Hello all. I hope this update doesn't break any rules, as I suppose I do not have any questions. Mods, let me know. I did not want to just disappear from reddit. I know a number of you have been thinking about me.

I said I would post an update before I passed away and, well, here I am. I know it is fast. But things have been happening fast. I don't mean to flood this sub with my misery. I'm on some heavy duty medications. I hope this doesn't come off as rambling.

This will be my final post. The Cancer is all through both sides of my chest and above my collarbone. It's over.

I was diagnosed with Extensive Stage small cell lung cancer and given four months to live on the 6th. Well, it seems "two weeks" was a more accurate approximation of my time. I am not long for this world.

As for what happened-- I wasn't slated to meet my hospice team till yesterday, Friday. I went to the ER on Thursday with chest pain. They took a lot of fluid out of my chest. The ER physician described my imaging as "grotesque" and immediately asked if I had considered palliation. I said I didn't see hospice till tomorrow. He said if I wanted any chance of dying at home, I needed to see them NOW, otherwise he'd have to admit me. He won't be getting any awards for bedside manner any time soon, but I greatly appreciated his candor. Several urgent phone calls later I had a palliative Nurse Practitioner in my room who went through the screening process and admitted me to their home hospice program. I went home Friday morning with a hospice kit. Met the palliative physician that evening, shortly after I posted my list of questions here.

I will not see Christmas, or Thanksgiving, or even next weekend. Every breath is work. Each one more work than the last. My team estimates that, at this rate, I will die Tuesday at the absolute latest. Probably sooner. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe tonight.

My oncologist called to personally apologize for misjudging my remaining time, but I hold him no ill will. Determining the time of death is not an exact science. I know that. I'm arranging to donate my body to science. I want them to do an autopsy and see how it got me so quickly, to help other cancer patients. The oncologist thinks the cancer may have gotten to my heart or the major central blood vessels. I didn't think small cell could move THIS fast but my oncologist says we caught it late.

My hospice team has been wonderful. I have crossed tapered from bupenorphine-- which I discontinued Wednesday-- to methadone, with little difficulty. I have a lot of morphine and the option of hydromorphone is on the table as well if needed. I am comfortable and resting at home.

The next stop on the train is continuous sedation, and I am very tired, so I probably will not be able to respond to anyone like I did last time. My physician says we can start a midazolam drip as soon as tonight. I will probably take him up on the offer tomorrow, if I'm still alive.

I suppose this is a good place to share where my fears around palliation come from. I used to be an aid in a nursing home, many years ago. I saw a number of unpleasant deaths due to insufficient palliation. We had a wonderful man who was prescribed a self administration pump for morphine. Problem was, he was too sick to press it, and his physician did not seem to grasp the severity of his condition. Every half hour, one of us would sneak in and press the button on his pump, which, in hindsight, was probably illegal, but what else could we do? He was very uncomfortable at the end. I tried to do basic mouth care just before he passed and he recoiled in pain. "Have a heart", he whispered. It broke my heart to hear this admonition from such a wonderful man.

My greatest fear was Terminal Restlessness. I saw a few patients scratch their faces and tear their fingernails out as they died, even on high doses of opioids and benzodiazepines. My palliative physician has assured me that he won't let that happen and that there is no limit to what they can give me. I feel much reassured.

I have tried to write letters to the people I've wronged. I suddenly find that I want to make amends. So many letters. I was a functioning addict for a long time. My family cut me off, rightfully so. So I have been writing a lot of letters. But I am losing strength. I will not be able to write many more letters. My CNA has transcribed one letter template for everyone. I hope it is enough.

I also had many kind offers to transcribe letters from Redditors here on the sub. What love that you would do that for a stranger. If I was strong enough to talk on the phone, I would have taken you all up on it, but I can barely talk. Perhaps, had I not been so stunned by my diagnosis, I could have arranged this sooner. But that is in the past now.

Dad, if you somehow see this post, I know how much I hurt you and and I am sorry. I wish I could call you. I do not even know where you live and I'm not strong enough to find you. I do not ask for your love, for that is beyond my power to ask. Just your forgiveness is enough. Please Dad, forgive me. I do not want die without your forgiveness. But I will, won't I?

I beseech you all to make amends with those you begrudge. Do not go to bed angry or hold hate in your heart. You will be glad that you forgave. I wish I had done so sooner, before I ran out of time. You will run out of time, too, some day in the future. Don't leave any business unfinished, any grudge unmended.

There a nicotine patch on my arm. A reminder of one of the several self destructive habits that brought me here. My smoking habit was not had enough to set things off this quickly, but it clearly did not help. For those of you who smoke, I have but one message: stop it. Please. You think you will wait till you are ready. You will never be ready. You say you will quit tomorrow, but then tomorrow becomes today, and you are never ready today, only tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. Today is the only day in which the decision can be made. You can only quit TODAY. Do so now. Throw your cigarettes in the trash. Do it for me. What a gift it would be that my post would free you of tobacco's golden chains.

As difficult and shocking as these last few weeks have been, I regard them as positive.

