Had Chemo Port Surgery

StaceyPMD1121
StaceyPMD1121 Member Posts: 65
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Everyone,

I had my chemo port surgery on May 30th. I was scared to death. My cousin got stuck at work and could not be there with me. I found out my boyfriend got off work early and got to the hospital about 15 minutes after they took me to surgery. Oh well, I said my prayers and told them okay let's go do this! It took them a few minutes to get me situated on that narrow surgery table. They gave me knock out juice and away the surgery went. I woke up in recovery asking how did it go and they replied fine. I have to get my lumpectomy site looked at by the nurse on June 6th hope I can get my surgeon's follow up the same day. Should I start taking the anti-nausea medicine the morning of chemo or the night before? I said I would ask my oncology nurse when to start taking the meds. Start chemo June 8th. I will go armed with a smoothie even though that supply us with popicles at Mercy Breast Center in Baltimore, MD. I just love my center because everyone is nice and acts like they really care about you.

Peace & Blessings to All,
StaceyPMD1121

Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
    Meds...
    I'm on chemo for the second time...long story I won't go into right now and will just tell you what I did first go round and now....what type of breast cancer do you have? That is what will determine your treatment plan..

    I start my Zofran (anti nausea meds) the day BEFORE each infusion...I do the same now and I also take one the day of chemo....they will give you a bag of it before your actual infusion also, possibly with Decadron and Benadryl to prevent any type of reaction....I also continued the Zofran for 3 days following each infusion......the reason it's soooo much easier to prevent nausea and vomiting ..than get it under control if it starts.....I've never had the first wave of nausea then or now...Do you know your chemo cocktail yet? You will find the port is a blessing...have your oncologist prescribe a numbing cream to put on the port 1-2 hours prior to your infusion...you cover it, as crazy as it sounds with a square piece of Press and Seal...this keeps it in place so it does it's "thing"...I also add a couple of pieces of paper tape so it does move..mine is Lidocaine 2.5% and Prilocaine 2.5% Cream...works great! I've yet to feel a thing!

    Drink, drink, drink before, during and after for a few days of your infusion....you want to flush out the chemo after it's done it's thing...you might also want to have extra strength Imodium on hand, just in case.... Your taste buds may disappear for about 5 days or so...just experiment with different foods, liquids, etc...you'll find something...I love watermelon and cantaloupe, among other things...

    The first chemo is the most frightening....fear of the unknown....none of it is a day at the beach but very doable...but remember we are all different and have different reactions....

    Please keep posting...this site is a wealth of personal experience, care, encouragement and support...you'll always have someone to answer a question..

    We care...And I wish you the very best
    Hugs, Nancy
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #3
    MAJW said:

    Meds...
    I'm on chemo for the second time...long story I won't go into right now and will just tell you what I did first go round and now....what type of breast cancer do you have? That is what will determine your treatment plan..

    I start my Zofran (anti nausea meds) the day BEFORE each infusion...I do the same now and I also take one the day of chemo....they will give you a bag of it before your actual infusion also, possibly with Decadron and Benadryl to prevent any type of reaction....I also continued the Zofran for 3 days following each infusion......the reason it's soooo much easier to prevent nausea and vomiting ..than get it under control if it starts.....I've never had the first wave of nausea then or now...Do you know your chemo cocktail yet? You will find the port is a blessing...have your oncologist prescribe a numbing cream to put on the port 1-2 hours prior to your infusion...you cover it, as crazy as it sounds with a square piece of Press and Seal...this keeps it in place so it does it's "thing"...I also add a couple of pieces of paper tape so it does move..mine is Lidocaine 2.5% and Prilocaine 2.5% Cream...works great! I've yet to feel a thing!

    Drink, drink, drink before, during and after for a few days of your infusion....you want to flush out the chemo after it's done it's thing...you might also want to have extra strength Imodium on hand, just in case.... Your taste buds may disappear for about 5 days or so...just experiment with different foods, liquids, etc...you'll find something...I love watermelon and cantaloupe, among other things...

    The first chemo is the most frightening....fear of the unknown....none of it is a day at the beach but very doable...but remember we are all different and have different reactions....

    Please keep posting...this site is a wealth of personal experience, care, encouragement and support...you'll always have someone to answer a question..

    We care...And I wish you the very best
    Hugs, Nancy

    Wishing you good luck with
    Wishing you good luck with chemo and praying for no side effects.

    Hugs, Kylez
  • Monicalynn
    Monicalynn Member Posts: 61
    #4
    Kylez said:

    Wishing you good luck with
    Wishing you good luck with chemo and praying for no side effects.

    Hugs, Kylez

    meds
    I don't get my nausea meds till the day of infusion, they give it to me as pre meds, some in through the port and three oral pills. I take some pills home for two days after. I am stage I IDC, her 2 new +, so I get taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin. The pre meds they give and the ones to take home keep my nausea at bay and I haven't gotten sick from the chemo. I do get super tired about 4-5 days after, headaches and some diarreah, dry skin. And like the other said, Drink lots before, during and after, it is a huge help.

    Best of luck
  • StaceyPMD1121
    StaceyPMD1121 Member Posts: 65
    #5
    MAJW said:

    Meds...
    I'm on chemo for the second time...long story I won't go into right now and will just tell you what I did first go round and now....what type of breast cancer do you have? That is what will determine your treatment plan..

