Posts by Benjamin Grant6

Just the daily grind here in San Diego, though I suspect it’s much the same in other American cities too...👎

gentlemoose62 said:Nancy Hernandez43,
👍 I truly hope this fifth round of therapy does its job🙂 and finally puts this thing to rest once and for all...

Of course, my thoughts are with everyone else currently in the thick of this fight as well.

Thank you so much. Given the sudden shifts we’ve seen—which I know many of us have experienced—if the results from the next chemo session remain as steady as they have been so far, I think we might finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief. The markers dropped quite sharply, and the blood work looks significantly better than those moments when the doctors first started casting doubt...

I suspect the biggest factor was her finally finding her mental footing again, which is something you understand all too well...

But what I am curious about today is your perspective; as someone who has successfully "beaten the beast," what do you incorporate into your daily routine? There are endless advertisements and recommendations out there... are you still taking any specific supplements to support your immune system?

Every battle is a heavy one, and we are all left with a mountain of questions and wishes... personally, I am just hoping that after two years of this ordeal, some peace will finally settle in. That is all from me for now; I find myself waiting anxiously for the phone to ring, hoping to hear that everything is back to our usual good news...

Let us all stay brave and refuse to give up. Best regards...

feralridge3 said:pineapple... someone actually told me it was good. I haven't touched it in years, so I suppose I might pick some up today.🙂
I'm really not much of a fish person, though... 😢
Still, looking at the big picture, my diet has certainly improved. When I recall how much I used to indulge in pita wraps, pizza, McDonald's, and Coke... I rarely touch those things now; usually, it's just home-cooked meals, plenty of fruit, and dairy products...
But I am wasting time here when I really ought to be heading to the farmer's market to grab something for lunch. 😁

Ever since I can remember, I've been somewhat traumatized by my mother's constant outbursts about how certain foods were "carcinogenic"... essentially, from the time I was a child, we barely ate junk in our house—especially nothing from McDonald's or bags of chips. We might have had a Coke every now and then, but we didn't bake or buy pizzas... So, my mother didn't have much to change in the first place—her own vices were more along the lines of bacon, wine, deli meats, and candy.

Since she fell ill, the routine has been: juice made fresh in the morning, a light snack a few hours later (often involving mortadella, which I can't stand), and lunch is strictly a cooked meal consisting of vegetables and meat (we used to eat a lot of potatoes and pasta, but we've almost entirely cut those out). Dinner is occasionally cooked as well (for the first two months after her first surgery, everything was cooked), though we often settle for pancakes—which, admittedly, is one of her weaknesses—or perhaps some pineapple. Regarding dairy, she is currently quite wary because the recurrence spread toward her intestines, so she's been advised to be careful for a while. However, since she picked up certain eating habits while in the hospital, she hasn't stopped snacking on Grana Padano at any point... even if it is incredibly greasy and salty.

In a few hours, she'll likely reach out to let me know how the chemo went. This is the fifth session, eleventh one overall, but just like the first time, we are all feeling equally on edge...

Sending love to everyone!

feralridge3 said:I heard that mixing beets, apples, and lemon makes for a great combination.
I haven't tried it myself... I really ought to pick up a juicer first.

Fortunately, juicers are actually quite affordable these days. We've had one sitting in our kitchen for about 22 years now... 😍 At first, it just sat there gathering dust, but nowadays we use it almost every single day, except for that one month when the poor thing had to go in for repairs... 🤣

To pivot slightly—yes, beets, apple, and lemon is a solid mix, though my mother tends to opt for lime more often because she finds it adds a certain sweetness and freshness...

Lately, she’s also taken a sudden liking to dicing up pineapple... 🤣 My father loses his mind over it, but since the pineapple is so "fresh," she ends up snacking on it all evening. Her other recent obsession is prepping salmon... 🤣 And I won't even begin to describe how my father feels when he gets to eat salmon every other day... he's absolutely thrilled. Still, salmon is a fantastic choice given how incredibly rich it is in omega-3 fatty acids and niacin, which is that B3 vitamin essential for cellular respiration...

http://www.allrecipes.com/food/salmon

What we consume and how we consume it is truly vital, especially since we all frequently resort to pills and supplements in search of a quick fix for our various ailments...

