Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

steelbadger83 said:Have you ever looked into alternative medicine? They claim that by using brain scans, they can detect the body's internal state and identify all sorts of ailments, even pinpointing exactly when they originated. This timeline is crucial because it allows them to link the illness directly to a specific moment of psychological stress. Their whole premise is that every disease is merely a reaction to a sudden shock in one's life; therefore, if you resolve the underlying conflict, you resolve the sickness itself.
To me, this logic actually holds some weight—especially their assertion that "metastasis" doesn't truly exist, but rather represents new biological states triggered by ongoing conflicts.
I’ve been studying a manual that goes into great detail about this, and it’s quite fascinating. I even consulted a specialist who practices this approach, and frankly, I was left stunned by what I learned.

My intensive treatments are finished, though I am still managing hormones and taking certain medications just to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

Grace Fowler, hang in there.

Please, could you send me some information via private message? My mother is in a complete mental fog after just her first round of chemo.

Anonymous said:Guys, my aunt was just diagnosed with brain metastases. They're certain about one spot in the temporoparietal lobe that's causing pressure, but the MRI also showed two other tiny shaded areas they can't quite identify yet. They haven't located the primary tumor, though all her other organs are perfectly fine. I've been an absolute wreck for days because I have no idea how this progresses, how to stop it from spreading, or what her actual chances are. If anyone knows anything or has gone through something similar, please, I really need some answers. 😢

When my mom was in the hospital, there was a woman there with a brain tumor that turned out to be a metastasis from something else they couldn't track down initially. It eventually turned out she had sarcoma. She was stuck in neurology for nearly a month. At first, they were leaning toward Hodgkin's or maybe some type of leukemia, but in the end, it was sarcoma. I lost her contact info, so I don't know if she's still with us—she was in pretty bad shape the last time I saw her over a year ago—but I recently tried Googling her name just to see if any obituaries popped up, and nothing came up. So, hopefully, there's still hope 😳.
They'll likely try to surgically remove the brain tumor if it's feasible, and radiation is almost certainly going to be part of the plan regardless.
As for those other spots, you just have to pray to God that the doctors are smart enough to pinpoint the primary issue before it's too late.

steelbadger83 said:Has anyone ever looked into alternative medicine? There’s this idea that by using brain scans, you can actually detect the body's state and pinpoint all sorts of ailments, even figuring out exactly when they started. The timing is everything because that’s how you link the illness back to a specific moment of stress we went through. Essentially, the theory is that every single disease is just a reaction to some sudden shock in our lives, and since those shocks caused the issues, resolving the underlying conflict is what actually cures them.
It honestly sounds pretty plausible to me, especially since they argue that things like metastasis don't really exist in the traditional sense, but are instead just new biological states triggered by ongoing conflicts.
I actually have a pamphlet that goes into quite a bit of detail about it, which I found fascinating, and I even sat down with a practitioner who specializes in this, and I have to say, I was pretty blown away by the whole thing.

I've finished my more aggressive treatments, though I'm still on hormones and taking a few other medications that keep me functioning normally enough.

Grace Fowler, hang in there.

Yeah, Dr. Hamer. There were some posts about him over on the spirituality boards.

There's stuff about it here too.

More, actually.

If you start Googling, you'll find a massive amount of information on this if you search in English.

My apologies, Linda Campbell was just looking for some answers.

Grace Fowler said:Hi! I'm back after a long break. I've been through all the diagnostics—CT, MRI, PET scans—and unfortunately, it's returned. After five years, I have a recurrence in my pelvis and lungs. Everything feels hazy right now. I've already endured 15 rounds of chemo and 9 surgeries, but it has never spread this far before. So PLEASE, I need any information or experiences regarding lung metastases from ovarian cancer.
THANKS everyone..

