General Medical issues thread

[prozac]

It all gets back to quality of life versus longevity. At a certain age quality will win every time.

I'm getting everything fixed now, heart, cancer, skin cancer. Hoping I won't have to bother with maintenance later on.
I mentioned to my GP I really need another shoulder reconstruction. His response, "I wouldn't bother with that".

 

[Katie]

It all gets back to quality of life versus longevity. At a certain age quality will win every time.

Indeed. MIL has long-held resentment towards FIL for over indulging in wine. Bless her, she’s done an amazing job keeping herself and FIL healthy and they’ve lasted much longer than their parents.

I’m reminded of stories my Uncle GP’s wife (GP was my Uncle by marriage … it’s complicated) told of her FIL.
He was in hospital, terminally ill with heart disease and still being fed heart healthy meals, probably in the 80s.
Apparently he hated peas, and was in his bed, flicking peas off his meal tray. Definitely a time for a meat pie and vanilla slice. Or whatever floats his boat.

Hence my attitude. FIL definitely needs some happiness through food. He tucked in happily to oysters and prawns on his bday ….

 

[cove]

Going down to visit old folks in care homes we regularly see family members saying don’t eat this or that.
Eating can be one of the last pleasures in life so I think these people need to lighten up.

 

[VPS]

It all gets back to quality of life versus longevity. At a certain age quality will win every time.

I have reached that certain age and I’m not that old

 

[Solid]

When my father decided to stop chemo / radio the last months of his life were the “healthiest” he had experienced for a few years. Until about a week before he passed he was more active and engaged. Taught me a lesson about treatments for treatments sake.

 

[Pushka]

When my father decided to stop chemo / radio the last months of his life were the “healthiest” he had experienced for a few years. Until about a week before he passed he was more active and engaged. Taught me a lesson about treatments for treatments sake.

I think sometimes there's pressure from medical people to try something new, and sometimes that works. There's always that hope. Until there isn't and hopefully we can know when that's the case.

 

[prozac]

I was talking with a lady at DHM waiting room a couple of weeks ago. We were discussing the tennis that was playing on the wall TV. She expressed she had to leave her local women's tennis group 3 yrs ago which led to me asking why. She said she has lung cancer and is on a clinical trial and the tumours are shrinking. That really surprised me as I had the impression until now it was not something that you could do much about. Good news.

 

[MARTINE]

I was talking with a lady at DHM waiting room a couple of weeks ago. We were discussing the tennis that was playing on the wall TV. She expressed she had to leave her local women's tennis group 3 yrs ago which led to me asking why. She said she has lung cancer and is on a clinical trial and the tumours are shrinking. That really surprised me as I had the impression until now it was not something that you could do much about. Good news.

Immunotherapy has been the game changer.
The biology of the cancer genes inform therapies that turn your immune system into an infantry whose ‘weapons’ attack the cancer receptors ‘weapons’ (very very simply).
Incredible development in treatment of melanoma and lung cancer (a few examples).

 

[andye]

I was talking with a lady at DHM waiting room a couple of weeks ago. We were discussing the tennis that was playing on the wall TV. She expressed she had to leave her local women's tennis group 3 yrs ago which led to me asking why. She said she has lung cancer and is on a clinical trial and the tumours are shrinking. That really surprised me as I had the impression until now it was not something that you could do much about. Good news.

I had a patient last year who was admitted under me with a suspected stroke in her brainstem but turned out to be a metastasis from a lung cancer (non-smoker too)

She went on to have a partial lung resection and was put on targetted drug therapy that has made the brain metastasis disappear on MRI.

Only a few years ago, she would have had weeks to live. Cancer research coming up with the goods

 

[Quickstatus]

Some tests are not routine any more after a certain age. FOBT and surveillance colonoscopies typically from age 85

On the other hand my colleague who is a plastic surgeon recently did a facelift and cough job for someone aged 90.

 

[ellen10]

Only a few years ago, she would have had weeks to live. Cancer research coming up with the goods

My brother was diagnosed with a melanoma on his lip 10 years ago.
Many surgeries to remove it and lots of lymph nodes.
Radiation, chemotherapy with awful side affects.
Such an ordeal he went through. He never complained, but nearly gave up

Ended up with tumours in both lungs and brain.
Then was referred to doctor Georgina Long and three years of immunotherapy. Tumour in brain gone, lung tumours shrunk and 1.5 years in remission.
She is an amazing doctor. Saved his life

 

[Quickstatus]

My brother was diagnosed with a melanoma on his lip 10 years ago.

Australia is top of class in management of melanoma.

 

[VPS]

On the other hand my colleague who is a plastic surgeon recently did a facelift and cough job for someone aged 90.

I just don't understand some people

 

[tgh]

I just don't understand some people

Why ?

If it made her feel better about herself , good for her..

A friend has had some "work" done.. she is very social and active and has truckloads of dough .
I didn't see much value in the exercise but she is happy.. what else matters ?

 

[Quickstatus]

I just don't understand some people

Well, people do things for themselves. I don't understand why people buy cars which trigger the LCT but that's me.

I suppose at 90 and with no chance (currently) of swopping bodies, a Reno is the best option

 

[Pushka]

I just don't understand some people

and dare I say, some in the medical industry.

 

[VPS]

People can do whatever they like as long as it doesn't hurt me but I assert my right to say I don't understand some people

 

[prozac]

Usual monthly blood tests for PMR results back in and Rheumatologist appointment this afternoon.

My LDH has spiked well up with a warning notice on the report. Everything else (blood count, biochem etc) are unremarkable. This period I haven't been unwell, no infections, no broken bones etc.

Is this something to watch for?

Today was IVIG infusion and haematology appointment. My LDH was up a bit, enough to be mentioned but not enough to be of concern. There you go.
My specialist indicated I might only have another couple of infusions sessions to go. "Don't worry, we will still see each other" I struck the jackpot with her.

 

[love_the_life]

Today was IVIG infusion and haematology appointment. My LDH was up a bit, enough to be mentioned but not enough to be of concern. There you go.
My specialist indicated I might only have another couple of infusions sessions to go. "Don't worry, we will still see each other" I struck the jackpot with her.

Hope those infusions do the trick. Wonderful if only a couple to go.

 

[prozac]

Hope those infusions do the trick. Wonderful if only a couple to go.

Thanks. In 2yrs I haven't been sick at all and I did not need the immunotherapy until after the first chemo was finished and I started this new chemo. So I guess it finishes when the chemo finishes...or 2 months after the chemo finishes.
The chemo will not eliminate the cancer but we will monitor for any symptoms after that.
They tell me there are no affects from the IVIG infusion but I reckon that is not true. I feel very ordinary and achy after. I know I am not imagining it. Anyone else care to share their experience?