An interesting read:

http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/anthocyanins

feralridge3 As stated by:
I would appreciate it if you could provide us with a bit more data... 😉
My mother has been struggling with... but since she started consuming this, all those issues have completely vanished... she doesn't feel any of it anymore...
The juice is called...
The total amount required to cover... the cost would be...
It is possible to purchase...
Don't be so stingy; do share what you know... 😁

I find myself harboring a certain intuition, one that I hold to be quite deeply felt, that if we are already going to consume juices loaded with massive doses of antioxidants, it would be significantly healthier and of much higher quality to simply craft our own blends using fresh fruit and vegetables in a juicer at home...

I did a quick Google search... the first link that popped up was this one:

I find myself once again contemplating the sheer absurdity of our current trajectory, much like observing a slow-motion train wreck from a very comfortable distance... It seems we are all quite content to drift aimlessly, pretending that the cracks in the foundation aren't widening by the day. I was reading some rather pointed commentary earlier—much like the observations shared by feralridge3—and it struck me how little has actually changed despite all the noise we make about progress. We talk about systemic shifts as if they are inevitable, yet we cling to the old ways with a tenacity that borders on the pathological... Perhaps we simply enjoy the chaos, or perhaps we are just too tired to care anymore. One can only wonder how long this charade can be maintained before the reality of our situation finally catches up with us...

Or this one...

The pursuit of optimal wellness often feels like navigating a labyrinth without a map, yet certain formulations attempt to provide that much-needed compass... Zenthonic presents itself as such a guide, aiming to harmonize the body's internal rhythms through a sophisticated blend of nutrients designed to support cognitive clarity and physical vitality. It is an ambitious proposition, suggesting that by addressing specific micronutrient deficiencies, one might unlock a more resilient version of themselves... The composition focuses on bridging the gaps left by modern dietary habits, utilizing a curated selection of vitamins and minerals intended to bolster the nervous system and metabolic efficiency. While the marketing promises a seamless integration of health and performance, the true value lies in how these components interact with one's unique biological landscape... One wonders if such a comprehensive approach can truly mitigate the stressors of contemporary American life, or if it is merely another elegant solution to a much more complex problem...

So, it seems the primary impact is directed toward the immune system...

My mother prepares a juice consisting of beet, orange, carrot, and occasionally broccoli, apple, and whatever lime she might have on hand almost every single morning. This serves as her breakfast on certain days, given that she doesn't possess the habit of eating immediately upon waking, preferring to wait a few hours before her first meal...

feralridge3 said:People truly lack even the most basic sense of decorum in these circumstances...
one ought to draft a manual on social etiquette. 🤷
I find it quite taxing when I run into someone in town who feels compelled to offer some clumsy apology for failing to check in since my hospital stay... and then, once we part ways, I get the distinct impression they are simply relieved to be rid of me. 😢 Such interactions lead me to preemptively avoid certain individuals, as I can sense with near certainty that an encounter would be nothing short of awkward...😢

I suspect mothers face similar social pressures. However, since they aren't usually out in public seeking such validation, they might instead deal with those unsolicited comments like, "Oh, I haven't seen you in ages! You look wonderful—have you lost weight?" which, I suppose, can actually be perceived as a compliment...

Maria Lee54 said:feralridge3-I understand you completely, and I know exactly what it feels like when people in your circle start avoiding you under the guise of not wanting to be a burden, when all you actually want is a bit of conversation to distract you from these difficult moments for even a second, so I find myself quite alone as well. If I could just step out of the house without being dependent on someone else, life would feel significantly easier... I can count my truly sincere friends on one hand, and I am endlessly grateful to them for their help and their understanding. Unfortunately, there have also been those who helped me, only to turn around and criticize me for it. All I said was that I hope God never lets anyone else experience what this is like, and I prayed for everyone, that they might remain healthy forever...

It seems we are all navigating similar paths. But such is life—we learn to take new steps, even if we have to walk them alone...

feralridge3 said:I’ve noticed that whenever I receive bad news—like hearing about a relapse, for instance—certain people tend to suddenly "bolt," using the convenient excuse that they don't want to be a burden...🙄
yet those are precisely the moments when I find myself craving companionship just to distract my mind from the reality of the situation, but many seem too uncomfortable or awkward to stay, leaving me feeling most alone during my hardest hours...
I do have a few friends who remain steadfastly by my side...
though they'll likely outlive me three times over...😁

My father would probably remark that people either lack the basic social grace to handle these things or simply hide behind a mask of "not wanting to intrude"... and honestly, it has been that way since day one, regardless of whether we are talking about the patient or the healthy family members... It’s funny how illness acts as a filter, finally revealing who our true friends are—those willing to lend a hand without hesitation or fear...

