shadowtinker16 said:Hey girls! So, I'm 18 and just had my first gynecologist appointment. She diagnosed me with PCOS and told me I need to get some hormone testing done at an endocrinology lab. When I asked her where exactly that was, she wasn't exactly helpful... she actually kind of snapped at me and just said those labs are located in certain hospitals. 😕 Since my period started yesterday, and those hormone tests have to be done on day 3, 4, or 5, I should probably head out tomorrow. I tried looking online for labs that handle this, but everything is so confusingly worded that I decided to ask you all instead, hoping someone might know something about it. I was thinking about going to Mayo Clinic, but I'm not sure if it's better to go in the morning, if I need to fast, or how the whole process works. Anyway, if anyone has any advice at all, please let me know; I would truly appreciate anything you can share! Thanks so much! 🙂 Best regards,
I attempted to comment on this thread once before, but it seems my post didn't actually publish!
Well, I recently ran into a situation where I needed to find an endocrinology lab in Washington, D.C., and being just a student here, it was quite a hassle. Since hormones need to be drawn on day 3 of the cycle (I'm not entirely sure how your doctor gave you instructions for day 4 or 5, given that even a child knows the timing needs to be precisely on day 3)... I was feeling quite pressured to get the bloodwork done immediately. First, I called the local hospital system, but some woman there answered quite curtly, telling me I had to make an appointment and that the wait for bloodwork could be as long as a month. Well... by then, I certainly won't be on day three of my cycle anymore. So, I ended up going to Peterson, and they actually saw me without an appointment! It seems they operate every day from 7 to 10 AM. Therefore, next time, I would suggest heading over to Peterson...
I suppose I am a bit late to this conversation, but better late than never... I recently found myself facing the exact same dilemma because I don't live in Washington, D.C., yet I desperately needed an endocrinology lab. I called the local municipal hospital, where some rather brusque woman saw fit to lecture me on why I hadn't made an appointment beforehand... quite condescending, really. However, I eventually decided to try the Mayo Clinic, and they actually took me in without any prior scheduling at all. If I recall correctly, they operate on a walk-in basis from 7:00 to 10:00 AM... It is absolutely vital to have your hormones tested on the third day of your cycle. I have no idea why anyone would suggest the fourth or fifth day when the standard medical practice is strictly the third... I have been doing this for nearly a decade now, and not a single gynecologist has ever suggested anything other than the third day.
Megan Perez67 said:First, hello to everyone... I am honestly not even sure where to begin, given how much life has seemed to collapse on me lately, leaving me feeling quite adrift. Three years ago, I went through a divorce after twelve years of marriage—which had its share of highs and lows, though that feels secondary now. I eventually moved past that and tried to move forward, though being unemployed and relying on my mother made things difficult, even if those struggles have since passed. I met someone who actually restored my faith in love, and just as things were looking up last year, my father suffered a stroke and is still in recovery. I kept telling myself that after everything that went wrong back in 2007, the storm was finally passing, I’d found work, and I was even thinking about remarriage, but... there is always that "but." At the end of December, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery on Tuesday, and her doctor isn't offering much optimism; he suggests things look grim and that radiation and chemotherapy will likely be necessary. We are waiting on further results. It all feels so foreign and overwhelming, and I find myself feeling quite frightened and lost.😕 There are days when I feel overtaken by grief and spend the entire day crying, only to reach a moment where I desperately want to deny the reality of it all, pretending as though none of this is happening to me... until my mother calls, pulling me right back into the reality I am trying so hard to escape, longing to return to a time when everything was simply fine.
Dear Megan Perez67, It seems that when misfortune begins to strike, it tends to cluster together like magnets, making it all feel incredibly dark in short order. However, if you can find the inner strength required, you will face it... they say luck favors the brave, and perhaps if you maintain your courage, better days will follow, because one cannot truly run from life...
