If only I had known this earlier
Almost every member of our cancer support group has a story to tell about their diagnosis and...
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If Only
Swimming despite central line
Nearly 12 months ago I had a Hickman line fitted for salvage chemo aimed at stem cell transplant. I discovered afterwards that I shouldn’t swim or even splash around in a swimming pool with my grandchildren nor do exercise which...
Read MoreLooking after nails
Painting nails during chemotherapy When I went to my first chemotherapy session, the nurse looked at my nails and said: “You know, if you paint your finger and toe nails the darkest colour you can bear, your nails may not fall...
Read MoreDental care
I happened to visit my dentist shortly before starting chemotherapy, so I mentioned this fact to her. She gave me a lot of good advice re mouth care and some special toothpaste to use all the time I was on chemo. As a result I...
Read MoreCoping with hair loss
Many people lose some or all of their hair during chemotherapy treatment. Hats, scarves, turbans, wigs – there’s a lot of choice, both to keep warm and avoid being stared at. Living Tree members coped as follows: Scarves and...
Read MoreTietze’s syndrome
I had breast cancer 2 years ago. Six months later I had a new pain at the front… I was seen at the hospital by one of the breast team who recognised it straight away as Tietze’s syndrome – inflammation of the cartilage between...
Read MoreScar tissue
When I had my lumpectomy plus level 2 clearance of lymph nodes under one arm, I finished up with a very raggedy, tight feeling scar which I am now told may be contributing to my lymphoedema. None of the doctors ever said that it...
Read MoreNausea caused by tamoxifen
The first few weeks of taking my daily dose of tamoxifen I felt sick most of the day. I asked the oncologist. He recommended taking half the dose in the morning and the other half at night. I did this and the nausea went away....
Read MoreBreast lymphoedema
I had to have a lumpectomy and a partial (level 2) lymph node clearance. The affected breast almost doubled in size right after the operation. Initially I was told some swelling was to be expected. When the swelling didn’t...
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