Forum Discussion
Hopefully some relief from collapsed veins
I will never doubt the benefits of having private health insurance again. Just got a phone call saying I can have an appointment with the surgeon in 2 hours time this afternoon and have surgery for the port-a-cath tomorrow! So looking forward to having this done. One more surgical scar will be worth no more collapsed veins, pain, bruises or tears especially since another 11 months of chemo and targeted therapy to go. Hoping it will make things easier for the nurses as well. Ended up in hospital last Friday with fever (but not neutropenia thanks to Neulasta) where it was very difficult once again to get a cannula in. Then in hospital again on Monday with severe bone pain from Neulasta (they thought it was mets - how strange as I didn't think mets could happen that fast but I am HER2 positive, grade 3, Ki67 70% so maybe.......). Had to get specialist doctor to do cannula that time. In the end the bone pain was just regular neulasta side effects. Seems as if I am one of the few that doesn't get pain relief from strong drugs like Panadeine Forte or Endone. They switched me to simple neurofen and I was as good as gold!! Now just battling the fatigue which kicked in this cycle.
My hat goes off to you amazing women who can exercise. I can barely walk around my house. I sleep like I haven't slept in 20 years. I was worried that maybe I had damage to my heart from Herceptin as I was so weak. Even fainted last week - lost consciousness for 6 minutes - but heart is good. It's just fatigue, low blood pressure and dehydration. Needless to say there is no way I can work feeling like this. How do women with fatigue cope with working? Am I just being weak minded for not keeping active or exercising? As it is I am currently losing weight - not much though.
Nadine
15 Replies
Thanks again Tracey. I will ask about this next time. Port now in.
Cheers, Nadine
After I ended up in hospital for a week with low bp, passing out & no neutrophils, I asked if they could reduce next dose. Onc said "no, we want to kill the cancer without killing you" , really encouraging NOT. So agreed on extra weeks break to recover then booked in IV fluids every second day after chemo. Just went back to chemo clinic & nurses topped me up, made such a big difference. Talk to you Onc & ask them to arrange the fluids. My clinic even opened Saturday's & public hols just for fluids. Good luck??
Thanks Lyn. Good to be forewarned about the swelling as I haven't heard too much about what happens when you get a port.
Hey Maryrose, I know what it's like to get repeatedly stabbed to no avail. Makes me feel like a pin cushion. Hopefully it will be better when you have your next round of bloodwork.
All the best, Nadine
Wishing you all the best with the blood cancer. Life is never dull, is it?
Thanks KJ
Thanks Tracey. It wasn't an oncologist that was thinking mets rather an ER doc. Just wondering how did you get extra fluids in the week after chemo through the picc? Was this arranged by your oncologist? I am finding it really hard to drink enough fluids and would love to have this option.
Thanks. Managed to do 3 loads of washing today.
Thanks Jane
Hey there. Everyone react differently to treatment. I was able to go for the occasional walk but on other days i had to drag myself out of bed and only up to vegging out on the couch. I had good veins during chemo but my veins have collapsed since last time i had bloodwork i got stabbed 3 times to no avail.
Fatigue is normal you need to listen to your body and dont beat yourself up about it.
Take care
Maryrose
Hi Nadine. Glad you're getting a port. Best thing I did, & I only had 6 cycles of chemo. Be prepared for quite a bit of swelling. I felt like I had a 3rd breast when I woke up. It was also uncomfortable to move for a week or 2, from a muscular perspective. My port was used for chemo 4 days post insertion, & I don't think it was any more uncomfortable than subsequent accessing.
You recently made a comment on where you are from, so I know the surgeon you'll be seeing, & he's excellent, as was the care I received at the private hospital.
Will be thinking of you,
take care, Lyn
