Posts by cosmicviper76

slyseal28 said:We're going to be featured on the Fox news at 6:30 tonight! We'll be talking all about the petition!

Charles Scott said:Hello everyone. My mother is battling liver cancer. She was discharged from the hospital about two months ago,
and the doctors basically told us that at this stage, we should just focus on pain management since curative options aren't really on the table anymore.
I’m reaching out to see if anyone can offer advice or suggestions on how we can help her manage this illness and fight through it...
Any guidance whatsoever would be truly appreciated. Thank you!

Grace Fowler said:Hello there, my dear comrades in arms!!!!
After a grueling five weeks, I’m finally resurfacing—though what is there even to say!? A little storm hit me and just wouldn't let up; I ended up with sepsis that doctors couldn't even pin down bacteriologically, leaving me stuck in limbo for five whole weeks. But I'm not about to just roll over, ha! After quite a while, we finally discovered a purulent abscess near the psoas muscle (that abdominal muscle that makes me hunch over), which required surgical intervention. However, deciding on the best approach was a bit of a saga. It felt like playing musical chairs, moving from one hospital to another every time someone had "good news." :-) My surgeon decided to run some follow-up tests first (an abdominal CT scan), which shows the collection is actually shrinking. He’s decided against cutting me open right this second because there's a solid chance it might just resolve itself. Naturally, I made my "great escape" home immediately... I finally have my own bathroom... my own bed... and don't even get me started on the food back there... :-).
I hope you all are doing well and staying strong... I'll try to catch up on all the pages I missed tomorrow; I'm still a bit wiped out...
Warmest regards, Dina

Angela Wright said:http://nytimes.com/news/article-about-death.html
What an absolute monster!
I’m honestly speechless. I have too much nausea building up in my throat to even find the words to respond.🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂. Does illness always bypass people like this😠? I haven't felt this level of sheer heartlessness, primitivism, or immorality since the war. How can a person like that even look at themselves in the mirror? He can try to claim his words were taken out of context, or blame the journalists, or point fingers at the sick—whatever his excuse may be—but no matter how you frame it, what he said and did is nothing short of monstrous.

Is it any wonder that we are among the top four countries in the world for cancer mortality when these kinds of devilish representatives hold power over such critical, life-sustaining functions?

Andrew Ramos10 said:cosmicviper76... I honestly find myself constantly hoping that people like that actually exist in the world
It’s such a relief that there are so many of us (people 🙂)... because even if most everyone else is just stuck inside their own little bubbles... there always have to be exceptions to the rule 😬

Andrew Ramos10;14993422 said:@ cosmicviper76, yeah, that’s pretty much why I’m feeling down
Sometimes I just sit there and feel this overwhelming urge to scream: this isn't the life I envisioned. This isn't the path I wanted to walk, and I certainly don't want to be just another statistic—some person who finishes a degree only to have a rigid label slapped onto their forehead defining exactly who they are and what they can do.
Honestly, maybe I don't even want to be "defined" at all...
And then there's everything else... all those little, trivial things that just weigh on your soul...
I see other people struggling, people who are clearly hurting, and I feel completely paralyzed because I can't fix it for them. So, I'll put on some melancholy track to let the emotions out, but instead, it just triggers a landslide of a hundred more depressing thoughts... and before I know it, I'm sitting there crying like a toddler.
I find myself searching for a solution... and then I realize that for certain things, there might actually be a slim chance that everything turns out alright in the end.
I'm not religious... I don't believe in God, and I don't feel the need to.
Maybe I just wish there were someone wise and level-headed out there who could actually set things right—instead of all these grifters and scammers just looking to turn a quick buck.
And I wonder if there's a better place out there for me, and so on...

I am so sorry to hear about your father... I've found myself in a very similar spot before. Just remember that being his rock is what matters most right now.
The world is just the way it is... people suffer every single day, but I truly believe the only thing that matters are those moments when you're actually together. It’s tough, but that's just the reality of life... hang in there. 🙂

I really appreciate you reaching out and responding to my message.
It hits me hard too, seeing people around me who are struggling when I can't do anything to help, but I try to do what I can, and honestly, that brings me a huge sense of purpose and satisfaction.
I make an effort to connect with them, to look them in the eye, or just offer a kind word.
I try to give them something small that might brighten their day.
That's how I navigate it; it makes me feel fulfilled, and knowing I made someone's life even a tiny bit better makes me happy.
I also have those moments where I question the whole point of it all—why bother living if you're just going to end up facing a devastating illness or something equally brutal? But that's just the nature of existence.
And you know what helps me through those dark patches? The thought that there is someone by my side whom I can always support or bring a smile to.
So, I don't let the darkness win, and I refuse to surrender to depression.
I truly, deeply wish the same for you.
Thank you for mentioning your dad.
He and I are fighters; we aren't giving up, we're moving forward.
We take every new day as a gift.
kisses

