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The Reading Room: A Guide Through The Medical Wilderness
This article if interesting. Having been a victim of the insurance industry's "denial of coverage game" when my husband was having chemotherapy, I'm acutely aware of the additional physical and emotional toll the insurance fight can take on a family. As the writer points out, though, the principle of caveat emptor applies…
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Self tanners during chemo?
Okay, I'm so vain! My darned legs are SO WHITE and I have two bottles of a self tanner. They're screaming at me every time I go in the bathroom. Calling me 'chicken legs' and 'zombie girl'. Has anyone used a self tanner during chemo and not turned green or had some strange reaction?
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Stretching my envelope.....
Yesterday, a friend of mine set up a 12:00 tee time for us to play golf!!!! In my 'other' life before cancer, I had played, even have clubs. So, I'm at the driving range, and whap! every ball ended up hooking to the right. We just played 9 holes, and I am now looking for a pro that can help with my game...I realized that…
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I`m off to the chopping block
Tomorrow I get my first scan and marker levels since my original diagnosis. Wed. I will meet with the onc to find out if my neck is still in the noose and discuss my future. Minor little things like if I actually have a future. I think it will turn out well but I am prepared for whatever comes. Best case scenario I will be…
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Mother-in-law has stage IV - advice on how to help her?
My mother-in-law was diagnosed with stage IV rectal ca (mets to liver and lung) over 5 yrs ago. Her previous treatments have been relatively successful at shrinking her tumors. After her last course of chemo 3 months ago her oncologist said with treatment her cancer, while not curable, would be manageable for quite some…
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It's like I never had it.
I went to the doctor for a check up back in March, since it had been a couple of years. I'm 52. The doc asked if I'd had a colonoscopy and I said not for about 30 years. So we scheduled one. It looked suspicious but the bowel prep wasn't entirely successful so he scheduled another for the following week. As I was laying…
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This crap is everywhere
The rash has even spread into my knees and shins. I`m afraid I may be turning into one big erbigerm. I would take antibiotics but I might dissolve into a pile of toxic sludge. Eric ( : . )
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Post-op Small Bowel Obstructions
Hello friends, I am writing in despair over my sister's surgery which was on july 8th, all was good with procedure. Then approx 1.5-2 wks later she began to vomit hard, too much to manage with OTC/home. We went to emerg room no definitive findings then, PS ~ 1 week and one fired GI doc, and we find out it is an SOB. Due to…
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Results of my circulating tumor cells test
My CellSearch System circulating tumor cells (CTC) test came back with zero cancer cells. Does that mean I can be confident that I don’t have to worry about metastatic cancer?
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Question for Craig concerning upcoming Thoracotomy
Craig, Nice picture of you. OK, that's not my reason for starting this thread. I also thought let's get these technical questions off the Buzzard thread and into a different on. I do hope he is OK though... You mentioned: "CyberKnife is a device that delivers highly concentrated radiation with surgical precision. It is…
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Eating assistance
Strange title, but I don't know how else to put it. I need some advice about eating during the week of chemo. So far it seems that I am barely able to eat or drink anything the days following chemo. This week alone I've lost 4lbs and I know that's not a good thing. I do try to eat, but the problem is most things taste…
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Gettin' my chemo party started too (almost)
Had my first consultation with the oncologist today. Very nice and personable dr. by the name of Pierre Khouri in Kingwood, TX. He spent a lot of time with my wife and I just talking. He wanted to know a lot about me and my history and how I got dx'ed. Looks like I get my first treatment on August 27th. Still have to do a…
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The Reading Room
With every ounce of my being, I believe that knowledge is power. I especially believe that to be true in the fight against cancer. I certainly remember coming home on the night my husband was diagnosed and spending the entire night researching his disease. On that first frightening night, although I regret that I didn't…
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Had acupuncture on Monday & Folfiri yesterday
I'm losing it (my kids tell me that regularly!), but I don't remember if I already commented on another thread about the acupuncture I had since Monday- forgive me if I'm repeating myself! It went well and it was the first time I had acupuncture. Since I wasn't having any chemo side effects at the time, we focused on my…
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Mucinous Adenocarcinoma
In my obsessive reading about all the details of my husband's cc, I am finding that the characteristic of being "mucinous" is not fantastic. Are there other stage IVs out there who have this characteristic of their tumors- I would feel much better hearing from you! Thanks!