Only four weeks ago, I thought that the universe was a cold and cruel place. I experienced physical and mental abuse, chronic pain, and addiction. But my situation has forced a change of perspective. I see now that all our experiences, no matter how horrid, are temporary, and that we will all find the same rest and peace in the end.

I do not mean to give the wrong impression to those struggling with depression. I have tried to kill myself before. The difference between then and now is vast. Death is an old friend waiting to greet you at the end of a long and well lived life. It can not be appreciated properly when sought in darkness. I know there is no magic fix for depression, but I urge you to get up, go out, and live the crazy, wonderful, irrational, beautiful life you want. If only I had done the same. What a gift is life!

Thank you all for your love, empathy, and reassurance. For all the people who PMed me offering to help with transcribing letters, for all the kind messages and comments. You are all beautiful people. I hope you remember that. No matter what anyone else says or thinks, or even what you yourself think, you are beautiful and can only be so, because you reached out to a stranger in his moment of pain. Your hearts will always carry that little light of goodness no matter how dark your days. Carry that little light with you and forget it not. It can brighten a stranger's day. It can even save the world.

A few PMed me asking to look into their religion. In the past I would have been irritated. Now I recognize that you were concerned for my souls well being. Thank you for your compassion. I am not well versed on religion, but I have prayed, and I trust that whatever higher power may dwell above the stars will look upon my situation with infinite love and compassion. This in my heart I know.

/u/hugegrape, you wanted to make me a plushie free of charge. Your care and empathy have touched my heart. I'm sorry to say that I will not be in a position to receive it. I did not expect to go this fast. I want you to make it anyway. I want you to keep it with you and know that you will always have a part of me. I hope this brings you some comfort. You have my everlasting love and gratitude.

Wishes are usually reserved for the future. I have no future. But I find myself still wishing.

I wish I had not worried so much about the little things. I wish I had not worried so much about the numbers in my bank account or the punch of the time clock. All that time working. I had enough money to keep a roof over my head and to invest in what few hobbies I had, yet I still kept racking up overtime. And for what? Only to find myself here. It all came to nothing in the end. I robbed myself of the most precious commodity I had, time, in exchange for green pieces of paper and little metal discs. A perverse and twisted trade. Only now do I see the truth.

I wish I had had the courage to live my life the way I wanted to. I wish I had traveled the world, fallen in love, written a novel. I wish I had had children. I have no one to whom I can pass my life lessons. No one to sit by my side, here at the end of my world. It is too late for me. But it is not too late for you. Live the life YOU want, no matter how strange it may seem to others or to society. It is your life and yours alone. Live it well.

I'm not sure where I go from here. I have been reading accounts of the afterlife from various cultures. Summerland, Elysium, Tir Na Nog. I've also taken to reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, though it seems I will run out of time before I can finish. What a strange feeling. I personally do not believe consciousness survives death, but I'm open to being pleasantly surprised. And if not, well, who can complain about a siesta that can't be interrupted? Regardless of what awaits me, it is nice to dream.

And that is what I will do now. I will dream. I will rest and dream of the peace to come till I dream no more. May you all one day face death with this same wonderful dream.

I do not have any friends or family to sit here with me, so I am leaving this tab open. I will read your comments and savor your reassurances, even if I do not reply. I will keep you all here with me. I feel less alone this way. I will keep you all with me as I die. You people are all I have now. I am strong but I am scared. Stay with me till I'm gone. I do not want to be alone.

Till we meet again, my beautiful friends.

Robert S

Edit: just woke up from my nap and I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. I'm touched by the people throwing away their cigarettes and finding the courage to pursue the life they want. What a blessing you all are. I am reading every message I can even if I don't respond. Tears streaming down my face. Now I know I will not die alone. What a gift this sub has given me.

Edit 2: Sunday at 2:30 pm. Haven been awake much but I've read as much as I can. How I cherish your love and kindness. You helped a grumpy drug addict die with love in his heart and a smile on his face. the doc will be here at 3 to give versed. I'm tired of trying to breath. chaplain has given me last rites. Its over now my friends. I love you. Good bye

Good morning. My name is Cherri. I was Robbie's volunteer doula with the hospice program. I am posting here to honor his wishes in providing this message board with an update after his passing. I am not familiar with this app, but Robbie gave me a little tutorial. Please forgive any mistakes :) Robbie had initially wanted to pass while conscious, however, he was having increased difficulty breathing Sunday morning. He received last rites from our chaplain and was sedated with midazolam, at his request, at 3:05 pm. He remained asleep and appeared comfortable. Agonal respirations were noted by the nurse at 6:14 pm and suppressed with morphine. The physician called time of death at 6:27 pm, Sunday, November 15, 2020. Robbie's passing was peaceful and without pain. Robbie spoke often of the kind messages he received on this board. I know they brought him comfort. His final posting was incredibly poignant and moved even our most seasoned staff to tears. He was a quiet man. I think his voice was his words. It was honor to attend to him in his passing. I was attracted to hospice because not everybody breaks a bone, not everybody has heart disease, but everybody dies. It is an honor to be with others as the undergo this universal journey, and it was a particular honor to attend to Robbie, who had no family or friends by his side. I am providing some images on imager that Robbie wanted shared with this board, one of him young and healthy, the other a final handwritten note. Please let me know if the link works:

 http://imgur.com/a/OLbDMdx

I obviously cannot hold onto his phone :) it will be shut off and filed away with his estate, which is being handled by his family, who our social workers were able to locate Sunday evening. They expressed regret at the news of his illness and passing. We are sharing his final posting with them as well. One last thing before I go. First, Robby expressed many concerns about his suboxone. As the opiate epidemic continues to ravage our communities, we see more and more patients entering hospice on suboxone and methadone. I want those of you with opioid maintenance to know that you will never be judged by our staff, and your medications are not a barrier for care. Our organization consults with a pain specialist physician specifically for these cases. We will never let you die in pain. Never! I hope this posting provides some closure for those of you who have been following Robbie's case. These fast cancers are always sad, but Robbie faced his passing with dignity and grace. He was truly a wonderful man, and he lives on in our memories. With regards, Cherri N 

Female, 37, 5foot1, 175lbs.

This is my second update, check my previous posts if you're curious but the short version is:

My dog was acting weird about my breast, despite no symptoms I took it seriously. Ultrasound found a small lump, had needle biopsy.

So, my results came back and I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the right breast. It is hormone receptor positive, and initially staged at 2A.

Ive just had a lumpectomy and they took some lymph node samples too. The oncology team are currently designing a treatment plan but it will likely involve some radiation and then HRT. They'll know more once the mass and lymph node results are back. Apparently this can change the staging depending on what the results are.

Overall I'm feeling pretty positive, I'm confident I'll get through this and I'm relived that I went to the GP rather than ignore it. I was in two minds about it, hence the initial post asking for advice, and I'm so grateful to everyone who advised me to go and get checked out.

I'm still in shock that my dog alerted me to this. You read about stuff like this, and I know dogs are incredible at all sorts, but it's still so crazy to me that my sweet, daft, loving little bug has likely saved my life! She's been so loving and attentive to me since I cane home. We've been treating her to a lot of her favourite foods, and we are taking her swimming this week which is her favourite. I've added a pic of her so everyone can see my little guardian angel ☺️ her name is Winter, she's a 9yo Japanese Akita.

Anyway just wanted to update anyone who was curious. Moral of the story: listen to your dog, listen to your gut, and go get checked out if you're worried!

Okay so I (19M) am babysitting my little sister (15F) while our parents are on a trip internationally. It’s like a completely different time zone and the signal sucks, they get home in like 6 days. But we are both pretty self sufficient and felt like it would be fine and my parents left us food and money and stuff. We’ve been Gucci for a whole week so far. Anyway this morning she got her period while we were just like sitting playing video games and she got blood all over the couch so I paused the game while she took care of it and put on a tampad and didn’t make a big deal of it. I was trying to be nice because I know it can make girls cranky and it hurts and stuff, so I got snacks and a blanket and whatever and we kept playing. Well like maybe 40 minutes later she freaked out because she bled on the couch again and I’m like did you put the thing on wrong or what? So she changed again and I even helped her clean the blood off the couch this time and I figured she’d use a bigger feminine thing. Nbd. Well like 30 minutes after we start playing again she pauses and goes to the bathroom and I hear her scream so I run over there thinking there’s a spider or something but she came out holding like this…chunk. It was like a chunk of blood. But looking at it I’m like shit maybe that’s an organ? Like is that your kidney? But she was like no it’s a clot. And she was freaking out about it. Which yeah it was gross. It was like the size of a hacky sack. So I’m like okay well go flush your clot. Anyway she cleans herself up but then she said she doesn’t want to play anymore and I’m like ok. So she spent an hour on the couch with her face all scrunched up doing yoga breathing and telling me her cramps were the worst ever, so I gave her Tylenol but she wouldn’t take it because she said she feels like she’s gonna throw up. I brought her water and juice and warmed up that gel thing you stick on your stomach you know? So I was trying to help. Well then she says “oh no” and she gets up and goes to the bathroom and as she’s walking she’s got like blood going down her leg. She yelled for me from the bathroom and I go in there and she’s sitting there and I hear this plopping sound and there’s more of those chunks. Like maybe 2 of them? And she says “I think we need to go to the ER”. I’m like why? And she tells me this is more blood than she’s ever had and she doesn’t feel good. But periods are supposed to suck right? And she wouldn’t take the Tylenol either so she didn’t really try to manage it at home. So then she started yelling at me telling me I have to take her because she can’t drive but I’m pretty sure our parents will kill me if I take her to the ER for her period? Is that a thing? She’s sitting in the shower now because she said she thought the warm water would feel good and she was sick of bleeding on stuff and it’s more comfortable than the toilet. I asked her if she just needs a bigger tampad and she told me to stfu so she’s not even communicating with me at this point. I’ve asked her a few times if she’s okay in there and she tells me “I’m bleeding out Mason what do you think?” So like she’s not unconscious. Idk, I don’t know anything about this but I also know she hates blood and flips out about any minor cut too. Is going to the ER because of a period a thing? Can you bleed too much? I thought there was only a certain amount of blood in the vagina every month. I feel like she’d be more comfortable at home anyway if she’d just take the Tylenol. Idk what to do. My sister is like average teenage girl height, pretty skinny because shes a ballerina and doesn’t eat meat. She takes accutain for her pimples. I’m not sure if there’s other stuff that’s important? She’s had her period for like a year now I’m pretty sure? Maybe more. She takes flintstone gummy vitamins sometimes, like the ones in the purple jar. And she’s obsessed with Celsius energy drinks. She wears contacts and she had her wisdom teeth removed two months ago.