Andrew Ramos10 said:I honestly didn't even know how to come up with a title for this... I just feel so incredibly low right now... just completely useless.
It feels like everything I touch in this life just falls apart. My whole existence feels like one big, continuous mess. There was a time when I truly believed that if I just worked hard enough, I could actually achieve my dreams and, you know, make something of myself...
But today? Today, the thing holding me back is this crushing feeling that I’m absolutely nothing... just a tiny, insignificant speck in the universe.
It's like all those simple, beautiful things that bring people joy are just out of my reach... family, friends, everything... they seem too good for someone like me.
I don't even have the energy to try anymore.
Sometimes this wave of hopelessness hits me so hard that I just want to crawl into a dark corner and hide from the world...
Even as I'm typing this out, the tears are just flowing... I feel so pathetic.
I find myself wondering if I'm secretly just looking for someone to pity me... why can't I just grit my teeth and fight through it like everyone else does?
I know life isn't easy for anyone else either...
But for me, the urge to just retreat and shut everyone out is overwhelming... is it normal for everyone to hit these lows sometimes?
I really don't know...
Please, don't start throwing advice at me... I'm not depressed, I'm not on any medication, nothing like that.
I just want to hear your stories... tell me about the times you felt deeply sad and felt like nobody in the world actually cared about you.

analogridge17 said:After a long, grueling battle with lung adenocarcinoma, my grandfather Ivo passed away this past Tuesday. If anyone happens to be looking for Traceva 150 mg tablets to manage this condition, I’m willing to part with them at a very reasonable price. Feel free to shoot me a private message if you need them.

Nancy Hernandez43 said:I know exactly what it’s like—that struggle to stay strong, trying not to let anyone see how much you're hurting, only to eventually hit a breaking point. It’s bound to happen. Honestly, things should feel a little lighter now that you've finally vented some of that internal pressure; it's a completely natural release.

In our house, we made it a ritual. Every single morning, almost everyone would wake up around the same time, sit down at the table, and have these calm, steady conversations to plan out the day ahead. We made a conscious effort to avoid talking about the illness itself—we didn't want to dwell on it or constantly remind ourselves that another day was slipping by when tomorrow is always a question mark. Just keep holding on and stay brave! kiss

cosmicsurfer7 said:Listen, everyone, I’m sending my best to all of you. I truly believe that if we just stay relentless—if we show some real grit and nothing else—we can finally tear down these ridiculous bureaucratic hurdles standing in our way. It feels like we're constantly hitting a brick wall of red tape, doesn't it? So, let's not just sit around complaining. Please, start rallying the troops and get everyone to sign the petition. We need numbers to make this stick.

I stumbled upon this manuscript the other day... www.milosav-cabrilo.com Honestly, this is well worth a read. There’s some genuinely useful data tucked in here that could really help us get our bearings.

Pusaaaaaaaaa to everyone!

cosmicsurfer7 said:My dear friends, sending my best to all of you. I truly believe that through sheer persistence—nothing less than pure grit—we can tear down these BUREAUCRATIC BARRIERS standing in our way. Let’s get everyone moving and signing this PETITION.

I actually stumbled upon a manuscript over at www.milosav-cabrilo.com that is genuinely worth your time; it contains some solid data that might actually be useful to us.

Pusa to everyone!

Nancy Hernandez43 said:Everything turned out fine, thank goodness. :-) My crash was pretty much a full-blown stuntman moment; the guy who saw me go down didn't hesitate for a second—he jumped straight into his car to give me an emergency drive to the hospital. 😍 It wasn't my first time wiping out on a bike, so the ladies at the local pharmacy already know my face. 🤣 I’ve probably become their favorite regular at this point.

I find it incredibly poignant when you realize your parents have essentially become your children. The most endearing thing lately has been hearing them chirp, "What about me? Do I get a chocolate bar?!" or "I went diving, look how much I dove!" But the absolute worst are those little "shhh, shhh, eat up, eat up..." noises... honestly, that's what drives me up the wall.🤣

It is actually quite wonderful when a father treats you like his own legal counsel; it shows he has immense trust in your judgment. In our house, Dad was always the one talking to the doctors, sometimes even offering them suggestions on the treatment plan. 😁 He even kept his own private logbook where he recorded and described every single tiny movement or change.

At the end of the day, it isn't just about how much help we can get from physicians and modern medicine; it’s about how much of an impact we can make on our loved ones ourselves. Kisses.

Nancy Hernandez43 said:Thanks for checking in, but I’m not taking anything orally for her hand. It’s been 20 days already, and now the pain only flares up if she puts too much pressure on it (like when she leans against it🤣).

Mom is doing okay. She’s actually living proof that you shouldn't take medical prognoses as gospel. Physically and overall, she looks great from the outside, but mentally and internally, she’s still quite fragile. She drifts off frequently; even though she’s naturally incredibly stubborn, right now she’s acting almost like a small child. She’ll wander into my room just to ask, "Can I go outside without my hair? What will people think of me?" Her hair has fully grown back after chemo—she’s even had it trimmed twice—but it’s as if she still sees that exhausted version of herself staring back from the mirror. Thanks for asking, though; it seems things are moving in the right direction, and I expect she'll be feeling even better by her next check-up on October 16th.

Is your dad's hand doing any better?

Hang in there and stay strong!

