Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

I remain an optimist at heart. I truly believe there isn't a disease in this world that cannot be confronted. I simply cannot afford to think any other way. Did you think I didn't believe medicine could help us? Of course I did. We turned to them first, and they told us there was nothing more they could do. This isn't my fault, it isn't yours, and it isn't even their fault... The blame lies with those who care only about profit. Whether we like it or not, everything revolves around money.
Besides, I don't think you quite understood my point. If a doctor tells you they can no longer help, what choice do you have left other than trying every possible avenue to save yourself? Even if that means seeking out "unproven alternative practitioners," as you call them. Reading through various forums, I have seen many people who have actually recovered, and thank God for that. One must never give up.
Yes, unfortunately, the pharmaceutical industry is a massive business. It isn't that a doctor doesn't want to cure you; of course they do. There is no greater feeling in life than saving someone. But when they run out of weapons to fight cancer, they are forced to tell you they can't help anymore. A doctor is just a human being, subject to the same limitations as anyone else.
Let's set aside our egos and help one another. People on both sides of the medical spectrum—both the alternative practitioners and the MDs—can be prideful. They often refuse to acknowledge the successes of the other side, which is a mistake. It is rare to find physicians who rise above that level, doctors who are genuinely interested in both natural healing and the methods they were taught at places like Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Please, do not take this personally; that isn't my intention. What was I supposed to do when I was told I was sick? Just give up? No. There is no surrender. We move forward, no matter what happens.
slyseal28, does it really matter how someone finds their cure as long as they are cured? I don't believe you truly mean what you said. Health is health, regardless of the path taken to achieve it...

slyseal28 said:but the real issue lies in how one actually achieves healing... and that is precisely where the complication arises. You simply cannot tell people who find themselves in a hopeless situation, "Look, if the doctors have given up on you, just try a bunch of unverified remedies and believe, and you will certainly be cured." Perhaps you didn't say it quite like that, but more often than not, that is the exact kind of input we receive from the "alternative medicine" crowd. Not to mention those proponents of alternative therapies who attempt to discredit mainstream medicine with such nonsensical claims; it is truly appalling...
I am speaking to you primarily from the perspective of a wife watching her husband slowly and steadily slip away. What we experience is a constant barrage of unsolicited advice—things like: start using MMS, try Mattias Rath's vitamins, read that book by the famous Lothar, and many other unproven miracles... and you will surely succeed. They suggest that because medicine lacks a solution, you should doubt everything. It leads us to a point where we begin to question every single step we took to fight for even a slightly longer life. Suddenly, you find yourself wondering: Should we have bypassed the chemotherapy or radiation? Is there perhaps a conspiracy, and are malicious pharmaceutical companies withholding the true cure? I don't know if you grasp what I am trying to convey... the fundamental problem is that there are diseases for which a cure simply does not yet exist...

The prognosis for my husband was one year. We are now entering our third year here. The situation is far from bright, yet we refuse to surrender. However, we are fighting with conventional medicine. Had we given up, he would have passed away within three months, because his tumor is so aggressive that no herb or vitamin could possibly halt its progress...
My husband still possesses an endless reservoir of willpower and strength to keep going. He is currently in the hospital, having undergone his second surgery (thoracic) this past Wednesday. Even now, he is already back on his feet and can hardly wait to return home. Meanwhile, I am desperately searching for some way to access that damned medication—which, of course, isn't on the approved list—that might grant him just a little more time...

I want to emphasize once more: the most devastating thing any patient has to face is the reality that for certain illnesses, there truly is no cure, and everything boils down to merely extending life...

Listening to a story like yours provides the strength for all of us to be grateful for the moments we share with our loved ones and to never give up at any moment!

Every one of us would love to know that we will win these battles and that everything will be left behind like a bad dream; we would all love to escape it... but then we look back and realize that this is simply life...

