Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

Nancy Thomas18 said:Reading through all your posts about how hard everyone has fought—and seeing that some are still battling even within their own families—my own will to keep fighting is starting to flicker... This forum, and that other one, truly mean a great deal to me. To be honest, I found myself saying just the other day that I’ve had enough of the treatment. I have two cycles of chemo left, but I simply lack the strength, the financial means for the supporting medications, and the desire to continue... My son has been by my side from the very start, but he nearly lost his mind when I told him this. I do have four ampules of Aloxi remaining, so if anyone could use them, please reach out via private message.

It is incredibly difficult for children to accept a devastating diagnosis, let alone remain silent when someone decides to stop fighting. I sincerely hope you won't make that choice; there are only two cycles of chemo left, and believe me, there won't be any more after that! Please, try to find your courage, grit your teeth, and push through... My mother was at her breaking point before those final two sessions, yet she went into every single one of them saying: "Let's just get this over with and be done; it's far too late to give up now!"

I called her today after three days of space, since as I mentioned recently, I am trying to grant her much more time and breathing room. How did it go? Surprisingly well—she seems much freer and more optimistic. There wasn't a single moment or word mentioned regarding the illness, which likely caught her off guard because she was actually laughing... Honestly, it has been such a long time since I heard her laugh genuinely... I finally experienced that moment.

I truly wish I could read that you aren't going to give up, and that you'll find a way to afford the medication and successfully complete your fight! Hang in there and stay strong...

Honestly, ever since Mom got her diagnosis, my brain has just been a complete mess... I’m constantly spiraling, re-reading everything on the forums and searching the web, playing out a million different scenarios in my head, trying to figure out what comes next... It’s just this endless cycle where I swing between these deep, dark moods and those moments where I try—completely unsuccessfully, really—to just push this awful reality aside for a second...
I come on here to vent a little because everyone else here is living through the exact same thing (or unfortunately, even worse) and fighting the fight with so much courage (well, more courage than me, Nancy Thomas18, I'm looking at you specifically!!! 🙂)

In all this chaos, I totally blanked on checking in after Mom's surgery... The procedure was on May 16th and she was already back home after just 8 days. She’s actually recovering pretty well.
But, man, the pathology report is not good news. They hit five out of nine lymph nodes. 😢 😢 😢 Mom doesn't know about the results yet, but I can't hide them for long because we need to get to the Mayo Clinic ASAP for the next round of treatment. When I watch her just walking around the house, laughing at my husband's stupid jokes, I catch myself wishing I could just pretend those lab results aren't real. I've decided to break the news to her this weekend, though I'm terrified it's going to absolutely crush her. And honestly? I'm even more scared that the oncologist at the clinic is just going to drop a terrible prognosis right in her face. I want to avoid that at all costs, but I have no idea if it's even possible or how to handle it (???) so I'm just sitting here dreading Tuesday.
Since Mom only has about 12 inches of bowel left and is dealing with really frequent stools (which we're trying to manage as best we can with a grain-based diet), and it's only been 16 days since the surgery—can you guys share any experiences with immune support supplements? Specifically things like raw propolis and Beta glucan, since it seems like people swear by those.
Right now, she's only taking raw propolis (the nutritionist thinks it's too early for the Beta glucan) but part of me just wants to hit her with massive doses of everything all at once 🙂 Someone else mentioned they use 15 tablets of raw propolis a day (which is like four times the recommended dose on the label), so I wanted to ask those of you who know more about this stuff—could that actually cause damage to the stomach, the intestines, or the surgical site???
Based on what you've seen, when did people start adding other supplements after their surgery, and what kind of dosages were they using???
And one last thing—sending love to all the fighters out there!!! Nancy Thomas18, you hear me!? 🙂

shadowmason6 said:To be honest, ever since my mother received her diagnosis, my mind has been in a state of total disarray. I find myself constantly re-reading everything I’ve found on forums and the internet, obsessively running through various scenarios and trying to figure out our next move... there are these cycles of terrible moods, interspersed with moments where I attempt—quite unsuccessfully, I might add—to suppress this awful reality even for a fleeting second...
I come to this forum to recharge a little, because here I find people who are living through the exact same thing (or, unfortunately, something even worse) and fighting with such courage (well, perhaps more bravely than I am; Nancy Thomas, I am thinking specifically of you!!! 🙂)