My mother is fortunate enough to have a hobby that keeps her engaged at least once a week... she spends quite a bit of time sketching, which helps immensely in preventing her from getting stuck in a constant loop of negative thoughts...

feralridge3 said:I rarely find myself actually wanting to eat anything lately, so food doesn't really feel like a necessity to me anymore... I haven't even had a craving for Nutella pancakes in months...😁

The cheapest Glucan I can find in my area goes for $210. That’s for the 60-capsule bottle. Those ones you mentioned with the $157 brown label are likely just the smaller 30-count packs...

Today my mother brought up some medication, claiming it's quite effective but incredibly expensive,
($16000), though she couldn't quite recall the specific name...
Does anyone happen to know what she might be referring to?

My mother craves Nutella pancakes like a hungry teenager, and we don't try to stop her. I'd say she eats them in waves, because once she develops a fixation on something, that's all she wants to eat...👍
As for the Glucan, I can't say for sure—I've only caught glimpses of the prices at the local pharmacy. Regarding that medication you mentioned, I think I saw a mention of it in WebMD, but I can't remember the name or if the price was actually that high...

Lisa White54 said:We can actually find some common ground here, a sense of mutual understanding. We all endure those fluctuations—those days when we feel utterly depleted and hopeless, contrasted by moments where our strength and resolve suddenly return...
But the essential takeaway remains this: we simply refuse to give up.

Regarding the Metformin, my husband took it about two years ago when his appetite completely vanished. He went through two bottles and started eating like he hadn't seen food in weeks. Everything tasted wonderful to him, and he even put on some weight...
Now, his weight has dropped again, so he resumed the Metformin, but by the second day, he was dealing with such severe diarrhea... It might not even be the Metformin, but he certainly has no desire to take it anymore. I am at a loss as to what else I might offer him to stimulate his appetite.

Unfortunately, unless you have walked this path yourself, it is impossible to grasp the sheer terror and the sudden, overwhelming relief that can arrive within a single day based on one piece of news.

I am unsure what to suggest for my wife's appetite. My mother never used Metformin; instead, her father just had to endure her making terrible, burnt soups whenever she went through these phases. Fortunately, things are stable now since she eats whatever she fancies; she has lost some volume, and while her weight fluctuates by about three pounds either way, there isn't much cause for alarm...

Maria Lee54 said:I have no intention of giving up, nor will I surrender, regardless of how insurmountable the obstacles may seem, though describing the sheer weight of this struggle feels almost impossible... this period of waiting, stretching beyond a year now, has been nothing short of agonizing. In due course, I shall share my story, which is far from pleasant, as it concerns the injustices I have endured since the very onset of my treatment, and if I can say anything at all, it is that I am a resilient individual possessing an immense amount of patience and tolerance. The lack of support within my own home is deeply felt, yet I have established plans that I am determined to see through, and guided by those ambitions, I shall continue to press forward bravely... thank you for your kind wishes, which I extend back to you all on your respective paths toward recovery.

Based on what you have written here, as well as everything I have read thus far and experienced personally—one must unfortunately face the reality that there is simply not enough understanding or assistance available when one is facing such severe illness. It is precisely because of this that you must demonstrate your ability to handle so much on your own, and you will succeed in doing so...

When I reflect upon the closed doors we encountered and everything we endured, how the waiting consumed us from within, and the thorns and judgment we faced while grappling with our illness... there is only one distinction—we had each other. It pains me that your situation is not the same, as it truly helps to receive a sincere embrace and to see, even if only for a fleeting moment, a look of recognition in the eyes of those closest to you.

