Calling all triple negative breast cancer patients in the UK
Comments
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Hi Sylvia, Mary and all,
Besides prescribing gabapentin, my oncologist did not offer much in the way of neuropathy treatment. He said it would take about a month for the gabapentin to work (the pharmacist said the same thing when I questioned why I was being prescribed a 3 month supply. Ugh!). MO also said neuropathy should go away in 2-3 months but in “rare” cases neuropathy “could be” permanent. After reading many posts from women here, I’m not sure I ageee with his assessment.
In doing some research, I read about a supplement called Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Has anyone heard of this? It is supposed to help with peripheral neuropathy. I’m not sure what to do. At this point, I have neuropathy in my fingers and toes. Numb and tingly, but not painful. But constant. And yes, Mary, after walking, my feet are much stiffer, and I feel like I’m walking on bricks. I have an appointment with a lymphedema specialist/physical therapist in July and hope she can give me advice on neuropathy. I guess I could be patient and hope that in 2-3 months it will go away, as my oncologist suggests, but I feel I should be pro active before it gets worse or I start experiencing pain.
Thank you, Mary, for your support about my anxiety. I am glad I found a counselor who is easy to talk to and seems to understand me. And you are right. Getting through radiation treatment is definitely a huge goal for me to face. Thankfully I have found this thread. It is a great place to come and read inspiring posts and helpful advice!
Hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Monic
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These are the pics of possible cellulitis, this is about 3 weeks ago below and above is how it looks now.
I have had intermittent light swelling in my ankles since cancer treatment, never had fluid retention before.
This has made me more cautious of leg injuries.
Mary
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Sylvia,
I hope those pics weren't too unpleasant to look at, it has been an unpleasant experience for the last month. I did not get fever or serious symptoms. It has made me more cautious about walking around close quarters, more aware of what I could bump into.
Maybe one of the nurses here could give me an opinion of what it was. It was seen by one doc and a nurse, the doc said, "you had better keep an eye on that, it doesn't look good." The nurse said I should be seen by the doc. My opinion is a combo of varicose veins, (which probably are weakened by chemo), neuropathy, and possible some lymphedema. At any rate, it's better now but it was getting worrisome. I posted the pics because I read the cellulitis/lymphedema article on the link you posted, not looking for sympathy.
Love, Mary
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Ouch, Mary! It looks painful! Did you take medication for the cellulitis? Your leg DOES look like it is on the mend, now. Yes. Good to watch out for leg injuries.
Take care!
Xoxo
Monic
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Pics of purple coneflowers and white Queen Anne's lace.
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Hi Monica
No I did not take any prescribed meds for it, I just tried to keep it very clean, elevated when resting, and used antibiotic cream, and lots of band-aids!
Posting the flower pics is disappointing sometimes, the color of the purple coneflowers is washed out, they are really a lovely shade of purple with pretty centers.
Mary
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Mary,
The flowers look beautiful! (Purple! My favorite color). What I’m admiring, too, in the picture, is all the greenery. It is so hot and dry right now where I live in California, everything is just kind of brown.
Love,
Monic
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Monica,
In response to your questions about neuropathy treatment; I think a lot of cancer docs don't know much about CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy). I think (my opinion here), that CIPN can be wide-spread in the body, whereas PN from diabetes seems to be mostly feet, hands and lower limbs. My MO also said my PN would go away after treatment ended, but it didn't (it was noticeable after my first dose of Taxotere). It does seem to have different sensations on different days, and maybe I"m just getting used to it but some days my symptoms do seem to be a bit better. On other threads on this site I have seen posts saying that some ladies' PN did go away, so it does happen. And I hope it gets better for you too , it seems to be very unpredictable. I am sitting here on a chair, and if I think about my feet, they have a mild burning sensation right now, I think I am just getting accustomed to it.
I am familiar with Alpha-Lipoic Acid, I have some in supplement form, and do take it, but not faithfully. I also take B Complex, B6 is also recommended but be careful with the dose, too much B6 can cause PN! Honestly, I can't tell if it's the supplements that help, or if it's just what day it is. That's not too helpful, I know.
Let us know what you learn from your lymphedema therapist about that, or CIPN.
