MY PROBLEMS, WE
ALL HAVE PROBLEMS BUT THESE ARE HUMBLEY MINE
GOD CARES! KID
YOURSELF NOT AND HE WILL TELL YOU YOURS - LATER
HEY, CANCER DON’T
DISCRIMINATE
I HAVE COLON
CANCER SYMPTOMS:
Local colon
cancer symptoms affect your bathroom habits and the colon itself. Some of the
more common local symptoms of colon cancer include:
Changes in your
bowel habits, such as bowel movements that are either more or less frequent
than normal
Constipation
(difficulty having a bowel movement or straining to have a bowel movement)
Diarrhea (loose
or watery stools)
Intermittent
(alternating) constipation and diarrhea
Bright red or
dark red blood in your stools or black, dark colored, "tarry" stools
Stools that are
thinner than normal ("pencil stools") or feeling as if you cannot
empty your bowels completely!
Much abdominal
(mid section) discomfort, bloating, frequent gas pains, or cramps
If you
experience any of these for two or more weeks, call your doctor right away!
PROSTATE CANCER
SYMPTOMS:
Prostate cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms, especially in the
early stages. It may be found when you’ve had a PSA test but these are not
conclusive or digital rectal examination (then your relying on an opinion), for
the best test is a cell biopsy and I want this as I am tired of opinions!
The PSA blood
test is often done to screen men for prostate cancer. Because of PSA testing,
most prostate cancers are now found before they cause any symptoms. Though these
are also inconclusive, a biopsy may be needed to confirm your enlarged
prostrate to examine any Cancer cell growth.
The symptoms
listed below can occur with prostate cancer, usually at a late stage. These
symptoms can also be caused by other prostate problems:
-Delayed or
slowed start of urinary stream.
-Dribbling or
leakage of urine, most often after urinating, like a garden hose as it is being
shut off!
-Slow urinary
stream.
-Straining when
urinating, or not being able to empty out all of the urine.
-Blood in the
urine or semen
-Bone pain or
tenderness, most often in the lower back and pelvic bones (only when the cancer
has spread) and sadly your dead.
WHAT ARE THE
SYMPTOMS OF PRINZMETALS ANGINA?
The chest pain
from Prinzmetal's angina often has the following characteristics:
-Located under
the chest bone.
-Described as
squeezing, constricting, tightness, pressure, or crushing, which is usually severe
and may radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulder, or arm.
-Often occurs at
rest.
-May occur at
the same time each day, usually between 12:00 midnight and 8:00 AM but everyone
is different.
-Lasts from 5 to
30 minutes of terror!
-Relieved by 1
or 2 nitroglycerin spays
- Can cause
fainting or loss of consciousness, heart attack or stroke!
- What causes
coronary spasms? It is not known exactly what causes coronary spasms. They may
be due to problems with the thin lining of the blood vessels called the
endothelium. Usually the artery lining produces a chemical (nitric oxide) that
widens the blood vessel allowing blood to flow through with ease. If the artery
lining is damaged or isn't working properly, the blood vessels may narrow more
easily, which may cause a coronary spasm. Heart disease and stroke are the
leading causes of death in these patients.
WARNING SIGNS OF
TYPE 2 DIABETES INCLUDE:
-Blurred vision
-Frequent skin,
gum or urinary tract infections.
-Itching of skin
or genitals.
-Slow healing
cuts and bruises.
-Tingling or
numbness in legs, feet, fingers-
-Drowsiness.
-Retina
Complications From Diabetes. I now have a cataract in my left eye.
Patients with
diabetes have higher death rates than people who do not have diabetes
regardless of sex, age, or other factors. Heart disease and stroke are the
leading causes of death in these patients. All lifestyle and medical efforts
should be made to reduce the risk for these conditions.
People with type
2 diabetes are also at risk for nerve damage (neuropathy) and abnormalities in
both small and large blood vessels (vascular injuries) that occur as part of
the diabetic disease process. Such abnormalities produce complications over
time in many organs and structures in the body. Although these complications
tend to be more serious in type 1 diabetes, they still are of concern in type 2
diabetes. Most people with diabetes should aim for fasting blood glucose levels
of less than 110 mg/dL and hemoglobin HbA1C of less than 7%.
There are two
important approaches to preventing complications from diabetes:
Intensive
control of blood glucose and keeping glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels
below 7%. Tight blood glucose and HbA1c control can help prevent complications
due to vascular (blood vessel) abnormalities and nerve damage (neuropathy) that
can cause major damage to organs, including the eyes, kidneys, and possibly the
heart.
