Posts by Sophia Ross53

Kimberly Wright said:Reading this drives me crazy too...

Exactly. That’s how it works in our supposedly humane, Catholic nation. If you’re seen as an extra burden or taking up a bed, they just tell you to go home and suffer along with everyone else. When I read things like this, I find small comfort in knowing my mother passed away before she reached that stage. Even then, they tried to send her home because she was occupying a hospital bed. We see luxury estates and massive mansions being built everywhere, yet for people simply seeking a dignified death without agony, there is nothing provided. It’s pure hypocrisy.
I am so sorry you have to deal with all of this. The worst part is watching that suffering when you feel so powerless to ease their pain. Unfortunately, it seems this country is only designed for the elite, while the rest of us are left to fend for ourselves.

It takes an incredible amount of strength and sheer willpower to endure that level of suffering. I have so much respect for people facing these battles—it reminds me of my own mother. Despite what the doctors told her, she fought with everything she had until the very end. There were countless moments when she wanted to give up, but she kept pushing forward, mostly for herself, but most of all for us. My heart goes out to anyone navigating these moments without a support system by their side. Hang in there.

ironsailor22 said:My mom isn't in pain anymore; she passed away yesterday morning.

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing her suffering has ended and she is finally at peace. That thought was the only thing that helped me. It’s been nearly two months since my own mother passed, and I'm still cycling through a million different emotions. I miss her terribly, yet there is a sense of peace. Hang in there.

Even for us, the emergency services wouldn't show up when Mom's condition took a turn for the worse. When we finally got her to the hospital, they actually had the nerve to ask why we didn't just bring her ourselves. We only managed to get her admitted—and ensured she could spend her final days without agonizing pain—because of a personal connection, something I'll forever be grateful to one specific person for. But when I think back to those hours spent waiting just to be seen, the sheer lack of humanity... honestly, what am I even paying into this insurance for? What's the point of all those premiums if you're left completely on your own when it matters most? If you don't have money or connections, you basically don't exist. That's our ugly reality, and it isn't going anywhere. They look at you like you're nothing; sure, there are exceptions, but the system itself is a disgrace. I might as well just take the money I pay for my insurance and spend it while I'm still alive.

brisksurfer said:I am so sorry, dear... please accept my deepest condolences. 😢

Maybe there is comfort in knowing she didn't suffer too much, and that she's likely in a much better place now. 😘

Thank you. I've been following your journey. It was the same devastating diagnosis. They are both at peace now.

Angela Wright said:Believe me, you don't get to choose how life unfolds. There isn't really a "good" or "bad" version of it. We are all small and fragile, but those who are truly good understand that. It’s just much harder on us when our loved ones pass away. That’s why it hurts so deeply.
For me, finding peace after my mother passed came from knowing she had a short but meaningful life. She was loved, and she knew it. Even though her illness lasted a while, she didn't suffer the way others with her diagnosis might have, and she passed away at home, right in our arms. For anyone facing mortality, that is a massive blessing, and I am grateful for it.
Dear, since that was her path, shouldn't we be thankful her final moments weren't prolonged? She lived life to the fullest until her very last breath. Let that serve as an inspiration to live every single day just like she did.
Stay strong. You will find your footing again, and even if you're changed by this, you will be okay.

It's true—so many people loved her, which showed in the crowd that came to say goodbye. Having us by her side until the very end was everything. That brings me so much comfort, as does the fact that despite being given only a month to live after the diagnosis, we actually gained more time to spend with her. It takes time to process everything, but talking to people like you who have walked this same path gives me strength.

Thank you. I don't think I fully grasp the weight of everything yet, though I know she wouldn't want me to suffer. Life can be so incredibly heavy and unkind sometimes, can't it? It often feels like the good people are the ones who bear the brunt of it.

My mom passed away this morning at six o'clock. She didn't get to see Christmas. Just a few days ago, we were walking through downtown together, picking out gifts. She was so full of life that day, and then everything just took a sudden turn for the worse. We rushed her to the Mayo Clinic at three in the morning on Tuesday, where she fell into a coma and never woke up. After one last smile this morning, she was gone. It’s a huge relief to know she didn't suffer much. I won't even get into how cold the doctors were when we brought her in, but honestly, that's just typical for a hospital in a big city like this. Right now, I just feel numb. The funeral is tomorrow.