DO NOT GIVE UP! DO NOT GIVE UP! Show everyone just how beautifully you will spread your wings and soar! Puses

feralridge3 said:Things haven't reached that level of misery quite yet where I'd consider using an appetite stimulant... I’ve actually managed to establish a bit of a nutritional rhythm, and I intend to stick to it. The only thing that truly gets under my skin are those specific windows where I can only stomach one particular type of food, mostly because everything else becomes utterly revolting... but since those phases tend to cycle through fairly quickly, I suppose my body eventually manages to get whatever it needs in the end...
I have been taking one capsule of Beta-glucan daily for seven months now. Whether it has actually made a tangible difference is something I cannot say for certain... though I will note that I haven't suffered through a single cold or even a minor sniffle this entire winter season. Perhaps it really does bolster the immune system... 🤷

As long as you can maintain some semblance of a consistent eating schedule, that’s generally considered a positive sign, though I imagine it’s quite frustrating when you have a craving for something specific and find yourself unable to indulge...

My oncologist was quite adamant about incorporating Beta-glucan to bolster my immune system, and after spending some time digging through various online testimonials, I feel reasonably confident that it actually works... so please, do be certain to take it, even if it is just a single capsule a day. I am well aware of the price tag, as we ended up paying a similar amount ourselves... $233 I think I caught a glimpse of something while passing by a local pharmacy the other day... I believe there was some sort of medication being mentioned... $157No, I wouldn't exactly claim to be an expert on the matter beyond knowing that it actually works... I am certainly not suggesting that the dosage is identical when we are discussing two entirely different products, especially given the much lower price point...

No, regardless of how things unfold, I truly hope it never reaches the point where you find yourself writing that "things are looking grim on my end"... Believe me when I say everything will likely mirror this current situation or perhaps even turn out far better than what we are seeing now... Just hang in there...

Maria Lee54 said:Dear feralridge3, thank you so much for the kind wishes, and please know that I am wishing you a full recovery as well... in my case, we are dealing with a brain tumor that was only partially removed at a clinic abroad; two more surgeries are required for complete removal, but I have been stuck in this waiting phase for over a year now, and my condition has unfortunately deteriorated... from the very first day of this illness, the path toward healing has been incredibly arduous. Primarily because of the lack of specialized treatment options here in America, and then due to the series of complications I’ve faced while trying to coordinate everything overseas. I have been taking Methylprednisolone for twenty-one days just to manage the swelling and stabilize the tumor until I can finally make it to the clinic. I don't feel well; I feel helpless and weak, struggling to force myself to eat when swallowing and tongue atrophy make it such an ordeal, which ultimately makes food unappealing... and I would endure all of these physical struggles so much more easily if I hadn't also suffered the most crushing disappointment of all... having someone to share your life with, yet feeling absolutely nothing from them... I am entirely alone in everything that has happened to me. I have decided that I will fight bravely to get to that surgery first—that is the priority—and then I will deal with this other matter, which, believe me, hurts quite deeply... Sending my regards to you all, and I hope you stay strong; Larazg, Nivia179, Nancy Hernandez43, Lisa White54, Linda Cox69... I admire you all and how you continue to show up for your loved ones. Sending positive thoughts to everyone and wishing you all a swift recovery!

As Lisa White54 mentioned before me, the one who deserves admiration is you, for refusing to give up even though you lack someone to share this pain with, or even a warm embrace to help carry the load...

I am so sorry you have had to wait this long for another surgery, and sometimes I find myself wondering where such injustice comes from... However, since you were kind enough to send positive thoughts to all of us, the least I can do is return them and tell you that you must not give up; keep striving, think of all the things you still have left to accomplish and experience, and I truly hope you will be ready for surgery soon and that everything goes perfectly...

Unfortunately, I don't do much for my mother; my father has taken on that role, while I serve more as the voice she hears throughout the day...

We have actually entered a bit of a better phase recently. Mom's confusion, detachment, and general fatigue have subsided slightly, and another piece of good news is that today's blood work showed her markers dropped to 19!!! In all the positivity, I completely forgot to ask about the other values, like the neutrophils which are our biggest headache, but... we move forward! We keep fighting!

And to everyone reading this, STAY STRONG! Kisses

Linda Cox69 said:Nancy Hernandez43, thank you for the advice and the experiences you’ve shared with us...😘especially for the hard truths we needed to hear🙂
we really need to keep our thoughts positive🙏👍

I found myself spiraling into anxiety over these circumstances, essentially manufacturing an impossible situation in other areas of my life just to chase an article that might offer some inspiration for my mother...

