Chemo
ShellElle
Member Posts: 2 ✭
1
Comments
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Hey @ShellElle - I can't speak for myself, but I can talk a bit about my wife's experience. She's a Clinical Nurse who is currently undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the same drugs as you've mentioned, although she's on a dose dense regime which means she has AC every 2 weeks instead of every 3. Her goal when she started this journey was to get back to work ASAP and so she had to consider whether to use her veins, go for a PICC line or just get a port - if she wanted to return to work a PICC line wouldn't cut it as it would expose her to injury if a patient pulled it or something, so she chose to try her vein for the first round.Unfortunately it turns out that her veins are very thin and quite deep so the Oncology team had a really hard time getting the cannula in and caused quite a lot of pain and bruising and also ended up suggested getting a port. Anyway, we talked about it to our coordinator and she said it would be for the best, so we ended up going private and having a power port inserted. Sadly we couldn't get in for that procedure before her second treatment, so she had to endure another cannulation and it was even harder than the first time, so much so that it was the first time I'd seen her cry during any of the treatment. Luckily enough we got the port put in just in time for her 3rd round (literally the day before) and it was an absolute game changer. Getting the port wasn't anywhere near as difficult as we thought it'd be and she pulled through that procedure really well and has now just completed her 4th round with minimal pain and fuss. It was almost too easy compared to the first few rounds.I'm not an expert and of course I don't know your financial or personal circumstances, but I can tell you that getting a port has been one of the best decisions we've made so far and I would encourage you to not rule it out without at least exploring the option.All the best to you and your family as you navigate this journey - please remember that you're not alone ❤️3
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Thanks for your feedback! I'm sorry your wife had to endure that pain! I just wish I could get past this fear and have the port. At the end of the day, if they tell me my veins are not working I will obviously go and do it. I am just so afraid! It's the first time I've felt proper afraid throughout this process!1
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Of course, no worries at all. Is there something specific that is scaring you, or just the thought of going through the process of getting the port?We've met a few friends during this journey, including another nurse who actually works with my wife and who was diagnosed with lymphoma literally the same week that my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. She also decided to get a port and agrees that it was a very worthwhile decision. From what I've seen and read of others it seems like it's very rare to regret getting one done although I'm sure there are plenty of other people on this forum who can offer their personal experiences and you can always talk to a Breast Care Nurse or one of your team to get the pros and cons.Whichever way you decide to go, good luck with your first treatment - you'll be in my prayers.1
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Hi @ShellElle I am sorry but I can’t seem to read your discussion post but it looks like you are faced with the possibility of a port?I have just had my port removed a month ago and for me having a port was a very good experience during 17 cycles of chemotherapy over a 14 months period.
I had my first two chemo doses through the vein, and they were hard to find, so I am glad I had the chance to have the port in before the third dose. The surgery was under GA and I bounced back well.I didn’t have any issues with infections and the nurses were vigilant about port care and flushes during my days in chemo. I also ended up having IV rehydration after treatments 3 to 6 so they could do that through the port.
It looks a bit like a lump but most people would not have noticed mine which was on the inside of my right arm below the bicep.Wishing you all the best 🌸🌼1 -
I too can’t read your first comment but I can see that you are talking about a port
Definitely look into the port if you can. I’ve had 16 rounds of chemo and still have a few more infusions of herceptin and perjeta to go
I Didn’t have the port for the first couple of chemo and while they had no trouble finding my veins the chemo has now damaged my veins and just normal blood tests are now impossible to the point that I now have all my blood draws through the port as well
The actual surgery was fairly straightforward just day surgery and recovery fairly easy
mine is up near my collarbone and hidden by my bra strap so no one would know.2
