Some advice re treating cancer patient

[Alan Alda]

I'd love some advice from anyone with experience in treating cancer patients. I qualified last year and although I've treated paliatively, this particular case has some issues I'm unsure about.

He is a 66 year old man. 6 weeks ago he was operated on for prostate cancer. They have now discovered a slow-growing tumour in his lung which is a totally separate cancer, not a metastasis. As a result of the prostate operation he then got a plumonary thrombosis. He is now being treated daily with anti-clotting drugs and the clots have dispersed.
His wife would like me to give him some reflexology to prepare him for the chemo for the lung cancer. I've explained to her that any sort of thrombosis is contra-indicated. however if the clots have dispersed then perhaps it's ok. I would do a very very light treatment, just 20 minutes or so in order to relax him and work gently on his immune system. This is where I always get nervous...should I work gently his lung area?? Prostate? Adrenals for stress and the anxiety of such a shocking and unexpected diagnosis.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Hopefull]

Are you working under the guidance of the palliative care team or oncology department? You could ask them. If you are able to treat, then stick to basic relaxation and don't worry about working particular reflexes.

 

[Lloyd]

Thanks Jabba. No, he's a neighbour so there's no background support team for me and his wife has asked me to treat him at home.

 

[lakwatsa]

I work for a cancer charity and we have our own guidelines that are based on those by the Foundation for Integrated Health.

http://www.fih.org.uk/information_library/publications/health_guidelines/complementary.html

You can download them from the link above.

The usual recommendation is not to work over reflex points relating to areas where there are tumours. Sometimes I just hold the area gently to pass on some positive energy.

Don't work too hard - a gentle treatment usually works best for cancer patients.

 

[Parker : )]

Thanks very much for that - I've just sat and read it all at this early hour in the morning and it's extremely informative and helpful. Helped me to focus on the other issues he will be dealing with aside from the physical. Anyway, I'm treating him today so I'll report back on how it went. Thanks, Amanda