Newsroom

Cancer patients who`ve previously had to travel for their treatment can now be treated near home, thanks to the newly opened Day Chemotherapy Unit at Caboolture Hospital. 🚗🏥

One of those patients affected is Andrew, who had previously been driving to and from North Lakes for his treatments before the unit opened late last year.

“Being five minutes away means my wife can drop me off and pick me up after treatment and I am home quickly,” Andrew says, attesting to the positive difference the unit has made.

“My cancer diagnosis has changed what is important in life.

"It’s spending as much quality time with my wife, daughter and stepson, not wasting my energy on things that aren’t important and living my life as normally as I can.” ...

As the Hyperbaric Medical Service (HMS) at RBWH clock up their 50,000th patient, we`re learning they treat more than just divers with `the bends`. 🤿

The HMS crew provide oxygen therapy in a state-of-the-art hyperbaric chamber, (one of the largest in the southern hemisphere) with only eight percent of patients treated for decompression illness.

They also manage people with radiation injuries, serious soft tissue infections, and chronic wounds like patient Gordon, by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood to aid recovery. 🫁🩸

Gordon`s hospital journey started in November, and he is experienced in the HMS process, having more than 35 `dives` under his belt.

"The feeling during the dive is quite remarkable, a little bit like a wine buzz without the ill effects," he laughs.

"It`s a similar concept to what is felt on a plane flight, but in reverse here in the cabin.

"Oxygen therapy makes a tangible difference; it`s amazing how much your whole body feels the enhanced effects of an oxygenated blood supply, including a heightened ability at solving puzzles while in the chamber.

"Technology is amazing, and I feel like the treatment has helped." ...

"I used to love reading a good murder mystery and sewing my own clothes. We didn`t have kids of our own, but I made all the clothes for myself and our three great-nieces. These days it`s puzzles and code crackers that keep my brain going; it`s good because you can pick them up and put them back down. I was a telephonist with Telstra from 1966 until the 90`s and used to socialise often. I still enjoy visiting friends with my husband; it`s important to mix around with others and find a day each week to get out and be social."

💭 Monday Mantra, Coral, 79, Ward 1C Patient at TPCH 🧩🧵🔍🦋. ...