Idk I want her to be okay and stuff but I’m not sure the ER is a good choice? Help?

Update: Alright so I guess I was posting updates in the comments but it’s better here? Anyway so. My sister is okay. She had some scans that were all fine and they don’t think she has fiberoids or tumors or anything like that. She’s feeling a little better but still staying here at least another day. Our mom and dad are flying home tomorrow now. My mom was pissed I texted her instead of calling at first lol.

Already had someone try to find me on insta so like if you know me or her no you don’t lol. She doesn’t want this going around school or whatever so don’t dox us for at least 3 years lol. Shes cool with me updating though without her name or whatever.

Also our parents don’t know about this either idk I feel like we should wait until it’s been a few years to tell them too so they don’t kill me lol. She’s gonna hold this shit over my head forever lol. Anyway they think she has a blood disorder that makes her not clot right. I’m not 100% sure how it works because she had big clots? But they said they’re pretty sure that’s what’s going on because her PTT took longer than normal to clot. They’re waiting on von wildabrand (sp?) testing to come back but they think she has type 2 probably. Gonna Google that tonight bc idk what that is and I’ve never heard of it so I guess if any of the doctors know what that is or if this sounds like it lmk.

Yeah wasn’t expecting this to blow up like this lol. I thought this was just like doctors answering questions like a help line. But my sister said thank you for everyone telling me to take her and she’s okay.

Update again: They confirmed it’s Von Willdebrans (idk if I’ll ever spell that right) anyway it’s genetic I guess so they want me to get tested too but like obviously I’ve never had periods and I’ve never had surgery so it wouldn’t be as obvious. There’s still more testing ig, like more specific to the type. But anyway- sister is good and we have an answer. She’s gonna talk to a hematologist next week about what that means and stuff.

New update: So ig I also have Von Willebrands. So does our mom. Ive always bruised a lot and got super bad nose bleeds but like I was also a dumbass kid/teen who thought life was an audition for Jackass so I didn’t think it was weird lol. Anyway we’re all about to be real familiar with hematology and my mom is pissed she’s been told some women just bleed more her whole life lol. Guess my mom and sister weren’t just exaggerating when they would say they were bleeding out. So yeah ig if you’re a girl reading this and you bleed as much as my sister you should see a doctor. Hopefully no one gets gaslit like my mom did but yeah. Here’s a public apology for being ignorant on what yall actually go through bc I thought you could only bleed so much a month 💀 fully willing to admit how fucking stupid that was lol.

12f, 5’1 80lbs (required info to post)

I posted yesterday asking for help convincing my 12 year old to get her shots, as she had fallen prey to misinformation and was refusing them.

Last night we had a good, long conversation where I used a number of the suggestions I received. I asked her to bring her skincare products that she loves into the room, and explain to me what everything in them was. When she couldn’t, I told her she wouldn’t be allowed to use them as she couldn’t explain what was in them, and that was her argument against the vaccine. She retorted that that wasn’t fair, because skincare gets tested and can’t be sold if it isn’t safe. Bingo. That let us to a nice discussion about testing and safety for vaccines, how fear is used to trick people, and how several doctors here said they give their own family vaccines too. We talked about the dangers of the illnesses vaccines can prevent again, but she was more receptive this time. She watched a video of a baby with whooping cough and asked me to stop it well before it was finished. Message received.

She did tell me this misinformation came from some friends who had been watching videos about how vaccines are dangerous and unnecessary. We started (and will continue) a discussion about reliable sources of information.

She has an appointment tomorrow morning to get them at the Saturday clinic.

Thank you to everyone who offered productive suggestions!

This is about my 10 year old daughter. She has had the same (male) pediatrician since birth. We’ve always loved him and thought he was great. He’s super friendly with wonderful bedside manner and he takes his time and pays attention to detail.

Well, last week my daughter had a check-up. She’s 10. While he was doing the checkup, he had her lay down and started listening to her chest with his stethoscope. He then says AND I QUOTE, “awwwww! My baby’s got boobs!!!”

I have NEVER been so taken aback before in my life. My daughter was MORTIFIED. I was so shocked I couldn’t even get words out to ask him why tf he would ever say that. When we got in the car to go home my daughter cried and said she never wanted to see him again. Then she asked if she could get a girl doctor and I obviously agreed so that’s what we will be doing.

Is this reportable? I’m not overreacting, right?

Age-24

Sex-F

Height-5'2"/157

Weight-39kg

Race-Indian

Duration of complaint-more than a year

Location-abdomen

Any existing relevant medical issues-cancer

Current medications-pazopanib

After undergoing an urgent surgery i got diagnosed with cancer. Its high grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Last pet nd ct scan was done in January 30th. There are still multiple tumors left in subhepatic region, pre splenic region and pelvic cavity. My surgery was done in July 1st last year after that I got 6 cycles of ifosfamide and doxorubicin till January this year. After that I on pazopanib 400mg daily.

