Visitors Recommended uses of Microwavable Heat Packs

I have what is called a 'herbal buddy' , which is a bag filled with rice, can be heated in microwave or put in freezer, whichever you need. On the mornings before IV infusion, I heat it up before I leave home, keep it on hand and arm, then re-heat when I reach cancer center. The nurses can always find a vein in hand now, before there was a lot of slapping and digging going on!! OUCH

Merry Holley

I had terrible problems at first with phlebitis from the pamidronate infusion, so this is now my routine:

Before an IV is inserted, the nurses always give me warm packs for both top and bottom of my hand, wrist, and lower arm. Then I keep using one over the vein all during the infusion.

At home I use a heating pad on the vein for the next 48 hours, 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off whenever I'm awake.? The nurses also have me drink lots of fluids for a couple of hours before the IV is started. This helps, too.

I've now had many pamidronate treatments and have had no vein problems since we started doing it this way

Red Keddy

The other day I was reminded of something that has really comforted & helped my sister Sue thru her whole ordeal of surgery, chemo, high dose chemo, and now radiation.... It's totally silly sounding, but she highly recommends it! Sue takes her rice bag to bed with her...!

My other sister Lynn makes these bags on her serge sewing machine, but they can be made with a regular sewing machine by stitching each seam twice - or even by hand if you can get someone with the patience to make small enough hand stitches!

Basically, it is a large bean bag type item - but filled with long grain white rice  and sweet spices. The unique - and salubrious nature of this item - is that you put it in the microwave oven for approximately 3 minutes ( + or - depending on the wattage of your microwave) just before going to bed at night or for a nap... then hold it's soothing warmth against you - your incision area; sore muscles; achy bones; where-ever. It retains the heat for at least 45 minutes. Sue just found it very comforting. She gives it a one minute tune up in the micro sometimes if she doesn't fall asleep right away.

One time I dropped in on her unannounced during her HDC when she was getting a transfusion for low hemoglobin, and when she saw me, she just started crying, saying, "It hurts!" so pitifully and sad that I wanted to cry too... I asked if she'd told the nurse & she said yes, but nothing helped. As I had just dropped by to quickly sneak some Easter decorations into her room (since she had indicated she wasn't wanting visitors at all at that miserable point in her treatment) I hadn't robed up or disinfected my hands - so couldn't stay - but told her I'd see what I could do. On my way out, I stopped at the nurses station and asked if there was anything they could do for her... the nurse said they'd "already heated the transfusion bag for her".. and, somewhat petulantly said "there's nothing else we can do..." I just looked her straight in the eye and said slowly, "She's in p-a-i-n!"; poignantly turned on my heal and walked out. The next day, Sue said right after I left, The nurse came back to her, smoothed her pillows, put another pillow under her arm and asked her where her rice bag was... heated it for her... and arranged it around the hurty arm.... and it made her feel much better - in fact - content and sleepy for the rest of the transfusion!!

 

Some Good looking and effect moist heat wrap to bring you quick comfort

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