    I start my Zofran (anti nausea meds) the day BEFORE each infusion...I do the same now and I also take one the day of chemo....they will give you a bag of it before your actual infusion also, possibly with Decadron and Benadryl to prevent any type of reaction....I also continued the Zofran for 3 days following each infusion......the reason it's soooo much easier to prevent nausea and vomiting ..than get it under control if it starts.....I've never had the first wave of nausea then or now...Do you know your chemo cocktail yet? You will find the port is a blessing...have your oncologist prescribe a numbing cream to put on the port 1-2 hours prior to your infusion...you cover it, as crazy as it sounds with a square piece of Press and Seal...this keeps it in place so it does it's "thing"...I also add a couple of pieces of paper tape so it does move..mine is Lidocaine 2.5% and Prilocaine 2.5% Cream...works great! I've yet to feel a thing!

    Drink, drink, drink before, during and after for a few days of your infusion....you want to flush out the chemo after it's done it's thing...you might also want to have extra strength Imodium on hand, just in case.... Your taste buds may disappear for about 5 days or so...just experiment with different foods, liquids, etc...you'll find something...I love watermelon and cantaloupe, among other things...

    The first chemo is the most frightening....fear of the unknown....none of it is a day at the beach but very doable...but remember we are all different and have different reactions....

    Please keep posting...this site is a wealth of personal experience, care, encouragement and support...you'll always have someone to answer a question..

    We care...And I wish you the very best
    Hugs, Nancy

    Thanks Nancy


    Hi Nancy,

    I will take a Zofran along with my steriod, Decadron the day before chemo. My chemo cocktail is TAC taxotere, Adriamycin (Red Devil), and Cyclophosphamide. I will ask for the numbing cream. I will drink lots of water this week I will try to do 6-8 glasses a day. Will buy extra strength Imodium and Depends. Thanks for your advice.

    Peace, Blessings, & Hugs,
    Stacey
  • StaceyPMD1121
    StaceyPMD1121 Member Posts: 65
    #6
    Kylez said:

    Wishing you good luck with
    Wishing you good luck with chemo and praying for no side effects.

    Hugs, Kylez

    Thank you Kylez


    Hi Kylez,

    Thanks for your support and prayers. I will be part of a new tech trial at my breast center. I think I am getting a netbook with free internet access. I will post while I am at chemo or home in bed. I will be asking questions and giving encouragement to every pink sister.

    Peace,Blessings, & Hugs,
    Stacey
  • StaceyPMD1121
    StaceyPMD1121 Member Posts: 65
    #7
    Monicalynn said:

    meds
    I don't get my nausea meds till the day of infusion, they give it to me as pre meds, some in through the port and three oral pills. I take some pills home for two days after. I am stage I IDC, her 2 new +, so I get taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin. The pre meds they give and the ones to take home keep my nausea at bay and I haven't gotten sick from the chemo. I do get super tired about 4-5 days after, headaches and some diarreah, dry skin. And like the other said, Drink lots before, during and after, it is a huge help.

    Best of luck

    Thanks Monicalynn


    Hi,

    Thanks for your advice. I will be getting TAC= Taxotere,Adriamycin (red devil), and cyclophosphamide. I have Stage 2 IDC, ER+,PR+, HER-2-. lumpectomy with removal of sentinel lymph node with one additional. I will remember to drink water because I get dehydrated quickly and my face turns white and ashy, yuck. Happens every time I have surgery.

    Peace,Blessing, & Hugs,
    Stacey
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #8
    StaceyPMD1121 said:

    Thank you Kylez


    Hi Kylez,

    Thanks for your support and prayers. I will be part of a new tech trial at my breast center. I think I am getting a netbook with free internet access. I will post while I am at chemo or home in bed. I will be asking questions and giving encouragement to every pink sister.

    Peace,Blessings, & Hugs,
    Stacey

    This sounds exciting that
    This sounds exciting that you will be in a new trial. I pray every day for a cure and one of these trials just might be the answer. Thanks for doing it and I wish you all the best.


    Hugs, Leeza
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #9
    StaceyPMD1121 said:

    Thanks Nancy


    Hi Nancy,

    I will take a Zofran along with my steriod, Decadron the day before chemo. My chemo cocktail is TAC taxotere, Adriamycin (Red Devil), and Cyclophosphamide. I will ask for the numbing cream. I will drink lots of water this week I will try to do 6-8 glasses a day. Will buy extra strength Imodium and Depends. Thanks for your advice.

    Peace, Blessings, & Hugs,
    Stacey

    Good Luck!
    I think Nancy just about covered it all. Yes, the first treatment is the worse - the fear of the unknown. I had attended a chemo class, but still was pretty nervous. They gave me something for anxiety with my first treatment. I have to say, it wasn't as bad as I expected.

    Wishing you the best!
    Hugs, Debi
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #10
    debi.18 said:

    Good Luck!
    I think Nancy just about covered it all. Yes, the first treatment is the worse - the fear of the unknown. I had attended a chemo class, but still was pretty nervous. They gave me something for anxiety with my first treatment. I have to say, it wasn't as bad as I expected.

    Wishing you the best!
    Hugs, Debi

    best wishes
    Wishing you the best as you begin your treatment. We're here for you anytime!
    (((Hugs))) and prayers sent your way!

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