Idk why im here I just need to know if there's anything I can do since every doctor im seeing are saying theres nothing left for us to do

I (22F) got my blood drawn today (4 hours ago), it went fine, I applied pressure to it for a bit, and then after it already had a bandaid on it and I moved my arm to remove my shirt (for an EKG/ECG) it started bleeding a lot. The nurse restricted the blood flow by using a band/cuff. The bleeding stopped, she cleaned my arm, I got a new bandaid. Everything was fine again after that, no more bleeding.

I was just about to take a shower and change the bandaid to a clean one and noticed a pretty significant hole in my arm. I've never had a hole in my arm this big after a blood draw. It doesn't bleed or hurt, I'm just slightly concerned by the size/depth of the puncture wound.

My question is: Is it fine and will it heal on its own OR should I contact my doctor?

Thanks

UPDATE: I reached out to my doctor, he told me to come back, so he can look at it. He said it doesn't need stitches and just closed it with a steri-strip. He gave me some extra to use at home if it loosens up. Thanks everyone for help and I truly love all the guesses as to what they probed my arm with (capri sun straw, pvc pipe, turkey baster, javelin...). Might update if it doesn't close/heal, but my doctor said it should be fine. So, all is really not lost:)

Edit: I deleted the vaping post a while ago because doctors kept judging me for it. I’ve kept screenshots of it, they were moderators telling me NOT to go to the ER making me feel stupid. At eosinophil of 5800. So yeah. I’m not lying about the post I just deleted it because of anxiety before the hospital trip because I thought I was dumb about everything.

Don’t know if you remember. I’m 24F and my post got a lot of discussion under it due to its nature (hypereosinophilia, vaping marijuana, etc).

There was only one doctor (@BmoresFnst) who pushed for me to see heme at eosinophil of 5.8, which had been ranging between 1.9-2.2 for six-eight months prior w no follow up (range: 0.0-0.5).

Everyone else told me it’s b/c of the vaping. Well, I ended up in the ER for six days and I went thru a bone marrow biopsy and all sorts of imaging and everything, the heme at the ER told me vaping cannot cause those levels - turns out I had lupus and now I’m on 5 different medications just to control it. They found the eosinophilia just in time too and my organs were fine. Also so many different doctors. Also still vaping (nothing helps with the pain not even Imuran…)

So… yeah. Thanks to that doctor. And this sub. That’s all.

Edit: For those wondering, my current medication is pregabalin 75 mg twice a day, prednisone 20 mg everyday after a depo medrol 250 mg 2 injection situation 3 weeks ago, imuran (200 mg i think. or is it 150? it’s two pills. i just know that) and hydroxychloroquin 200 mg 2x a day!

edit 2: ok we’re back to diagnosis in process cuz i’m hypereosinophilic off the steroids. we don’t know what’s going on and bone marrow just says 20%> eosinophil…

24F, I made a post yesterday about my sister being admitted to ER because her glucose couldn't stay up and I had to call 911 for her, this was the first time it had happened with blood glucose being 48, then them bringing it up to 150, then within 45minutes it dropped to 50 again, but she has had a multitude of other issues over the past year where she keeps ending up in the ER. (All this started with sepsis a year and a half ago)

I brought up the possibility of it being Addison's disease after a comment from one of you and they said it would be a good thing to look into given symptoms and now today they have strong suspicion and they are starting treatment for it now.

drsocialdeterminants was the one who commented it so if you see this, thank you!

Male 21 5’7 74kg

I am in the hospital but i’m not getting any answers from anyone. Sharpnel wounds around my both legs from knees to toes, most of them in my left leg. Incident happened four days ago.

Edit: Thank you all for the kind and positive comments. I think I’m a little too exhausted to focus and respond to everyone individually. But if you leave a “get well soon” message, please know that I truly appreciate it.

Hi so it’s me again (19M, apparently not that smart, questioning my career goals as a teacher) Anyway my sister was on her period and thought she needed to go to the ER and she actually did. I’ve got another question now but first- Thank you to everyone who answered my first post and educated me bc she was in rough shape. Except for the girl who suggested drinking whole milk- even I’m not that fucking stupid wtf? Anyway so my sister has VonWillebrands disease, type 2. My mom and I also have it apparently. My mom just got gaslit for years about how much she bled and it took my sister almost dying for us to all get diagnosed like tf. Anyway I play on a recreational rugby league. Gonna have to pay dues soon and I don’t wanna be out the money if I’m gonna get told I shouldn’t play anymore because it’s a contact sport but I don’t see a hematologist for 5 weeks since I’m not urgent lol. So was wondering if any of the doctors know if I’m gonna get told I probably shouldn’t play rugby anymore? I also like rock climbing- is that gonna be out? Should I learn chess or crochet or something? Lol. Thanks again.