In all this chaos, I completely neglected to check in after my mother's surgery... the procedure was on May 16th, and she was already back home after just eight days. She is recovering well.
Unfortunately, the pathology results aren't good. Some lymph nodes have been affected (five out of nine). 😢 😢 😢 Mom doesn't know about the results yet, but I won't hide them from her for long, as we need to get to the Mayo Clinic as soon as possible for further treatment. When I watch her walking around the house, smiling at my husband's silly jokes, I catch myself wishing I could simply refuse to believe these findings. I've decided to shield her from the bad news this weekend; I'm terrified it might break her. Even more so, I fear the oncologist at the clinic might just bluntley drop a grim prognosis in her face. I want to avoid that at all costs, but I honestly don't know if it's even possible or how to manage it (???) so I am dreading Tuesday.
Given that my mother only has about 30 cm of colon remaining and is experiencing very frequent bowel movements (which we are attempting to regulate as best we can through a grain-based diet), and considering it has only been 16 days since her surgery—could you please share your experiences regarding immune system supplements? Specifically, I'm looking at native propolis and Beta glucan, as those seem to have the most positive feedback.
For now, Mom is only taking native propolis (the nutritionist believes it's too early for Beta glucan), though I would much rather just hit her with massive doses of everything all at once 🙂 Someone else mentioned using 15 tablets of native propolis daily (which is nearly four times the recommended dose on the label), so I wanted to ask those of you more knowledgeable than I am—could that cause harm to the stomach, intestines, or the surgical site???
When your loved ones began their recovery after surgery, when did you start introducing other supplemental products, and what dosages did you use???
And one last thing—cheers to all the fighters out there!!! Nancy Thomas, are you listening!? 🙂

Believe me, even after a full year, neither I nor my family have found any sense of peace; we are all still reeling from the shock and the uncertainty. I constantly replay the whole ordeal in my head, searching for answers.

By pure coincidence, my own mother also had surgery on May 16th. However, she didn't make it home until 15 or 16 days later, due to both the complexity of the surgery and her inability to handle the transition due to the shock. 311 milesBut most importantly, your mother is recovering well and, from what I can see, has an appetite. It is certainly wise to shield her from the grim prognosis so she doesn't lose her will to continue treatment or succumb to additional anxieties. Some oncologists are quite skilled at delivering news gently, so I hope that will be the case this Tuesday.

I wasn't deeply involved in my mother's medical management, but from what I recall, she took native propolis with meals (three to four times a day). We didn't find other supplements necessary because we focused solely on providing her with freshly prepared, cooked fruits, vegetables, and meats...

Please, stay resilient and try not to let a dismal prognosis weigh you down... keep your chin up and fight with everything in your spirit... kisses

When my mother was struggling with low neutrophil counts, she actually followed the advice shared on this forum, attempting to manage it by consuming yogurt, grapes, and yeast...

Frank Taylor4 said:Instead, try IP6 & inositol. It’s been clinically tested and works wonders when dealing with chemo or even treating cancer itself!!!
You can reach out to Dr. Jordan Peterson at 555-012-3456.
You won't regret it!

How many patients has Dr. Jordan Peterson actually tested using IP6 & inositol? From what I know, he hasn't been in this "game" very long, so he can't really speak from experience—it's all just hearsay at this point.
Even a doctor in Miami who recommends this to patients over a long period and tracks them still hasn't been able to claim total success. And honestly, regarding being "clinically tested," isn't almost every supplement on the market claiming that?
Look, people, please get serious with this kind of complaining. We're talking about life and death here, and giving anyone false hope is just counterproductive.
Okay, so there's this other supplement out there too, but how much it actually helps... nobody knows. It basically comes down to how an individual responds... so hey, if someone wants to try it, go for it.
As for colloidal silver, there's no crazy chemistry involved. If you know anything about silver and how this water is prepared, you know it shouldn't be harmful. So, Hannah Wells30, let me know if you actually know where we can pick some up around here!!!