Mary
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I'm very glad that the chemotherapy at my hospital is 'nurse led'. The head chemo nurse is brilliant. I see her for a talk before each session and I trust her to do all she can to help with neuropathy or lymphodema. People just assume that being overseen by the consultant oncologist is the best thing, but, as Mary says, they have less detailed knowledge of chemo than the nurses who administer every day.
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Hello Mary,
Thank you for your first post dated June 27th. I was glad to know that you had read the link I sent to the Lymphoedema site. I was concerned about your leg, especially after looking at the pictures you sent.
I was not quite sure what you meant when you said that you thought your leg wound was a stage of that. Can you explain what you mean. I really only know about cellulitis with reference to lymphoedema. It is a really nasty infection that you can get in the arm or chest where you have been diagnosed with lymphoedema after surgery. I did not think about it much until I had to have the two surgeries on my right arm because of a mole that had appeared. I knew that on the surgery side a patient is not supposed to have blood pressure taken or have any kind of injection. As soon as surgery to remove the mole was mentioned I was very concerned about having the arm cut into and risking an infection, cellulitis and apparently, septicaemia and possibly needing IV antibiotics. I mentioned all this to the dermatology people, who told me there was little risk but they would give me some antibiotics to take away with me and that I could take if anything started happening to my arm. They gave me a box of fluoxacillan (a standard for skin problems). Luckily everything went well. By the way, I think that mole was caused by my radiotherapy treatment, as it was relatively new.
It is only my humble opinion, but if that were me, I would see a lymphoedema specialist and find out whether you have lymphoedema and whether that was cellulitis.
I cannot understand what the connection would be with neuropathy and blood problems, but then I am not a doctor.
Again, I must say that I am not a doctor but according to what the lymphoedema specialist and my GP, that redness on your leg looks like cellulitis.
I think that all breast cancer patients, if they possibly can, should read the book "Let's Talk Lymphoedema" and use it as a frequent reference book. I am always referring to it whenever I want to know something.
For example, all my life I have had normal blood pressure, but it suddenly went high last February after all the mole surgery and all that business with lymphoedema in my right surgery arm after a flu injection in my left arm. I have always felt that lymphoedema had something to do with the blood pressure, as well as the stress I have been through. Today looking at the Lymphoedema book on page 15 under "Other health factors and symptoms" I re-read that because the lymph system is responsible for removing virtually all excess and waste products from the body's tissues, if it is not working properly it can affect other aspects of our health.
Mentioned are cardio-vascular disease, because of furred up arteries by cholesterol deposits. It further says there is some evidence to suggest that these deposits can partly be explained by a failure of lymph drainage within the cells of the arterial walls.
I was thinking that the high blood pressure was possible due to the lymphoedema. This is what I read "The lymph system is also important for maintaining a healthy body fluid balance, which means that any impairment could possibly contribute to raise blood pressure".
What is really frightening to read is that there is a strong association between lymphoedema and obesity and this association is known to work in both directions. This means that obesity is the biggest risk factor for lymphoedema but lymphoedema can also cause obesity. I suppose this why at the lymphoedema clinic the specialist weighs you.
Finally, the main problem association with lymphoedema is infection – particularly cellulitis which can pose a serious health risk.
I find it unbelievable that at the time of my diagnosis none of this was mentioned. I do remember that the day after surgery I had a visit in the hospital from the physiotherapist who showed me exercises to do straight away and this was probably to keep the arm exercised as a lymphoedema prevention. I was also told in the hospital to sleep with the operated breast side with the arm raised on a pillow. I am glad to know that lymphoedema is getting mentioned a bit more now, as it is a chronic condition as a result of cancer treatment.
That is all for now, Mary. I need to take a break and try to catch up once again with the posts. It is not easy to do because you have to think about everything you say and emphasise that we are not doctors on this thread. We seem to be talking a lot about peripheral neuropathy and lymphoedema and that is all to the good.
Sending you fond thoughts.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Helenlouise,
Thank you for your post and I would like to welcome you to our thread where you will find a group of nice, compassionate and supportive women who will all understand what you are going through. It is good that you have got through your neoadjuvant chemotherapy and that you ar now waiting for surgery. I do hope your medical team will give you a few weeks to recover a little from the chemotherapy before you have your surgery.