Nancy Hernandez43 said:I appreciate the concern, but I’m not taking anything by mouth. It’s been 20 days now, and the only time it hurts is when I put some pressure on it (meaning, when I lean against it🤣).

Mom is doing okay. She’s actually a perfect example of why you shouldn't take medical prognoses as gospel. Physically and overall, she looks great from the outside, but mentally and internally, she’s still quite fragile. She drifts off frequently; even though she’s naturally incredibly stubborn, right now she’s acting like a little kid. She’ll wander into my room and ask, "Can I go outside without my hair? What will people think?" Her hair has fully grown back after chemo—she’s even had it trimmed twice already—but it’s as if she still sees her old, exhausted self staring back from the mirror. Thanks for asking, but it seems things are heading in the right direction, and I think she’ll be feeling even better by her next check-up on October 16th.

Is your dad's arm doing any better?

Hang in there and stay strong!

slyseal28 said:Our association, along with several other patient advocacy groups, has officially launched a petition demanding top-tier treatment for chronic, severe, and rare diseases—specifically when prescribed by specialists—to be fully covered by Medicare. We kicked off the signing process yesterday at 6:30 PM at our booth during the "Summer evening at Central Park" music and fashion festival. We’ll be out there again today starting at 6:00 PM, and then we'll be stationed at the park's music pavilion from Thursday, July 17th through Saturday, July 19th, also starting at 6:00 PM.

For those of you who can't make it down to Washington, D.C., don't worry—we can send the petition form directly to your email so you can circulate it among your networks. Once signed, just mail the physical copies back to the association's address.

Let's harness the power of the internet and make some noise!

dustyranger11 said:🙂

It’s remarkably similar to what my father is going through. Today—I was actually at work getting my totaled car repaired—he was almost acting completely normal. He even tried to get behind the wheel of a car; I barely managed to stop him. The thing is, he remembers everything. Everything the mechanic tells him sticks. It really stung, though, when he called me by my mother's name, and the kicker is that he knows he did it. He told me how strange it felt to call me that, adding that it's probably because I'll be joining her soon (she passed away from a heart attack back in '95). I just tell him, "As long as you're still breathing, there's hope." One day his throat is raw, the next it's fine, and then he'll spike a fever. I told him that once the sun goes down tomorrow, we're going for a walk, even if I have to lead him around on a leash. I actually spotted him today from the bus (I recognize him; he has a feeding tube and that large syringe they use to administer nutrition). I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him pouring beer straight into the tube.
When I asked Dad if he wanted a beer, he said no, he'd let me know when he's in the mood, or maybe some wine. Honestly, I'd fulfill any wish he had.

Nancy Hernandez43 said:I assumed it was a nerve issue because about 20 days ago I had a bicycle accident where I injured a nerve from a fall, and my arm still hurts and feels numb—the pain just radiates all the way down the entire arm.

That’s exactly right—we keep moving forward with the same grit and determination; hope is the compass that keeps us on track! Hang in there.

Nancy Hernandez43 said:I assumed it was nerve-related because about 20 days ago I had a bicycle accident where I injured a nerve from a fall, and my arm still hurts and feels numb—the pain just radiates all the way down my arm.

That’s exactly right—we keep pushing forward with the same grit and determination; hope is the compass that keeps us on track! Hang in there.

Betty Sanchez82 said:To be honest, I went quiet for a while because I genuinely didn't know how to put my thoughts into words. My dad—who is fighting stomach adenocarcinoma with liver metastases—just finished his first round of chemo. It was a grueling six days. He had to take Cisplatina along with five doses of 5Fu (that’s a 22-hour drip, five bottles in a row). They finally let him come home, and now he's facing a four-week recovery period. On the first day, he felt pretty wiped out, though he chalked it up to being stuck in bed for six days straight. Usually, he’s an incredibly active guy. His main complaint right now is this tightness when he swallows, almost like a sore throat. His doctor prescribed some kind of gel for it today. While searching online, I stumbled upon a site focusing on fungal-based health supplements. I reached out to them and they seem legitimate enough, but man, the price tag is steep. For a 60-day course of treatment, you're looking at roughly $5667. Honestly, if it actually works, the money isn't the issue. I’m curious to hear what you all think. Has anyone here actually tried this? There was a moment where I felt like just buying everything in sight to help him. I took a page out of Angela Wright's book and bought some Native propolis; he’s also drinking plenty of nettle tea, eating tons of fresh fruits and veggies, and of course, sipping on beet juice. Does anyone else have tips on boosting blood counts or prepping the body for the next chemo cycle? Sending so much strength to everyone here. Reading these posts really makes me feel less alone in this fight.

Linda Wright5 said:She’s 39, and yesterday marked exactly one year since her surgery. She was diagnosed with Stage IIIc ovarian cancer. We were recently told that her specific type is one of the most aggressive ones out there—I can't quite recall the technical term, something about the cellular structure—so even after cycling through four different types of chemotherapy, she hasn't hit remission; instead, we've just been watching the progression. Honestly, the doctors have called her a medical miracle for how much time she's gained. Back in November, they gave her maybe one to four months, yet here we are, having doubled that most optimistic forecast. She has been such an incredible fighter this entire time, and I am just so incredibly proud of her!