What you are doing for your husband, and the sheer strength you exert for others, deserves a level of gratitude that words cannot express. I can write nothing else, though I hope they approve the medication, as that would be the only just outcome after all the injustice of this disease! I wish him a happy return home, a smoother recovery, and continued success in his fight!

Drew Allen said:I’m still an optimist at heart, and I truly believe there isn't a disease out there that can't be fought. I can't—and won't—think any other way. You think I didn't believe medicine could help us? Of course I did. That was our first stop, and they told us they couldn't do anything. It’s not my fault, it’s not yours, and honestly, it’s not even the doctors' fault... It’s the people for whom money is the only thing that matters. Whether we like it or not, everything revolves around the bottom line.
And look, you still haven't quite understood my point. If a doctor tells you there’s nothing more they can do, what else are you supposed to do besides try every possible avenue to save yourself? Even if that means turning to those "unproven alternative practitioners," as you call them. Reading through various forums, I've seen that plenty of people have actually recovered, and thank God for that. You can never just give up.
Yes, unfortunately, big pharma is a massive business. It’s not that a doctor doesn't *want* to cure you. Of course they do. There is no greater feeling in life than saving someone, but when they run out of weapons against cancer, they are forced to tell you they can't help anymore. A doctor is just a human being, after all.
Let's set aside our egos and just help one another. People on both sides of the medical divide—the alternative crowd and the MDs—can be incredibly stubborn, refusing to acknowledge the successes of the other side, and that is a mistake. It is rare to find physicians who rise above that level, those who are genuinely interested in both natural approaches and the traditional training they received in med school.
Please, don't take this personally; I'm not attacking you. What was I supposed to do when we were told the diagnosis was terminal? Just roll over? No. There is no surrender. We keep moving forward, whatever comes next.
slyseal28, does it really matter how someone gets better, as long as they actually recover??? I don't believe for a second that you actually mean what you said. Health is health, regardless of the path you take to reach it...

I am taking nothing personally, nor am I angry with you. All we ask from these "alternative" types is for them to provide actual documentation proving they have dealt with severe illnesses and showing exactly how they were cured. And ideally, it would be someone we could actually contact. Not some guy named John in Tungusia or a lady named Mary living behind seven mountains whose friend's friend claims a miraculous recovery.

Of course it doesn't matter how you achieve wellness. The reality is that some people, unfortunately, simply don't recover because an effective cure still hasn't been found.

And I’m not being egotistical. I’m sorry you feel that way. I would give anything to find something that could help my husband and others suffering like him.

I don't understand this part: It’s the people for whom money is the only thing that matters. Whether we like it or not, everything revolves around the bottom line. 😕 You're falling for conspiracy theories again...

And you're back to talking about "natural healing"??? For what? Cancer? For heaven's sake, show me the people who have actually been cured of cancer through purely natural means. Where are they? Why aren't they standing up and showing the path to the 20,000 Americans who fall ill with cancer every year? How many of our people have actually been cured of cancer through "nature"?
The whole time, the "alternative" crowd keeps pushing the narrative that stories of "miraculous recoveries" can't be shared with the public because pharmaceutical lobbies won't allow it. That is pure nonsense! We have excellent contacts with journalists and editors who would jump at the chance to publish such stories. But, unfortunately, they just don't exist.

Drew Allen said:I’m still an optimist at heart, and I truly believe there isn't a single disease out there that we can't find a way to confront.

I consider myself an optimist too, but I try to stay grounded in reality—and unfortunately, for certain illnesses, a cure just doesn't exist. That said, there are always chances to improve the quality of life. That’s why we fight so hard for every single new day.

slyseal28 said:I am not being personally condescending, nor am I angry with you. All we ask from those promoting "alternative" methods is for them to provide documentation proving they have suffered through severe illness and showing exactly how they recovered. Ideally, there should be someone tangible we can actually contact. We aren't looking for stories about some John in Tungusia or a lady named Mary living behind seven mountains who was recommended by a friend of a friend regarding a miraculous cure.

