Latest news with #health scare
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Fit and Healthy' Dad of Four, 57, Gets Random Whiffs of 'Strange, Sweet Caramel Smell.' It's a Fatal Sign
A 'fit and healthy' man was given the devastating diagnosis that he had an inoperable brain tumor — and his only symptom was that he would randomly smell 'sweet caramel.' Costa Fantis, 57, would randomly smell something sweet, his son, Antonio, said, according to Daily Mail. 'His sense of smell changed and he kept getting this strange sweet caramel smell. We didn't think much of it. We definitely didn't know it was a symptom of something so serious.' Antonio shared that his father, a chip shop owner who hails from the English town of Stoke-on-Trent, would smell the 'sweet smell' sporadically: 'On the odd occasion he would have a caramel smell … it would happen very quickly, and once a month or so.' Since his father struggled with epilepsy as a child, Antonio explains that 'we told him to have a scan and said it's probably going to be in relation to the epilepsy. We weren't really thinking anything of it at all, as he was a really fit and healthy man.' When Costa underwent tests in April 2024, the family was given bleak, unexpected news: He had stage 4 IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. 'There's no cure for glioblastoma," the Mayo Clinic explains. "Treatments might slow cancer growth and reduce symptoms.' And as the National Library of Medicine says, IDH-Wildtype [glioblastoma] — which Costa has — is 'an incurable disease with poor survival.' Antonio explains that the family was 'worried, scared, nervous — but then, still trying to get to grips with the situation and what was going on because he had no symptoms' apart from the smell. "It's really bizarre because symptoms-wise he didn't have much at all," Antonio told the outlet. Phantom smells — like what Costa experienced with the caramel scent — is known as phantosmia, and can, rarely, be a sign of a brain tumor. 'It just kind of proves that you can be a fit and healthy man yet still have something wrong with you,' Antonio tells the outlet, sharing that his father has undergone chemotherapy and radiation for the tumor — but is now looking for alternative treatments, as 'in the last 20 years the treatments haven't changed for glioblastomas.' 'It's quite a scary thing to be diagnosed with,' Antonio says, sharing his family has been told, 'just enjoy your life, in the most harrowing way possible.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Republican senator flippantly fires back after shocking on-air freezing episode goes viral
Louisiana Senator John Kennedy made a triumphant return to the cable news pantheon Wednesday afternoon, after he froze during an appearance on the same Fox Business show Tuesday. Kennedy brushed off concerns about his health that had been generated by Tuesday's segment in his usual jovial fashion, while Fox host Larry Kudlow helped him debunk the myths that were started by yesterday's incident. 'A lot of lefty media are saying things they shouldn't say. As I understand it, what happened was your IFB, your wire broke down. And you had a lot of noise in your ear. And you had to stop talking because you couldn't get anything through,' Kudlow said, kicking off the exchange. 'I was just yapping away, and all of a sudden my ear piece blew up,' Kennedy said, pointing to his right ear. He described the sound as like 'a 747 taking off' and said his ears were still ringing. Kennedy dismissed speculation about his health, saying some publications have suggested he 'had a brain freeze live on TV, or a stroke, or caught an STD.' 'I'm ok. I'm back here today, I'm full of piss and vinegar and I'd be glad to answer your questions,' the Senator concluded. The moment when Kennedy suddenly stopped speaking mid-sentence during his television appearance has been widely circulated online over the past 24 hours. Kennedy was speaking about the Trump administration's stance on sanctuary cities when the concerning moment occurred. The senator began to trail off while referencing how Jesus loves immigrants. 'Jesus loves them, but everybody else thinks ….' Kennedy said, before mumbling a few barely-audible words. 'Everybody else thinks…' he repeated before looking off into the distance and going completely silent. Kennedy remained motionless on camera with his lips parted and eyes staring forward until host Larry Kudlow cut in, attributing the moment to a technical issue. The senator's office disputed initial reporting about the incident, saying there was simply an earpiece malfunction that also affected Senator Rand Paul, who was interviewed before Kennedy. "I heard a loud screeching noise with a lot of static. It sounded like a 747 taking off," Kennedy explained in a statement. "I stopped talking until the interference cleared up, and thought we were off the air." Kennedy criticized The Daily Beast's coverage, saying the media outlet failed to contact Kudlow's producer to verify the technical explanation.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Senator, 73, Freezes During Fox Business Interview