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Insomnia during/after chemo
Hi, all! Just one question here... My mom (dx Stage IV with 3 mets to liver) is about 8 days removed from her first FOLFOX chemo treatment (5 hours @ the "parlor", then 46 hours with the 5FU pump) and is finding that she has quite a bit of insomnia the past few nights. She feels as if she has the WORST case of…
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scholarship programs, to go back to school
I am a college grad. and thought I might want to go back and get a masters if i can get a scholarship. Do any of you know of a resource?, In Ga we have Hope Scholarship Program, which I think i can use but i am not sure , any input would be great, Hope everyone is doing fine. Hugs Winney
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Natural pain management
I have two hernias which I am having surgery for on 8/17...The doctor gave me Percocet for the pain...It helps alittle..I was just wondering if anyone knows anything I can do without taking perscription meds to help with the pain..I limit my fatty foods and drink water alot. I just rather do something else than always take…
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Question about colonoscopy
What are the guidelines that your doctors have followed for colonoscopies? this is my third year after surgery and previous colonoscopies have been clear, on the first one 6 month after surgery they found a small polyp that was bening, is it once a year for the first 5 years? I made the appoitment to get it with the…
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Friday Riddle - EARLY
I will be visiting my son over the weekend for the Arlington Million Horse Race in Chicago, IL, so I will be out of touch until Tuesday. NO GOOGLING OR SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR THE ANSWER. GOOD LUCK RIDDLE:A certain investment doubles Joe's money every five years. If Joe leaves all the money invested, in 40 years he'll…
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Depressing Vacation..
Hi everyone, I took a break from chemo in July and went home to PA. to see my month old grandson..he is just beautiful. I went to Gettysburg Civil war battlefields tour and Washington DC ...etc with my 3 oldest grandchildren which was fantastic..I had called my brother and planned to visit him after my running with the…
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I Finally got this chemo party started
Woohoo I finally got to get my chemo started today. I took that Neulasta shot Monday and Tuesday and my WBC went from Monday 1.8 to today 14.3 (normal is 3.8-10.6) Neutrophil from .66 to 12.30 (normal is 1.40-7) so two days worth of shots did it for me. Instead of the 10 day continuous shot they said I only need to do the…
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Where is Buzzard?
Buzzard? I haven't seen ya since I got out of the hospital, are you ok? whatcha been up too?? Hugssss! ~Donna
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CA level
I need a little help here understanding what a CA level is. My Doc told me this morning that my CA levels are normal, not sure exactly what that means.
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Opinions on what my options are
Hey All, I go in Monday (8/10) for first PET/CT since 1st dx. I have been through 4 treatments thus far. CEA has went from 75 to 29. I don't really know if that matters. The following Thursday I see my onc. to discuss possibilities. He has always told me from day 1 that I have NO possibilities of anything other than…
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Picture
Just wanted to say i like phils picture is that in black and white.I have to get to the eye dr. michelle
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Surgery Day - and an urgent prayer request
It's today at 6:30 ...Lynch Syndrome results are not back yet - 98% done so dh has decided to go ahead with the surgery minus the results - therefore he is doing half the colon....I have mixed feelings but he says he can't wait any longer - PLEASE pray for a miracle that the results come back before his surgery (they still…
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Got a second opinion- thank goodness!
We live in a relatively small town south of DC and have been pretty happy with our oncology surgeon and oncologist (except for him telling my husband in the hospital that people have been known to survive stage IV, as though it's pretty rare!). We were feeling like we were coordinating care between the two practitioners,…
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I have a question
If you had a daughter at the age of 6 got juvinile rumatoide arthitis So the dr put her on enbril which has helped her alot but now they said several children taking the med for jra are now getting cancer what would you do ? its my grandaughter she really needs the medicine she also gets a chemo drug to once a week she is…
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Welcome LAD, Stage IV and 11 years CURED!!
Welcome LAD! I read your story in your profile and was so blessed! I'm sure our Stage IV friends will gain much HOPE and comfort from your story. God Bless! Diane Tavegia