I had neoadjuvant chemotherapy and was given about three weeks to recover before I had the surgery, which was a mastectomy.
I can see from your details that you have been through a lot since 2013 and I do hope you have not had too many problems with the latest chemotherapy.
I was wondering whether, between 2013 and 2018, you were on anti-hormonal drugs, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex. I have read in the past that if you are on these drugs for long enough you can end up with triple negative. My oncologist told me that tumours mutate and that what you start with as receptors can change. She told me that I may not have started with my triple negative diagnosis.
I think you did the right thing in seeing a physiotherapist who specialises in lymphoedema and I would think the exercises she has suggested will help you in your recovery. If you have a look at my previous post to Mary, you will see that I saw a physiotherapist in hospital after my treatment and she had me doing exercises immediately.
Lymphoedema is a risk at each stage of your cancer treatment, whether it is surgery, chemotherapy with the taxane drugs (paclitaxel (Taxol) or docetaxel (Taxotere)) and radiotherapy.
It is also the taxane drugs that cause peripheral neuropathy in the hands and feet and seems to be quite common among patients. I am not sure what can help peripheral neuropathy. I was told by my oncologist, GP and two podiatrists that there was no cure. I have my podiatrist test me from time to time by prodding a needle into parts of my feet while I have my eyes closed. There has been no change in the thirteen years since my diagnosis. I would be delighted to know if anyone out there thinks they have found a cure.
I have been told that lymphoedema (which is a damaged lymph system) and peripheral neuropathy, a damaged nerve system, are chronic conditions.
Manual lymph drainage and exercises about lifting the arms up are very useful. I am not sure what to think about compression sleeves and/or garments but the lymphoedema specialist that I see advises them.
I do hope all will go well with your surgery and I can tell from your post that you are very willing to help yourself.
Best wishes.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Kath, Monica, Mary and SusieW5,
Thank you all for your posts and I am sure Kath will be glad to see that she now has cocoonCat and HelenLouise from Australia posting here.
To Hanieh and Sarah, we all hope you are doing fine and Sarah (Loveandlight) I do hope your mum is doing well.
Best wishes
Sylvia xxxx
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Hello Sylvia and each of you participating in this thread,
Thank you very much for your welcome.
In 2013 with a DCIS diagnosis, the standard treatment here was lumpectomy (for a small tumour) followed by 30 doses of radiation. I had two rounds of surgery because they could not get clear margins and the surgeon wanted to go again but the medical team did not agree. We consulted with the radiation oncologist who advise the remaining DCIS would be mopped up with radiation.No need to lose any more breast tissue and risks of surgery. No target follow up therapy for DCIS. As DCIS is 0 stage cancer, my current medical oncologist says ER, PR and HER2 are inconclusive. In addition, my medical team says my current diagnosis is a new event.
As you have said, BC mutation can make a positive BC negative but I also try to remember cancer is a mutation in itself. They just know so much more about positive BC at this stage. Even TNBC can mutate whilst being treated and become resistant. My latest scans show a minor reduction in main tumour with others stable. Not the CPR we were hoping for. I anticipate it will be 5 weeks post chemo before surgery.
I see posts from people in places where the approach is very different (e.g. BMX for a DCIS diagnosis) and have come to understand a countries medical governance greatly impacts how disease is managed, treated and the options that are offered and viable for individuals. Reflecting on my situation, would I be here now if a more radical approach had be taken?
The chemo protocol FEC-D is used in AUS, UK and CAN but not so much in USA. The docetaxel was just awful and it does not surprise me that the SEs are so bad. I agree that we really aren't fully informed about the long term impacts but would we do it different if we really knew. Not sure and it is an academic question now
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Keep the posts coming. So much to learn and share.
