Tag Archives: From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

The Books That Have Changed Me – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Books are powerful aren’t they? They give instant access to great minds from numerous centuries, experiences beyond our reach and limitless knowledge. 

As a doctor I find psychology fascinating, and thought manipulation, together with the powerful instincts driving human behaviour. So naturally George Orwell’s Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-four influenced me tremendously. Having volunteered for the Spanish Civil War, Orwell saw first-hand how politics and power-wrangles ultimately controlled and re-wrote history. His experience when the faction he had been fighting for was made the convenient scape-goat for the emerging winners was surely a major inspiration for his books, and through sharing his insights, he made me aware of the lies and mind games we are exposed to every day – sadly often from mainstream media. 

Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed explores fascinating aspects of the human psyche too – such as why even educated intelligent people will cling to a blatantly false belief – because being proved wrong is more intolerable than most people realise. He warns of the ubiquity of false memory and the dangers this poses when relying on crime witnesses. Interesting for me, he also explores ‘blame culture’ and how it often leads medical errors to be suppressed, thus losing the opportunities to learn from them, in contrast with the more open investigations of aviation disasters.

Also dealing with the psyche, a book I reviewed for Frost – Offline explains how social media utilises our brains’ release of dopamine – the pleasure/addiction hormone, to draw us in, and how our views and perceptions can be, and are, manipulated using simple psychological principles. This important read continues to influence how I use social media.

My daughter introduced me to Japanese Manga. I particularly love The Drops of God – how a famous wine expert posthumously encourages his estranged son to learn about fine wines – and guess what? You learn too as you read – what would you like to know about Margaux, Amarone, Dom Perignon? It’s all in the story and I know a lot more about fine wines now than I did. I just need to work out how to afford some of them – maybe another book will help with that?

When I found myself struggling with breast cancer, I knew I had to write a book to help others who didn’t have my medical knowledge. But how to write a book? I had no idea. Eventually I discovered The Writer’s Springboard: An Exploration of the Essentials of Fiction Writing by Margaret Graham – and at the other end of it – the guru herself.  Through this book, and her tutorials, Margaret gave me the tools to write my book, which definitely changed my life in so many ways.

But I can’t mention Margaret Graham without commenting on her incredible list of novels – under both her own name and her pen-names, Millie Adams and Annie Clarke. Margaret is a best-selling author because she sucks you in. You don’t read, you experience. She hasn’t worked in a coal mine, or braved the dreadful cold on a canal boat, or built her home from scratch in the Australian out-back, or struggled in the middle of a war-zone (well actually … but that’s another story) – but she has that talent of making you feel the experience. So now I feel like I’ve done all these things too – and these ‘experiences’, albeit from the comfort of the sofa, inevitably change one, don’t you think?

So what books changed your life?

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

 

Spoil Yourself – Enjoy the Pleasure of Essential Oils by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Last month I wrote about Puressential essential oils – some of which are sold for therapeutic uses, to treat insomnia, head lice infestations and joint pains.

 

This month I was sent a lovely travel pack of Aromatherapy minis by Scentered which I am keen to share with you (well, not literally  – they’re mine, all mine, but I will share the experience with you until you get your own – which I would recommend.)

Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants and it is believed that just smelling them can have positive effects on us, including changing our mood.  There have been a number of scientific studies, including EEG (brainwave) and imaging studies, which support this theory. So if you are feeling down, stressed, in need of inspiration or focus, why not give aromatherapy products a try? They may help and certainly smell amazing.

Scentered’s main products, which are 100% pure, are solid sticks of balm – a blend of moringa and shea butters to ensure a non-greasy finish, as well as long-lasting fragrance delivery. These are infused with different combinations of essential oils, in a handy twist-up container, which you can rub on pressure points such as the temples, neck and wrist.

Essential oils are often used to help sleep problems – the scourge of modern living. Scentered Sleep Essentials Set combines a balm stick, infused with Palmarosa, Lavender and Ylang ylang, with a silk eye-mask. Candles, scented with these and other relaxing plant oils are also available.

