I am considering moving from Queensland to Tasmania as I am struggling with the heat, in particular with the compression bra I have to wear for my breast lymphodema. Any thoughts/ comments would be welcome, particularly from anyone who may have made the move.

I can't comment as never moved there but do consider everything else not just the climate...which you probably have but thought it might be useful to discuss in general for all considering moving.- Will you have supportive family and friends when you move?- costs of housing, wages etc if this is relevant for you.- costs of travelling to visit family and friends-medical services and base hospitals in proximatey to where you live.-oncology services available.-Radiology / nuclear medicine available -How do you like the cold (or heat )...heating / cooling options and costs.-work options if relevant -recreational options.Hope your move goes well. Kath x

Thanks Kath :) I have thought of all those things and I am still checking some of those things out as well...

Hi I hear your frustration. Tasmania is a beautiful place. It can be very cold in the winter. Have you always lived in Qld?I'm from Vic and down south here we have distinct seasons. I'm not sure abt Qld in that your seasons appear to be wet or dry. Your winters are nothing like ours.It's about if you've experienced our seasons and if you can acclimatize. As well as all those questions posed by Kath.If I could I'd live in Tassie tomorrow I would but hubby doesn't like the cold winters. Mind you they are not warm winters here.I'm sure there are Qld ladies on here that maybe able to give you tips on how to cope in the heat with the compression bra.Good luck with your research

I can understand your difficulty - I travel to Queensland a lot for family reasons and putting on a compression sleeve in the humidity (just outside Brisbane!) nearly drives me nuts. Tasmania is beautiful, and I have always found the people friendly but to add to your research list is employment. I don't know what your/your family's needs are but sadly Tasmania suffers from high unemployment. Even people with excellent qualifications and experience find it difficult to find and keep a secure job. The latest figures show that the northwest is better, but if employment is a significant factor, you would be well advised to get some detailed and professional advice about expectations. A lot depends on where you currently live (remote or city or far north) and where you might choose to go in Tasmania. Winter is not just colder in Tasmania than Queensland, It affects things like driving, when roads may get icy particularly in the south. And then there's your wardrobe! Good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks iserbrown and Afraser for your advice. I have visited Tasmania a few times in different seasons, approximately 1 week at a time, and find that I handle it alright and expect that I should adjust to the temperature alright, though I do worry about things like black ice. My husband is from Tasmania and would love to move back, although things like arthritis are a worry to him. We are from regional Queensland, not coastal, so we are used to temperature variations. I found winter in Queensland quite comfortable post-surgery and never used to have trouble with the heat, but now I do, and I worry about the cost of using air-conditioning.

Cooler climate | BCNA Online Network

33 Replies

Tassie66
Member
9 years ago
Thank you for your link iserbrown, I'm sure the compression singlets will be much more comfortable :D
Tassie66
Member
9 years ago
Hi Mimsie, your comments re the Tassie versus Queensland temperatures are much appreciated, as are your thoughts re over-exercise, etc. I had never heard of the equissage massager until your post - I think that would also be very helpful.

I was managing the lymphodema with the arm exercises and a nightly lymph drainage massage from my very supportive husband until the radiation therapy and summer heat. I'm lucky that it is still in the early stages, but obviously don't want it to get any worse
iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
Hi have a read of my post in the discussion http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/15557/advice-on-prosthetics#latest

There are compression singlets available
Tassie66
Member
9 years ago
Hi Brenda, I also have 2 dogs and a number of cats. As a child I also kept budgerigars, chickens and goldfish. I've always loved animals and nature, which is why we've tended to live in a regional / rural area.....
Tassie66
Member
9 years ago
Sorry, I appear to have lost the bottom part of my post as well.

Kath, I really like the idea of the body shaper singlet - is it a medical-type garment or can you pick it up at.an ordinary shop?
Tassie66
Member
9 years ago
Thanks for your summary Christina, it was very insightful. My husband is from the south - around the Geeveston / Huonville area and left around 40 years ago. I'm glad to hear about the services at Launceston Hospital and how helpful they are being for you and your husband - things like that make a big difference :)

Jane, your input has also been great as I've also often wondered what it would be like to move to a more coastal area generally. I feel unable to exercise in the heat with the compression bra and worry about the weight I am putting on in summer, even though I take our dogs for brief walks, but I hear you about the aches and pains in the cold
mimsi
Member
9 years ago
:) Hi Tassie 66
I live near Hobart and have had breast lymphedema (post op cellulitis infection) for 10 years and was never offered a compression bra but coped OK. I have found that the equissage massager helps from time to time too and a firm crop top. I did get a bit sorer and more swollen when I exercised too much -believe it or not in QLD in the first year, and had a review with my oncologist after a flight/ holiday in FIJI made the side of my chest and breast too sore to lie on until I returned home and all settled down again.
I have a sister who lives in the Qld hilly hinterland at Mapleton which she claims is cooler than in the lowlands and another who lives inland and further hotter North. Both find Tassie rather cool!
The North and East coast is warmer but Launceston is definitely colder and foggy in the winter and sometimes warmer in the summer. The Eastern Shore of Hobart is often a couple of degrees warmer than the city too.
Recently I was diagnosed with a possible precursor to blood vessel cancer caused by radiation and possibly the presence of lymphedema but after 2 more excisions al OK- have just posted this in discussions.
Good luck with your decision!
Mimsi
Brenda5
Member
9 years ago
@Tassie66 what pets do you have? I have 2 dogs, one rosella parrot who is the boss of us and 15 or so aquarium fish tanks.
primek
Member
9 years ago
I bought a body shaper singlet which did help mine. Just an idea.
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
Sorry, lost the end of my post.
and I hope whatever you decide gives you peace and comfort. Jane xx

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