All set for chemo and suddenly a no go!

Thank you everyone for your wonderful support.  Today I was able to leave hospital after a week of upset and confusion.  The infection is evidently clearing up and I’ve come home to take the same antibiotics now in tablet form.  It appears that both my surgeon and my oncologist are both working together to get me well enough to start chemo next week.  🤞🤞

Hi EllieEmu​ wow, what a rollercoaster - that sounds incredibly tough. You’ve done all the mental prep to start chemo, only to need to delay this to treat a different issue, that’s such a hard pivot emotionally. It’s completely valid to feel the way you do when you prepared to face one hurdle but suddenly got pulled over to tackle something else! 

You are absolutely right - catching the infection before chemo is a blessing but it’s okay to feel frustrated and exhausted by this. You’re doing an amazing job navigating something that’s unpredictable and overwhelming. Sending you strength and hoping the antibiotics kick in quickly so you can get back on track. One step at a time - how are you going with it all now?

Ah, seromas! It's your body trying to help you heal, really, but you sort of wish it wouldn't. My first two seroma-induced infections were slight - mild, could have been a undifferentiated 'bug', I was fine in about 24 hours, and after consultation with my surgeon and oncologist, we went ahead with my first chemo infusion, and all was well. It was my third 'bug', nearly six months later, after several aspirations of fluid,  that rang all the alarm bells - I felt awful, the little pinkness on my chest had turned livid and I was in hospital for a week. Even when super antibiotics seemed to have everything under control, my surgeon was not happy - and he was right. Surgery revealed a serious infection still lurking which was duly given 'a good scrub out' (to quote my surgeon). Fortunately, that killed both the infection and the seroma! Your team are doing the right thing, taking it seriously. And yes you are right, cancer treatment tests our ability to swing with the punches. It's not a process you really want, but the learned skill is invaluable. Best wishes for an incident free continuation of treatment!

Hello Arlie,

thank you for your excellent suggestions.

lve made a request joint the Triple positive breast cancer group, I’m not totally sure what that all means but obviously I qualify so will go with the flow.

your suggestion re the zippered inserts in shirts if I end up with a port that is continually being brought up.  I’m having the devils own job while still in hospital with them having constant dramas just finding good enough veins for my cannula to be placed.  😡. I’ve been here nearly a week now and still end date in sight, but that’s another story.   But how exciting is your suggestion to put double zips in a shirt or a blouse.  

  Wow, I love sewing and if I do get a port, will be able design my own shirts.  You, dear lady, have given me a silver lining in my current very dark cloud.  
thank you so much 

Jo.  

I am So sorry this has happened to you EllieEmu​  .... but terrific the chemo nurse got right onto it & called in the specialists straight up xx    I hope you aren't in any discomfort or pain - and that you have heaps of stuff to read/knit, to keep busy!!  

Being Her2+ - have you considered joined the Triple Positive private group, here?  There, you can put up ANY question re your treatment as they'll have lots of knowledge from their own ongoing treatments xx The group is totally private - only members can see messages & reply.  If you jump on here, the Mods should activate it, today, all going well xx
Group: Triple Positive Breast Cancer (TPBC) | BCNA Online Network

My husband had a port put in & it made it SO much easier for chemo & blood taking.  My sister made him a couple of shirts for him to wear to chemo, for 'easy access' to the port - without having to 'strip'! 
You can just have the one zip if you like ... but the 2 zips makes it easier again, depending on the location of the Port (his was higher.)  You can actually buy these shirts 'ready made' now - but if you have a friend who is good at sewing, you could give them a couple of shirts & they just add zips!!

This was one of his (he was a triathlete):

Take care & all the best as you recover xx

Hello Kirsten, my surgery was six weeks ago and because of the HER 2 positive, in one side, 3 different t ones on the other side, the oncologist is keen to get the chemo started,  I’ve certainly messed that up.  I’m so tired of waiting to get any results back from all test they’ve run on me and no visit as yet from my surgeon who couldn’t get me back into hospital quick enough. 😢

I’m having 12 weeks, every week of chemo plus a targeted drug every three weeks for 12 months for the HER 2 +, so I guess there was a lot going on in my head.  You talk of getting a port, I think I’ll have to agree with you on that as since coming back into hospital my canulars have played up and no veins have been easily found. 😢 I’m feeling very much like a worn out pin cushion.  
thank you for your encouragement, it’s mush appreciated and our pet is a small parrot who shouldn’t cause any issues.

thank you again.  Jo.  

Oh no, I feel for you. What a pain!!! Thank dog you were in the hospital when it happened. At least they got it sorted straight away. When was surgery? If you're having quite a few sessions of chemo, I highly recommend getting a port put in. Saves your poor veins but can only be used for chemo not blood tests unless they're qualified to use them. Ask them about it.

Chemo is pretty easy. It's boring as so don't forget your phone and earbuds. I always take Mars bars in for the staff. They love it 😀 If you have dogs, don't let them lick you for 3 days after. The chemo will be coming out of your pores during this time or so I've been told. Could be garbage but better safe than sorry. Lol 😆 

Well I hope you feel better 

Cheers Kirsten xx