Of course, the method of recovery doesn't matter. The point is that unfortunately, some people simply do not recover because an effective cure still does not exist.

I am not being vain. It saddens me that you feel this way. I would give anything to find something that could help my husband and others suffering.

I don't understand this part: It's all the fault of those who only care about money; whether we like it or not, everything revolves around profit. 😕 You are attacking a straw man again...

And are you talking about natural healing again??? From what? Cancer? For God's sake, show me people who have healed from cancer using natural methods. Where are they? Why don't they step forward and show the right path to the 20,000 Americans who are diagnosed with cancer every year? How many of our people have actually been cured of cancer through "natural" means?
The constant narrative pushed by "alternative" proponents is that stories of "miraculous recoveries" cannot be shared publicly because pharmaceutical lobbies won't allow it. That is pure nonsense! We have excellent contacts with journalists and editors who would be more than happy to run such stories. But, unfortunately, those people simply do not exist.

I will share the experience of a very dear friend of mine. A few days ago, she traveled to Cetinja to see Jovo Andrica (a herbalist), bringing a mountain of paperwork because her father is battling microcellular lung cancer with metastases in his bones and liver. Here is the gist of it. She arrived there and found a house where several people from Dubrovnik were already waiting—some there for the first time, others returning. Naturally, they chatted, and from those conversations, she realized there are many people for whom his drops have helped. When it was her turn, the practitioner went into the house with the patient's results while she waited, staying in there for about 15 minutes reviewing the documents. He came out without any drops, and she grew frightened, thinking he was going to say he couldn't help. Instead, he told her not to worry and said he could help. She then went inside with him while he prepared the remedy, and she asked him about his success rate with microcellular lung cancer. He replied, "I won't bother explaining it all to you; here is the complete documentation." He then showed her files from patients who had used the seals, including records from the hospitals where they were treated. I don't know exactly how many cases there were, but she says there are truly many who have recovered. Now, we wait to see what happens. Her father is a doctor himself and is undergoing chemotherapy, though it seems to be only once every two weeks. Also, I read somewhere that if the primary tumor is broken down—meaning it is completely removed—the metastases remain dormant or retreat entirely, which she confirmed, as she knows much more about cancer than I do.
She will read this, and I know she won't be angry with me for writing it. If you truly have connections with journalists, perhaps they could take a trip toward Cetinja and verify and publish these stories somewhere. Perhaps she will join this conversation as well, and I hope she does.

Drew Allen said:I want to share the experience of a very dear friend of mine who traveled to visit Jovo Andrica (the herbalist) in Cetinja a few days ago. She brought a massive stack of paperwork because her father is battling small cell lung cancer with metastases in his bones and liver. Here’s the gist of what happened. When she arrived at his place, there were already several people waiting outside—some visiting for the first time, others returning. Listening to their conversations, it became clear that quite a few people had actually seen real improvement from his tinctures. While she was waiting her turn, a man went inside with his medical results; he stayed in there for about fifteen minutes while the practitioner reviewed everything. When he came out without any tinctures, she actually got a bit anxious, fearing the news would be that they couldn't help. Instead, he told him not to worry and that they could help. Once she finally went in, she watched the process and asked how much success had been seen so far with small cell lung cancer cases. He simply replied, "I won't bore you with explanations; here is the complete documentation." He then showed her files containing records from various hospitals detailing patients who had treated themselves using those specific seals/drops. I can't say exactly how many examples there were, but she noted there were a significant number of successful recoveries. Now, we just wait to see what happens. Her father is actually a physician himself, and he's undergoing chemotherapy, though it seems to be scheduled once every two weeks. Also, I've read somewhere that if the primary tumor is successfully broken down—meaning it's completely eliminated—then the metastases can go dormant or disappear entirely. She confirmed this to me, as she understands the mechanics of cancer far better than I ever will.
She’ll read this, and I know she won't be angry with me for sharing it. As for you, if you happen to know any journalists, perhaps they could take a trip out to Cetinja to investigate and publish something. Maybe she’ll join this discussion too; I certainly hope she does.