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Hi, Sylvia
I am responding to your post of yesterday, where you said "I was not quite sure what you meant when you said that you thought your leg wound was a stage of that." I meant that after reading the article in the link you provided, I was reminded of things I had already heard about cellulitis, and I think I might have been well on the road to a case of cellulitis. Cellulitis can become very serious, if not caught in time; I was surprised when I went to my doc that he did not offer antibiotics. Cellulitis happens when bacteria enter a cut, wound or skin crack of any kind. Usually in the arms or legs. About 40 years ago I pricked a finger with a rusty fork, and ignored it. Over the next few days it became infected, and then I had streaks going up my arm, and ended up in the hospital and very ill.
I injured my leg about 8 days before my family trip. I take good care of any wound now, and it was healing normally, I thought before I left. While on the trip I slacked off on caring for it, I was not on my usual diet and was not getting my usual sleep, and I was in a swimming pool 2 days. I think I picked up a bacterial infection while there and by the time I got home the redness and swelling were much worse. I visited the doc, who didn't really do anything, then started caring for it strictly again, and it is now better. Reading the article on lymphedema made me think of the whole healing process in a new way, however, even though I have had no surgery on my lower body that would affect lymph nodes there.
I do believe that even if one has a wound on the affected-by-mastectomy arm, as long as it does not get infected it will be okay, but I also take no chances with that arm, although I have had scratches and insect bites. I think I got careless with my leg wound and learned a lesson.
Then you said, "I cannot understand what the connection would be with neuropathy and blood problems, but then I am not a doctor." I am also not sure what the connection of an infection would be with neuropathy unless one was diabetic, but as to blood problems, the doc was telling me to watch for the streaks up my leg, or if the rash spread out any farther than it was, because that would mean the infection had got into the bloodstream and was spreading throughout the body. (which is what happened to me 40 years ago, while young and dumb.) The doc also said to me that swelling makes wounds slower to heal.
I had not heard about a link with higher blood pressure, or cardiovascular problems. With the diet you eat, and your activity level, I would not think you would have a problem with that. But I will look around and see what I can find out on that subject.
Lymphedema and obesity: I would think this problem would begin because of the fluid retention, which would pack on the pounds. Then if people are not educated on diet, they often eat too much salt which just adds to the problem. My DIL who had ER+BC was complaining that no matter what she does, she cannot lose weight now. I asked her about her salt intake and she said she uses very little. I just think a lot of people are not aware of how much salt is in a slice of pizza, or a plate of Mexican food, or even in the seasoning mixes which they put on their grilled food, which is all often part of their DIL's family diet. She had a few lymph nodes removed when she had the mastectomy, but also knows very little about lymphedema. I have told her what I know about it, and she has been to an after-BC surgery therapist who did talk a little about the subject. She told her doc about her weight problem, he prescribed a diuretic and she dropped 11 lbs. in a few days. That doesn't solve the problem though, just removed some fluid weight temporarily.
I will say here: I am not a doctor, just someone who has by now seen a lot, and thinks about these things, and has experienced a lot of these things. As Helen Louise wisely said, even if we had been more forewarned, would it have changed the way we took our treatment? I don't have that darn time machine, so I don't know the answer to that, but we might not been surprised by so many things.
At any rate, as one of my least-liked docs barked at me, "Well, you are still here to complain about it!"
We are now having a bad heat wave, today we will have high humidity, and almost 100F, which is 38C.
Talk to you later,
Love, Mary
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Well, first dose of Docetaxel this morning, with vast quantities of steroids started yesterday to prevent allergic reactions. All went down without incident and I'm now waiting to see how I feel tomorrow. The Head Chemo Nurse has given me her direct line and asked me to call if I feel any numbness in fingers or toes. She also suggested that I call my GP for some prescription drugs for my hay fever which I ahve done and will be taking my first dose tonight.
I've also arranged to go into the hospital on non-chemo Fridays to get my PICC line flushed and dressed. This allowed me the great pleasure of sacking the District Nurses who, on seven booked visits to me, have failed to show up three times after leaving me waiting in all day.
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Hello Mary,
I do hope that all will be smooth going for you now with no more problems from mishaps. I think as we age we have to take even more care of ourselves as our immune systems are not as strong and everything takes longer to heal.
With cellulitis you are right. It needs to be treated promptly with antibiotics.
As for developing lymphoedema in the lower parts of our body, we have to remember we have had chemotherapy treatment with taxane drugs, and these drugs go throughout our body, as they are systemic, and we have no idea what they have done to us.
