Here we go…and BE informed

So here goes start of mum’s chemo, and thank gosh she had me (her Endocrinologist actually said this to her). Steroids part of chemo, and she’s diabetic. Onc had told her to test as usual and completely optional re getting glucose monitoring kit, I overruled after discussions with a couple of trusted pharmacists and was supported by mum’s GP who helped fast-track NDSS registration, and then endocrinologist told her frequency of testing her sugars, gave a script for insulin and said if spikes over x then contact him immediately and he’ll advise insulin dosage. This was picked up on as I’m an ex Registered Nurse who had an inkling and checked about the medication and asked trusted pharmacist (like when I was on wards picking up Dr oversights), and I know many don’t have this so please ask questions, speak with trusted pharmacist, and be aware. Hopefully won’t be an issue with mum, but having the monitoring and action plan in place reduces the risk of complications. This is a whole person, not just a cancer diagnosis/treatment. Sugars already starting to rise so shall see. Also, as in early lymphoedema trial she has been picked up at the very bottom of the sub-clinical lymphoedema so it’s most likely reversible, albeit frustrating for her having to wear a garment for at least a month if not throughout chemo, but the early action is again reducing risk of complications and again because we (mum and/or me) insisted on reviews by sub-specialists, in this case specialist physio.