Well, pass along the contact info for your friend and that herbalist. If necessary, I'll personally make the trip to see if what you're saying holds water.

slyseal28, I have sent Jovin's number to you via private message. Also, the woman who was visiting Cetinja a few days ago is actually a member of this forum, though she isn't particularly active. If she feels inclined to reach out, she will send you a private message. Thank you for understanding.

slyseal28 said:Which therapy are we talking about here?

They're going to try weekly Gemcitabine now.
I wonder if Sutent would be an option instead—it feels like the doctor might be hesitant to request it from the medical board.

Kenneth Wright3 said:They’re going to try weekly gemcitabine next.
Is Sutent an option instead? It feels like the doctor is hesitant to even bring up the request to the medical board.

Well, we really need to know the specific type of cancer being discussed. If we're talking about renal cell carcinoma, then Sutent, Nexavar, or even Avastin are standard considerations. Here in the States, Sutent is typically covered on the specialty drug lists, but usually only as a first-line treatment option.You can find more detailed information regarding treatment protocols here.

Try to look closely at what the pathology reports actually say (the discharge summary, the biopsy results, etc.) and let us know what you find.

If this turns out to be transitional cell carcinoma, the entire treatment approach changes completely.

If it is indeed that first type, I strongly suggest seeking a second opinion—either at a different major hospital system or through a private specialist.

I haven't been around here in quite a while...

My mom finished her first round of chemotherapy outside of the States (and just so you know, she still hasn't heard anything back from the local hospital regarding the next session). She’s currently waiting out a 15-day gap before starting the second cycle.
She dealt with some nausea and a lack of appetite, but she didn't actually vomit—and her appetite has already come back. Right now, she’s eating greasy, heavy food and says it actually hits the spot... (at least, that's what she tells me)

She received an accelerated dose of Gomzar via IV—which is basically the "pay out of pocket and get results" option. During those days when the nausea was hitting hard, they gave her an anti-nausea med through the IV along with a cocktail infusion to help boost her strength.

Does the medical staff routinely give this to everyone, or is it one of those things where you pay extra to get it? If it isn't standard procedure under Medicare, I wanted to let you all know it exists—so please, look into this for your loved ones if they are struggling with nausea or feeling completely wiped out...

That anti-nausea med really stabilized her so she wasn't throwing up, and the infusion gave her enough strength to push through it all.

Hoping for the best 🙂.

The only thing is, I am beyond disappointed with our hospitals... nobody has called her in a month and a half. It's honestly shameful. 😢

My dear fighters...

I want to wish you and all of your loved ones a happy and blessed Easter...

Susan Diaz91, I know exactly what you're talking about, unfortunately... I really hope everything turns out okay with your mom. Hang in there, and please take good care of Lara...

Susan Diaz91 As if...
It has been quite a long while since I last surfaced here...

My mother has just completed her first round of chemotherapy outside of America... Do you happen to know, my dear friends, if they still haven't called me from the Rijeka Hospital regarding my chemotherapy session... And then there is the wait... just sitting there for fifteen days before starting the next cycle...
She was dealing with some nausea and a complete lack of appetite, though she didn't actually vomit at all, and now her appetite has finally returned... She’s currently indulging in heavy, flavorful foods, and she claims they're exactly what she needs...

She was put on an accelerated course of Gomzar via intravenous administration, and well, that’s the benefit of private care—you pay the premium, you get the service... during those specific days when she was struggling with intense nausea, they administered an IV antiemetic to manage the vomiting and even provided a specialized infusion cocktail to help restore her strength...