Grace, a dear neighbor and family friend, also has metastatic ovarian cancer in her pelvis, abdominal lining, and lungs. The prognosis is grim, and her doctors (who treat her in San Francisco) aren't optimistic either. The worst part? They provide so little information that she barely understands the severity of this specific type of cancer. She went through just one round of chemotherapy, and her markers doubled immediately afterward. They actually refused to give her a second round because they claimed it was pointless. Is it not total nonsense to write someone off like that? Eventually, she did receive another round a few days ago, but she doesn't even know if it's the same drug combination or something else entirely. Generally speaking, ovarian cancer is considered one of the deadliest forms because it remains asymptomatic and is usually detected too late. From what I've researched online (which is plenty; try searching Google more thoroughly to understand what you are up against. English-language sites offer much more detailed data), I know there are four stages. Stage IV is, unfortunately, when it begins spreading above the abdomen—to the lungs and beyond.
It is vital to define this tumor by its stage and the type of tissue involved—specifically the cell grade—because that dictates the subsequent treatment and therapy.
The statistics and prognoses are not great, but do not let them shake you. As you said yourself, you must know your enemy to know how to fight it!
Read the Lepinin blog. Read books about cancer healing if you haven't already, just for the motivation to keep fighting. Search for people's experiences on this forum. Do everything you did when you first beat it, and then do even more. Believe in victory!

I’m moving forward... I have to... there is still so much left that I want to see... to do... to love... after all, I'm only 38.🙂

Wishing you all the luck in the world. Stay brave and keep pushing forward!!!😘

So, they're heading in for surgery this Thursday 😢, but I can't help wondering—is that actually good news or bad news?

Everyone,
the things being discussed on this forum are truly harrowing. Those of us who are still holding onto our health—even if we don't feel entirely back to ourselves just yet—really ought to light five candles every single day in prayer.
Does anyone happen to know what is meant by "red" versus "white" chemotherapy? What exactly is the distinction between the two? I would be very grateful for any insight.
Stay strong, and may God be with you all.

Anonymous said:she's heading in for surgery this Thursday 😢, so would you say that's good news or bad news?

I’d say those are definitely the good kind of news. 🙂

In hospital slang, people usually talk about "red" and "white," though the red stuff is actually the Adriamycin therapy, which feels pretty aggressive since it tends to cause a lot of nausea and makes your hair fall out.
The white chemo can vary quite a bit depending on what it’s being used for, and while it definitely has its own set of side effects, it rarely, if ever, causes you to lose your hair.

Melissa Kim45 said:That would be great news. 🙂

I’m with you there. It feels like whenever they start talking about surgery, they suddenly start handing out hope, acting like there’s still a fighting chance at a cure.

Can someone give me a little more insight into what this exam is actually like? I'm wondering how long it usually takes, if it’s painful, and what kind of equipment they use and why... Or if there’s already a thread about this somewhere, could you point me in the right direction?
Thanks

So, a rectoscopy—basically, it’s when a proctologist uses a scope to check out your rectum (the very start of your large intestine). To get ready for this thing, you're gonna have to completely clear out your system the day before. You'll get specific instructions from the clinic, usually involving some kind of prep like Miralax or maybe even just a saline solution... there are a few different ways they do it. Honestly, it is absolutely critical that your bowels are totally empty, otherwise the whole exam is pretty much pointless because the doctor won't be able to see anything clearly. I swear to God, it’s a little uncomfortable—and yeah, it can definitely be a bit painful at times—but it isn't exactly unbearable, I guess.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you... really hoping for some good news on the results.

Thanks so much

steelbadger83 said:In hospital slang, they call them "red" and "white," but red refers to Adriamycin therapy, which is pretty aggressive—it causes nausea and hair loss.
White chemo can vary in composition depending on its purpose and carries different side effects, though it rarely, if ever, causes hair loss.

Red chemo isn't just about nausea and losing your hair. My husband went through six cycles of the red stuff—Adriamycin (doxorubicin) combined with Ifosfamide (cyclophosphamide). Interestingly enough, his hair actually started growing back after the third cycle and stayed put. He didn't deal with vomiting at all; he just had some abdominal pain about four days after treatment. His appetite remained excellent, too—in fact, he even put on some weight.

That said, red Adriamycin is notoriously hard on the blood vessels and the heart muscle; it really takes a toll on the body. It’s so caustic that it has to be administered slowly via infusion over several hours. If it leaks out of the vein, it literally burns the vessel and the surrounding tissue.

Ultimately, side effects aren't a universal rule. Some people get lucky and breeze through chemo without much trouble, while others, unfortunately, face a brutal set of side effects.