The first thing which hit me, when I opened the mini travel pack, was the amazing smell, which is quite addictive. The set, which is light and compact, contains five different balm sticks – each claiming to enhance your mood in different ways:

‘Be Happy’ for when you need a little cheering-up

‘De-stress’ – the clue’s in the title

‘Focus’ – to help concentration

‘Escape’ – for inspiration (I’m wearing it as I write this)

‘Sleep well’ – again, it speaks for itself

Scentered recommend you use these balms with breathing and mindfulness techniques for maximum benefit.

In this modern world of constant stimulation of 24 hour emails and social media, a little time out with yourself and some beautiful and powerful natural perfumes can do you more good than you may realise. Treat yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

 

 

Words for the Wounded Independent Author Book Award 2016 results

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Words for the Wounded Independent Author Book Award 2016

Words for the Wounded Independent Author Book Award 2016 results:

This year’s competition has been an amazing experience. We received cookery books, self-help books, memoirs, young adult fiction, crime, romance – you name it, we enjoyed it. Remember that every penny of the entry fee goes to the wounded, because as you all know by now, the administrators personally absorb all costs.

Our judge, Felicity Trew of the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency also had a high old time reading your work. Finally, after much thought and discussion the top three emerged.
Why were these chosen?

Perhaps what any judge is groping for is to find an author writing with a confidence born of practise, endless practise. This practise was evident in the winners. Surely each book had been written, then re-written, and then again,with the authors twisting and turning the words, and the images they were trying to create, until they achieved balance. Balance? Well, between pace, rhythm, tension, show not tell, and closely edited text.

In our winner, especially, there was a surety, and a ‘voice’, and that undefinable difference that makes a book, whether a non-fiction, a cookery book, a memoir, or a novel unputdownable.
It’s always a tough call, but one that has to be made. Bravo to the winners.

Over the next three days we will be publishing more about the winning authors and their novels, and the judge’s remarks. Tomorrow we will be concentrating on our 1st Place winner, the next day 2nd place, and then 3rd place. Tune in and have a look.


Results.

 

1st place

 

From both ends of the stethoscope: getting through breast cancer by a doctor who knows. By Dr Kathleen Thompson.

 

2nd place

 

The Man Who Didn’t Go To Newcastle by Alison Clink

 

3rd place


The Secret of Skara Vhore, by Jennifer M Calder

 

Highly Commended

 

Food for Thought David Croft

We’ve come to take you Home Susan Gandar

1066 What Fates Impose EK Holloway

The Spirit of London Rob Keeley

Buckinghamshire Spies and Subversives D.J. Kelly

Dead Man’s Legacy Marion Leigh

Requiem for Private Hughes Chip Tolson

Do Not Forget me Quite Richard Pike

Le-Jog-ed Robin Richards

 

Commended

 

Traditional Kurdish Food Ala Barzinji

Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers Tim Bradley

Transform Your Communication Skills Steve Bridger

The Pomegranate Ring Simon Brian Cartlidge

The Father’s House Larche Davies

The Politician’s Daughter Marion Leigh

Little Hoglet’s Christmas Richard Middleton

Blackberry Promises Jan Moran Neil

 

 

We will be featuring the judge’s reviews of the top three, and tell you more about the authors over the next few days.

 

 

New Self Help Book on Breast Cancer Released

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From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr. Kathleen Thompson book review, health, breast cancer,From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows   by Dr Kathleen Thompson

ISBN: paperback: 978-0-9935083-0-1  ebook: 978-0-9935083-1-8

Published by Faito Books

Cancer cells appear in everyone’s body much of the time, and more than one in three of us will experience some form of cancer during our lives. 

One of the commonest of these is breast cancer.

So what is breast cancer? What is cancer come to that?

What is it like to have breast cancer?

Cancer cells are usually destroyed by our immune system – but sometimes they breach these defences, and we get cancer – why?

What can we do to prevent this?

 Actually there are lots of simple things we can do to avoid cancer in the first place, and to give ourselves the best chance of recovering completely.

This is a non-fiction autobiographical, self-help book written by a doctor who has had breast cancer. Sharing her own experiences, the author takes the reader through the raw emotions associated with having cancer and needing to face one’s own mortality.

Always referring to her own cancer journey, with all its highs and dips, she helps the reader understand what they will experience during the treatment.

