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
