What a week
Last week I had 3 nights in hospital with febrile neutropenia, just as I was losing my hair from first chemo, feeling terrible with my partner interstate for 3 weeks and all my friends away for the long weekend. This week I adopted a cat, went back to work and had my second chemo. Too busy!
When I got home on Saturday, my neighbour told me she is moving interstate and giving up her cats to a shelter. Monty, a 10 year old black and white short hair, is the friendliest cat I have ever known and has been part of our lives since he was half-grown. We don’t have pets of our own but he pretty much lives in our garden, so I phoned my partner and we agreed to take him. This meant a whole lot of chasing around to get a cat door installed in an awkward to fit glass-panelled door, organise ownership transfers with the Council and microchip register, get the right cat food and cat brush etc., and introduce Monty to his new home, none of which seemed simple – though maybe that is just because of my foggy chemo brain.
Then Tuesday was my first day back to work after 12 weeks off recovering from mastectomy, TRAM reconstruction and starting chemo. I had been very anxious about this, particularly with my newly bald head, but I managed to work out a stylish way to tie scarves, got lots of compliments on my new look and was made to feel very welcome back. By the second day I was feeling really good about being in my normal workplace again, doing normal things. But not for long …
Thursday was my second FEC chemo treatment. My partner decided to come home earlier than planned given all the excitement on the home front, so he arrived back just in time to pick me up, which was fantastic. I got a Neulasta injection to give myself the next day (Friday) to boost my blood counts.
I have also booked in to have a port inserted on Monday, as one of the least pleasant parts of my hospital stay was being stabbed countless times in an unsuccessful attempt to insert a replacement I/V line for antibiotics, as my veins are already packing up. I have 9 chemo treatments to go so a port seems like a good plan.
So now I am home recovering from my second chemo, which seems to be hitting me harder than the first, hoping that the cat settles in, hoping the Neulasta works so that my blood counts stay good enough for me to risk a planned trip to Tasmania in week 3 of this cycle, hoping the port insertion works OK on Monday, and hoping that I can get back to work for the rest of next week as planned.
No wonder I am feeling drained today. Time to put my feet up, I think.
This is a rant more than questions, but if anyone can tell me how long it takes to feel OK after a port is inserted I would be grateful. Mine is scheduled to go in at 9 am Monday under sedation, not a general anaesthetic. Will I be able to work from home Monday afternoon, and go back to the office Tuesday or is that pushing myself too hard?
Viv xxx
Comments
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Wow, you certainly know how to keep busy. Somehow I thnk Monty will give you lots of enjoyment though. Do you have to go to hospital to get the port in? I did. I thought it was just sedation, but was definitely asleep for part of it. I needed to go home and sleep after. I did go out for dinner that night and then had my chemo first thing the next day.
I would think the sedation will make you tired so not sure about working....that said if it's at home you might be able to do a bit. I think going to work the following day might be ok. Just depends on you. Oh dear, I sound a bit washy washy don't I!!
Good luck with the port. I loved mine, made chemo so much easier.
Paula0 -
My oncologist suggested a portacath and I had it inserted a week before my first chemo session which was on 22 January. I had some pain after insertion, but was given Endone which certainly helped. I was out of hospital that afternoon. Basically slept most of the day of insertion and then, felt well enough for my husband & I to drive (he drove) 700kms home the next day. Accessing the port for chemo was easy and virtually painless - just a very slight sting - only momentary. I was given Emla Cream to apply an hour before chemo. You might like to ask your Onc nurses about this prior to your next chemo. Definitely think the port was the right decision for me. Just made things so easy. Feel free to message any time. Take care. All the best!
Tazza xoxo0 -
I hope you get to go to Tassie!Any break during chemo has got to be good!We have a cat too.We got her 3 years ago,to help our boys with caring and showing affection.She is the most gorgeous cat,and we call her Nutmeg:)I hope your port is easy,I,can't offer advice,as I didn't have one.Take care Viv.xoxoRobyn0
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Wishy washy is good. I have to remind myself I can't plan everything and need to take things as they come. I do have to go to hospital and think you are right, I will probably want to sleep rather than work. One day at a time!
Thanks, Viv xxx0 -
Meggie looks beautiful, and a lot like Monty. He has worked out the new cat door and seems to be settling in. I am much better today and even went out in the dragon boat and paddled for the first time since November.
Viv xxxx0 -
Wow a 700 km drive must be a real killer. Do you have to do that for all your treatments? I'll ask about the Emla cream, I have seen other people mentioning that too.
Thanks for sharing. Viv xxxx0 -
There seem to be a lot of cats on here! I do think pets are good company and caring for them can take your mind off your own troubles. Loving your exercise tips. Viv xxxx0
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Glad to hear you are OK. I was much more tired on day 1 and 2 this time than in the first cycle but have been much better today. It is lovely to hear that you are giving your little dog a comfortable time at the end of a long life, but I'm sure it will be very sad for you when the end does come. Thinking of you every day. Hugs Viv xxxx0
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No Viv! Thank goodness! It was just that I had my portacath inserted when I had a follow-up with my surgeon - had my original surgery in Brisbane, but having chemo closer to home. Good luck for tomorrow! Will be thinking of you. Hugs & prayers, Tazza0
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All the best for tomorrow.
Hugs
Paula x0 -
All the best for tomorrow.
Hugs
Paula x0 -
Hi Viv. I had my port done under local as well but they did give me something like Valium to relax me. I was fine and had chemo same day. It was sore for 3-4 days and I couldn't drive my car (it's a manual and I had mine in my left upper arm). I never had any problems after that with accessing it, so much better than iv where I still have numbness where it was leaked a bit. Fingers crossed you have a better round of chemo xx Lisa0
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Thank you all for your support. The port went in fine, after a long wait. They had run out of ports and the new supply ordered for my 9 am procedure didn't arrive until 11 after being 'stuck in traffic'! I certainly wasn't up to working this afternoon and slept mostly. Now I'm being spoilt and looked after by my partner. Bliss! Viv xxxx0
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Oh dear what a day you have had. Glad though that it is all over and you have had a good sleep this afternoon and are now being looked after so well by your partner. Have a good night's sleep.
Love
Joy xx
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That certainly was a big day. Glad it's over. Also glad you got a sleep in. Enjoy being spoilt.
Paula
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