Posts by Carol Sanchez2

Linda Campbell, just keep pushing forward! Can’t you see how incredibly resilient you are? You have this amazing ability to draw strength from everything you've endured up until now. There truly isn't anything you can't overcome. Honestly, through everything you've done, you've proven to yourself—and to everyone else watching—just how much grit you really have, so there is absolutely no giving up now... Better days are definitely on the horizon!!! 😘

Honestly, my heart just goes out to you. It’s truly wonderful that you stayed right by her side through everything until the very end, and because of that, you can really hold your head high and have some peace of mind...😘

bluewalker30 said:I tried starting this a few times, but I ended up breaking out in such a bad rash all over my body that I actually had to head to the ER. I'm really wondering if this happens to anyone else? I can't decide if it's worth trying one more time or not.

Oh boy, honestly, I wouldn't even think about giving it another shot if I knew for sure it was going to cause a rash like that! That sounds so strange and scary...

bluewalker30 said:Has anyone actually tried mixing flaxseed with fresh cheese?

Hey! So, my mom and I used to love mixing flaxseed with some good old cow's milk cheese, and honestly, it’s delicious—we played around with both savory and sweet versions depending on our mood! Personally, I usually go for a breakfast vibe where I toss in some raisins, almonds, and a little drizzle of honey. My mom used to have it every single day for a while, though she hasn't been feeling it lately and has moved on to other things, you know how those cravings go! As for the actual health benefits, I'm no doctor, so I can't say for sure, but people always say it's super healthy, so I figure it can't hurt to give it a shot!

bluewalker30 said:Honestly, it doesn't even matter if the information is old or not; what matters is whether it's accessible! So many people haven't heard about certain things, and I feel like if I think something might offer someone a bit of help or a glimmer of hope, I’m just going to share it regardless of how long ago it was posted. That’s really what I hope to find here from all of you too, because so many little details get overlooked, forgotten, or just brushed aside, yet they can be absolutely precious! For instance, when I first started out, I was mixing juices together, totally unaware that it’s actually much better to wait two hours between them... I actually learned that directly from an oncologist who specializes in nutrition.

Does anyone know where I could find that specific oncologist or pharmacist who specializes in nutrition?

bluewalker30 said:There is this new medication for women fighting advanced-stage breast cancer with metastatic changes, and it’s actually available right here in the United States, though the price tag is sitting around $3,000.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline

About Tykerb

Tykerb is a small molecule taken orally that works by inhibiting the tyrosine kinase parts of the EGFR (ErbB1) and HER2 (ErbB2) receptors. When there is Stimulation of EGFR (ErbB1) and HER2 (ErbB2), it leads to cell proliferation and various processes that drive tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. It turns out that Overexpression of receptors happens in many different human tumors and is linked to a tougher prognosis and lower survival rates.

WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU FIND ALL THIS INFO?!

Hey everyone! I’ve been totally off the grid for two weeks because I was away on vacation with my mom (who is currently fighting breast cancer).

She’s actually holding up pretty well! She’s heading in for her fourth round of chemo today. Her blood counts tend to be a bit low every single time—specifically her neutrophils and leukocytes, which are those essential cells the body needs to fight back. But, thankfully, her neutrophil and leukocyte levels seem to be creeping up day by day, so there's a chance she might even get her treatment on schedule despite a little delay.

Her doctor is being really strict about her not taking any supplements or herbal remedies to boost her immunity, though, because the doctor insists the body needs to handle the battle on its own.

I’ve spent some time catching up on all the posts from the last two weeks—hang in there, everybody!!!

Don't give up!! Kisses! 😘

Hey everyone,

I haven’t been on here for a few days because I headed down to Miami with my mom—she really needed some downtime away from her chemo treatments. Sending so much love and wishing you all the very best of luck; honestly, after catching up on all your messages from the last couple of days, I’m almost at a loss for words. Just keep fighting, okay?

Keep fighting!

Ivanica—I am so sorry to hear you're feeling let down by your guy. I really hope this is just a temporary thing and that things can be made right...

Big hugs to everyone!

