Forum Discussion
How will I get through this? - Question about portacaths, fevers during chemo and the need to go to
Upfront just wanted to say sorry for the rant.
Just returned home from yet another visit to the Emergency Department (ED) - my fourth visit in 3 weeks following my second round of TCH chemo - after spiking another fever, this time 39.7. I think I should be getting frequent flyer points or something.
Was given the usual treatment when someone on chemo presents with a fever, isolation room, antibiotics by IV, blood work, and panadol. Was SOOOOO cheesed off that no one in ED was trained to take blood or give IV through my newly inserted portacath so once again had to go through the pain of multiple attempts of getting a cannula in. I feel like I have blown a heap of money getting the portacath which hardly anyone can use. Not to mention having the portacath inserted hurt more than my lumpectomy - one week on from that and I am still in a lot of pain with headaches and muscle soreness. Have others experienced this? Will the discomfit settle down?
Ended up I was not neutropenic thanks to my neulasta injection and no obvious sign of infection with the doctor suggesting that, like my last visit, the fever was probably due to something viral; so at least I was allowed home. But I am so hating this side of chemo. I hate how unwell I feel when I get the fevers but I hate even more the pain from multiple attempts of inserting cannulas - so much so that I seriously don't think I can get through more chemo if this has to keep happening. Logically I know this is ridiculous it's not the worst pain of having breast cancer but for some reason it completely undoes me and is really hard to bear. I am in tears every single time which is so NOT like me. Really trying to suck it up but don't seem to be able to.
So I am thinking, do I really need to go to emergency when I get a fever and put myself through all that? Does anyone on chemo get fevers and not go to the hospital?
11 Replies
Thnx Chriss, I am definitely going to be more assertive now. Take care, Nadine
Hi Maryrose, I was back at work for one day when I got sick the last time. Prior to that I was back two days before I got sick. Both times no one at work seemed sick and I have my own office so that is helpful to keep away from a lot of people. Used the hand sanitiser and wipes as well. But didn't do anything special for my throat, so I will try the Betadine and throat lozenges like Brenda suggested. I have also decided that it's just not worth working at the moment if this is going to happen, so I am taking the next cycle off work to see if it makes a difference. Thnx for the tip. Take care, Nadine
Good tip about asking ED to get the oncology nurse down. The other night I presented at midnight so they weren't there to help, but if I go back again during the day I'll make sure to ask for them. Thanks Karel! Take care, Nadine
Thanks Brenda. I like the tip about the antibacterial throat lozenge. I am definitely going to give that a go because all of my fevers have started with a sore throat. Take care, Nadine
Thnx Karen. Sorry you had to go through this too. I really did drop my bundle too that day, but a few days on I am feeling a bit more like old self. Have to have bloods tomorrow but have decided to ask the oncology unit to take them. Thnx for the encouragement it's exactly what I need to hear at the moment.
Take care, Nadine
Hi Nadi
this is the place to rant so don't apologise. Like you I was more than a little pi@&y that no one other than oncology could use the portacath. Like you, on TCH I had a number of visits to A&E and was admitted to hospital. They had to use an ultrasound to be able to insert the iv. I also had to have the neulastin injections. I hated the port from day one and couldn't wait to get it removed. It hurt for 3-4 weeks and then felt uncomfortable for the whole time it was in (about 16 months in all). The thing is, there was no way my veins would have coped without the port for my whole treatment. Staff have to be specially trained to use it as it is quite dangerous to get an infection in it. You definitely need to go to the hospital if your temp spikes. As much as a pain it is, it is necessary. My oncologist change something for ever single one of my TCH cycles as I struggled the whole way through. I just kept telling myself short term pain for long term gain. I did drop my bundle, particularly around the 4th cycle as I just didn't know how I would go on but I did and I got through it just like you will. Make sure you tell the onc every single side effect that you get. Take one day at a time. Try to plan something nice for on a day that you don't feel too bad. Hang in there sweetheart. Karen xox
Howdy there.
Besides work i rarely went to busy places in order to avoid infection. Had chemo through winter and i swear i attracted every sick and coughing person. At work i relocated when someone was crook and used hand sanitiser every time i touched a surface that wasnt my desk. Used sanitiser wipes on desk everytime i went to work. I had my daughter home sick a few times as well during this time. I think it was my obsession with hand hygiene that helped me stay healthy. I also used betadine mouth wash religiously at any sign of sore throat.
Hoping things improve for you hang in there i know its tough but you will get through it.
Maryrose
OMG Nadi, I feel for you but you need to be in hospital with fever like that. They should not have allowed you home if temp didn't drop. Ok as for the port, I have a picc line due to my veins collapsing when admitted to ER for 0 neutrophils. But when it was time for bloods for next chemo I went to pathology and they said sorry can't do bloods from picc line but need veins. I said no freaking way I didn't go through shit for a picc line for you to prick a vein again. So I left, rang chemo dept told them and said sort it out cause I want bloods from picc line thats what is there for.
So you go back to ER and you DEMAND that no one touches your veins, you tell them you make sure a nurse who knows what they are doing take your blood from port. Don't allow them to dictate to you - you tell them what you want.
I'm so sorry that you are feeling like this, yes this SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!
Chriss xx
I had my portocath put in before chemo. I have had all my bloods, ct scan infusions through it, because like you if I had multiple cannulas,bloods etc ,I. Wouldn't have done chemo.
I have only had one trip to hospital and as it was during the day and I went to the oncology unit where they used my portocath for bloods and antibiotics.
if you present to the ed again ask if an oncology nurse can come down and access it.
The discomfort does settle and I still have it in 7 months down the track in case I might still need it.I still have my bloods taken through it when I go to have it flushed.
i hope things improve. Chemo isn't fun and you don't need extra problems.
Good luck Nadi
heers
Karel??
No edit button, that should read 38C is serious, get to hospital.
