MedWorm: Cancer Top 20

Now what : just diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer

Metastatic liver cancer — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:12:26 +0100

There are 2 directions you can go when you are diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer: live or die. We share stories of cancer patients that went one way and the other. What are your 2 options? Against all odds you can try to beat your cancer: holistic cancer treatment. Going with the flow you accept you are going to die in less than 6 months: palliative care. 1. How to treat metastatic liver cancer? First and foremost you need to believe you can cure your cancer, as much as you believe that the sun will rise tomorrow. Unfortunately your doctors will advice you not to cure the cancer because in their experience they never met any metastatic liver cancer survivor, nor is there any known ‘fast lane’ cancer treatment to cure secondary cancer. ...

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The dagger of the mind

Turquoise Gates — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:29:00 +0100

I have two kinds of fear. The kind of fear that whispers what time I am afraid, I will trust in thee (Ps. 56:3). This kind comes when I have to hand over someone I love to Christ's care.I remember the many times I've wept for my third daughter. Through her brain infection, as we watched her fade away, and so many, many times as we've watched her creep back. Who knew a mom could feel fear teaching her baby the alphabet? But what if I can't?Throwing flowers on Teddy's grave in November, 2009There's a different kind of fear that attacks me out of the dark shadows. Fear of being swallowed up. Fear of fading away myself. Grief is a gaping pit into which one slips slowly, the light at the top fading quickly as we lose footing on the hard-scrabble walls packed down by guilt and shame. There is on...

Fourth time's a charm? It better be.

Cancer, life, and me — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:29:39 +0100

About 2 weeks ago (June 8th) I had my first formal visit with the spine surgeon, along with a medical resident on the surgical team. The conversation was sobering. They admitted that it could be possible to improve my quality of life with another spinal fusion surgery. But, they said, the procedure would be a true challenge for them and the risks would be great for me. There are many factors to consider before surgery even begins, but first… what would they do in the actual surgery? Step 1: Make an incision on my (most likely) right side, across the ribs and under the arm. Step 2: Crack a rib or two open (to make room for their instruments and maybe…hands…ugh). Step 3: In that opening through my rib cage, they would then go in and move my organs to one side in order to ge...

Fourth time’s a charm? It better be.

Cancer, life, and me — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:29:39 +0100

I am not a patient patient

Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 14:24:00 +0100

at the best of times. Overnight delivery has spoiled me (and most Americans) to expect instant gratification. To quote Violet from Willy Wonka, "I want it now!"On Friday I went to see my pain doctor who is in charge of relieving me of pain, as opposed to cancer cootie detection and other specialties. The biggest news I could share with him was that my rheumatologist, to whom he referred me, is leaving the hospital to go to another one.He suggested, his usual poking, prodding and contortions (does it hurt when you do this?), that I should increase my dose of my pain patches back up to 10 mcg/hr and then suggested I see him again in six months. I made a face and he changed it to four months. (Who says you can't make faces at your doctor or that I might be too old for it?)There a...

Who Would Win in a Fight Against Josh Sundquist and Me?

I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:51:00 +0100

Author's note: The character described in this multi-part story is my creation and should not be interpreted as the actual public figure. Although most of the events are fictional, the helpful and motivating aspects of his character are real, and for that I am grateful to have received his guidance. Read this first: Who Would Win in a Fight between Josh Sundquist and Me? I followed Josh Sundquist to a bar near his residence in Clarendon. Though unsure if my south Arlington status would be accepted there, I desired his wisdom on life and love. I was diagnosed with Ewing’s during the age of invincibility, leading to the highest probability of survival. But Sundquist was diagnosed at the beginning of his genital phase. The probability of survival was lowest then, but if the boy ...