CHEMOTHERAPY

My mother completed her first round of chemo about 12 days ago—I’m actually not even sure if it was the red or white regimen—consisting of Leucovorin, 5 FLU, and Etoposide, along with Zofran and Normabel. It has taken a full 12 days for the hammer to finally drop. She has plummeted by at least 10 to 13 pounds. The weakness has been profound, accompanied by agonizing cramps. While she hasn't been vomiting, she spent a couple of days passing this strange orange-yellow fluid. Her appetite has completely vanished.
Following the treatment, she drank plenty of juices from brands like Bragg, specifically beet and black/red currant blends. Now, she has started taking selenium, various enzymes, and supplements for hair, skin, and nails (sourced through alternative medicine). This entire regimen comes from the recommendation of an oncologist who also practices homeopathy; we are currently waiting on the second cycle. That same specialist suggested mistletoe injections, though she needs to review the lab results first. To make matters worse, her hair already started falling out yesterday. I am feeling utterly hopeless. I urgently need to find a high-quality wig. Will the side effects eventually taper off? I can't help but wonder how she will possibly endure the second cycle when the first one nearly broke her. Perhaps her physical foundation wasn't strong enough, and now I'm overwhelming her system with all these supplements. Or perhaps everything is simply more volatile because she doesn't have a stomach. It is pure desperation.

Linda Campbell said:Following chemo, she drank plenty of juices—beet, black currant, red currant—and now she’s started taking selenium, some enzymes, and vitamins for hair, skin, and nails (based on homeopathy). It was all recommended by an oncologist who also practices homeopathy; we're just waiting on the second cycle now. That doctor even suggested mistletoe injections, though she needs to review the lab results first. Her hair actually started falling out yesterday. I’m honestly feeling hopeless. I need to find a wig, fast. Is there any chance the shedding might slow down? And how is she even going to make it through the second cycle when the first one nearly wiped her out? Maybe she didn't have enough strength to begin with, and now I'm just overloading her system. Or perhaps things are even more complicated because she doesn't have a stomach. It's pure desperation.

When is her second cycle scheduled? In about a month?
The hair isn't going to stop falling out if we're talking about this specific chemo regimen; it's perfectly normal for it to start this quickly, and unfortunately, it won't stop until everything is gone...
Just take it easy; your despair is the last thing anyone needs right now. 😘
Besides, the selection for wigs is massive these days. You can find stuff that looks so real people won't even realize it isn't natural hair.

slyseal28, I think you’re totally right, Adriamycin is just so hard on the heart and it really does a number on your veins. In my case, my heart function actually started dipping, though it didn't happen until I finished my very last cycle, but thankfully it was reversible and my numbers eventually bounced back to normal.

I guess every chemo cycle hits you differently, too. For me, that first round was by far the absolute worst, and then each subsequent one felt a little bit easier to manage. Maybe it's just because the body eventually gets used to the cytostatics and learns how to handle them better. I ended up losing about 11 pounds during the whole treatment, but my blood work stayed pretty steady. To help out, I drank beet juice, took some raw propolis and Biocil honey, and used some homeopathic remedies for my liver to help it process all those toxins more easily. I also made sure to drink nettle leaf tea three times a day and kept up with my Imelda injections—I’m actually still taking those since the protocol lasts for five years. I mostly just ate whatever my body felt like accepting, usually in smaller portions, and I made a point to walk a lot and spend time outdoors. I also went for massages quite often, which, honestly, were often the only thing that could pull me back from the brink.

Also, just a heads-up, chemo can sometimes cause mouth sores or inflammation. When that happens, I found it helpful to brew some blackberry and raspberry leaf tea and use it as a gargle, because it helps constrict the tiny blood vessels in your mouth.

Basically, when you're dealing with red chemo, it starts affecting your blood cells around day seven, so you might notice your immune system dropping or feeling extra exhausted during that second week. That's the time when you really have to be careful about infections, since your white blood cell counts tend to get pretty low.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a really solid shop or maybe a high-end hair salon that specializes in real human hair wigs? My mom is going to need one pretty soon, and she’s really hoping for something that looks completely natural. She tried a few synthetic ones before, and honestly, they were just a total disaster.
Thanks so much!

Carol Sanchez2 said:Anyone know a good shop or hair salon that does real human hair wigs? My Mom is going to need one soon and she really wants it to look natural. She tried some synthetic ones and they were a total disaster...
Thanks!

We actually picked up a wig for Mom through a breast cancer support group out in San Francisco. Honestly, it’s awesome—looks totally real—and it only cost us about $400 (!!!). Medicare covered half of it, too. Definitely check with your primary care doctor first. You're entitled to a wig, I'm pretty sure about that, you just have to pay the difference if you want something high-end...