Good Samaritan at WCH
Tuesday, 2 August 2016
Take Responsibility for your life!!
I have met a few odd people over the years. My emotions after encounters with these people can range from laughter, anger, frustration, despair, "face palm" and on and on and on.
The people who drive me up the wall the most are the ones who refuse to take responsibility for themselves. Everything is always everyone else's fault. "Everyone is against me". "No one helps me..... blah blah blah".
Not sure if the flaw was not enough "discipline' as a kid or too much "discipline".
Doctors and nurses are there to help and support. All the time. Each time.
But people need to take responsibility. Find transport. Get your medications and take them. Attend appointments.... on time. Take care of your family members. Parents have taken care of us through our life... come with them for their important appointments and discussions. Support your children regarding difficult decisions.
The only one I can truly change is myself. Let me start with me.
The people who drive me up the wall the most are the ones who refuse to take responsibility for themselves. Everything is always everyone else's fault. "Everyone is against me". "No one helps me..... blah blah blah".
Not sure if the flaw was not enough "discipline' as a kid or too much "discipline".
Doctors and nurses are there to help and support. All the time. Each time.
But people need to take responsibility. Find transport. Get your medications and take them. Attend appointments.... on time. Take care of your family members. Parents have taken care of us through our life... come with them for their important appointments and discussions. Support your children regarding difficult decisions.
The only one I can truly change is myself. Let me start with me.
Infected Breast Implants causing a rare Lymphoma
Macquarie University undertook research and found a link between some infected implants and Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma. This is a rare condition and they found a total of 40 cases in Australia and New Zealand. Interesting read in the ABC site.
Infected Breast Implants causing a rare Lymphoma
Infected Breast Implants causing a rare Lymphoma
Monday, 1 August 2016
Living Longer with Cancer
We are watching people live longer and longer after being diagnosed with cancer. It is either due to early detection of cancer and treatment or due to better treatment options available now. It is super news for each one of us who are working with people with cancer.
There is a good article in the BBC which illustrates this well.
Living Longer with Cancer
There is a good article in the BBC which illustrates this well.
Living Longer with Cancer
How is an InfusaPORT inserted?
We are increasing using InfusaPORTs for chemotherapy, immunotherapy and biological agents. Treatments are used long terms and trying to find an intravenous access is a pain for the patient and the nurse. PICC lines or InfusaPORTs are the way forward.
The issues with an InfusaPORT is that a surgical procedure is required to insert as well as remove it. The advantages are numerous - no need of a dressing or lines sticking out of your arm. Easy to maintain. Needs a flush every 4 - 6 weeks. Cosmetically much better. Chances of infection are much lower.
I have attached a video of an InfusaPORT insertion for your interest.
PICC and InfusaPORT insertion
The issues with an InfusaPORT is that a surgical procedure is required to insert as well as remove it. The advantages are numerous - no need of a dressing or lines sticking out of your arm. Easy to maintain. Needs a flush every 4 - 6 weeks. Cosmetically much better. Chances of infection are much lower.
I have attached a video of an InfusaPORT insertion for your interest.
PICC and InfusaPORT insertion
Sunday, 31 July 2016
New lease of online life
In the past few months, I have had patients come to clinic and tell me - "I googled you and found this paper and this article and on and on". I started asking patients about their online activity and was quite surprised by some of their answers.
Lots and lots of people are online. Even if they struggle to get online themselves, their relatives or friends help them to get information.
The libraries are a fantastic resource for so many in the community, where they get access to the internet for free.
I decided that a website is something worth creating. Spent the past few days setting up a site. It has been a fascinating trip.
www.rohitjoshi.com.au
The Blog would be linked to this website and it would hopefully grow as time goes along.
Thank you for your support and help.
Regards,
Rohit
Lots and lots of people are online. Even if they struggle to get online themselves, their relatives or friends help them to get information.
The libraries are a fantastic resource for so many in the community, where they get access to the internet for free.
I decided that a website is something worth creating. Spent the past few days setting up a site. It has been a fascinating trip.
www.rohitjoshi.com.au
The Blog would be linked to this website and it would hopefully grow as time goes along.
Thank you for your support and help.
Regards,
Rohit
Saturday, 18 June 2016
What is open access for academic papers?
The most comprehensive article I have found about open access issues involving academic research. Ars Technica has really done a great job with this. Well done.
What is open access for academic papers?
What is open access for academic papers?
Sci-HUB: The Pirate Bay of Research Papers
Sci-HUB: The Pirate Bay of Research Papers. Great write-up about Alexandra Elbakyan, who has created a site for academic papers. This is upsetting traditional journal sites, and copyright issues are creating huge issues for the website.
Sci-hub
Sci-hub
Free Research Papers
Great article in the New York Times - SciHUB is buzzing like crazy this year!!
Free Research Papers?
Free Research Papers?
Saturday, 7 May 2016
Life Insurance for Cancer patients
I meet so many people each week who have been diagnosed with cancer, yet have not accessed or discussed about their Superannuation.
In Australia, Super is intended to be kept as as the pension fund. There are special circumstances when Superannuation can be accessed earlier in life.
There are four main components of Insurance:
# Income Protection: Is the patient cannot work for a period of time, they can use their insurance to get a portion of their salary
# Trauma cover: Cancer, Heart attack and Stroke prompt a payout, while patients recover from this condition
# Total and Permanent Disability: a payout is made, when the patient can never return to work ever again (due to the condition)
# Terminal Illness: the final payout is made when the patient has died or has less than 24 months of life remaining
Very important to discuss this with your General Practitioner and Specialist. Having extra money in your bank is one huge stress taken off.