Does the medical establishment hand this out routinely, or is it one of those situations where you essentially pay out of pocket to get access? Because if it isn't standard practice covered by Medicare, then I think it’s worth letting people know it exists... just so they can seek out the right specialists for their loved ones if they happen to be dealing with nausea or general malaise...

That anti-nausea medication really did stabilize her enough to stop the vomiting, and the IV infusion finally gave her the strength needed to endure all of this...

We can only hope for the best... 🙂.

My only true disappointment lies with our hospital system... nobody has even bothered to give her a call in over a month and a half now... it is frankly shameful... 😢

I am glad to hear that your mother has started her chemotherapy, and I truly hope she manages to avoid any bouts of nausea...

Regarding chemotherapy protocols and how our hospitals stack up against international standards... just yesterday my mother was venting about how people in Pula are waiting upwards of three months just to get called in for their treatment, whereas abroad, things tend to run on a much more predictable schedule, without those massive delays or constant postponements...

The doctors out there tend to be quite cautious, so it’s highly probable that your mother was given an anti-nausea medication as well... I can't quite recall if our mother received it too, but I suspect she did...

In any case, I wish you all the very best for the Holiday...

Nancy Hernandez43 said:I'm glad your mother received her chemo—hopefully she avoids any vomiting.

Regarding chemo and comparing our hospitals to how things work abroad—just yesterday my mom was complaining about how in places like Florida people are waiting up to three months just to get called in for therapy. Abroad, they actually stick to a schedule, whereas here we deal with constant delays.

Doctors overseas tend to be more proactive, so that's probably why your mother was given anti-nausea meds. I can't recall if ours got them too, but I think they did!

Anyway, Happy Holiday to you!

The fact that there's such a long wait at all is what gets me..
I actually asked about this Milinić reform... doctors are saying it's slowed everything down instead of speeding it up...
Everyone is terrified of him because he’s such a rough-around-the-edges kind of Minister 🙄🙄that they don't want to risk their jobs during a recession by deviating from his protocols.

Did they give her those anti-nausea meds along with a cocktail of electrolytes and minerals? She hasn't eaten anything in two days, though she hasn't vomited either...

The whole situation is just pathetic—everything we aren't able to do to help our loved ones.

Look, I'm not an expert on whether things are better abroad, but I know my conscience is clear because I've tried everything. A patient's mindset matters—their environment, their physical condition, how they'll handle the chemo... it all counts.

Thanks for the kind wishes; I wish the best for you and your mother as well.

But seriously, tell me—did she finally get her turn, and how long has she been waiting????

Mine were scheduled for March 1st, 2009, and to this very day, nobody has called (and I made sure to give them my cell number, which I always have on me).

slyseal28 said:It’s vital to identify the specific type of cancer first. If we're looking at renal cell carcinoma, treatments often include Sutent, Nexavar, or even Avastin. In the US, Sutent is typically covered under specialized insurance lists, though usually just for first-line therapy. You can find more detailed information about treatment options here.

Please try to look closely at what the reports actually state—whether it's the discharge summary, the pathology report, etc.—and let us know.

If it turns out to be transitional cell carcinoma instead, the approach to treatment changes quite a bit.

If it does turn out to be the first type mentioned, I'd strongly suggest seeking a second opinion—either at a different major hospital or through a private specialist.

The findings are listed as follows:
DG: Ca renis 1.sin
OP: nephrectomia radicalis sin
PHD: carcinoma urotheliae infiltrans calices. Adenom renis. Carcinoma metastaticum lymphonodorum 2/12.

To be honest, I'm not an expert on which specific type this refers to, so if anyone could help break this down for me, I'd really appreciate it.
PS. Thank you all so much for the information.

Susan Diaz91 said:Honestly, I just can't wrap my head around why they make you wait so long in the first place...
I actually inquired about this whole reform under Milinić... and apparently, doctors are saying it’s slowed everything down rather than speeding it up...
Everyone seems terrified of him because he’s such an unrefined type of minister,🙄🙄so they’re afraid of losing their jobs during this recession if they decide to bypass his protocols.