For me, 2007 was such an abysmal year that I hardly care to speak of it, yet I mention it here because this community helped me find the fortitude to endure it. First, my parents separated, then my mother fell ill with cancer, and she was in critical condition following her surgery. Then there was a professor who made my life quite miserable, leading to a struggle that felt just as long and painful as my mother's chemotherapy sessions. To make matters worse, both my parents lost their jobs, and we had to put our house on the market, which still hasn't sold. Just as my mother and I finally began to win those battles, I lost a friend, and my father fell ill only two months ago. But one does not surrender... these are merely life's tribulations that one must learn to confront. There is no surrendering, for cancer itself knows no surrender; it only understands a bitter fight. So, keep your head up, and be the strength your mother needs to see this through... kisses
wiredranger21 said:Greetings... I wish everyone—their families, friends, relatives, and all those close to them—a successful fight against all manner of pests and other illnesses...
Everyone has their own story, and I suppose I have mine to tell. I am hoping you might be able to offer some guidance through your advice... My old man suddenly found himself unable to move his legs just three weeks ago. Everything from the waist down simply stopped working. Before that, he was dealing with constant pain around his shoulders and back (he’s a big guy, and a nerve likely got pinched). It landed him in the hospital. They discovered skin cancer—melanoma, it seems. The metastases have spread to the bone, which presumably is why the nerve is being compressed and he’s immobile... He went through radiation, and likely chemotherapy as well... and now, after only three weeks, they are discharging him!😠 How is that even possible? Why? They haven't actually done anything... I read through your posts and everyone keeps mentioning Taxotere, Xelod, Biobran... none of those were prescribed or administered to him... I was looking online and saw one vial of Taxotere 1x80mg/2ml costs about 5,275 dollars, maybe? I honestly don't know... I'm lost here. Is Taxotere-based chemotherapy something you have to pay out of pocket? Based on what Martine 973 wrote, her mother has been undergoing treatment for a year... at those prices, only a millionaire could afford Taxotere chemo...😕 Why aren't they giving it to him? You all probably know the answer, and you'll likely think I'm quite ignorant for asking, but I truly have no clue... 😢
Welcome to this forum; I am certain you will find the answers you need here.
I don't know much about my mother's specific treatment, nor the exact medications or the specific drugs used during her chemotherapy. What I do know best is how much it costs, because I see the financial strain firsthand... though we haven't complained about a single cent, because at the end of the day, she is our mother, and we can say we would do absolutely anything for her.
We haven't been exactly sitting on a pile of cash; we've taken out loans, we're selling everything we own, and we're trying to forget the shock of what we call the "staggering price tag" for this "tragic struggle" the moment we see she is doing well and the cancer cells are gone. Right now, we are waiting for her next check-up in about a month, and we are terrified. If they find cancer cells again, unfortunately, we will be forced to continue her treatment in America (she is being treated at Avian in the US) because we will have completely exhausted our resources.
As for that inexplicable discharge—you should seek advice from a specialist, because there is no harm in seeking a second opinion.
Stay strong, fight with everything you have, and do not regret a single thing—together, I am sure you will find a way to cherish every shared moment and pour strength into one another... kisses
Grace Fowler said:My dear friends... I wanted to check in before I head out, as I have a surgical consultation scheduled for tomorrow... I will be sure to update everyone once I know more... Grace, stay strong...
Dear Grace, I was actually thinking of reaching out today just to send some strength your way... hang in there, everything will turn out fine. We are all waiting for your update...
mellowcanyon36 said:Hello, everyone. I am new here, and in just two days, I have read through every single post... I feel as though I know you all better than some people I actually socialize with in real life, and every time I read that one of you has passed away, I feel this tightening in my stomach. My deepest condolences to everyone, and I truly hope you find the strength to keep moving forward...