Adam Fowler10 said:Warm wishes to everyone!
I am honestly just so incredibly glad I stumbled upon this thread today. Everything was going so smoothly for my family until about two months ago—we didn't even realize how wonderful things were because we just took it for granted, you know? But then everything changed. My grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer, and it has already metastasized to his ribs. In just these last eight weeks, he has weakened so much that I barely recognize him anymore. Up until now, he’s been receiving care at the specialized pulmonary center in Springfield, but this week they transferred him over to a hospital in Smalltown, USA, so they could perform a procedure to stop fluid from building up in his lungs. Today, my parents had a sit-down with his doctor, and the news was heavy—they’re looking at the end of this year, or maybe a year at most if he's lucky. We are all just completely stunned and reeling from it. I haven't really been looped into the specific medical details because my family keeps trying to shield me, treating me like I'm some little kid who wouldn't understand, even though I'm 17 and have actually spent quite a bit of time researching this disease and trying to wrap my head around the treatment plans; I really feel like they should be being more transparent with me. Honestly, ever since he was hospitalized two months ago, I had a gut feeling that something terrible was coming, so I've been slowly bracing myself, which is why I feel somewhat numb and today's news didn't hit me with quite the sharp sting I expected. I just don't know how we should handle this. Should we start preparing ourselves and him for what's coming? Or should we just keep living our lives normally, acting as if we don't know what's waiting for us in a few months? And how on earth do we tell him, or even *should* we tell him? I feel like he needs to know and needs to be prepared, especially since, based on some things he's said lately, I think he might already sense what's ahead of him.
I'm truly happy to have found this community.

Hey there! You know, I was also living in this bubble of total peacefulness just a few months back, right up until the moment we found out my mom had breast cancer. But, you know how it is—human beings eventually adapt to anything, and now we're just pushing forward and fighting through whatever comes our way. We always try to find that one silver lining, even when things look bleak.
Personally, I believe your grandfather needs to be told the truth about his condition, and honestly, I think it's part of the doctors' duty to ensure he knows what he's facing. It's very likely, just like you suspect, that he already has a sense of it given his own life experience. Like Angela Wright mentioned, you should just keep living your lives as you always have, and make sure to use this remaining time together in the absolute best way possible. Talk a lot, hang out, laugh... do all those things you haven't had the chance to do with him yet...
Your grandfather is probably just overjoyed to have a grandson like you! You have such a thoughtful heart!

Best of luck! 🙂

James Wood302 said:Sending my best to everyone!

I’ve been lurking on this forum for a long time, but I only just stumbled upon this specific sub-forum and topic yesterday; honestly, maybe I was subconsciously "avoiding" it because the last three years have been filled with such heavy, heartbreaking experiences dealing with serious illnesses in my immediate family.

To get straight to the point without rambling too much—my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer about a year and a half ago. He went through a full 30-day radiation cycle, and after that, he started his first round of chemotherapy. The radiation and chemo actually seemed to be working at first, which gave us so much hope, and he was living a relatively normal life with a really positive outlook. However, since he had already completed 11 rounds of that first chemo, they had to switch him over to a different medication (docetaxel)—basically a second type of chemo. He’s had four rounds of that now, and unfortunately, it hasn't shown any results whatsoever; in fact, the disease is progressing rapidly.

His most recent CT scan was devastating, and when the oncologist saw the results, he basically told us there wasn't anything more that could be done and that we should focus on pain management for the rest of his time. It is so incredibly hard to wrap my head around that, and after reading through all your posts here, I realized there are so many brilliant people in this community who might be able to help answer a few questions for me. Truly, any suggestions or advice you might have would be more than welcome.

So, here is what I'm wondering: 1) Are there certain limitations when it comes to applying the Breuss therapy? I'm thinking specifically regarding body weight (he has lost so much weight and become so weak in just the last month), and just his overall physical condition. 2) He was being treated at the oncology department in Miami. I've noticed quite a bit of criticism directed toward them online, so I'm curious if anyone can explain why people feel that way? To us, they always seemed very professional and highly competent. We even sent his records to the Mayo Clinic early on just to get a second opinion, and both places were in total agreement. Now, I'm haunted by this nagging feeling that our family missed a crucial step or an opportunity, so I'm trying to find any possible way out. I hope you understand where I'm coming from and that this doesn't sound scattered—I'm not a pessimist, and I still firmly believe we have to keep fighting.

Finally, a huge thank you to the people who started this thread. I wish you and your loved ones nothing but health and happiness. Best regards, talk soon.

Regarding the Breuss method, the best thing to do is to read his book very carefully and precisely (which you probably already have). Personally, I feel that applying that kind of therapy to someone whose body is already emaciated isn't ideal. It feels like it might just cause extra suffering. But, if the situation is such that there truly is no other way and Breuss is the final hope, then go for it. Of course, you should also look into other possibilities—like bioenergy or the Johanna Budwig Therapy...
At the end of the day, what matters most is what your father wants.