Anyway, did they give her that anti-nausea medication and that cocktail of electrolytes and minerals? She hasn't eaten a thing in two days, though she hasn't been vomiting...

It’s all just so tragic, isn't it? The things we aren't able to do to help those closest to us...

Look, I'm not exactly an expert on whether things are better abroad, but I know my conscience is clear because I've tried everything. A lot depends on the patient's psyche, the environment they're in, how their body is holding up, and how they'll ultimately handle the chemotherapy...

Thank you for the kind wishes, and I wish nothing but the best for you and your mother as well.

But tell me, did she finally get called in, and how much longer is she expected to wait?

In our case, they scheduled my mother back on March 1st, 2009, and to this very day, no one has even called—and I made sure to give them my cell number, which stays right by my side at all times.

In any case, personally, I haven't seen this reform bring anything positive; everyone seems to complain that it has only caused delays.

My mother has been treated across the border from day one; they didn't even schedule her, and she didn't have to sit around waiting to be called. If she had, she wouldn't be here today. I'm not convinced that "abroad" is any better; according to my parents, the healthcare situation in Italy is actually worse. The real advantage lies in institutions like the one in Avian, where everything is significantly more organized and professional.

Of course, just as you wrote, all of us—both the patients and the family members—feel that regardless of the path taken, the money spent, or the sheer exhaustion poured into treatment, the most important thing—and where we haven't erred for a single moment—is that we provided her with the absolute best within our means. You know as well as I do that it isn't about questioning our conscience or worrying about what the future holds or what we might reflect on "later"; it’s simply about that healthy, honest love that compels us to do whatever is best for our loved ones without a second thought.

Fortunately, we haven't dealt with major issues regarding appetite, weakness, or vomiting so far. I say fortunately, because unfortunately, this illness brings other consequences for the patients themselves (we've dealt with allergic reactions, shocks, and pretty much everything else people go through). But, much like here or in Italy, we encountered some incredibly crude doctors who, instead of showing my mother any compassion, simply told us, "every fourth patient dies."

It’s a Holiday, there is peace, the weather is lovely... so let's be brave and full of faith. Let's set aside the bitterness and the anxiety for just one day, because strength comes from all the positive things we hold onto and surround ourselves with.
Kisses

Just wanted to drop in, say hi, and wish a Happy Easter to everyone celebrating... You all cross my mind in my prayers pretty often lately, mostly because I can't stop thinking about how many people are out there suffering through illness right now, and all the families just trying to hold it together while their loved ones struggle. I kept coming back to those words, "Do not fear, for I am with you"... and even if there isn't much else I can actually do for you, dear friends, I can at least keep you in my thoughts and stay close to you in spirit... And Dad, don't worry, I'm gonna be right by your side until the very end.

Melissa Parker37 said:I just wanted to reach out and wish everyone a Happy Easter... You are all frequently in my prayers because lately, I have been reflecting on how many people are suffering through illness right now, and the families standing by them through it all. I found myself thinking about those words, "Do not fear, for I am with you." Even if there isn't much else I can do for you, dear friends, I can hold you in my thoughts and stay close to you in spirit. And Dad, please don't be afraid, I will be with you until the very end...

Melissa, wishing you nothing but the best; it truly is lovely to hear such a positive sentiment and to know there are those who empathize and understand what we are going through...

Sometimes I catch myself spiraling into thoughts about how many others find themselves in situations just like ours, and it is quite heartbreaking... There are moments when I wish I didn't have to hear about any more cases of people suffering so deeply, yet at other times, there is a certain relief in knowing we aren't walking this path entirely alone...

There is no need for fear, as fear only consumes the energy we ought to be directing toward far more vital things—like making the most of every single moment spent with our loved ones...
Sending kisses and wishing you plenty of courage...