I’m feeling a bit uneasy about posting here today, but I really needed some support yesterday.

Sophia Ross53, thank you so much for such a kind response. Your mom rocks, and so do you.

slyseal28, thanks to you as well. I’m not quite sure who you're writing for here, but whoever they are, I wish nothing but the best for you, that person, and your family.

I'm just glad if I could be of any help. There's absolutely no reason to feel awkward. That's exactly why we're all here—to support one another.

Matthew Taylor6 said:I just can't keep up with treatments anymore. I don't have the energy for more hospital visits, and honestly, I don't have the will to keep pushing forward. I've even started skipping my medications because I just can't bring myself to do it. It's only when the pain becomes unbearable that I promise myself I'll try to find some relief before things get even worse.
My family doesn't know. I can't find a good reason to tell them, and frankly, I don't even know how to start that conversation.

Before my mom got sick, I didn't have much personal experience with this disease. Even just hearing the word used to terrify me—the mere thought was nightmare fuel. I remember shaking uncontrollably the first time I walked into the oncology wing with her. Seeing her fight, seeing the patience and sheer effort required... it’s indescribable. Getting up both mentally and physically every single day is incredibly hard. I truly admire her for managing it. I really don't want her to give up. Not at all. I suspect your family feels the same way you do, so please, don't shut them out. Whatever you need to say, just say it. The method doesn't matter. In times like these, family is everything. I know it's easier said than done, but please, don't give up.🙂

Jose Miller6 said:You insult anyone who disagrees with you, labeling every different perspective as mere rambling
and stupidity. You're driving away everyone here who actually knows more than you do. And as for insulting intelligence? Don't worry, that's not something you'll ever have to deal with.

Instead of using your knowledge to actually help people, you just snap back without any real arguments, much like our politicians. Does anyone really care about that? We are all here because we're going through an incredibly difficult time, and we need whatever support we can get. Can't you show a little humanity? Don't waste our time or our energy. If you have something helpful to say, please do. Every bit of advice matters. Otherwise, just leave while we’re still being civil.

Robert Nelson82 said:People like you actually scare me—those who act like they’re geniuses and hand out advice to everyone when they clearly don't have a clue what they're talking about.
>> There is a massive difference between having an interest in medical treatments and making life-altering decisions that should logically be left to the experts. You aren't just putting yourself on the same level as doctors—which is obvious—you're actively insulting their expertise based on things you read on some medical websites.
Hey, if you keep "educating" yourself like this, you might as well open your own clinic. Who needs a degree, a residency, or years of grueling training when you can just learn everything online? 😉

Our "professionals" spent months pumping my mom full of antibiotics before they finally thought to send her to a specialist. Another expert took a sample from the wrong spot, leading to negative results. Then there was a true professional at a different hospital who sensed how serious the situation was even before any biopsy was performed. No one here is trying to play doctor like some people with actual degrees unfortunately do—and credit where it's due to the hard work of schooling and specialization. But let's be real: this isn't Sweden, where patients immediately receive comprehensive medical and psychological support, where they are treated like human beings, and where women get their hair cut before chemotherapy so they can be fitted for a wig. This country doesn't provide that. That is exactly why forums like this exist: so people can find reliable information through the lived experiences of others. Nobody here is acting like an authority; nobody is telling anyone whether or not to agree to chemo, surgery, or alternative routes. We all listen to our doctors and then seek out ten other opinions to confirm it. I hate seeing someone trash such rare, positive initiatives among our otherwise incredibly passive citizens.

Douglas Thompson7 said:Hi everyone. I've been reading through your posts and I have to wonder—where do you all find the strength? My wonderful mom was just diagnosed with cancer that has already metastasized, and I feel like I'm completely falling apart.

When I first found out, I lost ten pounds in just a few days. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't even work. It felt like I had ceased to exist. I was sad, desperate, and angry. The only real support I had was a friend who, unfortunately, had gone through the exact same thing herself. Isn't it incredible how insensitive people can be during times like this? They say things like, "You're not the one who's sick, why is this affecting you so much?" But, as some people on this forum were kind enough to tell me back then, you eventually adapt. Eventually, your entire focus shifts solely to how you can help her. Everything else just fades into the background. It's been nearly six months since the diagnosis, and we are still fighting and holding onto hope. You’ll see; you will find that same resolve, because in the end, there really isn't anything else left to do. Hang in there.

Dana Brown56 said:Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone could recommend some pills to help my mom deal with chemotherapy side effects. She just finished her first session today. She’s currently taking Imunoahcc, and she also has some Tylenol (I think that's the name).

My mom uses Reglan, and it works pretty well for nausea. She takes it about thirty minutes before eating.

Grace Cruz87 said:Thanks so much for the reply. My mom has been through just about everything; she’s always been such a fighter. I still remember how incredibly well she handled her thyroid surgery—the doctor later mentioned that her energy and positive mindset did 90% of the work during her recovery. And don't even get me started on our experience at the hospital in Miami. Instead of running the necessary tests to figure out the number and type of nodules, they actually referred us to a psychiatrist instead 😲... Once we finally managed to get her to the Mayo Clinic, they operated on her the very next day. A few months later, we ran into that doctor in town, and when my mom asked how she was doing, she couldn't help herself and snapped back that she had just returned from an asylum. I suppose there are unprofessional people in every industry, but encountering someone like that in medicine—where lives are literally on the line—really makes you realize you have to stay calm and level-headed. She has a surgery scheduled for 2:00, and I’m just praying to God that everything goes smoothly. If we need to fight, we're ready. 👍

That hospital in Miami... it hurts just thinking about it 😠. They took a tissue sample from my mom there, and the analysis showed great results, only for them to find out in Miami that the sample was taken from the wrong spot. Their initial findings were catastrophic. Fortunately, things have improved, and she’s responded beautifully to treatment. You could talk forever about unprofessionalism, and while some inappropriate comments really shocked me, I also saw firsthand that there are plenty of people in this field who deserve every bit of praise. Wishing you the best of luck; the waiting for results is always the hardest part.

Mom is finally coming home this Friday! She has her last radiation session on Monday, and then she gets discharged from the hospital🙂.
The doctors are actually stunned by the latest scans—the tumor is completely gone. It’s still too early to throw a party, obviously, but they had practically given up on her from the start. When she first arrived at the hospital, they told us to prepare for the worst. Now, even her favorite nurse is speechless. They clearly didn't know what she was made of.
We're keeping our fingers crossed that her next follow-up on August 31st shows the exact same results.
Our whole family is in total shock; news is flying around so fast we can barely keep up. Honestly, she's handling this better than any of us.
Best to everyone.

My mom had some heavy bleeding from her throat last night. Apparently, a blood vessel burst. They managed to stop the bleeding, and the doctor mentioned this is pretty common, though it could get dangerous if a larger vessel were to rupture. In that scenario, she could bleed out. On a brighter note, yesterday's scan showed the tumor mass has completely disappeared! However, we have to push through with the full course of therapy to make sure that garbage doesn't come back. We won't know the final results until about a month after the radiation treatment ends. But here's the kicker: one "lovely" nurse told my aunt that it would actually be better for her if that vessel just burst so she could bleed out. Seriously? Get lost with those "well wishes." If that's how you really feel, keep it to yourself. To make matters worse, now she can't come home this weekend like we were all looking forward to.
Still, it's probably better that she's there. If something like that happened while she was at home and the hospital was far away, what could we even do? Nothing.

Thanks, Amanda Miller69.
I know there’s no magic pill here; I was just curious about what you've experienced. With so many different supplements and dietary hacks out there, it's hard to know what actually works.
I try my best to stay strong, but sometimes I just hit a breaking point—especially when dealing with people who seem to have no heart. Of course, I don't let her see that.
But seeing her looking so thin, hooked up to those tubes and IVs... it's tough.
Everything is going to be okay.

Is anyone actually going to get back to me?
Or am I just shouting into the void here?

Hi everyone. My mom was diagnosed with inoperable throat cancer about a month ago. She’s already finished radiation, which she handled quite well, but now she’s starting chemotherapy and I’m honestly terrified about how she'll hold up. She's experiencing some mild side effects right now, mostly fatigue and heartburn.
I was wondering if anyone else happened to see that article in the Free Press.

It's about a man who is the first in the country to successfully cultivate mushrooms with anti-cancer properties.

You can find more details about his work here:
If any of you have experience with this, please let me know. This is all so new and overwhelming to deal with.