I don't have personal experience with the hospital in Miami, so Angela Wright might know more about that, but as for that crushing feeling that your family missed something... please know that it's a completely normal feeling. We all carry that weight. Every single day, I ask myself what else I could have done or if I did enough. Just by reaching out to this topic, you are showing how wise and determined you are to find anything that might help you and your family. The most important thing is that you are there by his side, and remember: no giving up!!! 👍

Grace Fowler said:Hey there, dear friends! Honestly, I’ve just been sitting here reading lately because I just didn't have the strength in my hands to type anything out... but now I feel a bit more like a human being again.... somehow I'm finding these chemo treatments a lot harder to handle than before, who knows, maybe my body is just feeling a little more worn out:-(. I just wanted to tell you all that you are such an encouragement to me, and Angela Wright, I frequently thank you in my thoughts for letting God guide you to start this thread. And yes, I truly believe in miracles... they are out there somewhere, close enough for all of us.
Best, Grace

Greetings to you!! People like you are such a huge source of courage and strength for those of us with sick family members, helping us get through these heavy times a little easier. I truly admire you—just keep moving forward! No giving up! Kisses!😘

Does anyone know of an alternative to Reglan? She mentioned it really slows down her digestion too much, and Zofran just seems to shut her whole system down...

My mom has actually been using Aloxy for her nausea... She just finished her first round of chemo, and while she had a rough day with some vomiting, she didn't have any lingering stomach issues afterward!

dustysurfer10 said:Hey everyone,
I've been scrolling through all your posts all day long, and I'm really hoping someone here might be able to point me in the right direction.
My mom is battling breast cancer and she just finished her first round of chemo... but whether she realizes it or not, she’s really resisting going forward with more. Right before her second scheduled session was coming up, she started having some stomach pain (a few days prior)... and things just kind of settled down for a bit... so we waited for that second treatment, but when we finally got to the front of the line after waiting for five whole hours, she felt so nauseous they actually sent her home to "recover" instead.
Before this, she had some complications with her white blood cell count, so she ended up spending ten days at the Mayo Clinic...
Her reasoning is basically that the treatment is killing her, that she can't handle taking so many medications anymore, and that they're just destroying her stomach and everything...
I've tried my best to explain things to her, but I just can't seem to get through...
Does anyone have any ideas on what I should do next?
I heard there's a counseling center over at Johns Hopkins, but they're only open on Wednesdays, and I feel like this is pretty urgent...

You should definitely reach out to the counselors at Johns Hopkins or contact the women's cancer support group, Europa Donna. She really NEEDS to understand that her chances of recovery are so much higher if she sticks with the chemotherapy treatments.... I don't know exactly what stage she's at, but there can be NO GIVING UP!!! Try going with her to the support group; I truly think she needs to talk to other women who have gone through the exact same thing—everyone is terrified and what they go through is absolutely brutal, but she HAS to realize she isn't alone in this. Also, just a suggestion—go see Dr. Michelčić, he's a private specialist for breast cancer. Explain the whole situation to him—you might have to wait about a month for an appointment, but if you explain the urgency, maybe he can help... his number is 1-212-555-0199. Try calling after 1 PM, and on certain days of the week, you can even call him between 9 and 10 PM to ask anything you need—I can't remember which specific day it is, let me check later. He will sit down with her, listen, and give her all the attention and care that the hospital doctors just aren't able to provide fully. Good luck!👍

I’m feeling just a little bit livid because...

So, my sister who lives over in the USA went ahead and put together this sweet little care package for my mom, who’s currently battling breast cancer. She picked out all these thoughtful things—hats, a wig, some linen shirts so Mom can stay cool in the sun, a special toothpaste for mouth sores, some pretty pictures, scarves, a specialized bra, and even some educational brochures about cancer—just to cheer her up and feel close to us since she can't be here by our side in America.
She sent everything via FedEx on Monday, and we were all expecting it to arrive today, you know? But instead, US Customs decided to hold the whole thing hostage because the value apparently exceeds the $800 limit allowed per person! Now, they’re saying they have to open everything up, inventory every single item, and demand receipts for every little thing???? Honestly, my sister clearly listed everything inside the package, noted that she’s covering all the costs, paid for everything upfront, and explicitly marked it as a gift to help someone fighting breast cancer, but it really feels like the government thinks they need to turn a profit off people who are already suffering... I am just so incredibly angry and heartbroken, and Mom is so upset too because she can't get her hands on these simple little things that would have brightened her day just a tiny bit. I know there are much bigger problems in the world and maybe this seems trivial to some of you, but really, shouldn't we show a little compassion instead of being so rigid over stuff like this?😠

No matter how much it hurts and how heavy things feel, you just have to keep moving forward, right? I truly believe that our loved ones who have passed stay woven into the fabric of our lives, living on through us and everything we do...

Angela Wright said:Could you see if you can dig up some more details on how their clinic actually operates and what kind of support they provide? I was thinking it might be a great idea to take their "model" of care, tweak it a little bit, and apply those same principles to other conditions—it’s just such an interesting concept! I'd love to start something similar specifically focused on glioblastoma and other types of brain tumors.