We keep fighting...👍

Maria Fox said:Hello everyone, I hope your own battles are going well... 🙂

I am feeling quite happy today, as my mother finally received all her test results and everything looks perfect; even her radiologist told her—with that specific emphasis one uses when they aren't technically supposed to say it—that he considers her cured, noting that given her stage and these specific findings, the probability of a recurrence is virtually non-existent... 👋 🙂🙂 🙂

I truly hope we find ourselves reading news like this more frequently, so please, stay strong... 🙂

I also share the hope that we will be reading such wonderful news much more often! 👋

Linda Cox69 said:Dear Lara.
I am truly sorry for your mother and everything your family has been forced to endure...

Unfortunately, our experience with the doctors wasn't exactly stellar either, at least until we finally transitioned to a private specialist.
I sometimes joke that they effectively stole five years of my life...
I have no desire to recount all our specific struggles because it is simply too draining and places an unnecessary burden on my mind. Injustice exists, and it certainly will continue to exist. If we were to start asking why this happened to her specifically, I suspect there would be no end to the questioning...

We are navigating this situation as best we can. It drains one's energy, and sometimes I find myself wondering where it all goes... We are doing everything possible for Mom; we won't let her fall.
It broke my heart to witness her pain, knowing there is absolutely nothing you can do to alleviate it...

Still, I suppose I am an optimist at heart. She has completed one round of chemo. We are waiting for the second. Then comes another, and before we know it, we'll be halfway through...🙂
I just hope this next round manages to kill that monster more effectively (I'm not usually a violent person, but when I think about it, well...)

I only know that those who haven't walked this gauntlet alongside a loved one cannot possibly understand how we feel. People may offer sympathy or empathy, but once it involves someone of your own blood, your entire world collapses in a single second. The essence of this whole ordeal is to build a new world from the ruins. And we are building ours. We aren't giving up. We aren't letting that thing take Mom...
Our fight will be fierce and difficult, but I agree with what you said...
Even if the final outcome isn't what we are praying for😢, we will know that we did everything in our power. That we fought until the very last drop of blood. Against the doctors, against Medicare, against the monster, against everyone...
I won't dwell on it any longer...
Sending positive energy to all of you as you continue your struggle...
I am standing with you...😍

Regrettably, you have described the reality perfectly. Worlds collapse, and then new ones are forged. Anyone who experiences such cruelty emerges stronger and more courageous, gaining a new dimension to their character—though not everyone can grasp that, as everyone carries their burden in their own way...

Similarly, after reading many accounts here, browsing various sites, and listening to my own mother, I must say there is no rule stating that if one round of chemo goes well, the next one will follow suit. This isn't meant to discourage you, but one should certainly prepare for every possibility. During the first year, my mother bravely and heroically endured six rounds of chemo without major symptoms, despite the devastating psychological blow of losing her hair. Now, in this second year, she tackled the first round heroically, even though (perhaps out of sheer fear) she lost track of time regarding her appointment, which resulted in the doctors calling us with the shocking news that she had to arrive for therapy in just two days. She approached the second round with a fighting spirit, but a reaction occurred and she had to be admitted to the hospital. We were told to prepare for the worst, as complications can arise, especially since they will be changing the medication. Regardless, it seems like everything is so far away at the start, but then all the cycles pass, and you wonder where the time went so quickly...

From the very beginning, the doctor instructed my father to watch closely; if she complained of intense pain, he was to ask her to provide a small scale from 0 to 10 by moving a slider herself. If it wasn't higher than a 6, he was told not to give her anything. She regularly stayed around a 5, so she didn't require any pain medication. One must also keep in mind that ibuprofen can lead to dependency...

We are facing the fifth round this Monday! Apparently, there will be six in total, but if there need to be more, we are ready—and most importantly, she is ready. She copied an article for me where the core idea is this:

"A few brief reminders regarding certain scientific truths:
1. Desire is essentially a form of prayer. If you can visualize your desire being fulfilled—truly feeling it as an existing reality—you will experience the profound joy of having that prayer answered.

2. Through the focused application of thought, one can construct perfect health, success, and happiness.

3. One should permit oneself to feel both joy and tranquility by anticipating the certain realization of their intended goals.

4. A single mental image carries more weight than a thousand words. The subconscious mind will eventually materialize any image born within the consciousness that is firmly rooted in faith.