First off, a huge hug and big congratulations to everyone on the holidays! I really hope you all spent them surrounded by your favorite people in a cozy, wonderful atmosphere. I know I did—even if I had a little help from some small doses of Praksiten to get through it. After all, I’ve got a bone biopsy waiting for me this Tuesday... and right on my birthday, no less! Can you believe that?

Drew Allen said:People usually start turning toward "alternative" options only when mainstream medicine basically shrugs its shoulders and tells them, "Look, there's nothing more we can do for you." It’s a desperate moment, isn't it? But the real issue—the real tragedy—started when certain individuals began exploiting that profound human suffering just to pad their own pockets. They see someone's misfortune as a business opportunity. Honestly, those kinds of people need to be held accountable. You just don't forgive that kind of behavior!
At the end of the day, does it really matter if it's the "alternative" route that gets you through, or if it's standard chemotherapy? What truly matters is that you actually get better. Isn't the goal just to heal and ensure that you never, ever have to deal with being sick again—not even a common flu, let alone something much more serious?
There is just one single enemy we all share here, and that is CANCER. Let's go out there and kill it!!! 🙂 🙂

I couldn't agree more on this! Truly. 👍 There is absolutely nothing more distasteful than profiting from people who are sick and desperate—whether that person is some "alternative" healer or just your typical mainstream doctor (and honestly, there are far too many of those around nowadays). The other day, I was sitting in a waiting room at the hospital, surrounded by so many people looking completely hopeless, and I saw this elderly woman walking from one poor soul to the next, trying to sell magnetic bracelets. It was truly stomach-turning. Truly!

Don’t get me wrong—I’m definitely not saying I'm completely against "natural" remedies. It goes without saying that eating high-quality, diverse, and balanced meals absolutely helps your health; it gives a struggling body the strength it needs to keep fighting. But if I could offer one piece of advice to everyone? Please, try to stick to proven, reliable preparations. It's just better that way. You should really head over to the websites... Have you ever found yourself wandering through the vast digital halls of the National Institutes of Health? It’s quite a journey, isn't it? I was just browsing through their database—the Entrez system—and it really makes you wonder about the sheer scale of information we have at our fingertips today. Is it overwhelming? Perhaps. But there is something strangely calming about the order of it all, don't you think? Just endless layers of data waiting to be uncovered. What’s really the most widely used—or maybe even the absolute best—search engine for scientific papers? I mean, we're talking about high-quality research published in peer-reviewed journals, right? You know, the kind that actually passes the scrutiny of the scientific community, where results are reproducible, and all that good stuff... it’s essential when you're trying to test how effective a potential supplement might actually be. Anyway, my husband and I were digging through some studies recently, and we stumbled upon this one piece of research that showed... Pineapple? Is that all? Just a single word floating there in the void? It makes me wonder... what's the story behind it? Are we talking about the tropical sweetness of a perfectly ripe fruit, or perhaps some deep, philosophical connection to something much larger? Sometimes, even the simplest things can trigger a million wandering thoughts. Does anyone else find themselves staring at a simple concept like that and just... drifting? Or am I the only one who does this? It turns out there’s some pretty significant impact on tumor growth here (check out this study if you're interested: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.gov/pubmed/17893836). To put it simply, mice suffering from various types of cancer who ate plenty of pineapple had a 300% better survival rate than those who didn't. So, maybe it's time for a mad dash to the pharmacy—or just the grocery store—to stock up on pineapple? Plus, it's packed with fiber, so it might even help with constipation. Isn't that interesting?

You can also find some truly excellent articles out there regarding how beta-glucans actually work. It’s quite clear that there are plenty of plants and supplements available that can really help you out; you just have to know exactly where to look for the high-quality info. Does anyone else find navigating all that data a bit overwhelming? If you're having a hard time digging through the research papers or just can't seem to track down a specific study, please feel free to reach out to me. As a scientist, I have access to a vast amount of these journals, and I would be more than happy to help you make sense of what's written in them.