I have a story of my own. Just a few weeks ago, right around 😢 Christmas, my father was diagnosed with throat cancer at the base of his tongue. Initially, they suggested it might be in its earliest stages because he was struggling to swallow, but they were mistaken. His neck on the right side is already full of metastases... 😢 This coming Monday, January 21st, he is undergoing surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, but we have no idea what to expect. Apparently, he has those old metal fillings in his mouth, and they say the metal interferes with the CT scans, so they can't get clear outlines or determine if the cancer has already spread toward his pharynx. I cannot even begin to tell you how terrified I am, especially after seeing how many people pass away just months after their diagnosis. Still, I keep reading, trying to stay informed... I just hope the surgery goes well, and when Dad comes home in a month, I want us to be ready, fully geared up for the fight ahead... He is a strong man normally, but he is deathly afraid of illness—a total germaphobe—so I worry about how that might impact his recovery. He’ll be 54 in a month and is in good physical shape; he’s eating like crazy because he knows there will be a period where he won't be able to, and he's gaining weight, which feels like a good sign... If anyone here has dealt with cancer in that specific area, please, give me some advice... I am especially looking for input from MOREMAL, who mentioned her father recovered...
Beti
Welcome to this virtual community that will help you find your footing, as it has helped all of us... I know exactly the weight you are carrying, because I experienced it myself, just like so many others on this forum. Shock, disbelief, panic, and grief all bleeding together inside you... isn't that right? I try so hard not to show that grief to my father, lest I lose my own strength and my faith that everything will turn out okay. When I first learned of my mother's diagnosis, I could barely control my emotions; most of the time, I just wept... I knew that was the only way I could comfort her, but I couldn't help myself. Quite quickly, however, I managed to overcome the sorrow by promising both her and myself that everything would be fine as long as we stood together. I tried to laugh, to joke, to project courage and resolve... searching for any reason to believe she would get better. Today, nine months later, she is doing well, even though they had essentially written her off at the time of diagnosis. We are still fighting, with the same intensity as before. The surgeons who operated on my mother often ask why we didn't go to see Dr. Haller, who is highly regarded at the Mayo Clinic...
Hang in there and have faith... the 21st will be here before you know it, and then you will finally have the answers to all your questions. Kisses.
Laura Kelly91 said:My dear friends, I have been away for a while, and unfortunately, things have taken a very dark turn. My father passed away on January 10th, after enduring several days of unimaginable pain. His condition declined so suddenly... it was devastating, and honestly, it still is. He left us just eight months after my mother, who fought a losing battle against cancer for twenty days. He was diagnosed with a tumor only three and a half months ago... At least they are together now, though I find myself feeling an endless sort of sadness—or perhaps more accurately, a total numbness... Now, I want to offer you my support in your own battles. Despite everything, I truly believe that victory is possible if one tries every avenue; there are simply too many success stories out there to ignore. So please, keep pushing and keep fighting; one can never afford to give up...
Dear,
Thank you for finding the strength to reach out and offer us words of encouragement during what must be your most difficult moment. I am so deeply sorry that life has been so cruel to you, leaving you without both parents in such a tragically short window of time; I struggle to find the right words to express my condolences. I cannot begin to fathom the weight of the grief you are carrying, but I trust you are brave enough to face this fight just as you said... because, as you noted, it is a fight worth having...
Grace Fowler said:Hello there!!! Elizabeth Gonzalez55, I truly wish you a smooth journey ahead and hope that this therapy proves successful, much as mine did...👍👋 We are all waiting with bated breath for your return and the results.... As for me, nothing particularly noteworthy is happening, just the usual preparations for the 18th, which will be my big day... Best, Grace
Hang in there. You are in my thoughts, and I am certain everything will turn out fine once the 18th passes... Kiss
gentlemoose62 said:So, my doctor just called to let me know the results came back fine. Still, she’s feeling a bit uneasy about everything, so she wants me to consult a surgeon for a second opinion just to be safe. I really wish I could just put this whole ordeal behind me, but... well, at least it isn't bad news! I have an appointment with the specialist on January 18th, so we will see how things unfold then.
