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Johjoh's avatar
Johjoh
Member
11 years ago

Last Chemo treatment

I have finally completed my last chemo treatment on Tuesday but it was the worst treatment I've had since commencing chemo. Usually the nurse finds a vein and away we we go with treatment without aches or pain, but this time the nurse had trouble finding a vein. She finally found a vein at the back of my hand. During chemo my arm ached so the nurses put heat packs on my arm to ease the ache and slowed down the treatment so instead of being at the hospital for 3 hours it took about 41/2 hours. Has anyone experienced this? So now when I touch my hand at the injection site and along my lower arm it feels tender and it aches a little bit as well. It just doesn't feel right. I am a bit concerned about it as I tend to get a blood clot the vein they use. I'm on Clexane which I finish in a couple of days. What if I get another blood clot, I won't have any Clexane left to take. My next appointment to see the oncologist is in September. If I have concerns who do I go to now that I have finished my chemo, September seems too far away. I feel as if I'm alone at the moment! I'll also be starting radiation in about 3-4 weeks time. Does anyone have any tips for me. I'm a bit nervous about commencing it but I keep thinking to myself it should be a nothing compared to chemo. I should keep positive as I am so glad that chemo is out the way and I have 4 weeks of radiation left to go. Not long to go to try to get my life back on track. It has been a challenging few months!
chemotherapy

3 Replies

  • Tashie125's avatar
    Tashie125
    Member
    11 years ago
    Congrats on finishing! Yes I had the exact same thing you describe. I had FEC-D chemo and on my first round same thing happened to my vein, although the nurse had no trouble finding it and getting in, it took 6 months for it to come better, if I ran man hand up my arm it was sensitive to touch in that area. All good now though just takes time to heal.
  • margiemoo's avatar
    margiemoo
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi

     

    congrats on your last chemo - it is a relief. they always had trouble finding a vein for me but I did not have what you are describe afterwards. 

    I have only two more radiations to go - although it is tedious attending every day the side effects are not as much as chemo. I will have had 16 treatments. make sure to use the cream they tell you to keep the skin moisturised - I use unfragranced sorbelene and dove moisturising soap as recommended. so far my skin has held out. I am tired from running around and will be very happy once this treatment is over - then tamoxifen and thats it!! we have a holiday to bali in  a few weeks and I look at that as the start of my recuperation. 

    I am sure you will do well on radiotherapy. 

    Look after yourself. 

    Margxx

  • paulag's avatar
    paulag
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Johjoh, Firstly, congrats to you for finishing chemo. Such a lovely feeling knowing that you don't have to do that again. And yes, the same happened to me. I think your veins just decide they have had enough and don't want to play anymore! Go and see your gp. I also think you could ring your oncologists rooms and speak to someone there. I'm sure you can see them anytime if you have concerns. Radiation is tiring because it's daily. It all gets a bit tedious. Do you have access to a breast care nurse? They can be helpful also. Love & hugs, Paula xxx