We Talk Brain Tumours

Hi Nerak - firstly I'm not a non-believer - however I can't say there was anything obvious going on with P's big toe -  the only thing was that he may have had itchiness between the toes and though he didn't appear to have athletes foot it certainly was uncomfortable - since being diagnosed 4 years ago P hasn't had any problems with this itchiness - interestingly he now wears a rigid 'plastic' splint and a sock and shoe all day every day which would encourage atheletes foot but no itchiness - so maybe you think there is more to this that we realised!  Definitely an interesting study - you know P has either a massage or reflexology every week - no matter which he has he usually goes in very down in the mouth and certainly comes out with a spring in his step - there is no way I wouldn't take him for either - I believe there is something in alternative therapies - good luck!

Thanks for your quick reply Mandy

It's great news to hear that your P is having regular reflexology sessions!  I have no doubt that it helps with all manner of things.  Are the sessions booked privately or through a clinic?  There is a hospital here in Cardiff that offers reflexology to cancer patients, all funded by the NHS, its fantastic!! 

I tried to pm you but not very successfully I dont think, it seems you have to add as a friend before you can pm, so I tried that but it wouldnt even let me type more than hello and it sent the request automatically - i even tried this twice!

May I ask what the rigid 'plastic' splint and a sock and shoe are for?  Where toes the splint run from/to?

Thanks again X

Hi Nerak,

Now that is strange, even stranger than my little blond mate from oop north.

Doreen has been going through quite a difficult period for a few months and we are just now awaitng the results of last Friday's scan.

The big toe on her left foot, which is tumour side, blew up, went bright red and then oozed blood one morning, the toenail has got fungus and is now almost off. The GP has prescribed 2 courses of antibiotics, but it doesn't seem to have had much affect and the toe is still red.

She has just finished a long course of anti fungal tablets which seem to have made a difference to the nail's surface, but the infection still appears to be present.

I wonder!!!!  What do you think?

MartynXXXX

Hi Nerak

P has his therapies via a Cancer Support Charity up here in Bury, north of Manchester - it too is free but charity based so they work hard raising funds - patients and relatives are entitled to various therapies - I don't usually have any as a nice cup of coffee and a chat are therapy enough for me - but I do utilize the counsellor who used to be Peter's hospice nurse so she understands our issues far more than most would.  One of the few places P enjoys going. The splint P wears is from his knee to his toes - you see children with cerabral palsey wearing them to keep their limbs supported and straight - P's is badly fitting by the orthotic teams own admission, they say his disability is the hardest for them to control, that he shouldn't be able to walk in the splint, but forever determined P has proved them wrong!  If it wasn't for this wonderful piece of equipment P wouldn't be able to move at all, his foot has no control, the nerves pull it inwards and so he has 3monthly injections of botox to try and relax the muscles in his calf - it works to an extent and helps with the pain - sorry very complex, as per usual!

I'll have a look into the pm thingy - see if I'm more lucky, though I'm sure I won't be.

Martyn - cheeky!!  Be interesting to see how Nerak's survey goes hey? Love to you and Doreen xxxx

Hello Nerak,

I'm also a reflex fan and I'd be really interested in a clinical study. I've often though that if people with 'real' illnesses filled out long questionnaires about that sort of thing but also their physical environment, recent health, favourite foods, you name it. The results, if analyzed correctly might show up interesting correlations. I also wonder if GP's don't see these patterns.

The trouble is anecdotal evidence is it is just too subjective. For example I 'diagnosed' a friend as being pregnant when she hadn't  suspected she was from a sore she had on her big toe! But it was just a lucky guess of course. And how many people have toe problems but no relation to a bt.

A year before diagnosis my partner's left knee suddenly stopped working with a typical sport injury type thing and he is not at all sporty. I have also wondered about a connection. We humans see patterns in everything so drawing conclusions is too difficult without real tests.

Just my random thoughts! Good luck with your investigation. I've known reflexology have quite strong effects and think it is a very good thing to do.

Love,

CHxx

Interesting Nerak I believe in alternative therapies as an adjunct to traditional medicine my daughter had several verucae but as it is common in her age group and the fact that they are viral in origin I dont think that her BT has a connection. Interestingly though she also has developed ingrowing toenails- which frequently become infected -requiring fluclox to treat ,she never had them before but I guess this is as a result of poor peripheral circulation due to the stroke and also the effects of chemotherapy- I would be interested to see if you find any research on a connection. Banana skins are quite helpful to treat ! and also the use of duct tape!

Regards to all Dianne J 

Hi Nerak,

since diagnosis my daughter has had achey feet, she likes them masseged every night to relieve the 'knots'.

Take care honey.

PEABS XXX

Wow! Excellent response, I am glad that my post has been received so well, thank you all for responding – do you think I should create a new Blog/Forum for it? – I don’t want to ‘hog’ this space and have questions for you all!

Yes I think I should, I shall go set up something now and will let you all know where it is........

Much love x

P.s.  Yes please Martyn, can you keep me that seeeet... I shall try & earn my keep!

Ok, have set up a discussion Brain Tumours & Reflexology.....I hope you can find it on this crazy site.  have replied to you on there with some of my thoughts.

X

Just managed to catch up on last posts. Suetoy, so sorry to read about Pete. So much of what you say about his struggles in coming to terms with the increasing need for help sounds so familiar. Hope you and Mandy aren't missing your girls too much.

Martyn please excuse me if I've missed it but have you had the results of Doreen's scan?

This morning's hospital visit went much better than yesterday's. We were away from Nottingham by 9.45 so Paul was in a much sweeter mood. He isn't exactly  nervous about the surgery  but naturally he's not looking forward to it or to being in hospital so we both just want it to be over with.

Love to all,

Susan