Thank you all for keeping your fingers crossed for me! Please, keep doing so...
Of course... we are all right here waiting for some good news! Just stay brave and keep the faith...
Thank you for your response. I am doing quite well, though I expect to feel even better once I receive that phone call today regarding my breast biopsy results... This period of waiting, especially when you're just sitting there anticipating a telephone call, is absolutely exhausting... I am certain everything is perfectly fine, yet I find myself desperately wishing they would simply confirm it as soon as possible... Regarding your blood draw, I am honestly at a loss for what to say... I am not even from Chicago myself, but rather from Istria. I assume you are studying up in Chicago? I don't imagine you should run into any significant trouble, though you might simply require a referral from your local physician, which they could likely send to you via mail... Greetings...
I have my referral and all the necessary paperwork in hand... yet everyone seems to be feeding me completely different information. I suppose I'll just spend Friday calling around to various clinics to get some actual clarity. Are you from the Istria region? My mother and I are both residents of Pula...
I am thinking of you, and to be perfectly honest, I find myself eagerly anticipating some positive results from your puncture... Hang in there.
gentlemoose62, thank you for the response and the questions... I can only say that I don't know much regarding my mother's treatment because they tend to shield me from the details, which is perfectly understandable given that I am 186 miles quite far away.
Judging by her last check-up, this upcoming appointment will likely consist of a blood draw in Pula, followed by a trip to Austin, and the tests will probably all be wrapped up within a single day. They are incredibly efficient; so far, she’s been scheduled for 8:00 AM every time, allowing them enough time to finish everything before heading home. It will most likely go the same way this time... I should have more information for you soon, though I generally avoid prying into things with my own family to prevent opening up topics we're all trying to avoid discussing.
My mother and I joke about it constantly, getting more frequent with the humor every day. I've started to become somewhat deaf to the nonsensical comments... I often find myself having to laugh just to get through it. I am certain everything will turn out fine. Faith is what matters most, isn't it? Besides, her check-up falls on Valentine's Day, which seems like the perfect occasion for special gifts!
How are you doing, gentlemoose62?
On another note... I am not from Chicago, and I need to have blood drawn soon for an appointment—where would one go to do that? I haven't had any reason to do it locally until now since I usually handle everything down south, but I can't make the trip home right now. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT!
My sincere thanks to everyone for responding to my inquiry! I found myself momentarily lost in the vastness of the internet, and asking here simply felt like the most straightforward path...
Grace Fowler — I am truly happy for you, and please believe me when I say that your surgery will go perfectly well. You will be in my thoughts every single day, and I shall be eagerly awaiting your update once everything concludes with a positive outcome. Stay strong, as you always are... kisses
It appears that there is nothing of substance to convey at this moment... says: 😢
It is one thing to find a certain grim amusement when reading about someone else's predicament, but when I stop to consider that we might be facing the exact same fate... well, it truly leaves me feeling quite nauseous... The absolute worst part of my day is when we’re on the phone and he spends half an hour just spinning his wheels in circles... repeating the exact same points over and over again, all while drifting into completely irrelevant tangents and conveniently forgetting the most critical details, leaving me to sit there pretending I follow every single word and that everything he's saying is actually brilliant...🙄 God, please grant us patience...🙏
Believe me when I say that as the date approaches for Mom to head back to Austin for her testing, I am gripped by this creeping dread... a fear that after three months since her last visit, they might discover some kind of recurrence, effectively forcing us to start this entire grueling battle from square one. It’s also quite selfish of me to admit how much easier it feels to read about everyone else's struggles while... well, I look at Mom and see how fragile and disoriented she still is, struggling even to hold a coherent conversation over the phone or in person like this. We just have to keep believing and keep fighting... kisses.
I attempted to send you a private message, Angela Wright, but apparently... your inbox is completely overflowing. Regardless... I am reaching out today on my own account. I received my blood work results today, and there are certain abbreviations that leave me somewhat perplexed, so if anyone happens to be knowledgeable, please respond here...