Managing risk
factors for heart disease. Control of blood glucose also helps the heart, but
its benefits occur over time. It is very important that people with diabetes
control blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other factors associated with
heart disease.
HEART DISEASE:
There is an
association between high blood pressure (hypertension), unhealthy cholesterol
levels, and diabetes. Some research suggests that high LDL (“bad” cholesterol)
levels, low LDL (“good” cholesterol) levels, and high triglyceride levels may
interfere with insulin regulation. Hypertension is more common in patients with
diabetes than those without the condition.
People with
diabetes are more likely than non-diabetics to have heart problems, and to die
from heart complications. Heart attacks account for 60% and strokes for 25% of
deaths in patients with diabetes. Diabetes affects the heart in many ways:
Both type 1 and
2 diabetes speed the progression of atherosclerosis (hardening of the
arteries). Diabetes is often associated with low HDL ("good"
cholesterol) and high triglycerides. This can lead to coronary artery disease,
heart attack, or stroke.
Impaired nerve
function (neuropathy) associated with diabetes also causes heart abnormalities.
Women with
diabetes are at particularly high risk for heart problems and death from heart
disease and overall causes.
KIDNEY DAMAGE
(NEPHROPATHY):
Kidney disease
(nephropathy) is a very serious complication of diabetes. With this condition,
the tiny filters in the kidney (called glomeruli) become damaged and leak
protein into the urine. Over time, this can lead to kidney failure. Urine tests
showing microalbuminuria (small amounts of protein in the urine) are important
markers for kidney damage.
Diabetic
nephropathy, the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), occurs in
about 20 - 40% of patients with diabetes. If the kidneys fail, dialysis is
required. Symptoms of kidney failure may include swelling in the feet and
ankles, itching, fatigue, and pale skin color.
Click the icon
to see an image of the pancreas and kidneys.
NERVE DISORDERS
(NEUROPATHY):
Diabetes reduces
or distorts nerve function, causing a condition called neuropathy. Neuropathy
refers to a group of disorders that affect nerves. The two main types of
neuropathy are:
Peripheral
(affects nerves in the toes, feet, legs, hand, and arms)
Autonomic
(affects nerves that help regulate digestive, bowel, bladder, heart, and sexual
function)
Peripheral
neuropathy particularly affects sensation. It is a common complication that
affects nearly half of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes after 25 years.
The most serious consequences of neuropathy occur in the legs and feet and pose
a risk for ulcers and, in unusually severe cases, amputation. Peripheral
neuropathy usually starts in the fingers and toes and moves up to the arms and
legs (called a stocking-glove distribution). Symptoms include:
-Tingling.
-Weakness.
-Burning
sensations.
-Loss of the
sense of warm or cold.
-Numbness (if
the nerves are severely damaged, the patient may be unaware that a blister or
minor wound has become infected).
-Deep pain.
AUTOMATIC
NEUROPPATHY CAN CAUSE:
-Digestive
problems (constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting).
-Bladder
infections and incontinence.
-Erectile
dysfunction (WHO CARES?)
-Heart problems.
Neuropathy may mask angina, the warning chest pain for heart disease and heart
attack. Patients with diabetes should be aware of other warning signs of a
heart attack, including sudden fatigue, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea,
and vomiting.
-Rapid heart
rates this feels nice actually like butterflies in your chest!
-Lightheadedness
when standing up (orthostatic hypotension).
Blood sugar
control is an essential component in the treatment of neuropathy. Studies show
that tight control of blood glucose levels delays the onset and slows
progression of neuropathy. Heart disease risk factors may increase the
likelihood of developing neuropathy. Lowering triglycerides, losing weight,
reducing blood pressure, and quitting smoking may help prevent the onset of
neuropathy.
FOOT ULCERS AND
AMPUTATIONS:
About 15% of
patients with diabetes have serious foot problems. They are the leading cause
of hospitalizations for these patients.
Diabetes is
responsible for more than half of all lower limb amputations performed in the
U.S. Each year there are about 88,000 non-injury amputations, 50 - 75% of them
due to diabetes. About 85% of amputations start with foot ulcers, which develop
in about 12% of people with diabetes.
Those most at
risk are people with a long history of diabetes, and people with diabetes who
are overweight or who smoke. People who have the disease for more than 20 years
and are insulin-dependent are at the highest risk. Related conditions that put
people at risk include peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, foot
deformities, and a history of ulcers.
