HI again Thanks for the tips about Biotene products - we found them at the chemists. It is a week tomorrow since the first cycle of chemo (gemcitabine + carboplatin) and she only started getting the sore mouth yesterday. The mets in her neck are giving her a lot of grief and it is hoped that the chemo and next course of radiation (starting next thurs x 5 days straight) will get the pain under control. She linked in to the home based palliative service just over a week ago and they have been absolutely wonderful. As expected the nausea is overwhelming her, but they've had her on a syringe driver with sub-cut dosage of maxolon over 24hrs, which seems to be keeping it at bay. She pops a zofran wafer just before eating but has still had trouble keeping anything down. She managed to get half her brekky and most of dinner in today which is great. She also had her first 'normal' day without any medical appts etc and watched her grandaughter (sister-in-law's daughter) win a couple of ribbons at the local equestrian gymkhana today. Was great to see a smile on her face, albeit a pain lined one. We've also come across some magic heat pads, by accident more than anything. You get them from chemists - the brand is Hotteeze. About $21 for a pack of 12 and you get about 10-12hrs heat from one pad. You peel the backing off and stick them to your singlet (or on some fabric eg tea towel for using around the neck or other awkward areas) - absolutely marvellous! The heat along with the break through meds and arthritis cream all seem to help. We saw the Nurofen heat pads and tried one of those, but they don't work as well as the Hoteeze ones. We also tried the Elastoplast heat pad, which is a massive one about three times the size of the Hoteeze. It is activated by capsicum/cayenne pepper and works really well!! Great for the lower back where her large secondary met is, but not so good lying on one's back with it on, as it generates too much heat when compressed. Prior to chemo starting last Monday, she was having acupuncture twice a week, which she was getting a lot of benefit from. We're off to see My Fair Lady on Tuesday night, which she's looking forward to. Since her respiration has worsened, she's not able to move around much without getting short of breath and having asthma-like attacks (god bless inhalers). We've been able to loan a wheelchair from the hospital and have sold it to her as a way of getting good seats at the theatre 🐵 She's adamant that she's only staying with us again while she's having treatment and anticipates being able to look after herself again, but the lung cancer coordinator and the family think that she won't be well enough again to be on her own. These asthma-like attacks don't have any pattern to them and have happened at all hours of the day and night, including when she's just sitting/not doing anything. She was hospitalised last week (thankfully in the onco ward, whose nurses are just wonderful) and is very depressed about her sudden loss of independence (it was also the same time she decided she'd have to give up work) and change in lifestyle. The medico jury is still out on the definite cause of these breathing attacks, but they think it is the neck tumour pressing on the nerves around the windpipe... a very scary scenario for her. Better pen off and draw to a close, hope everyone had a great weekend. cheers Zoe