Hang in there, everyone. Stay strong and don't lose hope...

shadowmason6 said:Mom is only taking Native Propolis for now—the nutritionist thinks it’s too early to start on Beta glucan—but honestly, I just want to hit her with massive doses of everything all at once.🙂 Someone else mentioned they use 15 tablets of Native daily (which is nearly four times the recommended dose on the label), so I wanted to ask those of you who know more about this stuff—can higher doses actually cause harm, like to the stomach, the gut, or any sores???
When did you all start adding other supplements after surgery, based on your own experiences, and what kind of dosages were you using???
And one last thing—sending strength to all the fighters out there!!! Nancy Thomas18, are you listening to me!? 🙂

Native Propolis is excellent, and that company carries several other products too. You can order everything online, which ends up being much cheaper than buying from pharmacies (though most pharmacies don't even carry their full line, just the Native Propolis since that's their bestseller). I don't believe higher doses would be harmful, but the highest amount I ever gave my mom was three tablets, twice a day. I'm not sure if a larger dose yields better results; I suppose it varies from person to person. I completely get that urge to go all-in with huge doses just to see some progress and feel a little bit of hope...
But let's not lose track of time. In principle, all these supplements need time to work—that damn time we're all so terrified we don't have. As far as I know, whether it's Noni, Native Propolis, or various teas, you can really start any of them immediately.
The key is just staying patient and consistent.

We've hit the one-year mark since the diagnosis, which feels like a miracle in itself. Since Mom refuses to go to the hospital or even for a checkup, we did bloodwork (and a urine test) at home, and the results are actually great—much better than last time. Everything seems to be improving. Her doctor agreed to look over the results, so we'll see where things go from here. I assume it'll be more of the same. Of course, he wants her to come in for an exam, but she won't hear a word of it. Now she's celebrating those good results by coughing and smoking cigarettes.🙄

Fortunately, she’s eating, though she isn't gaining any weight at all, and I try my best to make sure everything is healthy and fresh, but man, it's a struggle. Every single meal starts with "I'm not hungry," or "Oh, I wouldn't eat that," or "I can't eat this," or "Jesus, look how much you gave me," yet somehow she eats it anyway. She won't touch strawberries, won't touch peaches, won't touch parsley ("those weeds"), 😁 won't take beet juice, won't touch dark juices, won't touch apples, won't touch compote... it's too hard, it's too hot, it's too spicy, it's too soft, it's too chewy, it's too salty, it's not salty enough...

The trouble is when she gets nervous; then she'll gulp down huge chunks of food and end up vomiting later. I watch her as closely as I can to prevent that, but sometimes, goodness knows, it just happens. And then I get worked up too, so I guess I just miss the signs. Honestly, we have a nerve problem—more mine than hers, really.😁

She is incredibly weak and can barely walk, but she walks. If she couldn't walk, she'd just be crawling around the apartment. She won't use a cane, and she won't use a walker.

I look at the clock, and I know she’s about to start the sneaking around with cigarettes again. She'll light one up and insist it's her last one for the day. Then I'll head out with the dog, and she'll light another one while I'm gone. Before bed, I can already hear myself yelling: "Not the smoking again!" and she'll just say, "Just a few puffs before sleep." And then she coughs until she finally drifts off. She's hidden two or three cigarettes in about ten different spots around the house, just in case I have one of my episodes and decide to start throwing cigarettes out the window.

I’m dedicating this one to Nancy Thomas18. 👍
We don't back down. 👍

Reading through these threads, I noticed just how much variety there is in what people are drinking. It really makes me wonder—do you ever stop to think about what you're actually putting into your body? I find myself thinking about the potential side effects and how these different substances might interfere with treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
I’m also curious about the price tags on some of these supplements; from what I’ve seen, they seem pretty pricey, yet I can't help but feel like their effectiveness might be no better than a placebo.

Melissa Kim45 said:Pure propolis is truly an exceptional supplement, and that particular company offers quite a variety of other products as well. Everything can be easily ordered online, which is significantly more cost-effective than trying to find them at local pharmacies—though even then, most drugstores don't carry their full lineup, usually just sticking to the standard propolis since that's their bestseller... I don't personally believe that higher doses would cause any harm, though the maximum amount I ever administered to my mother was three doses of two daily. Whether a larger dosage yields a more pronounced effect is something I suppose depends entirely on the individual... I completely understand your impulse to go for those heavy doses, hoping to see immediate results and finally feel some sense of relief...
We might as well stop obsessing over the clock... In principle, every one of these supplements requires a certain window of time to actually work—that damned amount of time we all seem so terrified of lacking... As far as I am aware, whether it is the noni, the native propolis, or the various herbal teas, you can start incorporating them into your routine immediately...
One simply has to maintain a sense of patience and persistence...

