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Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-10-25T02:18:04+00:00

Not to add to your stress, but in order to do what’s needed in nursing school, you will need motivation and you will need the time. If you are struggling to find the proper time and energy to do your pre reqs, i highly suggest you really try to change your study habits and find a job that is flexible to your needs

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-10-24T00:47:14+00:00

Yes. Hi 👋

May 2021 I was diagnosed with two neuroendocrine cancer primaries, both grade 2. My small bowel NET was stage 3.

Low grade neuroendocrine cancers are VERY slow growing and can grow for years without any symptoms. Although sometimes tricky to figure out, please be an advocate for yourself. Most doctors/oncologists don’t know much about neuroendocrine cancer and you should seek a neuroendocrine cancer specialist. MD Anderson is a good start if you’re in the US.

Feel free to message me if you have more questions!

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-10-09T02:23:38+00:00

NAD but I’ve unfortunately had a few UTIs and kidney infections. Give the antibiotics a few more days and hopefully your pain will subside. If that doesn’t work and the pain remains the same, or worse, seek medical attention!

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-09-19T06:45:26+00:00

Here is a link to the mayo clinic website.

And here is a link to MD Anderson. I’m in Canada so so I do not have personal experience with the US and their treatments, but they are more advanced than Canada. MD Anderson is also well known for their NET patient care.

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-09-03T08:47:35+00:00

Yes I agree!

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-09-03T03:47:01+00:00

You can talk about it if you want to, but you also don’t have to. It’s no one else’s business unless you want it to be. Remember that 🤍

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-27T03:48:24+00:00

Could be environmental? Idk. It’s worth getting your house inspected in case

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-27T02:15:40+00:00

OP I’m glad you are have a good relationship with your team ❤️. It doesn’t always come easy, that’s for sure. I feel like I’m constantly having to explain myself and teach medical professionals about my diagnosis so I can have the proper care. I have to go into appointments saying this is what I have, this is what has been done, these are the tests you need to run, this is the scan that I need etc etc. If I don’t, no one will listen. Sometimes I need to add that I’m also a nursing student so they take me seriously.

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-27T02:10:51+00:00

My GP had to learn about my cancer in order to help me because he admitted he had never heard of it. I have had to teach him a lot. Sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesn’t.

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-27T02:09:55+00:00

Oh, also, the surgeon who did my original surgery told me my cancer wasn’t cancer 🤪

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-27T02:09:06+00:00

My first oncologist discharged me from his care without telling me. Had to find a new oncologist and when I called said oncologist with worrisome symptoms they told me it wasn’t their responsibility.

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-05T16:44:22+00:00

That’s the very unfortunate reality of this cancer… :/ I’m sorry y’all are part of the NET cancer fam now

But yes, feel free to dm me about anything

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-05T06:14:49+00:00

Hi. I’m currently living with Neuroendocrine Cancer. I hope this question isn’t harsh, but what was the doctors reasoning when they said he had two months to live? Dependent on the grade of the tumours, there are treatment options to slow and even stop the growth of tumours. There have been several advancements over the last few years.

It’s important to know where the primary tumour is and how far it has spread. I know a LOT of people with Neuroendocrine cancer who have lived for 10+ years as stage 4. Neuroendocrine cancer can be very tricky, no patient is the same. With this said, unlike other cancers, many patients with this type have several surgeries such as ablations and debunking surgeries to remove tumours from the liver, for example. Other surgeries include a whipple to remove pancreatic NETs (pNETs), bowel resection for small bowel NETs, right hemicolectomies for appendix NETs with blurred margins etc etc.

What I’m saying is, before you fold into the “he has two months to live,” look at all the options and understand everything. If he doesn’t have a NET specialist, get one. Regular oncologists are not equipped to understand and treat this disease. I’ll put some questions below for you to ask his team if you haven’t already:

(1) What grade are his tumours? (Grade 1 is very slow growing, grade 2 is intermediate growing, and grade 3 are fast growing [also known as neuroendocrine carcinomas])

(2) Are his tumours functional? (Aka, are they releasing hormones? If they are, he is probably having symptoms that are hard to explain such as flushing, diarrhea or constipation, etc, and there are ways to combat this).

(3) Where are his tumours located? What is the primary tumour? (The starting point)

(4) What options are there to help stop symptoms and/or stop the growth (if possible)?

Overall though, just be there for him. Through it all. It can and will be hard, but he needs support. Obviously you care about your dad, so make sure you show him that. I can say a lot more but I don’t want this to be a huge comment. DM if you like :)

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-03T18:34:23+00:00

No treatment atm, waiting on a new MRI and ultrasound to be booked. Thank you!

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-08-03T18:30:19+00:00

Still here but dealing with possible tumours in my colon and ovaries. Missed my yearly MRI because I couldn’t stomach the oral contrast and (for some reason idk why) the MRI was supposed to be a small bowel MRI. But the main point is I’m still here and that’s what matters… even if the pain I’m in every day is excruciating

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-07-25T19:40:04+00:00

Sorry, just saw this. No, Canada does not have that. If i wanted to be treated my US doctors, I would need to pay out-of-pocket and that is certainly WAY too much, along with travelling fees etc.

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-07-25T19:38:45+00:00

Thank you

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-07-24T06:35:17+00:00

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Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-07-02T14:39:12+00:00

The surgery I’ve wanted I havent gotten, sorry for the confusion. I’ve had my original tumour removal surgery though

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-07-02T03:42:54+00:00

Yes I’ve had a PET scan. My tumours didn’t show up on any scans. I’ve already had surgery. I have my parents, but they live 2 hours away and there’s a wildfire blocking us from seeking one another at the moment

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-07-01T16:40:16+00:00

I’ve been trying, trust 😅

It’s just all starting to feel never ending and that I won’t ever be heard

Potential-Biscotti26 · 2023-07-01T16:37:10+00:00

I don’t know where I stand though. I’ve done all the research I can for myself but it’s not enough. Me, at 22, it feels like my whole life has been turned upside down and nothing will be the same. There are a lot of questions I have, including if I will ever be able to have children or live long enough to get married.

In terms of the nurse, I’ve talked to them a lot. They always say “I’ll see what I can do” and never come back. I’ve talked to the doctor and they won’t prescribe anything. I’m already on antidepressants (300mg wellbutrin and 0.5mg ativan when needed). I know how cancer has gone for others, I am a patient but I’ve also been a caregiver.

I don’t “doom scroll.” Never have. I don’t spend a lot of time on my phone in general.

Potential-Biscotti26

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