In Australia, Super is intended to be kept as as the pension fund. There are special circumstances when Superannuation can be accessed earlier in life.
There are four main components of Insurance:
# Income Protection: Is the patient cannot work for a period of time, they can use their insurance to get a portion of their salary
# Trauma cover: Cancer, Heart attack and Stroke prompt a payout, while patients recover from this condition
# Total and Permanent Disability: a payout is made, when the patient can never return to work ever again (due to the condition)
# Terminal Illness: the final payout is made when the patient has died or has less than 24 months of life remaining
Very important to discuss this with your General Practitioner and Specialist. Having extra money in your bank is one huge stress taken off.
Monday, 2 May 2016
Best Web Site to verify Herbs and Supplements
The best website I use to verify herbs and supplements is Herbs and Supplements.
I use this site in clinic to help understand and clarify various things which patients and their families query with me. Day to day usage is via their app - About Herbs
Brilliant site - laid out for the Consumer and the Professional.
ps: I have no affiliation to MSKCC.
I use this site in clinic to help understand and clarify various things which patients and their families query with me. Day to day usage is via their app - About Herbs
Brilliant site - laid out for the Consumer and the Professional.
ps: I have no affiliation to MSKCC.
Saturday, 5 March 2016
Cancer patients with partners more likely to live longer than those without
Cancer patients with partners more likely to live longer than those without
Very interesting study from Queensland, published in the ABC site.
Very interesting study from Queensland, published in the ABC site.
Alternative therapists: Is there no law for them?
Alternative therapists: Where is the law for them?
This is a article from The Guardian Australia.
It is so sad to watch men and women who refuse standard treatment and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on therapies which have no basis. Sadly they refuse care and support from doctors, nurses and hospital caregivers.
If anything happens, which is off the norm... it becomes a Coroner's case and the doctor/nurse and hospital are hauled before the courts. When these patients suffer and die under alternative therapies, is there anyone who asks the question about what happened?
This is a article from The Guardian Australia.
It is so sad to watch men and women who refuse standard treatment and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on therapies which have no basis. Sadly they refuse care and support from doctors, nurses and hospital caregivers.
If anything happens, which is off the norm... it becomes a Coroner's case and the doctor/nurse and hospital are hauled before the courts. When these patients suffer and die under alternative therapies, is there anyone who asks the question about what happened?
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Dementia and Cancer
I met a patient recently who has advanced cancer, which is treatment (but not curable). The options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Chemotherapy options include cytotoxic medications and targeted biological agents.
The problem is that the patient also has very advanced dementia and has no understanding of what is going on. The devastation on the family members is just heart-rending. They want to treat their loved one for the cancer, but know that it would prolong the suffering.
Where does informed consent come into the picture?
Where does compassion come?
Where does common sense come?
The art of medicine never ceases to amaze me.
The problem is that the patient also has very advanced dementia and has no understanding of what is going on. The devastation on the family members is just heart-rending. They want to treat their loved one for the cancer, but know that it would prolong the suffering.
Where does informed consent come into the picture?
Where does compassion come?
Where does common sense come?
The art of medicine never ceases to amaze me.
Monday, 2 November 2015
In the Shadow of Death: Life as a Palliative Care Nurse
Simple and clear ABC article about the absolute importance of a Palliative Care Nurse. The emotional toll each nurse undertakes is phenomenal. Hats off to each one around the world.
In the Shadow of Death: Life as a Palliative Care Nurse
In the Shadow of Death: Life as a Palliative Care Nurse
Sunday, 1 November 2015
Cancer killing viruses
The cancer attacking virus is now FDA approved for melanoma. Good drug from a conceptual perspective. Will take time to get better data. Most probably the better idea would be combination therapy (T-VEC along with another immune modulating medication).
This is an article from ArsTechnica.
Cancer killing viruses
This is an article from ArsTechnica.
Cancer killing viruses
Saturday, 24 October 2015
Myths about antioxidant supplements needs to die
The debate goes on. I doubt that people would stop using the alternative stuff... as it has been proven without doubt that evidence does not always change minds!!
Myths about antioxidant supplements need to die
(from Ars Technica)
Myths about antioxidant supplements need to die
(from Ars Technica)
Friday, 23 October 2015
The Joy of a Wrong Diagnosis
Recently a young woman was referred to my clinic. She complained of chest discomfort and occasionally breathlessness for the past 3 - 4 weeks. Her doctor arranged for a Chest Xray, which showed a large mass in the lung. A CT scan showed a massive lung tumour arising from the middle of the chest (mediastinum). She was referred to me with a possible diagnosis of advanced lung cancer.
We repeated arranged for a core biopsy of the large lung mass. And we waited. And waited. And waited. That was the hardest part. The waiting. The reason being that the diagnosis was hard to make.
Everyone was convinced that she had a bad lung cancer or a thymic cancer (both of which do not have a good prognosis).
Amazingly, the pathologist (who I hassled daily for a diagnosis) called me up to tell me that she had a variant of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
I was SO happy to be proven wrong, as she has a very good chance of a cure... not just getting better. But an actual cure.
So good to be proven wrong for the greater good.
We repeated arranged for a core biopsy of the large lung mass. And we waited. And waited. And waited. That was the hardest part. The waiting. The reason being that the diagnosis was hard to make.
Everyone was convinced that she had a bad lung cancer or a thymic cancer (both of which do not have a good prognosis).
Amazingly, the pathologist (who I hassled daily for a diagnosis) called me up to tell me that she had a variant of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
I was SO happy to be proven wrong, as she has a very good chance of a cure... not just getting better. But an actual cure.
So good to be proven wrong for the greater good.
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