For the most part, everything seems to be within a reasonable range. I do suffer from PCOS, so I am well aware that certain values are expected to be elevated... yet... I still struggle to grasp the full implications of all of them!
SHBG = 27.38 nmol/L (F: 20 - 130) ..<so this appears fine> FAI (TT/SHBG*100%) = 18.26 (F: 0.29 - 6.78)
My testosterone is slightly higher than the standard norm... though I certainly anticipated as much.
My dear fellow members, starting with Angela Wright, then Linda Campbell, and moving through all of you who are gathered here reading this...
We have left behind an old year that surprised us all in rather unpleasant ways; however, as we step into the New Year, let us choose to embrace only the pleasant surprises, for I am quite certain that is how it shall be...
May you walk boldly upon the paths of success, accompanied by abundant health, love, and the joyful smiles of your loved ones. Continue to fight and find your strength, never wavering in your determination to fulfill your desires or to live bravely, making the most of every single day spent creating beautiful moments with those who need you most...
Stay strong!!!!! Sending many kisses from Nancy Hernandez43!
Anonymous said:I am in a complete mess; I got stuck in a cycle of drug addiction and now I have been undergoing outpatient treatment under medical supervision for some time... yet, I have this unsettling sensation that being on these medications feels even worse than when I was out on the streets using. Currently, my regimen includes 18 heptanones, the antidepressant CITALON, and the sedative Prazine; prior to this, alongside the heptanones, I was taking ZAN to sleep and five 10mg tablets of Apaurin daily. I was strictly using heroin, but knowing the risks of HIV and Hepatitis, I decided to seek help. During my last overdose, while paramedics were trying to resuscitate me right there on the street in the middle of downtown, I realized I had reached my limit and needed treatment... but honestly, I don't know; all these drugs affect my brain so intensely that it's terrifying. I feel like a lab rat being used for experimentation until they finally stumble upon the right combination for me...
I cannot even begin to fathom the hell you are currently enduring. Personally, I am not addicted to anything, so I truly have no concept of what it means to be unable to function without a substance. However, I can say with certainty that the moment you realize these treatment methods are "working poorly," you must recognize that the road to recovery can often feel like an even deeper descent into purgatory than the addiction itself...
My brother passed away from an overdose two years ago, and all I know is that our family began to fracture under the weight of grief because, during his time in treatment, we had absolutely no influence over him—we couldn't reach him to spark any more will or desire to live...
I believe everyone participating on this Forum is acutely aware of the systemic shortcomings within our healthcare system, and just how much of a difference our collective efforts might make... I want to extend my sincere gratitude to slyseal28 and Angela Wright for their immense dedication and for taking the initiative on this matter; we simply cannot afford to remain idle regarding your efforts.
We also come from small towns where resources are scarce—not just financially, but in terms of access to information... many parents don't even use the internet. For them, their only source of reliable information was a former school classmate who happens to be a doctor himself. If it weren't for him, they likely would have been left completely adrift...
And so... let us raise our voices so that we may all be heard!