In general, foot
ulcers develop from infections, such as those resulting from blood vessel
injury. Foot infections often develop from injuries, which can dramatically
increase the risk for amputation. Even minor infections can develop into severe
complications. Numbness from nerve damage, which is common in diabetes,
compounds the danger since the patient may not be aware of injuries. About
one-third of foot ulcers occur on the big toe.
Charcot Foot.
Charcot foot or Charcot joint (medically referred to as neuropathic
arthropathy) occurs in up to 2.5% of people with diabetes. Early changes appear
similar to an infection, with the foot becoming swollen, red, and warm.
Gradually, the affected foot can become deformed. The bones may crack,
splinter, and erode, and the joints may shift, change shape, and become
unstable. It typically develops in people who have neuropathy to the extent
that they cannot feel sensation in the foot and are not aware of an existing
injury. Instead of resting an injured foot or seeking medical help, the patient
often continues normal activity, causing further damage.
Charcot foot is initially
treated with strict immobilization of the foot and ankle; some centers use a
cast that allows the patient to move and still protects the foot. When the
acute phase has passed, patients usually need lifelong protection of the foot
using a brace initially and custom footwear.
SARCOMA SOFT
TISSUE CANCER WATCH FOR 3 MORE YEARS BUT AT THIS MOMENT I HAVE CANCER
NEUROPATHY AS THEY HAD TO CUT DOWN TO THE BONE AND NOW I HAVE PERIPHERAL LEFT
ARM NEUROPATHY:
This information
is about peripheral neuropathy (also called neuropathy) in cancer. Peripheral
neuropathy is a term used to describe damage to nerves that are outside the
brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves).
Peripheral
neuropathy is not one specific disease. Many different conditions that can
damage the peripheral nerves can cause it.
This information
is about cancer-related causes of peripheral neuropathy, and mainly neuropathy
caused by anti-cancer drugs.
The nervous
system consists of the brain, the spinal cord and a network of nerves that
thread throughout the body. It has two main parts:
-the central
nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain and spinal cord
-the peripheral
nervous system (PNS), which is made up of nerves that carry messages between
the brain, the spinal cord and the rest of the body.
Nerves carry
nerve impulses back and forth between the body and the brain. They are made up
of nerve cells called neurons. Some neurons are very small, but others can be
up to one metre (three feet) long. When a nerve ending is stimulated - for
example, by heat, touch or vibration - it creates a tiny electrical pulse. This
sends a signal along the nerve cell.
When it reaches
the end of the cell, the signal triggers the release of chemicals. These carry
the signal to the next nerve cell. In this way, messages can be sent from
nerves anywhere in the body to the spinal cord and then up to the brain. When a
nerve ending is stimulated, for example by heat, touch, or sound vibrations, it
creates a tiny electrical pulse. This sends a signal along the nerve cell.
When it reaches
the end of the cell, the signal triggers the release of chemicals. These carry
the signal to the next nerve cell. In this way, messages can be sent from
nerves anywhere in the body to the spinal cord and then up to the brain.
There are
different types of nerves:
-Motor nerves.
These carry
messages from the brain to the muscles. When a muscle receives a message, it
reacts with a movement. Messages can be sent from the brain to any part of the
body.
-Sensory nerves.
These carry
messages from the body to the brain. These nerves have endings (receptors) that
are sensitive to sensations such as pain, temperature, touch and vibration.
They enable us to feel different sensations.
Although we are
not aware of it, our brain is constantly receiving messages from sensory nerves
throughout our body. These messages tell our brain where each part of our body
is and are important for balance, coordination and walking.
-Autonomic
nerves.
These carry
messages back and forth between internal organs and the brain. They control the
actions of muscles that aren’t under our voluntary control. They are
responsible for maintaining our blood pressure and heart rate.
Autonomic nerves
also control both the rate at which food passes through our digestive tract
(stomach and bowel) and how the bladder works.
CAUSES OF
PERIPHERAL NEROPATHY:
There are
several ways in which cancer and treatments for cancer can cause peripheral
neuropathy:
Some anti-cancer
drugs can cause nerve damage. This is the most common cause of peripheral
neuropathy in people with cancer.
Cancer can cause
peripheral neuropathy in one area of the body if the tumour is growing close to
a nerve and presses on it.
Surgery may
damage nerves and cause symptoms in the affected area; for example, numbness or
tingling and pain in the arm after breast cancer surgery.
Rarely,
radiotherapy may damage nerves within the treated area, causing symptoms such
as numbness and weakness. These may develop months or years after treatment.