It has been an entire year since the diagnosis was first handed down, which, in its own way, feels like a minor miracle... Given how my mother adamantly refuses to step foot in a hospital or even sit through a routine checkup, we have had to manage everything ourselves, conducting blood work and urine tests right here at home. Surprisingly, the results are excellent—significantly better than the last round of testing, actually. Everything seems to have stabilized. The doctor has agreed to review these home results, though I suspect the next steps will follow the exact same pattern we have endured thus far. Naturally, he insists that she come in for an in-person evaluation, but she won't hear a word of it... She is currently celebrating these improved numbers with nothing but a heavy cough and a steady stream of cigarettes...🙄

Fortunately, she actually eats—though she doesn't seem to put on an ounce of weight no matter what—and I do my best to ensure everything she consumes is healthy and fresh, even if that feels like an uphill battle... Every single meal begins with some variation of "I'm not hungry," "Oh, I wouldn't eat that," "I can't eat this," or "Goodness, you gave me so much," yet she ends up finishing it regardless. She refuses strawberries, turns her nose up at peaches, and won't touch parsley, treating it like it's nothing more than lawn clippings... 😁 He refuses the beet juice, he rejects the dark juices, he turns his nose up at apples and fruit compote alike... everything is far too firm, or perhaps much too hot, or excessively bitter, too soft, too chewy, too salty, yet somehow lacking salt...

The issue arises when she gets agitated; she starts swallowing large chunks of food without chewing, which inevitably leads to vomiting later on. I try my absolute best to prevent it from happening, but honestly, sometimes it’s just unavoidable... it happens. There are moments when I get worked up myself, and in those instances, I suppose I simply fail to notice it in time. To be perfectly honest, the real struggle here is managing our nerves—though, truth be told, it feels more like my anxiety is the primary issue rather than hers...😁

She’s incredibly frail and can barely manage to stay upright, though she does make the effort to walk... If she lost that ability entirely, she would simply spend her days crawling across the floor of the apartment. And as for any sort of assistance? She refuses the cane, ignores the walker, and remains quite stubbornly independent...

I find myself glancing at the clock, knowing full well that the nightly ritual of deceptive smoking is about to commence... She’ll light one up, insisting with absolute conviction that it is her very last one for the evening. Then, the moment I step out for a walk with the dog, she’ll strike another match the second my back is turned. I can already hear myself shouting right before bed—"Not again!"—only to be met with that weary refrain: "It’s just a few puffs before sleep..." And then comes the inevitable coughing fit that lasts until she finally drifts off. To make matters worse, she’s gone through the trouble of hiding little stashes all over the apartment, just in case I have one of my episodes where I start tossing her cigarettes out the window...

I am dedicating this particular post to Nancy Thomas18... 👍
Surrender is simply not an option... 👍

It is vital that one maintains a certain level of strength in these matters, provided the outcomes remain favorable... Perhaps you might consider mentioning the cigarettes to your mother less frequently, or perhaps not at all, to sow a bit of doubt and nudge her toward cutting back... Because right now, she is acting like a defiant child, simply rebelling against you for the sake of it... 😛

It is paramount that this year belongs to you, and that you remain just as resilient and fiercely determined alongside her... stay strong...