Another GOP member of Congress has had what appears to be a health scare, with septuagenarian Senator John Kennedy freezing during a Fox Business interview on Tuesday. During an interview with host Larry Kudlow, 77, about the Trump administration's crackdown on sanctuary cities, Kennedy started to make a point about how Jesus loves immigrants before trailing off into a seven-second silence. 'Jesus loves them, but everybody else thinks,' Kennedy said before murmuring a couple more words and then freezing on camera. Kennedy appeared to be unable to form words, and he remained on screen for five more seconds in silence before Kudlow cut in and chalked up the awkward gap to a technical issue. 'I guess we had some more technical problems. That was the same mic we lost with Senator Rand Paul,' Kudlow said. Kennedy had not spoken any words after freezing up. A spokesperson for Kennedy did not respond to an immediate request for comment. Kennedy's official account on X posted twice after the interview aired, once to criticize Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and once to congratulate a New Orleans Saints football player on his retirement. The sight of a gray-haired senator freezing during an interview is a familiar one for the GOP caucus. In 2023, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suffered two similar 'freezing episodes' just weeks apart from each other. While observing neurologists initially suspected that McConnell may have suffered a transient ischemic attack — a type of stroke — the Capitol physician wrote in a statement that the Kentuckian's episodes showed 'no evidence' of a stroke or seizure disorder. Ironically, Kennedy was one of the Senate Republicans who immediately dismissed suggestions that McConnell step down as majority leader, saying that would take place only 'when donkeys fly.' McConnell announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election in 2026. Kennedy, who is known in the Senate for his distinctive Southern drawl and acerbic commentary during hearings, has not commented on whether he will pursue re-election in 2028. He passed on running for governor of Louisiana in 2023. Health problems have emerged as a major point of tension for both parties over the past year, from scrutiny of Joe Biden's cognition during his presidency to President Trump's recent diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency. Kennedy does not even crack the list of the 10 oldest senators (the oldest, Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley, is 91).
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elsbeth's Carrie Preston, 58, Talks Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery
Best known for playing the charmingly-quirky sleuth Elsbeth on the hit CBS show of the same name, actress Carrie Preston, 58, recently revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer after a mole on her cheek tested positive for basal cell carcinoma. Here, everything you need to know about her health scare and recovery. Plus a top dermatologist shares early warning signs of this common form of skin cancer and the most effective treatment options. Carrie Preston learned she had skin cancer while filming Elsbeth On the last day of shooting season two of Elsbeth, Preston learned a mole on her face was cancerous, she told Busy Phillips on her podcast Busy This Week. 'Everyone kept asking me what are you going to do on your hiatus [from the show],' she said. 'Just an hour prior, I had found out that a test I had done on a mole on my cheek was basal cell carcinoma… I didn't want to tell people because I was shocked and a little bit ashamed, a little bit like, what did I do wrong?' Her initial reaction to the diagnosis is a familiar one, notes board-certified and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist Pooja Rambhia, MD, FAAD. 'It's common to see patients express guilt,' she confirms. 'But skin cancer is often the result of several factors, many of which are out of your control, like genetics, UV exposure decades earlier and skin type.' Luckily, the Emmy winner's misplaced sense of shame quickly yielded to the support of friends and colleagues, particularly her fellow actresses on set that day. "Within minutes these women just rallied around me" —Carrie Preston 'I thought let me talk to these women, and I was just honest: This just happened, and I've got to get this surgery—I'd never even heard of this procedure before called a Mohs,' she recalled. 'And these women just rallied around me… [guest star] Mary-Louise Parker was like, 'My friend just did that; let me get on the phone.' Within like five minutes I was talking to a doctor's office, and I had an appointment for the following week.' What is basal cell carcinoma? Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80 percent of all skin cancer cases, reveals Dr. Rambhia. 'BCC typically appears on sun-exposed areas of the body, particularly the face, neck, ears, scalp, shoulders and back. On the face, it commonly occurs on the nose, forehead and cheeks, which aligns with Carrie Preston's experience.' Early skin cancer symptoms to watch for This type of skin cancer can present in several ways, Dr. Rambhia says. Symptoms of basal cell carcinoma may include: A pearly or waxy bump A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion A bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns 'Sometimes [BCC] appears as a pink growth with a slightly elevated, rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center,' she adds. Unlike melanoma, which can spread aggressively throughout the body, BCC rarely metastasizes and is much less dangerous than other skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma, she assures. 