diet. Maybe some supplements, maybe just coffee. It's hard to say.

It seems like your treatment plan is pretty aggressive and the schedule is intense, so I guess whatever you’re taking is definitely doing its job. Maybe. 🙂

Maybe propolis in water, some native propolis, beta 1,3 glucan... maybe flaxseed oil too? I guess adding beet, carrot, and lemon juice helps. Blackberries, blackberry wine, magnesium... soy, garlic... just piles of organic fruit and my mom's home cooking, I suppose. 🙏

In principle, if I have a craving, I just eat it. I guess I'm one of those people who believes the body knows exactly what it's looking for... maybe.

I guess I have no idea if any of this actually helps... Maybe it’s just playing a role. Honestly, I've never even been sick once in my entire life—not even a case of chickenpox. 🙏

melloworca6 said:I'm glad. 🙂

I guess throwing everything at the wall finally worked. 🎉 Just keep going, clearly it’s doing something.

Hang in there. 😘

God, I hope it helps! I've endured everything—exercising, staying positive, laughing, dancing... maybe it was all that. 😍

🙂 😘

First, a quick collective update for everyone! 👋

So, my platelet count was at 109 this morning, which I guess means I can just push on with the therapy as planned. 🎉
No more check-ins for now, apparently; I've got six days of chemo left, plus radiation through August 22nd—assuming the machine actually works. They’ll probably run blood tests at the end to see how things look after everything, but based on where we are right now, things seem okay, so there won't be any breaks.

Thanks to everyone who reached out privately, and to all those who were praying for me or obsessing over my platelet numbers.

You people are wonderful; you make this whole thing a bit easier. 🙂