Regarding Milinović, I’ll just say this... 🤮What an absolute brute and a disgrace—bragging about "reforms" and "savings" that were actually just stripped away from the most vulnerable people? It’s sickening. Now he’s actually forcing truly sick individuals back into the workforce. As if we wouldn't be out there working every single day if we actually had the strength to do so? Honestly, where is the humanity in that?🙂

In the end, I really have to say, I’m feeling pretty let down by my doctors. My first round of chemotherapy is coming up next week—they haven't quite decided if it'll be Wednesday or Thursday yet—but NOBODY has actually sat down with me to have a real conversation about what to expect or how to get ready. If it weren't for this forum, would I even know about Zofran, or the possibility of getting mouth sores, or using glucans to help boost my immunity? Heck, if I hadn't gone looking, would I have even known you can request anesthesia during a bone biopsy? From what I've gathered, most poor souls are forced to endure that nightmare wide awake! Well, I'm certainly not sitting on that table until I pass out from the meds or try to bolt out of the hospital; one live biopsy was more than enough for me, thank you very much. Maybe we should start a thread for tips, tricks, and support on how to survive chemo?

feralridge3—I've got a little bit of good news for you! I stumbled upon this booklet regarding Hodgkin lymphoma published by the British Minister of Health, which outlines the most common side effects from treatment. Here is what it says about radiation therapy:

Hair loss only happens in the specific area being
treated. It occurs right where the beams enter and
where they exit. So, someone receiving
radiotherapy on the chest, for instance, might
lose the hair on their chest and perhaps some on
their back. This hair loss typically happens
quite suddenly after 2–3 weeks. Usually, it is
temporary, though it can take anywhere from 6–12
months for it to grow back.

See? Maybe those locks will grow back after all, you just have to be patient!!! 🙂👏

You see, Susan Diaz91, that whole situation with the RI Hospital really caught me off guard—they actually reached out to us quite a while before everything officially kicked off, and then once the date was set, the nurse gave us a call at home just a day or two prior to confirm 🤷

I’d say you should give them a ring and double-check, because—well, in my experience—dealing with the RI Hospital has been much smoother than what we went through back at the hospital in OS 🙄
I really hope you manage to get everything sorted out 👍

gentletiger46,
there was so much we didn't even realize. And just imagine how it was about ten years ago, back when the internet wasn't nearly as widespread—back when I’d find myself hunting for Wi-Fi in coffee shops just to try Googling something for the very first time in my life. Doctors seemed to be constantly rotating, nobody ever had a spare second to breathe, and the nurses would just roll their eyes if you dared ask a question... it was that dull, heavy feeling of being both confused and helpless. 🙄 😢

So, even though things have been incredibly tough for everyone involved, regardless of which side of the fence we're on, I'm honestly glad we've found a way to come together like this and share advice and experiences. It’s true, I wish we were all discussing tanning products or Sunday roast recipes right now, but I suppose there are some things in life you just can't control.

This thread has helped me immensely during my mom's chemo process; in a way, it prepared me for facing another cancer in the family—more chemo, more starting from scratch... And as hard as it gets sometimes, it felt a little bit easier knowing that this time around, I actually had a place to look for advice, seek help, or simply vent that I'm feeling terrible and that I'm scared.

I’m mostly typing here for the sake of others, since my own people aren't around me anymore—I hope they stay tucked away in their own woods. But yes, I am feeling a slight sense of unease because I’m heading to the hospital tomorrow for myself (which feels somewhat tragicomic, I guess, but oh well), and I have an ultrasound scheduled for a lump on my breast. Still, I’m staying optimistic; in my head, I'm just waiting for that confirmation that everything is okay.

I hope you all had a lovely Holiday surrounded by your loved ones 😍 Happy celebrations to everyone celebrating!! 😉