'The prognosis is excellent, with over 95 percent cure rates when treated promptly through surgical removal like Preston underwent,' Dr. Rambhia says. 'While BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads to other organs, it can cause significant local tissue damage if left untreated, making early detection and immediate medical attention crucial for the best outcomes.' How basal cell carcinoma is treated Preston admitted she had never heard of the procedure, called Mohs surgery, used to remove the cancerous mole, acknowledging it was a little more involved than she expected. What exactly does it entail? 'Mohs surgery is a precise technique where thin layers of skin are removed and examined under a microscope until no cancer cells remain—offering both the highest cure rate and maximal tissue preservation,' explains Dr. Rambhia. While this is one of the most common treatments, alternatives include standard surgical excision, topical treatments like imiquimod (a cream that boosts the immune system to kill abnormal cells), cryotherapy (freezing cancer cells) and radiation therapy, depending on the tumor's size, location and type, she adds. Preston is recovering from skin cancer surgery Describing her recovery, Preston told Phillips, 'I have a scar that's healing… so I have to wear these silicone scar strips.' Indeed, when it comes to minimizing scar tissue, early intervention makes a big difference. 'Gentle wound care, silicone gels and sun protection all help, but laser treatments—especially when started within the first few months [following surgery]—can dramatically improve the scar's appearance,' says Dr. Rambhia. 'Vascular lasers can reduce redness, while fractional lasers can smooth and soften texture, leading to a more refined cosmetic outcome,' she adds. Consult a cosmetic dermatologist to learn more. Not to be outdone by her fashion-forward Elsbeth character, Preston added that if she's going to wear something on her face, it's darn well going to be pretty. 'I went and got some jewels [adhesive gems for her scar strip]. I'm basically wearing what the kids wear to raves on my face,' she said with a laugh. How to prevent skin cancer Basal cell carcinoma is highly preventable with smart sun protection, promises Dr. Rambhia. 'Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, wearing hats and protective clothing and avoiding tanning beds are key. Even incidental sun exposure—like walking the dog or sitting by a window—adds up over time,' she cautions. 'If something new, changing or non-healing shows up on your skin, it's time to see a board-certified dermatologist,' she adds. 'Early detection can make a world of difference.' More inspiring celebrity health stories: 'Duck Dynasty' Matriarch Miss Kay Is Doing 'So Much Better' After Recent Health Struggles Jamie Foxx Shares Update on His Health and Stroke Recovery in New Netflix Special Jenna Fischer Encourages Mammograms After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: 'It Takes a Village to Fight Cancer' Solve the daily Crossword
Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Times
Paul Gascoigne back home and doing well, says agent
Paul Gascoigne has been discharged from hospital and is now recovering at home after a health scare, his management company has said. A spokesperson for The MNT agency said the former England footballer, 58, has been struggling with a throat condition and had gone into hospital near his home in Dorset on Friday. But she told The Times today that Gascoigne, affectionately known as Gazza, 'is already back home and doing well'. Gascoigne had been found collapsed in the bedroom of his home in Poole, Dorset by Steve Foster, his friend and personal assistant, who drove him to hospital. Bianca Gascoigne, his daughter and a reality TV star, as well as some of Gascoigne's former footballer friends, including Chris Waddle, Paul Merson and Vinnie Jones, were said to have been informed of his condition. Gascoigne is considered one of the most gifted players ever to have represented the England men's football team. He earned 57 caps and played for clubs including Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers and the Italian club Lazio. He was the star of England's journey to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The tears in Turin that followed a yellow card he knew would prevent him from playing in the final — as it was, Bobby Robson's side lost the semi-final to Germany on penalties — cemented his popularity with the British public. A few months later, he was crowned the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. However, Gascoigne, who retired in 2004, has suffered with mental health issues throughout his adult life, and has spoken openly about his battles with alcohol and drug abuse. In May, Gascoigne told The Mirror he felt better than he had 'in years' and hoped he could look back on his life with a positive perspective. Last year he had revealed on the High Performance podcast that he was struggling with alcohol addiction and had attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