I trust the book "Let's talk lymphoedema – the essential guide to everything you need to know" by Professor Peter Mortimor and Gemma Levine 100%. He works at one of the big London hospitals and is the number 1 consultant when it comes to lymphoedema. It is all explained on page 15 of his book under "Other health factors and symptoms". "The lymph system is also important for maintaining a healthy body fluid balance which means that any impairment could possibly contribute to raised blood pressure".
I also liked pages 29 – 30 under the heading "Old age". "As we get older, the likelihood of developing lymphoedema grows. This may have something to do with an increasing lack of mobility, but it is also likely that, like most things in our body, the lymph system does not improve with age, just as the heart does not pump as effectively as we get older".
We are also having a heatwave and we have had practically two months of no rain. It is so hard trying to keep the flowerbeds watered in the large grounds here and the grass is turning brown. This weather is dangerous and not much fun. I cannot believe the number of people sprawled out on the Exmouth beach for hours on end.
What books are you reading these days? I thought of you yesterday when I was watching a programme entitled "Meet the author" when a well known historian who also write fiction was talking about her latest historical novel. I cannot remember the exact title, but it was something to do with Jane Seymour. I think it may be called Jane Seymour, the gentle Queen. As for me, I am reading, or trying to read, the novel by the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, entitled The Heart Goes Last. I sued to read all of her novels years ago, but I do not read fiction much any more.
I have just bought a book entitled Understanding Venous Reflux – the cause of varicose veins and venous leg ulcers by Professor Mark S Whiteley MS FRCS (Gen). It is very informative.
I am also reading Human Wrongs – British social policy and the universal declaration of human rights by T J Coles.
"Human rights are not an aspiration but a demand. Time Coles is reminding us how many are denied these rights and who is to blame – essential information in our continuing struggle" Ken Loach.
I listened to the author being interviewed and knew this was a book I had to read. It is sometimes good to get the mind off cancer.
I do hope you will have an enjoyable weekend and that you will be able to do something that you enjoy.
Love.
Sylvia xxxx
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Greetings,
If anyone needs a little cheering up today, this is a fun "Carpool Karaoke," featuring Paul McCartney: Even if you just watch bits of it, it should give you a laugh.
Pam
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Thanks Pam
For posting the video! It was great to see Sir Paul, I did smile and laugh, but by the time "ob-la-di, ob-la-da" came around I was crying emotional tears. Then brought out of it by "Love Me Do", one of my old faves. Takes me back!
Have a uneventful oncologist visit!
Talk soon, love, Mary
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Hi Susie,
Glad your first Doctaxel is under your belt, and I hope you don't get any numbness in extremities.
I am also glad you had the pleasure of saying bye-bye to the district nurses who left you waiting and didn't show up. I'm also glad your head chemo nurse is so good, that is very reassuring when you go to get infusions.
Summertime and the living is easy......it is a great song, I like Janis Joplin's version. However, here summertime also means hot, humid weather, and lots and lots of bugs. Last night I got home about 9:00 PM and was ready to relax in the AC, but I walked past my Japanese maple tree, and noticed it was covered with the much-hated Japanese Beetles we have been inundated by for a couple of years now. As a rule, I don't like to spray toxins around, but I keep a bottle of "safer" pesticide just for these little unwanted guests. The option is to use a natural spray I made myself that didn't work, or stand outside with my large shop-vacuum and just suck them all into it. It works but it's time-consuming, hot work, the tree is not small anymore.
Speaking of that, I better go outside while it's still just very warm and check things out.
I hope you have smooth sailing throughout the Docetaxel!
Talk soon, love, Mary
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Mary. Do you have District Nurses in the US?
Very unusually, summertime means hot, humid weather here too at the moment. It started about a month ago and shows no sign of letting up. It dawned on me today that the fans in my sitting room and study are aggravating my hay fever so I can choose being hot or eyes streaming, which is a no brainer. At least with my wig off, I get cooling via the scalp!
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Sunday’s are always the worst for me Pam. Woke up to a cold dreary day and now I have a big smile on my face😊 you are an absolute star!!!!❤️
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Thanks Mary and Kath, I'm so glad you liked it! It made me laugh and cry, too.
Pam
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just what I needed! Was in that dark place and it cheered me right up. Especially when he said he had a dream about his mum! Love Paul
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Hi, Susie
Here we have Home Health Nurses, I suppose that's close to a district nurse? They came by after my husband's knee surgery, and then later when it became infected, and then even later when he would have frequent edema and breathing problems. Basically the patient still needs care but the hospital wants them out of their expensive bed! We had good experiences and some not-so-good with the nurses.
May I ask why the District Nurse was visiting you?
Sorry you are having unusual heat. I was out in it a lot yesterday, and my allergies were very active too by the time I came in to take a shower. I don't think I could survive without AC, everyone here has it. Most people, including me, grew up without it; we had one fan in our house but our parents never used it because you know, one of us kids might cut off our fingers!
Love, Mary
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Hi, Sylvia
June was uncomfortable month for me, my left leg especially was covered with cuts and bruises, mostly due to my own carelessness. I think I am lucky my leg wound didn't keep progressing, the wound is now healed but still has a red patch around it, it has been over a month since it occurred. I suppose advancing age has something to do with it, I was also told that the blood flow in one's lower legs is not as good as other parts of the body, and varicose veins would make that worse.
I wonder why our livers can regenerate but other parts of our body cannot?
The book you are reading on lymphedema does sound interesting. I find I read most of my medical info online these days. Yes, there are hysterical websites that are alarmist, but also all of the major hospitals, the government information, almost any respected expert on nutrition, disease prevention, and almost any other subject is there if one searches. And there are several doctors, "experts", that send out daily or weekly or monthly newsletters that I have signed up for, they appear in my inbox. I seem to be running out of room in my house for actual books, my bookcases are all full with loved books and medical books and cookbooks and travel books.
Right now I am started on an older book, it is called Bull Cook and Authentic Historical Recipes and Practices. It is copyrighted 1968, and I got it at a yard sale. It is very interesting, combining ancient history, more modern history, and recipes, and the recipes are as the first people to create them prepared them. He does substitute today's ingredients, such as chicken instead of pigeon. Just opening the book at random, and here is a section on "Eggs Adrian", Adrian was Pope of the RC Catholic Church in 867, he was the last of the married Popes. There are several paragraphs on his life, and then his egg recipe, which sounds disgusting to me, but it's all quite interesting. The book also talks about where all our foods originated, pasta came from China to Italy, thank you Marco Polo. Potatoes, tomatoes, squash and many other foods all came to Europe from the New World. This is all written in an entertaining manner, and there are many illustrations as well. I'm finding it very enjoyable.
When we bought our farm about 25 years ago, I found a treasure trove of books in the back of an old outbuilding. Most of them were heavily damaged by rain, animals and insects. I salvaged some and my husband built a small bookcase for me. Last week I pulled out a volume of writings by Aristotle that was among the salvaged books. I thought I might wade through it a bit at a time too, it has such a long introduction I am still making my way through that.
I looked up the book you are reading "Human Wrongs" on Amazon, there is a short blurb on it. Sounds like T.J. Coles is talking about many of the problems of all of the first-world countries, who are coming up short taking care of their own citizens in part because of the influx of people from the third-world countries, who are trying to escape tyranny, poverty, hunger, disease, drug gangs and so on. There is also a lot of government waste and misspent funds, no argument there. T.J. Coles sounds quite idealistic, I wish the people of the third-world countries could find a way to make their own countries into better places to live, but it seems not much happens on that front.
I'm sorry about your unusual hot spell and lack of rain, we are possibly going to get some rain today to break the heat wave, but heat will be back next week, possibly tomorrow already. Not a fan of this weather, I find it exhausting to be out in it for very long, even in the shade.
Have a good Sunday, talk to you soon, love,
Mary
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Hi All,
It seems many of us are suffering from heatwaves. Where I live in California, it is also way too warm....and windy. So my seasonal allergies are also acting up.
I am going to hop on BART (similar to subway train) and meet friends in San Francisco for lunch and a visit to an art gallery. It is always about 20 degrees cooler in the city, so that will be nice.
