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| FREE INFORMATION: |
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| 2nd Cancer Opinion
provides opinions regarding Breast, lung, colon,
prostate and ovarian cancers, lymphomas, melanomas, and other solid
tumors. |
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| *1st 1/2 hour
session is at no additional charge. |
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| Symptom Management: |
Symptom Management
Side Effects of
Treatment
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Pain
Fatigue
Appetite Loss
Bladder Disturbances
Incontinence - Urinary
Bleeding
Constipation
Diarrhea
Dryness of the Mouth
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
Hypercalcemia
Flu-like Syndrome
Hair Loss
Infection
Anemia
Itching
Lymphedema
Menopausal Symptoms
Nausea & Vomiting
Neurological Disturbances
Spinal Cord Compression
Peritoneal Effusions
Shortness of Breath
Skin Conditions
Sleep Problems (Insomnia/Oversleeping)
Sore Mouth
Swallowing
Bone Metastases
Coping
Anxiety
Depression
Grief
Sexuality Issues
Sexual Dysfunction
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| Wound Drainage
Symptom and Description You have an
open sore that is draining fluid. Many open sores drain varying
amounts of clear fluid. This drainage occurs for many reasons.
Sores on your legs and feet drain to relieve fluid pressure. If
there are cancer cells in the sore, the blood vessels around the
sore may become leaky and drain large amounts of fluid. If the
fluid becomes cloudy, you may have an infection. Bloody fluid is
a sign of minor bleeding or tissue damage from rubbing, injury
from dressing changes, or surgery.
Learning Needs You will need to learn the signs and
symptoms of infection and to report to your nurse any of the
following:
- Change in smell, color, amount, or thickness of drainage
- Redness
- Warmth
- Soreness around the wound
- Puffiness or lumpiness of skin around sore
Prevention If it is possible to keep the sore elevated
above the level of your heart, this will help to decrease the
amount of drainage. This is easiest to do when the sore is on an
arm/hand or leg/foot. At night the sore can be kept elevated on
pillows: a gently fastened belt may help keep an arm or leg in
place on the pillow. If you need to sleep on your side, a pillow
tucked against your chest and another against your back may help
keep you from turning out of position.
Limiting the salt in your diet may be helpful. Discuss this
with your doctor. Keep dressings firmly on your sore to keep the
fluid from leaking out.
Management Astringent soaks, such as Domeboro solution,
may help to clean, relieve pain, and decrease drainage from your
sore.
- A tablet/packet is mixed with a pint of tap water. This
solution should be kept covered and stored in a cool spot,
and can be used for 24 hours.
- Three times a day, a clean cloth is soaked with the
solution and placed in the sore for 15 minutes and then
removed.
- A towel can be placed under the body part to absorb any
excess. You will need to put a dressing over the sore to
increase comfort and prevent sticking to the sore. The
dressing needs to be changed when it becomes wet.
Follow-up Notify your nurse if any of the following
occur:
- Any change in the amount of drainage.
- If you are needing to do dressing changes more often.
- If there is any change in the color or odor of the
drainage.
- If there is any bleeding with dressing changes.
- If there is any change in the feeling or appearance of the
skin around the wound.
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