The things people say
Someone posted this link on fb. Enjoyed it and sharing for you all. 3 weeks ago someone suggested i juice 8 times a day, especially carrot juice. Ive been given crystals, essential oils. I was warned by well meaning friend about chemo - err sorry I said, Id like to give myself a chance. Someone else said to me "if you ever need go talk....i have a friend who had breast cancer 10 years ago, actually she has died". Bit of a conversation stopper. What are some if your real liffe conversation killers? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mKovm8HINjI&noapp=1
Thermal Hot Springs and Massage Treatments
Well its over a year since I finished Chemo, Radiation and Surgery. We are now SKIing, my first trip to Europe. It now seems that once you have had cancer no health centre will do any Beauty Treatments. I have been on Dr Google and it's very unclear. I contracted a Spa in Budapest and oh no, no treatments for you, see your Oncologist. Well I see her just before I go, I still have a port, as there is some uncertainty, but who cares about that small issue. I wondered if anyone has thoughts about this issue, I still want to try the thermal springs, and being sensible,I won't choose the hottest pool. I suppose I will just have to go in undercover in the pool, but hard to do that for a health mud body wash. But seriously, Is it true that cancer spreads by massage?? They certainly seem to think they will get sued, but all is forgiven if I survive 5 years, then I might just scrape in.....lol.
Alternatives to Zoladex and Tamoxifan? & Genetic Testing for Drug Metabolism
Hi all, Who has had Genetic Testing for Drug Metabolism? I have and it has been spot on with understanding why over the years I have had sooo many side effects with different drugs. At this stage the testing is not covering every medication, but it is improving it's data base the more people do the test. It has been helpful when I have had my lumpectomy, my anesthetist tailor made my drug regime and I had no horrible side effects from the sedation or pain killers. I was also able to see that Tamoxifen is a no go for me. I was interested to see why, so I rang the genetic testing company to see why it came up as Red when I typed it in on my report. They told me that I may or may not have side effects, but I will not metabolise the drug to make the effective ingredient for it to work. I have told my onlocolgist this, and she is insisting I try it. I had severe side effects with Zoladex, the physical, while crappy, I could put up with. But the mental side effects were debilitating; Severe Depression, Anger, Irrationality etc, hence we did not start the aromatse inhibitors. My oncologist used a tool on the web (I think this has be spoken about in another post) and said that if I stopped taking the Zoladex that my 10 year survial rate would decrease by 2.7%. I was willing to take those odds, and we both agreed to stop the Zoladex. But my last visit, she wants me to start the Tamoxifen, because, some women do not have any troubles with it. :/ Again I do not want to, because 1. my genetic test and the company say that studies show that my genetic make up will not metabolize the drug to make the effective ingreadient; and 2. I do not want to add to the horrid mental side effects that I am experiencing ( A little less now that I am not on Zoledex) but still life disruptive. Because of my Genetic make up, I can't take nearly all of the antidpressents used to treat the side effects either. Im about ready to find another oncologist that will listen. What other alternatives to Tamoxifen are there? Other than Zoladex and Aromatase Inhibitors? Is anyone out there not taking anything at all? Thankyou for letting me rant, xo Heres a link to the genetic testing I had done if anyone is interested. https://www.mydna.life/medication/
Trigger Finger/Thumb exercises
I've found a Youtube presentation that explains how Trigger Finger/Thumb occurs & some rubbing & exercises that may help it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0FfMzemLnU The info from the 2min 20sec mark is more about locating the nodule at the base of the thumb/finger that is restricting the tendon from working smoothly - and how deep tissue massage may help to help break down the scar tissue. This is very similar to what my husband has done in the past when he gets a running injury - he will give deep massage to the muscle, to 'free it up'. I found that I have quite a BIG nodule at the base of my left thumb - it is much smaller on my right thumb. I started the rubbing of the nodule quite aggressively yesterday & I am surprised to say that it already feels 'freer' today! I still can't bend the thumb tho the pain is less (the magic oil may also be helping here too!) - so I am stretching it & forcing it to bend as well, to try & free it up more. Good luck - it is definitely worth a try!
Seems the healthiest thing I do in my day is pee!