5. Avoid all forms of forceful effort or mental strain during prayer. Instead, allow a sense of drowsiness to wash over you, drifting into sleep with the absolute conviction that your prayer has already been heard.

6. Whatever you perceive as truth, command it to be fulfilled within your thoughts—and it shall manifest. Direct your focus toward harmony, health, peace, and abundance."

Let us all remain courageous and resilient, maintaining a positive outlook on life, for there is no tomorrow, only the present moment...

Susan Diaz91 said:My dear ones...

I haven't been around for about ten days because I was looking after my mother, who just returned home from the hospital.
It has been confirmed that she has lung adenocarcinoma which has spread from the lungs to her neck and lymph nodes... they even found a metastasis in her thoracic spine...

To build upon everything else... she was discharged from the hospital looking absolutely frail, having lost so much weight... I’ve been cooking for her, trying everything I can, and she finally started eating, which was a relief.

Her pulmonologist was brutally honest with me: "Your mother's condition isn't just serious; it is extremely critical, and she needs to begin chemo IMMEDIATELY." The issue is the oncology department here in the local area—they simply don't have any openings.....

I just stood there observing... (I wasn't pulling any strings or using any connections) and at the oncology ward, they tell me: "Your mother will receive the GEMZAR medication we ordered, but we have to wait three weeks for Medicare to approve it."
The medicine isn't the bottleneck; it's the space... she won't be seen for a minimum of two to two and a half months, and that's for inpatient care since she is considered a cardiac patient...

I didn't say anything to the oncologist, nor did I protest... I simply said, "Very well, please schedule her."
They scheduled her for inpatient admission and chemotherapy back in June. They told me that's actually fast, considering radiation can sometimes have a six-month wait...😱

I suppose I was lucky to have spent so many years working in law and collaborating closely with physicians—handling things like accident reconstructions, trauma assessments, autopsies, and forensic pathology—so I was able to approach a high-ranking official at the Mayo Clinic to ask for the unvarnished truth regarding my mother's illness... (that specific truth that doctors tend to share with one another as colleagues, but rarely reveal to a patient or a family member; I learned through my work with doctors that there are two truths—the one told to the patient, and the one shared between professionals when discussing a case).

When I visited his office the following day, he looked me straight in the face and said: "Get your mother out of here immediately. Forget the formalities and the referrals... skip the waiting lists for GEMZAR approval... your mother needs chemotherapy literally tomorrow... because it could very easily happen that while you are waiting, she passes away between doses."

There was no need for them to perform a CT scan of the thorax or put her through the agony of a lung puncture... if they had simply sampled the fluid from the lymph node in her neck, they would have identified the cancer cells instantly... oh, dear Susan Diaz91, if only you had reached out sooner, we could have saved those three weeks.😢

When dealing with cancer, darling, every single day matters, and you must take this seriously...

I was left stunned and asked if he could recommend someone in Washington, D.C.???.. A hospital... where, who... anywhere, because I am six and a half months pregnant and feeling completely lost... He told me he could help, but warned me that entering a major hospital is always a massive ordeal: the intake, then the connections, then the repeat tests in oncology because hospitals insist on their own findings, and then there are the infamous priorities (you have to understand there will always be someone with a stronger connection or a more advanced stage of disease who will jump ahead of your mother because she isn't dying yet... and because there is still hope... the waiting lists, the Medicare approvals, and so on...

Then he told me: "Unfortunately, our working conditions are such that we don't have time to focus on the individual patient; we deal with the disease itself, and a more aggressive, advanced disease presents a greater challenge to us than a condition that isn't quite as urgent." That is the reality.

Regarding what I said... what else am I supposed to do????

He told me that if there is money available... seek private treatment immediately... this cannot wait...

And so, my dear friends here, what can I even say... my brother and I decided to take Mom across the border to a private clinic... (just over the border from us) and I must say they admitted her immediately on Sunday, performed an examination right away, and did a chest X-ray (nothing has worsened, the pleural effusion has resolved, there is no fluid in the lungs)... they praised her pulmonologist, who was such a brilliant specialist (that is how I affectionately used to call her), her cardiac function is good, but they noted she lost a significant amount of electrolytes while in the hospital... they administered 4 liters of IV fluids over two days...

