It was snowing AGAIN all day yesterday and last night. Yup 4 inches....I told you...snow is the new spring in M. Today we had blue skies and the neighbor came by and plowed the sidewalk and a path to the mailbox. Nice guy to do that. Hubby left on Sunday for CA for work. He is working so hard and loving it.
Had chemo the 27th and it was very rough on me. The sickness was much worse at least for 3 days. I called my case manager and she said it was normal...the chemo is building up to get those cells and it would not get easier. Great. Why wasn't I told that? Maybe I was and the fuzz brain didn't connect with the words. hmmmmm good excuse for that....LOL LOL. Anyway I am getting a PORT placed into my right upper chest area...so I won't have to deal with getting stuck for the IV...my skin seems more sensitive now and well, it makes me cry. So the PORT is the solution to that. Plus more Ativan LOL
Here is the information:
You have asked about a port or "port-a-cath". It will be inserted in your upper chest wall (the space between your collarbone and your breast) to make chemotherapy easier and more comfortable for you. What? More surgery? Don't panic. This is a simple, same-day procedure that doesn't require general anesthesia. You will have a chest X-ray to confirm that the port is positioned correctly. When chemotherapy is over, the port can be removed quickly in another same-day procedure.
The port is about the size of a quarter, only thicker, and will show only as a bump underneath the skin. There are several benefits to having a port:
No need to find a vein every time you receive chemo. A special needle fits right into the port, so all you feel is the stick—not the poking, prodding, and false tries in your arm. The nurse may numb the skin first with ice or a cream, to lessen any feeling at all.
A port may be especially valuable for women who might be experiencing some swelling of the arm on the side of their surgery.
The medication goes right into the main blood supply entering the heart, so it can be sent quickly and efficiently to all parts of the body.
Some types of chemotherapy can be very uncomfortable if injected into a vein just under your skin. The port avoids this potential discomfort.
Getting blood for blood tests can usually be done through the port, decreasing the number of times you need to have a vein "stuck."
Sounds better than getting poked and prodded with a garden hose size needle doesn't it? I think so.....so that is happening on Monday the 7th and 7:30am. Then chemo is the 9th. This will be the last of the 2 hour infusions YAY!! BUT from there, every 2 weeks for 4 times will be the 6 hour infusion chemotherapy. Starting the 23rd or 24th. These are the ones I'm dreading. It's Taxol. Sitting there for 6 hours....mmmmm I am not looking forward to that or the side effects.
3 comments:
6 hours!!??? Wow!!! I had no idea! I hope this is over soon for you and you can get on with life as you knew it. I hate that you have to go through this. ((lot of hugs))
How did the port insertion go? Are you losing your hair yet? LOL!! I had to ask. I love you hope your doing well. i can't wait to see you!
Hi Kris. It's been a long time. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and sending out positive thoughts (I've been reading as you're updating your journey). You're a very strong woman. Please take care.
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