I met up with a friend that I hadn’t seen in a number of years. When I first met her, she was a good time party girl from London. We had a chat about what had been happening over the years. During this conversation I disclosed the BC saga (bad move) which surprisingly triggered a somewhat disapproving look after I mentioned the treatment that I had been through and "perhaps a lifestyle change would have been better than toxic drugs and radiation". WTF. Really? Somewhere along the way she had turned into Mrs Natural everything, grow your own food, gym junkie, rub some kale on it whilst singing Kumbaya earth mother and proceded to give me a lecture on sustainable natural living, organics, getting in touch with my inner peace and the earth. Rolls eyes and ends conversation by asking how her husbands job is (works in coal mining) end of chat. Hehehehe. So given that my poor lifestyle choices obviously caused the cancer and that organic food, exercise and turmeric would have cured it. I decided to have a look at a normal day just for a laugh and see how many things were on the list of 116 things that give you cancer as per “The Guardian”. · Wake up and go pee. No problems with that one. · Brush teeth Possible fluoride debate with toothpaste. Not on list though. · Coffee plus Berocca chaser. Seems that’s ok. · Face care and make up. Obviously full of cancer inducing chemicals like formaldehyde. (73 on list) · Contemplate which class 1 carcinogen to have for breakfast, bacon or cigarette. Both in the same category so opt for obviously healthier choice in the cigarette as far less fat and calories. · Second coffee whilst waiting for diesel fume pumping beast of car to warm up (29 on list). · Park and walk through covered car park at work containing multiple fume pumping beasts driving in. · Walk into outdoor air pollution (numbers 92 and 93) · Walk under warning sign reading “This building contains asbestos”. (44 on list) Remind self not to lick or suck on walls. · Walk past oncology unit and contemplate knowingly being injected with cyclophosphamide (62) ignore thoughts on rads. · Salami and salad sandwich for lunch. (processed meat 39) Frequent use of hand sanitizer during the day (number15) · Sit in line up of exhaust pumping vehicles on the way out for 10 mins whilst stupid boom gate does not open, yet again. · Walk dog in lovely afternoon sun. (solar radiation 106) · T bone and salad for dinner. Red meat, bad naughty, on bbq grill at high heat even worse causing benzopyrene and other toxic chemicals (48) · Glass of wine with dinner Alcohol (22) Resveratrol =Tick. Negates bad alcohol score I believe. · Pop Tamoxifen pill (number 108 on the list) Shower and moisturize (number 73 again) Bed So there you have it. The only safe thing to do in your day is drink coffee and pee! This was the meme that was shared on her facebook page that afternoon. Was that for me?????? LMFAO
Counterpart
I attended a Cancer and Wellbeing day run by Counterpart this week. We did Feldenkrais, some light aerobics and theraband work, Qi Gong and a fantastic deep meditation. There was a very good lunch and lots of time to chat and connect with the other participants. For Melbourne and Victorian folks (they're running a wellness day in Gippsland later this month), if you haven't heard of Counterpart check them out. They do all sorts of workshops and seminars. The events I've attended have always been very well run and they are free. Their new calender is coming out soon but there are also several events on in the rest of April. https://www.counterpart.org.au
Has anyone tried acupuncture for lymph build-up ?
I had a non-skin-sparing and non-nipple-sparing mastectomy in late 2014. (No reconstruction was offered). I have been seeing a masseur for the treatment of fluid build-up and she used the Chinese cups when it was really bad. I have now moved and have not been able to find a reasonably-priced masseur with the remedial training. An acupuncturist has been recommended. If you have had acupuncture for this can you please let me know how often you need it to be done ? Thanks in advance Summer
Help test a new online database that shows interactions between cancer medicines, herbs & vitamins
Hi all, Researchers at Satori Medicine, an independent consulting group, in collaboration with an Expert Committee comprising of consumer representatives, including consumer representatives from Breast Cancer Network Australia, health professionals and other researchers are conducting a study to test, evaluate and report on the usefulness of IMgateway, which is an evidence-based database that has already been utilised by doctors and pharmacists for 18 years. The database provides information about interactions between pharmaceutical drugs and complementary medicines. The researchers are working to adapt the database so that it is directly available to consumers including Australians diagnosed with cancer. They are inviting you to test the suitability of this adapted database for consumer use and provide feedback about its usefulness. The researchers will collate and analyse the results from the information you provide and prepare a published report. About the IMgateway database The adapted database will allow people affected by cancer to enter the name of a pharmaceutical drug or a complementary medicine (e.g. a herb, vitamin, mineral or food) and receive information about potential interactions that may interfere with the effectiveness of the drug. For example, if you are taking an aromatase inhibitor and considering whether or not to take vitamin D, by using the database you can find information about whether or not vitamin D may interfere with the effectiveness of the aromatase inhibitor. Who can participate? You can participate in this study if you: have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or are a carer are comfortable reading and writing in English. What does the study involve? The survey will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete and your responses will be confidential. You will be asked to complete an online survey. The survey includes several general questions, such as: Whether or not you use (or have used) a complementary medicine. Where you would go for information about complementary medicines (e.g. your doctor, friends, online, family). Whether you are concerned about possible interactions between cancer medicines and complementary medicines. You will then be presented with a short, fictional scenario of a patient who is taking two pharmaceutical drugs and is considering taking two specified complementary medicines. You will be asked to use the online IMgateway database to see whether there are any interactions between the drugs and the complementary medicines. You will also be asked to provide feedback about the database and how easy it was to complete the task. How do I take part? If you are interested in taking part in the survey, please click the following link which provides a Participant Information Form providing details about the study: https://www.bcna.org.au/media/7146/participant-information-form_10-feb-2019-final.pdf. Once you have read the Participant Information Form and you consent to take part in the survey, then click the Survey link below. Please take the survey by 27 February 2019 on a computer and not on a phone or tablet. Survey Link By clicking this link you are indicating that you have read the Participant Information Form and consent to take part in the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6D3SDKT. Privacy Your name and any other identifying information is not asked for in the questionnaire. The data collected will be reported as aggregated data. Any quotes used from answers given to any of the questions will not be able to identify any individual. By taking this survey you are providing your consent (agreement) for the researchers to collect and store your answers on Survey Monkey’s overseas server (large computer). For further information on BCNA’s Privacy Statement please click here. For a copy of SurveyMonkey’s Privacy Statement please click here. Thanks so much for considering this opportunity!
