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Kouia55's avatar
Kouia55
Member
14 years ago

Portacath tomorrow - Chemo soon

Heading in to have Portacath inserted tomorrow - have been told that it makes Chemo a lot easier.  I certainly hope so.

My Oncologist wanted to start chemo next Monday, but the surgeon has said no as I still have too much fluid build up in the surgical site, so it will be another week or 2 away.  I am both glad and sad about the delay as I am not looking forward to the treatment, but I am also sad as I want the treatment to start asap because of how cancer cells can hide and spread through the blood - sneaky bastards.

I have been told that my treatment will consist of 3 x FEC sessions followed by 3 x D sessions.  We have all heard the saying 2 birds with 1 stone.  Apparently this may be the case with the FEC as it may also have an effect on the Leukemia that I have.

Have a good day every-one.  Laugh lots and cry if you have to.

Robyn

8 Replies

  • Kathryne's avatar
    Kathryne
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hey Robyn

    So sorry you are in such discomfort with the portacath, I too had nights when I had to sleep in a nest of pillows :) and I share a bed with my husband= well kinda share he thinks I take over most of it these days.  It should start to settle down soon hopefully, they sure do make chemo easier.  When my first one broke the nurses could not get it to work at all it would not bleed and they could not even flush it and the pain was unbearable, when they x rayed it they said it had a kink and so I had surgery again to replace it. I was told if you are bigger busted and they set them too deep it can cause a problem.

    I hope your chemo is going well and you are coping better than I have been. I seem to spend 10-14 days in hospital after each session and I am getting over it all very fast.  On friday 25th I am meeting my radiation oncologist to plan radiation sessions for next year, I sure hope that it is easier than chemo.  Do you have the Nuelaster injection 24 hours after chemo??? I am having a hard time with this injection, I had 4 days where I could not move out of bed due to the pain in my hips and back I layed in tears doped up on endone, I am not looking forward to that again after the next session. Anyhow have a great day and keep smiling.

    Kathryne

  • Kouia55's avatar
    Kouia55
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Kathryne

    Has now been nearly 3 weeks since the Portacath was installed. 

    I am starting to think that I have the same problem that you initially had as I can feel it every-time I move my arm and it is also making it uncomfortable when I sleep.  Cannot lay on my right side as that is the side it is on & cannot lay on my left side because of the way my R shoulder rolls forward when sleeping.

    It is times like this that I am glad I am single as I can make a nest of pillows in my bed so that I can lie on my back or half-way on my sides with pillows supporting my back.

    While the Dr said I couldn't drive for 4 days after the surgery, it was Tuesday this week when I drove again for the first time & that was driving my friends little car.  Went OK with that, so drove mine for the first time yesterday (I have a Nissan Navara 4wd).  I did not drive before this as I did not feel as if I would be safe driving, especially if I had had to take evasive action, as I could feel every movement of my arm.  Initially right down into my fingers - at least now it is mainly at the top of my arm. 

    Am hoping that my body gets used to it soon.  My next test will be how it feels when I start grooming my horse and picking up his feet again. (Baby steps).

    On the plus side - it sure as hell made my first chemo session (07/11) easy.

    Robyn

  • Kathryne's avatar
    Kathryne
    Member
    14 years ago

    my first one was up high too and hurt when I moved my arm, but the new one is now below the scar line and is not as painful. I can feel this one when I rub my hand over the area,Unfortunately it does take a few weeks to a month to settle down.

    I hope you are feeling better soon and it is not stopping you from getting enough rest.

    Kathryne

  • Kathryne's avatar
    Kathryne
    Member
    14 years ago

    my first one was up high too and hurt when I moved my arm, but the new one is now below the scar line and is not as painful. I can feel this one when I rub my hand over the area,Unfortunately it does take a few weeks to a month to settle down.

    I hope you are feeling better soon and it is not stopping you from getting enough rest.

    Kathryne

  • Kathryne's avatar
    Kathryne
    Member
    14 years ago

    my first one was up high too and hurt when I moved my arm, but the new one is now below the scar line and is not as painful. I can feel this one when I rub my hand over the area,Unfortunately it does take a few weeks to a month to settle down.

    I hope you are feeling better soon and it is not stopping you from getting enough rest.

    Kathryne

  • Kouia55's avatar
    Kouia55
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks Kathryne - the Nurse gave me some Emla cream when I had a meeting with her the other day.

    Portacath now installed with shoulder nicely bruised & quite tender.  Must admit that it is sitting higher than what I was expecting - almost in the shoulder joint itself.  At least that is what it feels like.  Will be glad when my body gets used to it.

    Robyn

  • Kathryne's avatar
    Kathryne
    Member
    14 years ago

    Good luck Robyn with the surgery to place your portacath, I have one and it is not a very painful surgery, you get some swelling and the site feels bruised for a week or two. I have not had much luck with mine , I am currently on my second one as the first one kinked and the tubing slipped between 2 ribs and had to be removed. I have been told that this is rare and when they do work correctly they are wonderful. I had my chemo last week through the new port and had bloods done and I can tell you it was a relief as I do not have the best of veins and all my bloods were coming from my thumb as I have a large vein on the top knuckle. Very painful place to take blood. All the best with your port and treatments.

    Kathryne

  • Kathryne's avatar
    Kathryne
    Member
    14 years ago

    Good luck Robyn with the surgery to place your portacath, I have one and it is not a very painful surgery, you get some swelling and the site feels bruised for a week or two. I have not had much luck with mine , I am currently on my second one as the first one kinked and the tubing slipped between 2 ribs and had to be removed. I have been told that this is rare and when they do work correctly they are wonderful. I had my chemo last week through the new port and had bloods done and I can tell you it was a relief as I do not have the best of veins and all my bloods were coming from my thumb as I have a large vein on the top knuckle. Very painful place to take blood. All the best with your port and treatments.

    Kathryne