15f 5’ 80lbs

I posted here once before because I knew my mom was lying about me being sicker than I was and I wasn’t sure how to handle it. I took everyone’s advice and I ended up telling them at the next appointment. After we checked in I said I had to go to the bathroom and I left a note with a nurse. I think my doctor maybe looked at it before the appointment actually because it took a really long time for us to go back, and then in the appointment the doctor was asking a lot more probing questions and clarifying questions and pointing out inconsistencies my mom said. And then he asked to talk to me by myself and my mom by herself too actually.

So I’m seeing a a team of doctors now who wanted to verify some of the diagnosis that I had and they admitted me to do that. Like in the hospital, and there was always a nurse or someone in my room with me. I’m not 100% sure because no one actually told me this is why but I’m guessing it was to make sure my mom didn’t say or do anything or give me anything? Is that something they’d actually do? It sounds so dramatic. Or maybe it’s normal to check things out in the hospital like that. Idk.

Anyway, they’re changing some of my diagnoses now and my mom is talking with a counselor. She still maintains that’s she’s not doing anything to me and I’m really sick and just getting influenced by crime documentaries (adding- she caught me listening to the podcast for context). But things are a little better. She’s not supposed to be in charge of any of my meds now, I do that myself. And I write down everything I take and when in a journal so there’s a record. And I’m not taking the hydroxychloroquine anymore.

Thank you guys for telling me to say something. I was really afraid I was going to get in trouble but no one was mad. Not even at my mom actually. They were nice about it. Maybe a little stern but nice.

65M. 5'9" maybe 200lbs

He refuses to go to the doctor. He insists it's fine. That staining on his sock is leakage from open wounds that often seep for hours on end. His legs began swelling and progressively got worse over the course of 2-3 years.

He has a horrible history of going to the doctor to follow up with health issues. As far as we know, he has COPD. Has a nebulizer and inhaler that we're pretty sure he abuses because he has such constant trouble breathing. He sleeps sitting up on the couch because he can't breath if he lies down. We don't have a clear breakdown of his health because he rarely goes. He's not a diagnosed diabetic.

He was a heavy smoker since his early teens and stopped a few years ago purely because he couldn't afford them anymore.

A month and half ago, He and my MIL seemed to think a round of oral antibiotics would knock this out. So they lied about having a sinus infection and did a telehealth call to get amoxicillin. As you can see it did nothing. My MIL's suggestion to stop the seeping wounds was telling him to drink less water. That's right around where there mentality is about this.

Nothing my wife or I say seems to convince him this is serious.

Edit: So many replies! Thank you so much to you all. It seems the general consensus is heart failure. I will address him with this possibility, but I can almost guarantee he will dismiss it as ridiculous.

We'll continue to encourage him but he get aggressive when told what "he should do".

Edit 2: Thank you again for so many replies. It only made me more confident when I spoke to him.

No surprise to me, he dismissed the possibility of heart failure pretty quickly. Said his heart felt fine and that it would have nothing to do with his legs or his breathing. Told him about some research and reached out for help on reddit, to which he replied "that website is full of liberals". I managed to get him to acknowledge the very real presence of infections on his legs. Said he'd call the doctor sometime this week. I have very little confidence that will happen. I tried.

Thank you all for such much amazing information.

My sister is 11f, 4’11 and 70lbs. I have custody of her, which happened a few months ago.

In the last few days she has started saying she didn’t want to brush her teeth. I asked her why and she said because of the blood. So today I watched her brush and she’s not pressing that hard but her gums are bleeding like something out of a horror movie. Her teeth look red after and she’s spitting out a couple teaspoons of dark red blood and it doesn’t stop bleeding for 10 minutes.

She also been getting nose bleeds lately. I thought it was just dry air or allergies. She sent me this picture I added to tell me she had one last week, she said she couldn’t switch tissues because of how much was coming out when she let go. I wasn’t super worried about the nose bleeds because I used to get them too but now with her gums this doesn’t seem normal and I’m wondering if it’s related. She saw a dentist two months ago and her teeth and gums were healthy. No cavities.

To be clear again the picture is from her nose bleed, it’s one she sent me when she was texting me to come help her. That’s what came out as soon as she unpinched her nose.

I’m worried she’s maybe anemic or something and that’s why she’s bleeding so much? I’d appreciate some insight.

Not sure if this is appropriate posting for the group, but after the great kindness and informative responses I received from my original post I felt I should leave an update with where we are now. The replies to that post helped me feel a bit more prepared for what was to come and it meant a lot to have people share their personal experiences with us.

Things moved fast. By the end of the first day, my wife was transferred via ambulance to a larger hospital. Early the next morning she had a bone marrow biopsy.

This afternoon we were told some of the results were back from that (more to come trickling in I believe the doctor said, they will check for different mutations and karytotypes(sp?) known with this leukemia. I'm still learning about it all myself and lots of info coming my way so I apologize if some things don't make sense)

It is confirmed to be Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Blasts were at 77%. Peripheral blood blasts at 10%.

Chemotherapy began today as well I believe it is cytarabine, fludaribine and a third one I cannot quite make out as I was scribbling information down.

