Chest CT from Feb 10, 2009 (this comes before the puncture post)
The scan was performed post-contrast using standard technique, covering from the upper thoracic aperture down to the top of the kidneys. The upper lobe of the right lung has completely collapsed—this is post-procedural collapse. Following the puncture of the segmental bronchi for the upper lobe (which are now totally obstructed after being 16 mm initially), there is an irregularly bounded area within the collapsed parenchyma measuring 40x30 mm. This area shows lower vascularization compared to normal lung tissue due to lower absorption coefficients. In my opinion, this described area represents an expansive process.
There is a large amount of pleural effusion in the right chest. In the posterior costophrenic sinus, there is uneven thickening of the parietal pleura suspicious for carcinoma. Alongside the effusion, a narrow zone of compressive atelectasis is visible.
In the left lung, as well as in the remaining parts of the right lung, there are numerous tiny nodular shadows that likely represent hematogenous metastases.
Several enlarged lymph nodes, up to 20 mm in diameter, are visible in the upper and middle mediastinum, periparatherally on the right, and to the left along the aortic arch and pulmonary trunk. This most likely indicates lymphatic spread of the malignancy.
A small osteolytic lesion, likely secondary, is seen in the right peduncle of the Th1 vertebra.
After this, they performed a puncture, then talked her through the procedure to drain the fluid and air from her lungs.
Cytology results from my Mom's biopsy... dated February 19, 2009
Microscopic view: In the highly cellular material, I see quite a few clusters and individual malignant cells—marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, mostly with eccentric nuclei featuring large nucleoli and abundant cytoplasm. There’s also a population of smaller cells with hyperchromatic nuclei forming clusters.
Angela Wright said:1) yes 2) Planetopia (Macronova) 72 Ilica St, 01 4846 197 3) one was $100 and the other $40. Now, whether those prices were due to a sale or just standard—I don't know—but if it costs $167, honestly, I'd buy it.
Thanks 🙂 Could you please just write out the doctor's full name and the title of the book? Please.
Angela Wright said:I picked up both books and started reading last night. Honestly, I wish I'd known about d. Schreiber sooner so I could have grabbed his book earlier. I think everyone should own his work—especially those actually dealing with this. It’s actually confirmed some things I’ve figured out on my own. I'll write more after the lecture tonight. Stuck at work right now, so I can't really talk.😉
That's great news. 1) Are these available in English? 2) Where can I buy them? 3) What's the price?
shadowmason6 said:Your plan sounds solid for a start. I can only share what we went through, so take it for what it's worth... After all the tests at K Hospital and an operation that happened by pure chance in San Francisco—plus all the follow-up labs and markers we ran ourselves after the surgery—my Mom ended up at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. They reviewed everything and recommended chemotherapy. They gave her full autonomy over her care: she could stay at the facility in Washington, D.C., during treatment, commute there daily, or receive the chemo at K Hospital since it’s much closer to home. We chose the latter—there was zero point in driving all the way to Washington, D.C. when the treatment is identical, especially since the sessions only last about 20 minutes and we were driving her ourselves anyway. No need to be admitted to the ward for that... But, the doctors at the Clinic also told us Mom actually has the right to ambulance transport for her treatments! She started chemo two months post-op—about a week or two after our visit to the Clinic. That timing aligned perfectly with the recommended recovery period after surgery. There are plenty of ways to handle this. I don't think you'll have trouble getting organized... take care of yourself!