Occasionally in
some types of cancer, the body makes substances that damage peripheral nerves.
This is called Para neoplastic peripheral neuropathy. It most commonly occurs
in people lung cancer, lymphoma or
myeloma.
The symptoms of
peripheral neuropathy vary depending on which nerves are affected. Anti-cancer
drugs that cause nerve damage are most likely to affect sensory nerves, but
some can also affect the motor nerves and the autonomic nerves.
Peripheral
neuropathy often affects the hands, feet and lower legs. This is because the
longer a nerve is, the more vulnerable it is to injury. Nerves going to the
hands, feet and lower legs are some of the longest in the body.
Symptoms of
peripheral neuropathy are usually mild to begin with and gradually get worse. Mine
went from worse to even more as now I satay awake all night long and I am out
of breath, spent and sleeping pills help not!
OTHER SYMPTOMS
MAY INCLUDE:
-A change in
sensation. You may have a feeling of heaviness, burning or pins and needles in
the affected area. Alternatively, you may notice unusual sensations, such as a
feeling of warmth or burning when touching something cold and this I have!
-Increased
sensitivity. You may find that even the lightest touch or pressure in the
affected area feels uncomfortable or painful. Again this is me.
-Pain.
This can be mild or more severe. The pain may be felt as sharp and stabbing or
as a burning sensation, etc.
SYMPTOMS OF DIVERTICLAT DISEASE:
There are many different symptoms that can indicate the presence of
diverticular disease. Stomach pain is one of them. The pain may be intermittent
and usually occurs around the lower left hand side of the abdominal area and in
many cases the pain shows up after eating, but may then go away after the
sufferer has been to the toilet or released wind.
Other symptoms of diverticular disease include:
-A change in the normal bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea.
-Bloating.
-Bleeding from the rectum.
-Flatulence.
SYPTOMS OF DIVERTICULITIS:
The main symptom of diverticulitis is a constant, severe pain that
usually begins just below the belly button and then moves to the lower left
hand side of the abdomen. Due to genetic differences, however, Asian sufferers
often develop diverticula in a different area of the colon and so, in their
case, the pain may move down to the lower right hand side of the colon instead.
Other symptoms of diverticulitis include:
-High temperature ( 38ºC or over ).
-Constipation.
-Bleeding from the rectum.
-Frequent need to urinate.
-Pain when urinating.
-Nausea.
-Vomiting.
-Causes of Diverticular Disease.
Cases of diverticular disease are much rarer in vegetarians and in
part of the world where people tend to have an above average amount of fiber in
their diets. Because of this many doctors believe that the cause of the disease
may be bad diet and that eating too much read meat and not enough fruit and
vegetables could be a primary cause of the disease.
Complications of Diverticular Disease
Perhaps one of the most frightening symptoms of diverticular
disease is the presence of blood in the feces. Blood from the lower intestines
will probably retain its red color and so there will be little doubt of its
presence, but when the bleeding is higher up in the digestive system it will
take on a black, tar-like look.
Scar tissue can also form around one or more of the inflamed
diverticula. This can lead to narrowing of the bowel which can cause blockages.
In the worst cases, where verticula burst, the
lining of the bowel may become swollen an inflamed (peritonitis) and when this
happens emergency surgery may be required.
Stages
of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Stage III
In stage III,
the tumor is either:
high-grade
(likely to grow and spread quickly), larger than 5 centimeters, and either
superficial (in subcutaneous tissue with no spread into connective tissue or
muscle below) or deep (in the muscle and may be in connective or subcutaneous
tissue); or
any grade, any
size, and has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III cancer
that has spread to the lymph nodes is advanced stage III.
Adult Soft
Tissue Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®)
-After adult
soft tissue sarcoma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer
cells have spread within the soft tissue or to other parts of the body.
-There are three
ways that cancer spreads in the body.
-The following
stages are used for adult soft tissue sarcoma:
-Stage I
-Stage II
-Stage III =
Richard at this moment
-Stage IV
After adult soft
tissue sarcoma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells
have spread within the soft tissue or to other parts of the body.
The process used
to find out if cancer has spread within the soft tissue or to other parts of
the body is called staging. Staging of soft tissue sarcoma is also based on the
grade and size of the tumor, whether it is superficial (close to the skin's
surface) or deep, and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts
of the body. The information gathered from the staging process determines the
stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan
treatment.
The following
tests and procedures may be used in the staging process:
Physical exam
and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including
checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems
unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and
treatments will also be taken.
Chest x-ray: An
x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy
beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas
inside the body.