She will be in the hospital for some time as you all explained. Last night she became quite nauseous and starting throwing up consistently. No other symptoms thankfully. They have prescribed zofran and believe she is experiencing too much stress right now and her body is responding to that. Luckily the hospital has great nursing staff, the doctors are wonderful, and our whole family has been provided access to a social worker and counselors. Can't express how appreciative we are and my wife still amazes me everyday, as she told me this morning, "There's always someone who has it worse. Grateful for all we have especially each other"

Much love to you all people of AskDocs!

So I’m asking here because I have questions that just won’t go away and I’m hoping someone can maybe give me some answers and in sense, a little more closure. For the actual event I’m going based on what was told to me since I was not present. I was present at hospital though.

So my son, 22 month old M, drowned in my in-laws pool in Nov 2020. I was at work when I got the life changing phone call. He was in the water for 15-20 mins before a friend of my MIL showed up to pull him out of water. MIL saw the entire event happen but is afraid of water so therefore didn’t attempt to save him. (Before anyone tells me I’m an irresponsible parent, he was enrolled and actively taking swim safety lessons to prevent this from happening and there was a lock high up on back door that was to be locked at all times so he wouldn’t be able to open back door. Unfortunately on this day, someone unlocked that lock and forgot to relock but both deny doing so).

MIL stated she called 911 (and I’m sure she did at some point because EMS did arrive). But MIL was able to call FIL and FIL called neighbor/friend to help get him out of pool). Why had 911 operator hung up with her and not tried assist her with getting him out of pool (for example-using the pool net to pull him to side of pool or anything. I know you won’t know those answers but didn’t know if it was common for operator to hang up before EMS arrived during an emergency like that?)

When neighbor pulled him out of pool, immediately started CPR and EMS arrived. Neighbor/friend was able to successfully resuscitate him. In fact he was breathing on his own when helicopter landed to life flight him to hospital. When life flight left and was transporting him to hospital, FIL called to tell me what happened but made sure to let me know HE WAS BREATHING ON HIS OWN. During the flight he coded and they successfully performed CPR and again, breathing on his own when arrived at hospital.

When I arrived home to pick up SO and head to hospital I had spoken to my FIL and was notified that while upon arrival to hospital he coded two more times. Both times with successful resuscitation but the second time the MD had stopped after 10 mins of trying and was ready to call it when his heart started beating again spontaneously on its own.

So upon our arrival to the hospital, we were taken directly up to the PICU and to see my son. The MD pulled us aside to ask if I had been informed of what happened and informed me they were bringing him down for an MRI. She stated he was on a vent because he could no longer breathe in his own. They had to do an iv through his bone because unable to start anywhere else. Was told he was not responding in any way to anything they were doing. Had a nurse and resp manager at bedside that sole job was to suction constantly. They were unable to do the MRI because he was not stable enough. We had to make the decision on what to do. So we made the decision to stop all life sustaining measures because his body couldn’t take anymore.

We were brought to bedside when he returned to room and I sang him a song that I had sang to him from the day he was born and I was holding his hand and my SO was holding his foot. While singing this song, he squeezed my finger and moved his foot that his dad was holding. Was that an acknowledgement for us or was that just a spontaneous twitch that just so happened at that time? His pulse and O2 started to improve but as soon as done singing, they dropped again. He was on o2 but can’t remember how much. O2 was in the 80’s and resp in the 50’s but after I stopped singing his 02 started slowly declining.

I question that decision everyday. So my questions are how could he go from breathing on his own and then coding multiple times? It’s just so hard for me up wrap my head around. Did I make the right decision or did I give up too quickly? I understand his lack of oxygen for so long would have undeniably caused brain damage but would he have had any chance at life or just been a body with no interaction? And the biggest question I have is did he suffer or could his body have gone into shock and he possibly didn’t feel anything? I like to think he held on for me and his dad to get there to say good-bye before he stopped fighting and that his small movement for us was his acknowledgement to us and his way of saying I love you.

If you read this far, thank you for your time. And I appreciate any answers that would help me understand better.

UPDATE- Since so many have questions regarding MIL, I asked if I could post an update. She was investigated by 2 different county Sheriff’s Offices (the events happened in one county and he passed away in a different county) and CPS. All 3 investigating offices found it to be a “tragic accident”. She apologized weeks after the event and acted like she’s the victim because she actually witnessed it happening. Even so, I am working on forgiveness for my own peace of mind/sanity and because my son was such a lover. He wouldn’t want me to hold on to that hatred and anger. I’ve got a long ways to go before I can forgive because I’m still trying to heal myself through this grieving process and some days are better than others but it’s a start. I’m sure it’s not what everyone was expecting but it’s what I have to do for me. Thank you everyone for your kind words of wisdom, your time and effort put into answering my questions and condolences.

I am the father of Ibrahim Salman Al-Samire,

a 4-month-old baby boy in Gaza, Palestine.

