BYO Cold Cap?
Hi all, I have just found out that my hospital (Monash) doesn’t offer the cold cap for chemo. The breast care nurse I spoke to was very disparaging of them, saying there was no evidence they worked, which surprises me as they seem relatively common in better hospitals. She said the only option was to BYO frozen caps in an esky - has anyone here tried this? Was it successful? How do you keep the caps cold enough?
First chemo!
Hi everyone! I had my first chemo session today, starting with AC. Though I was warned and given a strong anti-nausea tablet before they started, I was absolutely not prepared for the crippling nausea that has ensued! I was fine throughout the treatment but on the way home it got worse and I've had waves that have had me over the toilet, sweating and gagging (but no actual vomit yet!). I have taken emexlon which seems to work for about 5 minutes and then the relief wears off. If it continues I will of course bring it up with my team but in the meantime, does anybody have any home remedies that have helped keep the nausea at bay? Stay strong team! X
Spams/cramps?
Hi. I’m in my early 40s. I completed active treatment in April 2019 with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction and axillary clearance. Ultrasounds, to date are clear. Over the last 3ish months, I’ve been experiencing episodes where I would have spasming/cramping symptoms under my left armpit which extends into the pec (breast area). Sometimes it would happen when I am leaning on my left arm whilst reaching for something, for example - I dropped something and it rolled under a low table, and I then have to get on the floor, lean onto my left arm whilst reaching out with my right ... then bam... spasm. Another incident would be where I have had a massive spasming episode under my left arm and around the pec area. I had just been holding a book in my left hand. Set it right off and lasted for about 30 seconds. Is this normal behaviour after BC treatment?
SBS tonight 8.30pm .. Cannabis - miracle medicine or drug? Knowledge is power
I do not know how objective this documentary will be tonight - but if they have a balanced view on the use of Cannabis Oil as an effective treatment for MANY illnesses - it will be worth while watching. Remember - it is only governments that have labelled it a drug! It is, essentially, a herb. I'll be watching it, with interest! As of January 31st, Canberra residents will be legally allowed to grown 2 cannabis plants each (a maximum of 4 plants per household) and I am sure there will be many cancer patients there - now growing their own, to make into Medicinal Cannabis Oil. There is a small machine called an Ardent - that will do the transformation from plant to oil ....... if I was in Canberra, I know I would be doing it! Surely it is just a matter of time before all Australians will be able to do this, without fear of being arrested.
Breast oedema
Saw for breast care nurse today as I've still got a lot of swelling and pain in my breast, which I thought was the seroma. But she says I've also got oedema of the whole skin of the breast too. She taught me the correct massage technique to manual drain my lymph nodes- hurt like hell. Wants me to do it 3 times a day for 2 wks then go back for reassessment and if not working then to lymphedema specialist for ultrasound technique. I came home and taught the massage to my husband.. must admit he enjoyed it lol!
Weeping Breast
Hello Ladies, I hoping someone can help me.. I finished my Radiation treatment 2 weeks ago today.. I knew to expect that the burns would probably get worse before they got better and that was fine, But I have now developed a horrible rash which has gone over the tio of my burns, all over my breast, and now spread to my other Breast. I saw my Breast care nurse yesterday and she is at a loss as to what is causeing it, we changed from Jelonet to something else and stopped the sorbeline (which I don't like anyway), to see if I was having a reaction to that... She spoke to my rad onco, he said to try Phenergon and just use solugel, and cortisone cream on the areas that are not broken. I had an appointment to go back tomorrow but after not sleeping much at all, and waking with my dressings, nightie, and sheets wet with fluid, then taking 2 phenergons at 6am, changing all my dressings, and finally falling a sleep, I woke again with dressins soaked.. I have spoken to my nurse she wants me to come back in this afternoon, but my Onco is in a meeting so have to wait. My nurse to photos yesterday and says that yes my breast is swollen also. I cannot stand anything touching me, apart from it weeping and soaking through everything, it feeles like little needles. I don't know if you can get lymphoedema in your breast can you? Has anyone expereinced anything like this? I am so tired from not sleeping and starting to feel very nauseas I hope this all makes sense