Blood chemistry
studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts
of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the
body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a
sign of disease in the organ or tissue that makes it.
Complete blood
count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for
the following:
The number of
red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
The amount of
hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.
The portion of
the blood sample made up of red blood cells.
CT scan (CAT
scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside of
the body, such as the lung and abdomen, taken from different angles. The
pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be
injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more
clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized
tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer
to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure
is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
PET scan
(positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells
in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a
vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose
is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the
picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells
do.
The results of
these tests are viewed together with the results of the tumor biopsy to find out
the stage of the soft tissue sarcoma before treatment is given. Sometimes
chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given as the initial treatment and
afterwards the soft tissue sarcoma is staged again.
There are three
ways that cancer spreads in the body.
The three ways
that cancer spreads in the body are:
Through tissue.
Cancer invades the surrounding normal tissue.
Through the
lymph system. Cancer invades the lymph system and travels through the lymph
vessels to other places in the body.
Through the blood.
Cancer invades the veins and capillaries and travels through the blood to other
places in the body.
When cancer
cells break away from the primary (original) tumor and travel through the lymph
or blood to other places in the body, another (secondary) tumor may form. This
process is called metastasis. The secondary (metastatic) tumor is the same type
of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the
bones, the cancer cells in the bones are actually breast cancer cells. The disease
is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer.
The following
stages are used for adult soft tissue sarcoma, the larget one is Richards
size:
Recurrent Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma:
Recurrent adult soft tissue sarcoma is cancer that
has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in
the same soft tissue or in other parts of the body. So I am still at War with
this disease and one of us will win and if I do not then I visit GOD!
Groin Pain After
Hernia Repair
Pain
persisting beyond the first few days after groin hernia repair is recognized to
affect small numbers of patients, generally estimated to be 10–15% of hernias
repaired. In nearly all of these patients, the pain subsides postoperatively
over the early months. Chronic, disabling pain persisting at and beyond 1 year
is thought to be real but rare, affecting less than 1% of patients undergoing
inguino-femoral hernia repair. Indeed, Devlin indicates that every year “some
400,000 inguinal hernias are repaired, and yet even the biggest series of
reports of pain after inguino-femoral hernia repair from the United States are of
only 17 or 23 cases. Therefore, this must be a remote hazard… .”
Severe
chronic pain following hernia repair is usually due to ischemia or to
neuropathy. Ischemia induced in musculofascial tissues by a repair done under
tension is the most common cause of undue postoperative pain. In this
situation, the sutures slowly cut through the tissues, relieving the pain but
setting the stage for recurrence. The other major cause of ischemia-induced
pain is tight closure of either the deep or superficial inguinal ring during
repair. Most often, ischemia in the ring is partly due to edema following
operative dissection, and resorption of edema postoperatively leads to gradual
resolution of pain; rarely does testicular atrophy supervene.
Neuropathy
is widely recognized as a cause of chronic postoperative pain. It can be
induced by nerve trauma during dissection, neuroma formation after partial or
complete transection, entrapment by sutures, or by postoperative adhesions. The
implantation of mesh, which induces scar formation through increased
inflammation, also has been suggested as a cause of neuropathic pain.
More than a decade ago it was true that chronic disabling pain was rare
after hernia repair. It is also true that the reported incidence of this
problem has been increasing in recent years, 3 although the reasons for this
change are not entirely settled. It is important to know the true incidence of
chronic, disabling pain after hernia repair so that patients can make an
informed choice of whether or not to undergo repair, and so they can receive an
acceptable informed consent. Generally, problems with an incidence of less than
1% are thought not to need specific mention in discussing with patients the
potential complications of an operation.
SO
THIS IS ME AND I HAVE FOUND:
When
you have Cancer you find out quickly, all who really Love You.
Yet at the same time there are those who surprise you, because they do not.
Bask in the ones who do Love You, for they are blessings whom will always
help you through.
Forgive the ones, who do not, as they are but wheat chaff to be scattered in
the wind…
Also, Cancer Battles are very lonely for they are just like a really scary
Roller Coaster ride, that has you the lone rider, of which you are
totally terrified on!
To date in regards with my Cancer Battle, I am tenaciously holding my
ground.
My Faith though battered, seems like the Biblical reading from the Son;
Acts 9:16 “I will show him how much he must suffer in My name”.
So, until I find myself “Many Years Cancer Free” my Cancer Battle goes on
and on,
For as always, “His will be done.”
To those who Love me – Thank You!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq5VBWN15Lo