They held a consultative review yesterday morning, consisting of:
1. A cardiologist (since she is a heart patient)
2. An oncologist,
3. A pulmonologist,
4. An internist, and
5. A pharmacologist... and she begins chemotherapy this Thursday.

One dose of the primary chemotherapy costs 250 Dollars, and the daily rate for a hospital bed is 60 Dollars...

They spoke highly of the Pulmonology department for their work, but they declined to comment on anything regarding Oncology (and frankly, neither would I).

The purpose of this post is NOT to disparage our doctors—they deserve respect because they work under conditions that fall far below basic human dignity—the point of this post is to highlight a growing reality: we are becoming exactly like America... if you have the funds, you get treated; if you don't, you suffer and you wait.

Pitiful and utterly wretched

To be clear, I don't hold unrealistic expectations or make unreasonable demands (after all, no one is truly "cured" of cancer, and those who claim to be usually reach out years later facing a recurrence, or if someone actually does beat it, they become the subject of documentaries and science specials), but
I understand perfectly well when one professional tells another that treatment must happen IMMEDIATELY, and I simply cannot live under that kind of pressure; I want to help IMMEDIATELY (as we were advised) because there is such a thing as a fight for life, giving a Person a chance to try to save themselves... and doing all of this while maintaining some semblance of human dignity.

If I fail to save my mother, I will be profoundly saddened by my own perceived failure, but at least I will have a clear conscience knowing that I exhausted every single possibility.

We faced a similar situation with our mother during her initial diagnosis, which was repeatedly delayed, and the doctors offered neither certainty nor solutions nor timelines. Nothing.

As friends helping friends, we uncovered the truth and spent the middle of the night searching for an emergency discharge from the hospital, much like I mentioned before regarding that discharge summary stating (after a month and a half of biopsies and hospital stays): "patient is discharged pending new results, suspicion of cancerous cells"! By then, the stage was already IIIC.

In any case, from day one, we didn't hesitate so that she wouldn't be stuck waiting in line for surgery or chemo, which is why she is at Mayo Clinic now. According to my father, quite a few people from the local municipal hospitals end up going there.

Anyway, I hope that despite everything, the chemo goes well because you acted on accurate information immediately and provided her with an opportunity!

Stay strong!

jadetinker42 said:Just thought I’d mention that another "match" concluded today...😢😢😢

Osteosarcoma vs. Youth: 1-0😢

And she was only twenty-six years old....😢

"Life existed before we were born and will continue to exist after we leave this world" (Coelho)

Her youth withered under the weight of pain; my sincere condolences on the loss of such a budding soul, whom you shall surely encounter again in the next life...

wanderingharbor61 said:My mother lost her battle with melanoma yesterday... she just stopped breathing, extinguished like a match when the flame runs out...🙂

My deepest condolences.

The flame may have gone out, but she hasn't vanished... she remains within your very being, your heart, and your thoughts, watching over you until the day you meet again...

brisksurfer said:I remember being at the hospital with my father in Jordan for the first time, and there was this incredibly beautiful young woman sitting in the hallway right next to us... she had short hair, just starting to grow back after chemotherapy, and she was in a wheelchair because her right leg had been amputated... she sat there for quite a while, and it was clear all the hospital staff knew her. She had traveled from another city for an exam and was stuck waiting because there wasn't anyone available to see her, plus the X-ray machine had broken down 😠.

The whole hospital felt so gray and lifeless, yet there she was, looking so radiant and young while she waited... that image is going to stay with me for the rest of my life. For days afterward, I found myself telling everyone how we simply need to be happy and grateful for our health, describing that scene over and over... and whenever that memory resurfaces, I can't help but wonder if anyone up above is even watching what happens down here... and why there is such a lack of justice... because she certainly didn't do anything to deserve this...

I am not sure if we are talking about the same person, but in any case, my heart aches terribly for her 😢... I was absolutely furious that day in the hospital because nobody could attend to her, much like how I feel now having read this 👎

There is no justice, nor is there any law that dictates which individuals will be forced to face the most brutal struggles in life😢

"A person is never as unhappy as they think they are, nor as happy as they hoped to be"

People don't seem to understand me when I say I feel happy just because I opened my eyes this morning, got up, took a walk, and smiled because a new day has begun... they immediately start poisoning my mood by complaining about this or that... but the truth is, until you are hit with health problems, you aren't even aware of just how happy you actually were before...