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Self Education

Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:39:00 +0100

My week ends with a trip to my rheumatologist to discuss progress or lack of progress in treating my rheumatoid and getting it under control. I have had two other appointments with her. The first one was 'we really do not think you have RA but will figure it out and get it under control.' The second visit was 'even though I didn't think so, you do have RA and fibromyalgia so let's start treating it'.Now it is time for the progress update and we can talk about medication allergies, disease progression, treatment lack of progress, fear of needles, pain levels, physical limitations, and all sorts of fun things that I am not sure I know that much about.I do know some about fibromyalgia and some about RA. I do not expect to have to be able to distinguish between which pain is which - some of it...

Secrets of medical costs

Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:50:00 +0100

Someone referred me to this article which I read with great interest. First I started with this video: Then I read the article called the "Bitter Pill: Why Medical Costs are Killing Us"FInally I watched the second video where the writer answers questions on reactions to this story:So where does all t his education leave me? I am not as smart as I thought I was.All along I was blaming high medical costs on pharmaceutical manufacturers who were passing on the research costs long after they were paid to the patients through high drug payments. I was blaming insurance companies for high insurance premiums, denial of claims for stupid reasons, and general ignorance.I did not know that hospitals are a big part of the problem with their secret lists, huge mark ups, and high profits - even if they...

Fibro what?

Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:44:00 +0100

So I was told last September that I have fibromyalgia by my rheumatologist. I had been referred to her by my pain management doctor who had been treating me for my back pain from degenerating disks. I also had pain in lots of other places that was getting worse over the years as opposed to better. His diagnosis to my rheumatologist was myofascial pain or fibromyalgia with possible rheumatoid arthritis.Well the rheumatologist confirmed within ten minutes of meeting me that I had fibromyalgia. My pain doctor had put me on Savella, Lyrica, and Cymbalta at different times in the past to treat my pain. Those are the only medications approved to treat fibromyalgia. They are also used to treat other things which is why he tried them. None of them really worked for me.Now there is a study done (be...

Internet Access & The State Of The Union « Revelations From An Unwashed Brain

white pebble — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:28:39 +0100

Something to pay attention to: With the President’s state of the union speech last evening, I was interested to hear that he was bringing up the slow access speeds and lack of availability to the information superhighway for many of our citizens. via Internet Access & The State Of The Union « Revelations From An Unwashed Brain. Filed under: asides (Source: white pebble)

Will My Smartphone Help Me End The Purgatory Of My Groundhog Day Diet?

Dr. Len's Cancer Blog — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:15:00 +0100

OK. So Groundhog Day was on Saturday this year, and unlike the furry little beast what I have to say each year around this time is just as good today as him looking for his shadow on Saturday. What is all this about, you are probably asking yourself? It is about an annual update that I started a couple of years ago on my blog to remind myself and those who are interested that losing weight and staying healthy is a tough slog and a major commitment which too often is not successful. Like many of you out there I am not immune to all the problems surrounding diet and trying to get weight under control. Try, try, try again and again, and hopefully one day we can all get it "right." That's why I dubbed this the Groundhog Day Diet, after the Bill Murray movie of a similar name where he strikes o...

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When Cancer Comes Home

Life with Breast Cancer — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:37:40 +0100

Yesterday was National Cancer Day. Now who thought of that? We have President’s Day, Memorial Day and Martin Luther King Day. It makes sense to honor heroes and leaders, but a whole day to acknowledge the enemy? That is just plain ridiculous! There is no greater enemy to the United States than cancer. It claims more American lives than any war and shakes millions of American homes to the core every year. Cancer consumes billions of American health-care dollars, it uses up valuable resources and it steals our peace. The day is meant by promoters to raise awareness and debunk cancer myths but that is something we should be doing every day until cancer is completely obliterated from the human race. No one invites cancer into their home. Cancer just barges in and takes over. It takes up a...

Cancer Coach?

Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:01:00 +0100

In one of the blogs I read yesterday, I can't remember which one, the concept of a 'cancer coach' was mentioned. I thought 'cancer coach'? What can that be? So I turned to Google and found there are people out there making a living as 'cancer coaches'. These people claim they can help someone with cancer navigate their way through treatment and make sure they get the right treatment. I call them scammers who are making a living off people who are dealing with major trauma.I will not do them the honor of linking to them here. They offer services 'coaching and educational services' or are an 'expert and survivor'. These people are lower than low. Taking money from those who are struggling for their lives through treatment. I am appalled. I am more than appalled. I am beyond wordsFirst of all...

A New Tool for Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis

Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:19:00 +0100

Thyroid cancer has the fastest growing rate of incidence in the US of any cancers. The standard procedure to diagnose thyroid cancer is the doctor presses on the patients throat and asks them to swallow - this is to feel for any nodules or lumps. Other symptoms may appear such as a swallowing problems, a sore throat or speaking problems. If a problem is suspected, the next usual step is an ultrasound to see if a determination can be made. 1/3 of all ultrasounds are inconclusive - meaning a determination can't be made to determine malignancy.The next step is a thyroidectomy where the patient if benign will spend their life on synthetic thyroid hormone - which is not quite the real thing. The problem arises in that for those with inconclusive ultrasounds only 25% of them are diagnosed ...

Increased in vivo efficacy of lenalidomide by addition of piroctone olamine…

Margaret's Corner — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:52:12 +0100

First, an update on my computer situation. Stefano fixed it yesterday evening, and I have to say that the new superfast groovyzoomything that he installed in its belly seems to know what I want to do even before I begin typing…in fact, I can barely keep up with my computer now…Amazing. Ah, before I forget: [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner)

Breast Reconstruction Revision

Breast Cancer? But Doctor....I hate pink! — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:37:00 +0100

Many breast cancer patients who have reconstruction end up having revision surgeries. You are warned about that at the beginning of the process (or you should be). It might be as simple as a scar tweak here or an adjustment there, or it could be more involved, like cleaning out contracture. Implants have a median shelf life of ten years, and sometimes need to be replaced. People with one natural (aging) breast often have surgeries to keep the twins matching.I knew all along that many more surgeries would be in my future - me and Joan Rivers, we have our plastic surgeon on speed dial. So, now I am planning my first revision.But, it's not really a revision. I'm starting all over.I know, right? You are shocked. You remember how happy I was wit...

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U.K. Researchers Launch Clinical Trial of Mercaptopurine (6-MP) In Women with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Libby's H*O*P*E* — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:07:56 +0100

A Cancer Research UK-funded clinical trial of a new drug for patients with advanced breast or ovarian cancer due to inherited BRCA gene mutations has been launched at the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre at the University of Oxford. A Cancer Research UK-funded trial of a new drug for patients with advanced breast or ovarian cancer [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*)

Scar Healing - Tips For "Invisible" Scars

Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:54:23 +0100

Scar healing is the result of biologic wound repair and is a complex process. With the exception of minor lesions, every skin wound causes some degree of permanent scarring. My breast reconstruction patients often ask for advice on how to improve their scars. While expecting 100% invisible scars may not be realistic, it is possible to influence the body's scar healing mechanism to improve scar appearance and texture significantly. The word "scar" comes from the Greek word "eschara", meaning "place of fire." Scar tissue is different from normal skin. It is inferior both in appearance and function. For example, scars are much less resistant to the sun's ultraviolet rays and more prone to sunburn. Scars also lack a blood supply or sweat glands, and they never grow hair. Complete scar hea...

CNN: One Wedding and a Funeral

Donna Trussell — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:46:57 +0100

New Actual Malice cartoon by Trussell & Trussell: CNN One Wedding and a Funeral. Filed under: Actual Malice, Journalism, Pop Culture, TV Tagged: cnn, poynter, richard quest, romenesko, royal wedding, trussell & trussell (Source: Donna Trussell)

A Country in Crisis and a Tone Deaf Government

Donna Trussell — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 05:10:28 +0100

New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. A Country in Crisis and a Tone Deaf Government. Filed under: Politics Tagged: egypt, protest, richard engel, robert donna trussell, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell)