My wife has (inevitably terminal) cancer, but we are considering trying to have a baby -- need some help identifying and giving thought to moral, ethical, and medical concerns. My family and friends are too close to the situation to give unbiased advice.
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posted by theplatypus
on Aug 18, 2010 -
88 answers
My father, in his late 60s, is a prostate cancer and arthritis patient and is currently in a lot of pain to the point where he doubles over groaning. His oncologist and general practitioner have prescribed Oxycodone, which he takes one-two at a time, but sometimes even that doesn't help and other times it makes him sick. The MDs aren't sure whether the cancer or arthritis are to blame at the moment. He'll go back on chemo on Monday and get a full set of scans in September. Meanwhile, does anyone have recommendations for pain relief of the mainstream or alternative variety? He has already tried acupuncture without great success. His lives in NYC. Thank you.
posted by AlmondEyes
on Aug 11, 2010 -
10 answers
Two weeks ago my 83 year old mother was diagnosed with colon cancer--surgery to remove the right side of her colon is scheduled for this Friday. If anyone here has gone through this type of surgery, what were your experiences during post op and recovery? What can our family do to make Mom's recovery easier?
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posted by I'm Brian and so's my wife!
on Aug 8, 2010 -
6 answers
My uncle has cancer...allegedly, and our family members are rallying together to help him. How can I give without feeling like a sucker?
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posted by stedman15
on Jul 19, 2010 -
11 answers
What vegetarian dishes would most soothe and delight my friend and her husband after his cancer surgery?
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posted by TryTheTilapia
on Jul 18, 2010 -
16 answers
It's my first question here, ... and it's kinda heavy...
I met a girl/lady. She 's the sweetest person, but she's got a lump inside one of hear breasts. Size of a big plum, except longer. She moved in to CA, has no health insurance and believes that holistic medicine alone will do the trick if it turned out to be a breast cancer...
She would probably prefer - no chemical, no doc bs, better to live quicker happy, rather than slower but with pain kind of path, but I 'm worried and scared, maybe more than she is. I've heard that mammography and some other scan is needed to evaluate and that it's a sort of financial black hole. What to do folks? I need to get her checked, but both mine and her finances are at all times low/0.
Please, any input will be greatly appreciated.
posted by DivineShadow
on Jul 13, 2010 -
37 answers
I am incredibly stressed out by things going on with my family right now, and I'm not sure how I should handle things.
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posted by jnaps
on Jul 2, 2010 -
8 answers
What recipes compatible with procarbazine do you recommend?
posted by vincele
on Jun 12, 2010 -
5 answers
How much money is wasted on duplicate AIDS and cancer research and how do scientists avoid such duplication?
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posted by HotPatatta
on Jun 6, 2010 -
18 answers
What Is WRONG with me, for God's sake? Last Wednesday night I was struck with a stiff neck, and really swollen knee joints. By end of work Thursday (driving 300 miles) I was wholly incapacitated with a low grade fever, upper back pain and lumpy knees. Now, much of this is not new, as I already have
blood cancer and
fibromyalgia, but this is way beyond the scope of these diseases. (I am immunologically compromised)
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posted by ~Sushma~
on May 14, 2010 -
16 answers
[Asking for my dear sister]
I am a third-year female medical student and have recently kicked Lymphoma's ass. Needless to say, this was quite a challenging journey to take while still remaining in school and I would have been extremely hard-pressed to stay in the game without the help of a couple of core friends who were constantly there for me.
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posted by eytanb
on Apr 29, 2010 -
12 answers
Is this worth a visit to the ER tonight just to ease my mind, or should I just wait until I see my doctor again in 2 weeks? Am I crazy for thinking this is all related?
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posted by SNWidget
on Apr 28, 2010 -
26 answers
In what medical circumstances might someone with a terminal cancer diagnosis not appear obviously sick?
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posted by Joe Beese
on Apr 18, 2010 -
21 answers
My dog is probably going to die in the next few months. What can I do to make things really great for him during that time?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 16, 2010 -
29 answers
Is there an organization like Make-A-Wish that serves adult cancer patients? Or even adult cancer patients with kids?
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posted by mrgoldenbrown
on Mar 2, 2010 -
6 answers
I just received word that my biopsy/examination results are in. They want to see me tomorrow morning. Should I start freaking out now? The receptionist scheduling me was not forthcoming with any details.
