Forum Discussion
Nervous about Port
I haven't blogged for a while because I have had a few set backs and didn't really want to keep reliving them or scare anyone by a rant.
Prior to my fourth chemo which was my first Docetaxel I had to have a PICC line inserted but three days aftert my whole arm swelled up and I ended up in hospital. Very scary for me and had to wait until Monday to have ultrasound. It was discovered that I had a DVT in my arm so now I have to self inject a blood thinner for the next three months. The PICC had to be removed and this Wed I am going into hospital to have Port inserted ready for Thursday's chemo (2nd last one).
I am very apprehensive and nervous that my body will reject the port and I will have another difficut situation to get through.
I am trying very hard to challenge my negative thoughts about this but it is easier said than done.
Prior to my discharge from hospital when the PICC was removed I was told that they would ring me to set up an appointment with my oncologist to work out what they were going to do so that they could continue on with my chemo treatment. They didn't and after a week of waiting I had to chase it up. This all makes me very nervous.
I am more anxious now than when I started chemo. My anxiety is more to do with what could go wrong once I am home.
41 Replies
Everyone is different so it seems that I am having the same reaction but mine is now peeling like sunburn and extremely itchy so no scratching. Thank you for your message as I feel again that I am not alone having this reaction from the injection.
Feeling back to normal again today thank goodness bit earlier than first time so very happy about that more good days than bad is what we aim for hope you are ok and things improve soon.
Love and hugs xx Di
Hi Joy
Sorry to hear you are going through a rough patch but I am sure with the help of the medical team you will get through this. I have been inspired by your blogs and whether it is good or bad I feel we need to release our fears and frustrations to help us get through these hurdles.
Stay strong ?
Jo
I am home now after a 7 hour day at Robina Hospital. It didn't start off very well at all. I was meant to have blood taken for tomorrow's chemo and also have a sedative injected prior to port insertion today. They couldn't find a vein in my one arm that can be used. It was pretty stressful having to have several goes at it. They then decided to give me an ultrasound and find a deeper vein but at the last minute decided not to.
Instead of the ultrasound they used a vein in my neck that they were going to use for the port. It was very uncomfortable and stressful but once it was in and the sedative took effect the rest was ok. The doctor wanted me to stay for three hours observation.
I am off to the hospital again tomorrow morning for oncology appointment and chemo so it is going to be another very long day.
Hoping that there will be no problems this round with port and chemo.
So happy to be home and think I will sleep very well tonight.
Joy
Unfortunately I don't have any other information than that. A nurse in Emergency told me it was from the Neulasta. I mentioned it to the oncologoist and she didn't seem concerned. My rash wasn't too bad - it just looked like I was sunburnt. It settled by the next day. It has happened after each neulasta following chemo treatment and I wake up with it the day after.
Sorry I can't be of more help to you and I also wish you all the best with your last two treatments.
Love
Joy
Hi Joy
can I ask when you had red skin following neulasta injection, I actually have a really bad red raw rash like sunburn on my shoulders and down my back really sore and itchy, so you think this is from the injection were you told anything about it?
Reason being I phone Oncology and they said they havent heard of a reaction from the needle. I have blogged with another lady who also had a red rash after the injection and am interested.
I did get a touch up from the sun the weekend before chemo but really wasnt that long, it just got really bad after I had the injection. Anyway I still have 2 more treatments and they plan to give me the injection each time just want to be prepared as its so uncomfortable.
All the best with the port and I hope the last of your treatments go without incident.
Thinking of you Di xx
- I miss your posts Hazel! You are definitely not a failure,and your posts are so helpful to so many people Hazel .How are things going for you?xxxRobyn
- Sorry to hear you are having dramas with your chemo. It is bad enough without all of that extra stuff. I am 4 weeks post blast chemo and I only came good overvthecweekend. I never ended up on hospital but I did get a lot of side effects. You are nearly there and you will feel so excited once you are done. Feel free to speak about the good and the bad. It's like therapy! Take care!
- Sorry to hear you are having dramas with your chemo. It is bad enough without all of that extra stuff. I am 4 weeks post blast chemo and I only came good overvthecweekend. I never ended up on hospital but I did get a lot of side effects. You are nearly there and you will feel so excited once you are done. Feel free to speak about the good and the bad. It's like therapy! Take care!
Thanks Hazel for your support and I have appreciated having you as a contact too. I actually feel better now that I have come back and posted here and I value so much the encouragement that has been given to me by the wonderful ladies here.
The cancer nurse at the GCUH has been a great support to me also in coordinating all the changes for me. Every appointment that was made for this month has been changed for one reason or another which mean confusion in when to take dexamethazone etc.
I am handling the anxiety pretty well today but will be glad once procedure is done and with a couple more days behind me if nothing goes wrong with it.
Big hugs to you too.
Joy xx
Sincerely hope all goes well for you with the port. I, like you, have not been posting on the site. My luck has not gotten better and I feel that people wouldn't want to keep reading all my negative stuff. As much as I like reading all the postive things it can sometimes make me feel like a failure. You have come a long way, our anxiety gets in the way sometimes. Only 2 more to go for you, I have appreciated having you as a contact on this journey. I will be thinking of you on Wednesday, big hugs,
Love Hazel xx