Angela Wright said:Since I am currently drowning in an endless sea of membership applications, I thought I would provide a few preliminary details... We should be receiving the new government domain sometime today... www.zanovidan.hr Since we are operating as an association, we are entitled to it, so I suppose we will simply transition over to it... I suppose one might find something of interest at www.carcinoms.com... if one has the particular temperament for it.We haven't officially finalized the membership protocols just yet, primarily because the sheer velocity of registrations caught us somewhat off guard... We have been weighing several different concepts, one of which involves implementing an online registration portal on our website where dues can be paid directly via the association's bank account, which will most likely be... $17Once the registration process is officially confirmed, we will arrange to have the ID card mailed directly to your home address... I heard from a few people yesterday that we should probably look into whether we might be entitled to some sort of government or municipal financial assistance... just so we could actually get a group together and start making things happen...If anyone happens to possess any deeper insight regarding this matter, I would be most grateful if you could reach out via private message...). The initial step should involve the drafting, printing, and distribution of specialized informative brochures within hospitals and clinics... each specific type of cancer would require its own dedicated pamphlet. These would need to cover the fundamentals of the disease itself, various treatment modalities, hospital options, and where to seek psychological counseling. They could also provide guidance on mental fortitude, how to approach the diagnosis, how to break the news to one's family and children, nutritional advice, and even perspectives on alternative therapies... Furthermore, a separate brochure should be produced specifically for family members and friends who find themselves thrust into this sudden reality. Too often, they are at a loss for how to act or react toward a patient who desperately requires the support and affection of their inner circle—a factor that remains just as vital to the struggle as medical intervention, if not perhaps more significant... I am planning to touch base with slyseal28 later today to coordinate our next steps regarding that inquiry about switching oncologists over at the Rib facility... perhaps we can finally put this matter to rest once and for all... To be perfectly honest, I am actually hoping that more of you will step forward and join this fight against us... because we all know exactly how broken this system is, and I certainly wouldn't want it to turn out that we are just standing here, perpetually tilting at windmills while everyone else watches... I have every intention of seeing a few "nuclear power plants" come crashing down along with them...😉 ...and even then, we won't be able to pull off a pair like that—perhaps slyseal28 alone might manage something of the sort...😍 And that is precisely why we need you—our doctors, attorneys, economists, designers, psychologists, educators, and everyone else whose profession I haven’t even managed to list... all of you who stand as part of this struggle, we truly need you. Something is bound to emerge from this chaos, it simply must, if only for the sake of those currently suffering and fighting, for those who have already lost their battles, and for those who have yet to fall ill... Sending my love to all of you... let us move forward together toward a new day...🙂
Of course, I am fully on board... You can certainly count me in for this crusade against those "windmills"... Once you finally figure out a membership fee structure, I expect the site to actually start functioning properly...
And I truly hope the government steps up with some decent funding, because this is something that serves everyone's best interests...
Angela Wright said:The association for those battling cancer, along with their families and loved ones, "FOR A NEW DAY," is officially operational as of today!🙂
Honestly, I am so overwhelmed with joy that I could weep...
What is there even to say? I am practically screaming with excitement... Is this all because of you, and for the sake of all of us?
How does one go about joining the association? And please, feel free to send any legal inquiries my way as well...
Melissa Kim45 said:It provides a certain sense of solace to witness these kinds of situations... 🙂 In much the same way, I find comfort in seeing those who have endured the worst—much like what Jane Doe mentioned earlier—seeing them still standing, having survived their struggles, continuing to fight, and remaining present with us, despite the obvious difficulties they face... Finding strength among all of you here offers me a similar peace. 🙂
My daughter just snatched a pain reliever from me... I found her overly polite request somewhat suspicious, especially since she practically tore it out of my hand as I was handing it over. To say she has a penchant for pills would be an understatement. 🙄 And now, she is eyeing two more to help her sleep... 🙄 She receives mild tranquilizers; anything stronger is far too much for her. I stopped using Haldol quite some time ago, and I am gradually tapering her off the Vacation as well... those heavy medications are truly nothing but garbage... 👎
I also have to count the earplugs before bedtime... 😁
Ladies, may God watch over you all... 🙂
I never had to manage my mother’s medications personally, as my father handled all the caregiving responsibilities... however, I do recall that regarding pain management, the doctor at the Bird clinic provided a scale ranging from 0 to 9, featuring a small rolling ball... he instructed my father that if Mom moved the ball past a 6, he could administer a pill; otherwise, he was to encourage her to endure it. I must admit, she possessed remarkable resilience and managed without medication quite often... she rarely pushed past a 6, which was ideal, as it prevented her body from becoming accustomed to being constantly sedated...
Kisses to you all, and I share your admiration for everyone who has been here since the beginning, growing even stronger and better prepared to offer support for all of our sakes...