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posted by Emperor Yamamoto's Eggs
on Feb 23, 2010 -
15 answers
Girlfriend with skin cancer looking for Angiogenesis-based doctor or financial alternatives for purchasing needed drugs.
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posted by goalyeehah
on Feb 18, 2010 -
4 answers
My dad has been diagnosed with cancer - malignant carcinoma in his stomach where the esophagus joins the stomach. They are going to remove his stomach! Has anyone had any experience of this personally or of a relative?
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posted by evil_esto
on Jan 27, 2010 -
12 answers
My father starts both radiation and chemotherapy tomorrow for colorectal cancer. For chemo, he has been prescribed Xeloda - which is taken orally. Can anyone share their experiences with this drug? It's noted that Xeloda is well-tolerated by patients, but I wondering what that exactly means in terms of real-life experience vs the pamphlets and website.
posted by punkrockrat
on Jan 18, 2010 -
5 answers
NoThyroidFilter: People with post LID, hypo hell and RAI experience: how long did it take to recover and get back to "normal" (normal with regards to the necessary extreme hypothyroid state)? Recommendations for helping me get through the recovery period?
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posted by Cat Pie Hurts
on Jan 10, 2010 -
6 answers
I want to learn about cancer. Which discipline should I take courses in?
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posted by esolo
on Dec 26, 2009 -
8 answers
I had a large non-cancerous tumor removed a few years ago. The tumor and the two surgeries required to remove it left me unable to work for a year and $50,000 in debt.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 19, 2009 -
5 answers
Need ideas for comforting / useful items to give a person undergoing intense chemotherapy (x2).
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posted by contessa
on Dec 1, 2009 -
13 answers
My mom was diagnosed with Small-Cell Lung Cancer about a month ago. Her prognosis is not so good... her doctor is estimating one to two years with chemo. Last night, my mom and siblings got together to discuss her wishes, wills, money, etc. Unfortunately, there are still issues that were left unresolved. In fact, I feel like we left with more questions than answers.
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posted by Swede78
on Nov 30, 2009 -
20 answers
What is (or is there any) relationship between cancer, pregnancy, and a fetus?
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posted by raztaj
on Nov 29, 2009 -
7 answers
In cancer treatment, how much does delaying chemo by a couple of weeks exacerbate recurrance risk?
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posted by Estragon
on Nov 26, 2009 -
9 answers
I was distressed to learn from a woman I work with that one of her children, college age, is in the hospital for a second round with cancer. The cancer is not responding this time to treatment. When asked how I could help, she said people who are making and dropping off food are helpful. So, wondering if you all have suggestions of what food items we might bring to her home, and maybe recipe links.
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posted by bearwife
on Nov 13, 2009 -
27 answers
Looking to help a Canberra, Australia acquaintance recently diagnosed with estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer, and wondering whether they would receive better treatment from the US. No politics, please.
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posted by Estragon
on Nov 11, 2009 -
6 answers
I've just started volunteering at a local hospital on the cancer ward. We've had some training and I do have some personal experience (family member) with cancer treatment, but I want to be as helpful as I can -- If you have spent time on a cancer ward, as a patient, family member or friend -- or as hospital staff, how can I, as a friendly stranger, be most helpful to someone like you?
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posted by nnk
on Oct 23, 2009 -
14 answers
Mother with terminal cancer, dad being an @#$ about her care, I want to take her in but it's complicated. How do I handle it?
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posted by stormpooper
on Oct 12, 2009 -
34 answers
Are the benefits of sauna therapy real? Some family members of mine talk about saunas being useful for "getting out heavy metals." Supposedly, the body sweats them out.
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posted by mdpatrick
on Oct 3, 2009 -
11 answers
I am good friends with my ex husband. He learned a couple of months ago that his PSA was over 20. He was also having a serious problem with his leg at the time (he had a femoral by pass surgery). That surgery went well and he has recovered from it..but during that time the high PSA results were put on the back burner until he could get through the surgery.
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posted by naplesyellow
on Sep 8, 2009 -
9 answers
Candles, incense, and even deodorant are linked with cancer. What can I use to make my house smell nice that hasn't already been proven to make me sick?
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posted by lexfri
on Aug 31, 2009 -
42 answers