Thanks for the advice. I'm actually leaning towards that cancer center... their whole setup seems more streamlined... I'll see what they say, but I've heard that lung cases usually get sent to Jordanovac, and word is there's often poor coordination between the oncologists, pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons there—like they don't really work as a unified team. 🤷😕
Lisa White54 said:My husband went through chemo at the Mayo Clinic. He’d receive therapy all day long—since we don't live in Washington, D.C., we'd just wait for him and drive him home in the evening. Basically, you don't have to stay overnight in the hospital unless the doctor thinks it's absolutely necessary. Usually, they head home right after the session. The key is getting blood work done within those next 21 days so she can qualify for the next round, because this stuff wipes out both the bad and the good cells. Honestly, not a single doctor ever gave me instructions on how to boost her immune system. I had to go looking for info myself from other people. Make sure your Mom uses fresh beet juice—I've mentioned this before. Just a glass of beet juice (you can grate and squeeze it yourself or buy it at a pharmacy) mixed with a spoonful of honey and some lemon or orange juice. It tastes good and it's incredibly healthy. Aloe vera, three times a day. Eat as much fresh fruit and veg as possible, cut out red meat, and try broccoli tablets... There's plenty of nutrition advice on this forum if you scroll through; just find what works for her. Most importantly: drink water. Lots of it. My husband drank about 1.5 liters and still does. I also recommend angelica tea to everyone—one cup a day. It's medicinal. Almost everyone deals with side effects after chemo—nausea, vomiting. We used Zofran tablets, one a day after the sessions. You can easily pick them up at a pharmacy near Vinogradska. It helps ease the symptoms. Those issues usually last about seven days, then you move into the phase of trying to get the blood counts back up. My husband didn't have to wait in line for his chemo; he got it immediately. I believe the hospitals here in D.C. recognize results from other facilities, but they still prefer to run their own tests just to be safe. I know this is all overwhelming for you, especially being pregnant, but try to help your Mom as much as you can. She's the one going through the hardest part.
Thanks, Lisa White54..
- Diet... I'll grab a liter of beet juice from Fructal and start making that for her as soon as she's out of the hospital. - Eating habits... - All of this on top of it...
Ugh, I know it's brutal for her, especially since I'm the only one around. My dad is in a nursing home (stroke victim, completely helpless) and my brother is in Germany—he's coming for two weeks, but there isn't much support from him either.
Elizabeth Gonzalez55 said:Susan Diaz91, I am so incredibly sorry to see you here on this thread—I’ve followed your posts in the pregnancy group and I know everything you've been through.
I was pregnant when my partner was diagnosed with late-stage melanoma. We traveled to Germany for his treatment; I remember being sick to my stomach in hospital bathrooms, staying away from him while he went in for radiation scans, just terrified that our little girl wouldn't get to know her dad... all while I was supposed to be resting to protect the pregnancy. There is no "smart" advice to give here. All I can offer is total empathy and moral support. Hang in there—vent to us whenever you need to.
Honestly, I don't even know what to say.😢
I've been through it all, but at the end of the day, you just have to push through—it's like they say, "God won't give you more than you can handle."
I really hope to see you over in the pregnancy thread this June... once Susan Diaz91 has given birth, maybe you can congratulate her... I'll be happy to share the news that Mom is doing okay.😘
Since I’m already six months pregnant and mobility is getting harder, my current plan is basically...
- Wait for the cytology results—the bronchoscopy didn't identify the specific type of carcinoma because it was too peripheral for them to get a clear view—and then take both the cytology and bronchoscopy findings to an oncologist to see what they suggest...
I’m honestly at a loss right now... I’m living in Washington, D.C., while my mom is all alone in San Francisco...
1. Should she go through the first round of chemo in San Francisco and then move here to D.C., or should we just move her to D.C. immediately?? 2. How long is the wait for chemotherapy??? Are there waiting lists or some kind of queue? 3. Will the hospitals here in Washington, D.C. actually accept the medical records from San Francisco? (Based on my experience, places like Mayo Clinic sometimes refuse to recognize results from Vinogradska) 4. Is it possible to stay in the hospital to receive chemotherapy... because I really don't know how this will work—by then I'll be eight or nine months pregnant, and my mom will be coming back from chemo...
Please, if anyone has any advice or suggestions...
- Do you know of any assisted living facilities or care centers where I could place my mother after her chemo until I give birth? Then, once she recovers a bit, I can bring her to live with me.
Lisa White54, did you try that Beta glucan—the 500 mg one with the 86.6% concentration? I brought some over to my mom—she takes two capsules on an empty stomach every day—and her pulmonologist and oncologist both told her it’s a fantastic supplement.
They basically said propolis and aloe vera are fine for healthy people, but for someone dealing with actual illness, it’s just too weak... so now I'm stuck wondering.🤷
I just got off the phone with my uncle, and he told me they suspect my mom has a malignant lung tumor. It’s in a spot where surgery isn't an option, and they’re worried it might have already metastasized.
When I heard that today, it felt like the floor just fell out from under me. It felt like my legs were being cut off—it all started so innocently with some coughing, then hospitalization, a bronchoscopy, and a chest CT.
Since she was sharing a room with two other women—one with tuberculosis and another with viral pneumonia—I couldn't bring myself to visit her because of the fear. The ward entrance specifically says "No pregnant women or children under 12 allowed," and honestly, after being hospitalized twice myself for a virus and needing IV fluids for a few days at a time, I was terrified.
She was discharged, but they called her back today for a lung biopsy. My uncle—he's a surgeon living in Germany—called the doctor, who said the bronchoscopy results weren't good. They found malignant cells in the tissue samples, and there's a shadow on the scan they don't like. She's about 90% sure it's cancerous.
The biopsy should clarify everything once and for all..
Everyone, today has been horrific. I feel like I'm sinking into an abyss. I'm halfway through my pregnancy—five months in—and I can't stop crying. Every time I sob, my stomach aches..
It's just awful. I feel terrible. 😢
I'm stuck in this collision of pure joy (because of the pregnancy and the baby) and overwhelming grief (because of my mother's illness).
Does anyone know if banks actually allow a second mortgage on a house?
Say the first mortgage was taken out during construction for $100,000, but now the property value has shot up to around $350,000.
Is it possible to grab another mortgage for a different loan?
If you're applying as an individual, YES, they'll give you loans—but they'll back it up with blank promissory notes, wage garnishment authorizations, and various other legal declarations to secure both the loan and the mortgage.
Just because you *think* it’s worth that much doesn't mean it is.
You have to file a formal loan application, pay for a professional appraisal, and see what the loan-to-value ratio looks like.
That’s how it works... if the equity isn't enough, they’ll ask for additional collateral; if it is, they won't.
Jonathan Ward59 said:If you're dealing with the same Bank of America, it works—but if you've got two different banks involved, then no, it won't happen
Wrong.
You can carry mortgages from five different banks at once, provided the property value covers it.
Sam Castillo7 said:Look, once you hit yourself with Heparin, you cannot rub it, press it, or massage it—period. Don't even think about it. You inject, pull the needle out, and that's it. Leave it alone!
Try using your left thumb and index finger to pinch the fatty tissue on your leg or arm, then slowly—and I mean *slowly*—inject the Heparin into that pinched area. The slower you go, the less it hurts. When people do it in the stomach, that's how they grab the tissue to inject.
I don't do my own shots, but since I've been given Heparin plenty of times, I know the drill and all the little quirks. They actually used me as a training dummy for an intern once😬 so I've seen the whole process step-by-step.
Maybe one of the moms on here will chime in—they're usually doing daily shots in their legs and arms too. Someone probably figured out the perfect system by now.😁 😉
I sanitize with alcohol before the shot...
Sam Castillo7 said:Look, once you hit yourself with Heparin, you cannot rub it, press it, or massage it—period. Don't even think about it. You inject, pull the needle out, and that's it. Leave it alone!
Try using your left thumb and index finger to pinch the fatty tissue on your leg or arm, then slowly—and I mean *slowly*—inject the Heparin into that pinched area. The slower you go, the less it hurts. When people do it in the stomach, that's how they grab the tissue to inject.
I don't do my own shots, but since I've been given Heparin plenty of times, I know the drill and all the little quirks. They actually used me as a training dummy for an intern once😬 so I've seen the whole process step-by-step.
Maybe one of the moms on here will chime in—they're usually doing daily shots in their legs and arms too. Someone probably figured out the perfect system by now.😁 😉
So far I haven't been pinching the skin, just injecting... but I'll give it a shot.
Sam Castillo7 said:Look, once you hit yourself with Heparin, you cannot rub it, press it, or massage it—period. Don't even think about it. You inject, pull the needle out, and that's it. Leave it alone!
Try using your left thumb and index finger to pinch the fatty tissue on your leg or arm, then slowly—and I mean *slowly*—inject the Heparin into that pinched area. The slower you go, the less it hurts. When people do it in the stomach, that's how they grab the tissue to inject.
I don't do my own shots, but since I've been given Heparin plenty of times, I know the drill and all the little quirks. They actually used me as a training dummy for an intern once😬 so I've seen the whole process step-by-step.
Maybe one of the moms on here will chime in—they're usually doing daily shots in their legs and arms too. Someone probably figured out the perfect system by now.😁 😉
I know—and keeping them in the fridge helps too; they sting less when they're cold.
Sam Castillo7 said:Look, once you hit yourself with Heparin, you cannot rub it, press it, or massage it—period. Don't even think about it. You inject, pull the needle out, and that's it. Leave it alone!
Try using your left thumb and index finger to pinch the fatty tissue on your leg or arm, then slowly—and I mean *slowly*—inject the Heparin into that pinched area. The slower you go, the less it hurts. When people do it in the stomach, that's how they grab the tissue to inject.
I don't do my own shots, but since I've been given Heparin plenty of times, I know the drill and all the little quirks. They actually used me as a training dummy for an intern once😬 so I've seen the whole process step-by-step.
Maybe one of the moms on here will chime in—they're usually doing daily shots in their legs and arms too. Someone probably figured out the perfect system by now.😁 😉
I'm waiting on her like she's the second coming.😁
Look, I've already poked myself about 80 times in these last 4 months... there's barely any skin left to use. It's every single day and I'm not even halfway through this pregnancy yet.🙂
Sam Hall15 said:When administering heparin, you might notice some minor bruising at the injection site. As long as there isn't any redness, heat, or significant pain, there is no cause for concern. A helpful technique is to rotate your injection sites regularly... and since you are using subcutaneous LMWH, simply pinch the fatty tissue with two fingers, insert the needle fully, and inject slowly.
Thanks for clearing that up, but should I be pushing the air out?
My Fraxiparine (5700 IU 0.6) comes with an air bubble in the prefilled syringe...
The instructions say not to expel the air, but they also say to inject into the abdominal fat.
Since I'm not injecting into my stomach fat (I was told thigh or arm instead), what's the deal with the air? They told me that since there's a higher chance of hitting a vessel (capillary) in the leg or arm, it's better to push the air out.
So, what's the catch here? What's the actual difference between injecting with or without that air?
Does anyone else here do injections of any kind? 😁 Self-administering shots
Basically, I’m injecting 0.6 of Heparin subcutaneously every single morning—hitting the fatty tissue at a 45-degree angle.😁
The issue is, my skin gets incredibly itchy. When I inject into my arm or leg, the site swells up into a lump, and that swelling spreads out about 5 cm around the puncture. Plus, I occasionally hit a capillary, which leaves the whole area bruised up. 🤷😕
My skin is pretty thick and dark, so veins aren't really visible—I'm basically stabbing blindly. 🙄
So, my questions are:
- Does anyone else deal with regular injections? (Whether it's Heparin, insulin, B-vitamins... whatever therapy you're on) - For those who do—is it okay to apply ice to the injection sites to help with the swelling, lumps, itching, or irritation?