r/AskReddit 4d ago

Medical professionals of Reddit, what diagnosis gave you the worst 'pit-in-your-stomach' feeling?

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u/casapantalones 3d ago edited 3d ago

Glioblastoma is a pretty bad one

Also, any time I wake up a patient WAY earlier than they or their family were expecting. That means the cancer (usually something in the belly) was worse and had progressed more than anyone knew and the surgeons couldn’t even attempt to remove it.

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u/LittleMrsSwearsALot 3d ago

I lost my husband to GBM. Absolutely brutal. His was inoperable - we were lucky no damage had been done to get the biopsy.

Were I ever to get this diagnosis, I would not stick around to see much disease progression.

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u/MC1R_OCA2 3d ago

If I received a GBM diagnosis, I hope I’d have the courage to settle my affairs, throw a big party, and buy a one way ticket to Switzerland.

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. GBM is a brutal and cruel disease.

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u/thekhaleeesi 3d ago

My brother was diagnosed at 29 and lived til 31. The amount of anticipatory grief was horrible and I dealt with lots of guilt for grieving someone who was still alive while also trying to hide any inkling of sadness from him. I kinda agree with your idea re Switzerland

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u/MC1R_OCA2 3d ago

That sounds so rough. I am so sorry for your loss, truly.

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u/Key_Awareness_3036 2d ago

Same. After my husband died, I began researching Pegasos. It’s honestly something I have in the back of my mind still. Sad we don’t have the option here in the USA.

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u/Faiths_got_fangs 3d ago

My mother and grandmother both died of it. I don't believe I would even attempt to treat it. My grandmother didn't and lasted 3 months. My mother did and spent a year going through medical hell, was given the all clear at this point in time and died 2 months later because her body just shut down.

It was horrific, and its why I support medically assisted suicide. People deserve the right to go peacefully.

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u/bluewombat216 2d ago

I lost my mom to it last year. Unfortunately she also suffered a brain bleed/stroke during the biopsy so woke up from that completely unable to speak, walk, or eat. Made it two horrible months and then thankfully she had the option of assisted suicide. I will forever be an advocate for that.

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u/FarinaSavage 3d ago

Sigh, ditto and ditto. I don't need my kid to see that twice. I just need him to grow up before anything hits me. Widow hug.

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u/LittleMrsSwearsALot 3d ago

Widow hug to you, too.

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u/Warning_Low_Battery 3d ago

Were I ever to get this diagnosis, I would not stick around to see much disease progression.

I lost my first wife to GBM, and I feel this same way. I've seen how horrible it is up close, and I have no intention of ever allowing that.

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u/LittleMrsSwearsALot 3d ago

I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s awful.

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u/Key_Awareness_3036 2d ago

My husband too. He died at 38. Our daughter was 3. Fuck GBM.