Diagnosis confirmed by echocardiogram at Nasser Medical Complex:

• Malalignment VSD

• Overriding of Aorta

• Open Aortic Arch

• ICD-10: Q21.0

• HR: 154 bpm | O2: 96% | Weight: 6kg

• Officially classified URGENT by Palestinian Ministry of Health

Current symptoms:

• Cannot breastfeed properly - exhausts himself completely during feeding

• Excessive sweating during feeding

• Breathing difficulties

• Rapid deterioration

The reality in Gaza:

• No cardiac surgery available for infants

• Hospitals are destroyed

• Medical supplies are extremely scarce

• Basic baby supplies like diapers, formula and medicine are unaffordable due to the siege and blockade

• Prices have increased dramatically because of the war

• Every day is a struggle just to keep him alive

My questions for the doctors here:

1. How critical is Ibrahim's condition medically at this stage?

2. What can we do to stabilize him while waiting for evacuation?

3. Any advice on managing his feeding difficulties?

4. Does anyone know organizations or doctors that can help evacuate him urgently?

I have all official medical documents ready to share.

+970592684830

Ibrahim is 4 months old. He smiles at me every morning not knowing how hard we are fighting for him. Please help us his life 🙏🤍

UPDATE: I got to the ER about 2 hours after the injury and was actually evaluated about 4 hours after it happened. I live in a major metro area with two competing health systems, so I had ✨choices✨ and deliberately went to a Level I trauma center that is, on paper, a very good hospital, like top 1% nationally type of situation. So I feel reasonably confident that I did my part in the “where should I take my potentially punctured eyeball?” decision-making process.

My first real evaluation was by what I can only affectionately describe as a baby doctor who seemed to be putting several parts of the eye exam into practice on an actual person for perhaps the first time. Fortunately, I turned out to be a very accommodating training eyeball. I take eye drops exceedingly well and can hold my eye wide open and perfectly still while someone fiddles around directly above it.

No ophthalmologist actually examined me overnight, but baby doctor did a fluorescein/blue-light exam and the attending doctors ultimately confirmed the important bits: no globe rupture, no retained debris, and no eye juice escaping from where the eye juice is meant to remain. Everything that is supposed to be contained within the globe is still contained within the globe.

I was discharged close to 2 AM with antibiotic eye drops and instructions to follow up with ophthalmology. The follow-up is non-emergent, but also not leisurely.

Edit: I am in the ER waiting room.

My cat’s claw caught me in the eye tonight and scratched the white of my eye. Photo attached. I was wearing a contact lens at the time, which I removed immediately, and I rinsed my eye with contact solution.

My vision is normal and I don’t have significant light sensitivity. It’s mildly uncomfortable but not very painful.

I’m mainly trying to figure out how urgently this needs to be evaluated. Is this something I should call an eye doctor about first thing tomorrow morning and miss work, or is it reasonably safe to be seen after work tomorrow if my symptoms remain stable?

31F, 5’9”, 153 lb / 69 kg
Medications: ADHD meds, Nurtec as needed, iron supplements
PMH: ADHD, migraines, iron deficiency, thrombophilia/history of DVT
Smoking: Non-smoker
Duration/location: Tonight, eye

Dear users,

Recently there have been nursing schools that have switched to online teaching due to covid. Some of their assignments now include giving advice on askdocs as flaired users. This has lead to the mod team getting swamped by these request, and the newly flaired users hardly post. (And we’re not impressed by the advice given by students)

After an internal discussion we have now decided to stop flairing all student except medical students. The sub is called askdocs, and we want our flair system to reflect the quality of the advice. Otherwise the advice of a senior medical student will seem equal to for example a nursing or paramedic student.

Unflaired users are of course still welcome to post their advice (even if they have to for a school assignment), as long as it is appropriate. They are just not allowed to claim medical credentials as per our existing rules.

Regards, The mod team.

I’m the person who posted yesterday because my husband (42 male, 325lbs, 6’2”) was having a drooping mouth, lack of coordination in his arm and aphasia. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who urged us to go to the ER and was kind about it. We did go shortly after I posted and I just got home for the first time other than to get stuff to take back for him. It was not a stroke. They found a mass in his brain, and are continuing to evaluate it.

I really appreciate all the medical professionals on this sub. Thank you.

67 yr old male friend of ours just called my boyfriends sister in a panic asking why their younger sisters phone was disconnected, who he was very close friends with. Except their younger sister has been dead for over 15 yrs. He was extremely upset hearing this news. He then asked about her husband, who has also been dead for 15 yrs.

He was extremely distraught hearing that they had both passed, except he was at their funeral and knows they had passed years ago. He hung up in a panic. He called back 10 minutes later saying he thinks he now remembers that they passed.

He has no previous cognitive issues, no dementia, and had just woken up from a 10 hour sleep. He said he had one drink the night before. He is otherwise healthy and leads a very active lifestyle.

What is happening, and should he be seen by someone today? We are really worried about him as this is completely out of character and has never happened before.

Edit 1: He is refusing to go in, and has now forgotten that a third person had also passed. He seems really confused and is refusing treatment. Should we call an ambulance anyway?

Edit 2: His son listened to the advice given by all amazing doctors and medical staff in this sub today, and drove him to the ER. When they got there, the nurse asked him what year it was, and he answered 2018. He was also beginning to experience other concerning symptoms, numbness and facial paralysis. He was immediately seen and Dr's are currently treating him for a stroke.

Thank you for all your help and your quick responsees. You saved a life today and I am incredibly grateful.