Mary-I hope July is kinder to your legs, and I’m glad the wound on your leg is healing. How fun to come across so many old books! As a retired teacher, I have always loved to read. Recently, I have mostly been reading light, fiction, fluff. The kind of books I can finish reading in a couple of days, but at least keeps my brain functioning. LOL
Pam-Thank you for the video! I love Paul!
Hope everyone has a great day!
Mo
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Mary, I have a PICC line in my arm to administer the chemo and the District Nurses were supposed to some and flush and dress it on the two weeks out of three that I wasn't having chemo, to avoid the danger of blood clots. As I say, they kept failing to turn up so it's far less stressful for me to go and get it done at the hospital which is only one stop on the subway.
We don't tend to have domestic AC, for obvious reasons, though most businesses, shops, theatres etc now do. Sometimes I just go and stand in a supermarket for 10 mminutes to cool down.
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Hello everyone,
This thread is getting busier and it's nice to know about different facilities available to overcome this disease.
Sylvia right now I am fine after my treatment but for my neuropathy in my hands and feet. I get tired easily but try to remain active.
Mary ,hope you are fine and the problem with your leg is alright.
Here the monsoon season has started and it's much cooler.
Best wishes to all.
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Hello everyone,
I have just been reading through all the posts since Pam posted the video. It was very enjoyable and took me back many years when England was a very different country. Thank you for cheering us all up, Pam.
I was glad to see that you have all been communicating. I cannot answer them all individually but I enjoyed reading them.
Monica, as a former teacher and a great reader, I was interested in the fact that you were a retired teacher. What did you teach?
Kath, I do hope you will try to relax and not to worry too much. Worrying has nothing positive about it and it just wears a person out. How is your work going?
Jags, I am glad that you are enjoying the great mixture that there is on the thread.
Mary, I do hope everything will work out well for you. We do seem to have periods of stress with things happening one after the other. I have found things getting on my nerves since that flu jab last October when it seemed to set off a series of events with the lymphoedema in the right arm, then the appearance of a strange mole and all the distress of that, and I have just found that it has all taken up a lot of my time and has not been very satisfactory.
The recent hot spell has not helped and I am just longing for it to be over. When I look back on my life I do wonder how I ever coped with the heat when living in certain parts of France, not to mention three years in the south of Morocco and seventeen years in Canada with extreme cold and extreme heat and plenty of bugs that liked to feast on me. I think that Devon is probably one of the nicest parts of England in which to live, although after sixteen plus years here, I do not feel like a Devonian!!
Mary, I shall comment on that book by TJ Coles, Human Wrongs, when I have read it. I was very impressed by him when I saw him being interviewed about it on the television. At the moment I am trying to read Understanding Venous Reflux, which makes me realise how much is misunderstood about varicose veins and things connected with them. That book is by Professor Mark S Whiteley.
I also have an up to date book entitled Breast Cancer – an effective guide to managing and treating breast cancer using natural healing remedies by Mari C Alvarez. It is not a long book.
You will be interested to know that there is a new book on breast cancer coming out in September 2018 entitled The complete guide to Breast Cancer by Professor Tricia Greenhalgh and Dr Liz O'Riordan.
The trouble for me is trying to find the time to read them.
We had a little rain yesterday but nothing much. The heat has continued today.
I hope I have not forgotten anyone.
Happy Canada Day to our Canadian friends and a Happy July 4th on Wednesday for our American friends.
Best wishes to all.
Sylvia xxxx
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Hi, Monica
I think my seasonal allergies have become year-round, I take an allergy shot but can't tell they make much of a difference.
I've never been to San Francisco, I've heard it's usually cool there. Hope you had a great time! You must be feeling well, you're not very far from your last days of chemo so it's great you are feeling up to getting out and about, its' such a great distraction from the worries of our daily lives. Are you still doing a lot of walking?
I love books too, to me a house without books is lacking. My problem is there are so many physical books that I love and I can't get rid of, so I have to force myself to go through them once in a while and do some weeding out by donating them. So I can add more of course! I have just a few first editions, I keep my eyes open for them if I am at a sale of some kind. Haven't done that in a while though.
Glad you are feeling well, love, Mary
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