I definitely can, and I'll do my absolute best to find out exactly what services they offer!

Angela Wright said:Yesterday on NBC, they announced that a new outpatient clinic specifically for breast cancer support has opened up within the psychology department at Microsoft Hospital! I’m not entirely sure about the full scope of all the services they offer, but honestly, it is just such a wonderful, heartwarming initiative that deserves a huge round of applause.🙂

Oh, hey, I actually heard about that! My mom has actually become quite friendly with the lady who spearheaded the whole project, too. It is just so incredibly wonderful to see something like this getting off the ground, really! And🙂

Linda Campbell said:Let me try to offer a little comfort here—my mom actually just finished her II cycle of chemo yesterday.
After that first cycle (her cycles last three days each), she couldn't even walk out of the hospital by herself on the last day; I had to literally hold her up, and then once we got home, she started vomiting in the afternoon and didn't stop all night, which led to these terrible cramps and left her feeling just incredibly, incredibly weak. Honestly, I thought she wasn't going to make it. Her hair started falling out right away, too. They gave her Zofran for the nausea and she was taking Reglan, but truthfully, none of that seemed to touch it. She actually found that eating popcorn helped settle her stomach a bit.
It wasn't until the 12th day after chemo that her appetite finally started kicking back in. Right now, the absolute most important thing is keeping her hydrated—lots and lots of fluids, like green tea, or any red juices that help with blood counts (like beet juice or red and black currant juice). Try making things like rice or light vegetable soups that she can handle, because honestly, not much else will sit well with her. It’s best if she eats small amounts of salty things so she can drink more water. It might be a good idea to consult with an oncologist specifically about supplements (that's what we did), and immediately after the I cycle, Mom started taking Selenium and some enzymes, plus this powder called BASENPULVER that our oncologist recommended—apparently, it helps flush those kinds of acids out of the system. Thank God she finished her II cycle yesterday and hasn't had any major reactions at all! In fact, she's been eating so much better these past few days. We even started her on mistletoe injections today, which I highly recommend looking into or searching for online; they go by names like ISCADOR or HELIXOR. You should check out some German websites; there is so much information available there. Hang in there, sending love!

Thank you so much for getting back to me!
So, my mom only vomited for one day, and now she's feeling better with every passing day. She's doing everything on her own now, and I think in a few days, she and my dad are going to head to the coast so she can get some fresh air and just enjoy the peace and quiet.
She asked her oncologist if she should take anything to boost her immune system, and the doctor told her, "DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING!!!" Which, if I'm being honest, feels a little strange to me! What are we supposed to do? We're terrified of giving her something without permission, but I really feel like she needs *something*. I mean, how is her body supposed to recover before her next round of chemo in about 16 days???? 😕

Grace Fowler, just keep pushing forward!!😘

My mom went through her first round of chemo yesterday, and honestly, everything was going so smoothly right up until this evening! Then, out of nowhere, the nausea kicked in, and today she’s been vomiting quite a bit. She received some kind of AC therapy, and they gave her an > injection to help with the nausea—apparently, that stuff is supposed to hold you over for seven whole days!! But clearly, it hasn't been a total success for us. Is it actually normal to still be throwing up even after getting an anti-nausea shot? And how long does this phase usually last... is it just a few days, or could it drag on for ten? She can't even handle any food, just sipping on water. Does anyone have advice on what I might be able to give her to eat when everything makes her feel sick? Thanks so much!

Angela Wright said:Dad just got back from taking Mom to see Dr. Paladin at the Mayo Clinic with her latest MRI results to figure out our next move. We were really holding onto this hope that he could drain that built-up fluid again, thinking maybe she’d finally feel a little bit better. But honestly, the doctor said that isn't even the main issue anymore—the tumor has progressed so much that it's spread into the brainstem and the other hemisphere. I think deep down in my gut I already knew this was coming, it felt logical, but man, hearing it out loud just absolutely crushed me. I'm just sitting here crying, feeling so small and helpless when all I want to do is fix this for her. It feels like my hope is just slowly flickering out, and she's my everything. Oh, my sweet Mom, we had so many more years left to share together🙂 Life is just so cruel sometimes

Dearest Angela Wright,

No matter how much you realize how heavy things are getting or how hard you try to face reality, you can never truly prepare yourself for the worst kind of news.
But please, listen to me: you can hold your head high with a completely clear conscience because you have been there for your mother through it all, and I truly believe she is so incredibly proud of you. She did her job perfectly—she raised an amazing person. One day, when she's no longer here, you will carry her eyes, her soul, and her heart within you... and you'll know deep down that she always, always thought the world of you. It is also such a beautiful thing that you are using what you're going through to help others by starting this conversation.
Better days are coming, please don't let this break you!! Sending you the biggest hug ever!😘