When battling cancer, the journey doesn't end with the last treatment session. For many survivors, the aftermath can bring a host of new challenges, including persistent pain that can significantly impact quality of life. This was the reality for Kaylene Stokes, an Ipswich grandmother who, after undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer, was left with debilitating pain down her side that lasted for two years. The discomfort was so severe that it interfered with her daily activities, making it impossible to lie on the affected side or engage in her usual routines.

Doctors initially dismissed her pain, but an MRI later revealed that Stokes was among the approximately 10 percent of cancer patients who suffer from radiation injuries. Facing the prospect of living with this pain indefinitely, Stokes was desperate for a solution that would allow her to reclaim her life.

In her search for relief, Stokes discovered Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), an unconventional treatment that has proven to be her saving grace. HBOT involves spending time in a pressurised chamber where the atmospheric pressure is equivalent to being 14 metres below sea level. Patients breathe in a very high dose of oxygen through a special mask, which saturates their blood and helps direct more oxygen to damaged tissues, encouraging the growth of new blood vessels.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber to accelerate healing. Credit: Wesley Hyperbaric

Dr. Susannah Sherlock, an advocate for the therapy, explains that HBOT works by prompting the body to recognize and heal the injury. 'We're actually healing it by getting the body to recognize that it's been injured,' she said. The treatment requires daily sessions over several weeks, but for Stokes, the commitment paid off. 'It just kept abating all the time and eventually — I virtually have no pain,' she recounted.

In Australia, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is recognized by Medicare and most health insurers for cancer survivors and radiation injuries when conducted at accredited clinics. Wesley Hyperbaric in Queensland is at the forefront of advocating for broader coverage of HBOT, as emerging research suggests it could be beneficial for a wider range of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, long COVID, and traumatic brain injury.

After completing 40 sessions of HBOT, Stokes has experienced a remarkable turnaround. She's not only relieved of the pain that once seemed an inescapable part of her life but is also enjoying activities she thought were lost to her. 'I wouldn't be able to go camping with my kids, now I'm going camping with them, going camping with my grandchildren,' she said. 'I'm back to being me.'

Stokes' story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the potential of innovative medical treatments to transform lives. It's a reminder to all of us, especially those in the over-60s community who may be facing their own health battles, that there are always new avenues to explore in the pursuit of healing and well-being.

For our readers who may be dealing with post-cancer treatment pain or know someone who is, it's worth discussing the possibility of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy with a healthcare provider. While it may not be the right solution for everyone, it could offer a new lease on life for those who, like Stokes, have been searching for a way to alleviate their suffering and return to the joys of their everyday lives.

Key Takeaways

• An Ipswich grandmother, Kaylene Stokes, found relief from debilitating pain after cancer treatment through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
• Stokes suffered from a radiation injury, which occurs in about 10 percent of cancer patients, causing severe pain down her side.
• The treatment, which is covered by Medicare and most health insurers at accredited clinics in Australia, involves spending time in a pressurised room with high-dose oxygen, promoting tissue healing.
• Wesley Hyperbaric is lobbying for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to be more widely covered for additional conditions, as it shows promise for a variety of health issues including long COVID and traumatic brain injury.

We'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Have you or someone you know tried Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or have you found other unconventional methods to manage pain post-cancer treatment? Share your experiences and insights with the Seniors Discount Club community.

 

[deni67]

Thank you for this information, iv'e never heard of it before but it's handy to know as I go into radiation treatment for my bowel cancer and in case I do have these severe side effects.