Hey everyone! My oncologist just dropped by and practically dragged me straight into my seventh round of chemo. I was already counting down the days—just four more to go—so I’m definitely not throwing in the towel yet...
Jane, I've already taken on so much debt that I can't even think about taking on any more, but thank you so much for the suggestion though.
And honestly, what else is there to say? Please don't let yourselves falter like I did for a moment... we have to keep fighting!

shadowmason6 said:Ever since my mom got her diagnosis, my head has been a mess. I just keep scrolling through forums and news sites, running through every possible scenario, wondering what comes next... It’s a constant cycle of bad moods and those moments where I try—and fail—to push this awful reality aside...
I come to this forum to recharge because everyone here is going through the same thing (or, unfortunately, even worse) and fighting bravely (and I mean you too, Nancy Thomas18!!! 🙂)

Lost in all the chaos, I realized I forgot to check in after Mom's surgery... the procedure was on May 16th, and she was already home after eight days. She's recovering well.
Unfortunately, the pathology report isn't good. Five out of nine lymph nodes were affected. 😢 😢 😢 Mom doesn't know about the results yet, but I can't hide them for long; we need to get to MD Anderson as soon as possible for further treatment. Watching her walk around the house, laughing at my husband's jokes... I find myself wishing I could just ignore the findings entirely. I've decided to break the news to her this weekend; I'm terrified it might crush her. Even more, I'm afraid the oncologist at the clinic will just drop a grim prognosis in her face. I want to avoid that at all costs, but I don't know if it's even possible (???) so I'm dreading everything until Tuesday.
Since Mom only has about 30 cm of colon left and is dealing with frequent bowel movements (which we're trying to manage via a grain-based diet), and it's only been 16 days since surgery—could anyone share their experience with immune supplements? Specifically raw propolis and beta glucan, as those seem to have the best reviews.
Right now, she's only taking raw propolis (her nutritionist thinks it's too early for beta glucan), but honestly, I'd love to just give her massive doses of everything all at once. 🙂 Someone else mentioned taking 15 tablets of raw propolis a day (which is almost four times the recommended dose), so I wanted to ask those who know better—could that cause damage to the stomach, intestines, or surgical site???
When did your loved ones start taking supplemental treatments after surgery, and at what dosages based on your experience???
And finally—cheers to all the fighters!!! Nancy Thomas18, you hear me!? 🙂

Hi everyone, especially you, shadowmason6... I've been dipping in and out of this thread. I haven't had the time or the courage to read everything, but I see our situations are very similar.
My mom had colon surgery on May 12th at Mayo Clinic (did you say where your mom had hers?). The surgery went well, and they didn't need a colostomy bag. At her follow-up to get the stitches out, the surgeon said everything went perfectly and they removed everything that shouldn't be there... then, two days ago, the pathology came back showing Dukes C, with tumor tissue found in 1 out of 15 lymph nodes... My mom is 74, so she isn't young, but her spirit is so youthful, so bright, and she cares so much for everyone except herself... I just can't believe something like this is happening to someone so kind and wonderful. I know terrible things happen to young people too and I understand how it works, but she's my mom, right!?

We saw the oncologist today (Dr. Juretić, who I honestly can't quite wrap my head around—he just muttered under his breath and gave us these incredibly vague answers, acting completely indifferent👎). He prescribed chemotherapy and radiation...

My dad is quite ill; he’s been battling Parkinson’s for about ten years now, so he’s very limited in his mobility and essentially helpless. I'm an only child, and I have a little (absolutely precious😍) 9-month-old baby who takes up most of my energy and focus. My husband works all day long... we aren't exactly having it easy, but we manage. We have to.

I just wanted to say how glad I am to have found this group. Wishing you all nothing but the best. Talk soon.

Nancy Thomas18 said:Hey everyone! My oncologist from the Mayo Clinic just showed up and basically dragged me straight into my seventh round of chemo. I’d already started counting down the days—only four left to go—so I haven't thrown in the towel yet.
Angela Wright, I'm already so deep in debt that I wouldn't even dream of taking on more, but thanks for the suggestion.
Honestly, what can I say... don't end up like me, stalling out... we have to keep fighting!

Look, if you need a hand, speak up and we'll pull something together. You don't have to walk this path solo. THERE IS NO SHAME IN ASKING FOR HELP! And for heaven's sake, don't be too proud to accept it when someone offers.
Just look back at your very first post and remember how you felt then and how much of a mess things were. Back then, you had absolutely no clue how you'd survive all this without a single person helping you. To put it bluntly, you were in a complete tailspin, yet look at where you are now and everything you've managed to navigate on your own. You figured it out, and the pieces eventually fell into place. Right now, it feels like you've hit a brick wall, but you really haven't. It would be completely pointless to let everything you've fought through so far go to waste by quitting now. You'll find a way, and you'll manage somehow. Stop staring so far down the road. You have today, right here, right now—just do the best you can in this exact moment.

Nancy Thomas18 said:Hey everyone! My son basically dragged me straight from my morning errands to the hospital, and before I knew it, I was being wheeled in for my seventh round of chemo... I had actually started counting down the days, thinking there were still four left, so I hadn't quite given up hope yet.
Angela Wright, I am already so deep in debt that I wouldn't even dream of taking on any more, but thank you for the suggestion nonetheless.
I suppose there isn't much else to say... please don't follow my lead and falter... we just have to keep fighting...

I am truly glad your son stepped up and that you haven't lost heart! It sounds like your spirit is returning, and that is exactly how you need to move forward... kiss

Just wanted to give a quick update...

My family and I are expecting the marker results around Friday—and we have a CT scan scheduled for Monday...

At this point, I’m just hoping everything goes smoothly. 👍

General status: feeling positive, though that optimism gets interrupted every now and then by my mom’s little "reminders" about her treatment and when it all ends.

My head: I've played out every possible scenario in my mind—now I'm just waiting for the doctor's final word before we decide how to move forward.

My heart: A bit scattered, honestly—just full of hope and anticipation.

Final thought: I believe in a good outcome—I think I have enough strength for whatever life throws our way.

p.s. Nancy Thomas18, keep fighting! That's exactly what you need to do. 👍

I wanted to share this to hopefully encourage you a bit regarding Dr. Juretić. When it comes to his bedside manner, he’s honestly a disaster. I won't sugarcoat it—when we saw him, it was the same old story: just mumbling into his mustache, barely saying anything, and giving answers that felt more like dodging questions than actually answering them. At one point, he stepped away to consult with someone else and came back telling me my husband didn't even need chemo. I started feeling a little relieved, but then, right in front of my husband, he waved his finger at me and clarified—for the first time clearly—that "not needing chemo" doesn't mean everything is fine. He basically said the cancer could just come back tomorrow and that chemo wouldn't have helped much anyway, so there wasn't really any reason to celebrate. And he said all of this right in front of my husband. Honestly, I felt like throwing him out a third-story window! I stayed quiet because I was terrified of what he might snap back at me, especially doing it in front of my husband. The next time we went, he just grabbed the lab results and transcribed them. He didn't even invite my dear husband into the room or ask how he was doing. I actually caught him in the hallway while he was handing over the paperwork; I mentioned my husband was having lower abdominal pain, and he just brushed it off with some quick suggestion for stomach tablets. When I corrected him and said it was near the navel, not the stomach, he just dismissed it like it was nothing. To top it all off, I look at the report and it says the patient is "feeling subjective well"?! How on earth did he assess that? Like I said, he barely spoke a word to us. Maybe he judged by our scent or something?
All in all, through some weird coincidence, I've met a few people who work at Mayo Clinic, and they all swear by him. They say that if he isn't the best oncologist in the country, he's definitely one of the best—even if it didn't feel that way from my perspective. Of course, I'm not an expert, so I can't question his medical knowledge or expertise, but as far as the human element goes, he's well below zero.
Hang in there!

cosmicsurfer7 said:Come on, Hannah Wells30 if you actually know where someone can pick up this water around here, just send me a DM. I’d rather not have to source it from heaven.
THANKS!

I'm not trying to run an ad here, so check your inbox.

I’ve got two quick, practical questions for you guys:

Does a primary care doctor or an oncologist actually write the referral for getting tumor markers checked?

Also, does anyone know if the tumor clinic will even look at blood work done at an outside lab, and which specific tests they’ll actually require?
My aunt was on the phone earlier and she was just incredibly rude when I asked—honestly, it probably just feels like they're drowning in work over there—but my nutritionist suggested checking this myself to see if we can maybe speed things up a bit...

Thanks!

Our primary care physician actually gave us the referral for the marker extraction...

As for your other question—well, I guess I don't really have an answer for that one...

shadowmason6 said:I have two quick, practical questions:

Does the referral for marker testing come from a primary care doctor or an oncologist?

Does anyone know if the tumor clinic accepts blood work done at outside labs? Also, which specific tests do they actually require?
The lady on the phone was far too busy to give me a straight answer—seems like they’re drowning in work over there. My nutritionist suggested I try this approach just to see if we can speed things up.

Thanks!

Our primary care doctor handed us the referral for the markers, but as for the oncologist's order—that was just noted in my mom's medical records. For your second question, I honestly wouldn't know.

I wanted to check in and see how your mom is doing. Since they both had surgery just a few days apart... mine actually seemed better right after her procedure than she does now. She’s barely eating, and she’s struggling with constipation—says she feels the urge constantly, but then nothing happens when she gets to the bathroom.

One more question for the group—has anyone here actually used Prosure? A friend of mine, whose husband is battling stomach cancer rather than colon cancer, mentioned he’s taking it alongside his chemo and radiation cycles. Apparently, their primary care physician was the one who recommended it.
I checked with Mom's doctor yesterday while I was picking up her referrals. I made sure to mention that an oncologist recommended it first—I figured he’d give me a hard time if he thought I was just following internet trends. He ended up brushing me off anyway, though. He insisted the oncologist needs to list it under the diagnosis since he's the one in charge and can't just write a prescription on a whim.😕Seems like total bullshit and a waste of taxpayer money to me. My mom hasn't even seen a doctor in years, so I guess she’s finally entitled to some help now that she's actually sick.
We'll get it for her, of course—assuming they don't require a prescription. Has anyone here actually dealt with this before? I'm also open to other recommendations if you have them.

Angela Wright, a special hello to you. 🙏 I've spent more time scrolling through the forums lately, and I have to say, I'm genuinely moved by your selflessness. Your courage and that drive to help anyone you can—whether through advice or just being there—is really something.

feralwolf24 said:Just a little encouragement regarding Dr. Juretica. As far as humanity goes, he’s a total failure. What can I say? We went to see him and it was all just mumbling under his breath; he barely speaks, and when he does answer a question, it feels like he isn't even answering. Eventually, he stepped away to consult someone and came back to tell us my husband doesn't need chemo or radiation. I started feeling hopeful, only for him—right in front of my husband—to wave his finger at me and finally speak clearly, explaining that not needing chemo doesn't mean everything is fine, that the cancer could return tomorrow, and that chemo wouldn't have helped much anyway. He basically told me there was nothing to celebrate. All of this, right in front of my husband. I honestly felt like throwing him out a third-story window. I stayed quiet because I was afraid of what he might say next, especially with my husband sitting right there. The next time we visited, he just took the lab results and transcribed them. He didn't even invite my dear husband inside or ask him anything. I caught him in the hallway while he was handing over the papers; I mentioned my husband had abdominal pain, and he just brushed it off, suggesting some stomach tablets. When I corrected him and said it was pain near the navel, not the stomach, he just dismissed it. To top it off, I saw on the report that the patient "feels subjectively well." How did he assess that? He barely exchanged a word with us. Maybe he judged by scent?
All in all, through some coincidence, I met some people who work at Mayo Clinic, and they all hold the same view regarding his expertise. They say if he isn't the best oncologist in the country, he's certainly one of the best—even if my own experience suggests otherwise. Of course, I can't question his medical knowledge or expertise with my own ignorance, but his bedside manner is absolutely bottom-tier.
Hang in there!

Thank you for sharing this. It was a bit comforting, and I completely agree with your last point. That’s exactly how it felt to me. The worst part is when doctors refuse to even look at their patients or speak to them... it's as if they're signaling that these people are already written off and shouldn't bother fighting. That is fundamentally wrong, and if that's their attitude, they shouldn't be in this profession at all.

shadowmason6 said:I've got two quick practical questions here:

Who actually writes the referral for marker testing—your regular GP or an oncologist???

Also, does anyone know if the tumor clinic accepts blood work done at an outside lab, and which specific tests they usually need?
Basically, I called them and the lady on the phone was super dismissive with me (I guess they’re just swamped, unfortunately), but my nutritionist suggested checking this out so we could maybe speed things up a bit...

Thanks!

1. Your GP.
2. Yeah, they do. From what I've heard, getting it done at Mayo Clinic is the fastest way, or at least that's how it seemed back in May.