She explains the various medical consultations, tests and procedures, and the different treatment options, and how to make the best treatment choices.

She uses her personal experiences of things going wrong to illustrate how to deal with such circumstances, including coping with problems as an in-patient, and challenging incorrect medical decisions.

She deals with the post-treatment period, and what to do if the cancer comes back.

Alternative therapies are discussed, and, importantly, advice is given on how to distinguish credible research, and genuine therapies, from quackery.

Finally that all important question is answered – what can we do to protect ourselves against cancer?

Biography: Dr Kathleen Thompson

Kathleen is a doctor, specialising in pharmaceutical drug research.

A few years ago her life changed completely, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This became the inspiration for her first book.

She writes medical contributions for Frost e-Magazine and has authored various scientific research publications through her career.

She has two long-suffering children, who patiently tolerate their mother’s crazy projects, and rescue her from frequent IT catastrophes.

She has a passion for ballroom dancing and enjoys adventures. She has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, walked the Camino de Santiago (500 miles) and cycled the mountains of Kerala, and also through Rajasthan.  During two of these activities she raised funds for Women v Cancer –which provides funding for three cancer charities, including Breast Cancer Care.

 

 

Inflammatory Breast Cancer by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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breast cancer, cancer, information on breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer

Have you read Heidi Loughlin’s blog? Heidi is a young mother who has breast cancer.

She was pregnant when diagnosed, so treatment was started with chemotherapy drugs which were relatively safe for her unborn baby. The birth was to be brought forward, when she would switch to more effective drugs.

However her cancer progressed quickly, requiring an earlier delivery than planned, to allow Heidi to start Herceptin treatment sooner. Devastatingly, her baby daughter died shortly after the birth, just before this Christmas.

Heidi has inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Although rare  (1-4% of all breast cancers), it is important for two reasons— (1) it grows and spreads rapidly and (2) the appearance may mimic infection or injury (often there is no lump), and so breast cancer may be overlooked and life-saving treatment delayed.

IBC invades the breast skin, and blocks the lymph vessels within it. It tends to spread in sheets, rather than forming a lump.

This results in an unusual picture. The lymph blockages cause fluid build-up, so the skin swells and discolours, and hair follicles enlarge, forming multiple pits. The resulting skin resembles that of an orange (and is called ‘peau d’orange’).

However this classical appearance isn’t always seen either.

The breast may become red, hot and swollen, resembling infection, and if ‘mastitis’ doesn’t respond to antibiotics, IBC should be considered urgently.

Sometimes the skin appears bruised, or ridges or welts appear. There may be ulceration. Sometimes the nipple inverts or leaks fluid/blood, and there may be enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit or collar bone area.

If any of these changes occur, you must see a doctor without delay.

Because there may be no lump, and because it often occurs in younger women, with denser breast tissue, it may not be picked up on a mammogram.

Biopsy of the affected skin is key to diagnosis. AS IBC spreads early, PET or CAT scans of the body, and bone scans will also be needed.

The outlook for IBC used to be very poor. It is still not as good as for other breast cancers, but with modern treatment it has improved, and recent genetic research has yielded potential new hope.

Chemotherapy is usually started before surgery. Afterwards a full mastectomy is generally needed, removing more body tissue than normal, including armpit lymph nodes. Breast reconstruction isn’t normally possible until later on.

Radiotherapy follows surgery, then often more chemotherapy. If the cancer is HER2 positive, Herceptin will be given. If it is sensitive to female hormones, anti-oestrogens, either tamoxifen or an aromatase-inhibitor, such as letrozole will be prescribed.

Treating any cancer during pregnancy involves balancing risks to baby and mother, and, as in Heidi’s case, can involve bitter disappointments.

If you notice any unusual and persistent changes in your breast—not necessarily a lump, you must see your doctor without delay. Unless there is a good explanation for the changes, you should be referred to a breast clinic. Do push for this if you are concerned.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q

Further information:

http://storminatitcup.blogspot.co.uk/2015_12_01_archive.html

http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/ibc-fact-sheet

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/breast-cancer/about/types/inflammatory-breast-cancer

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/101/19/1302.full

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice