Port - Post Surgery Pain

molimoli · August 2015

To all of you Ladies and supportive partners

Today I am hugging tight,tight,tight with plenty healing vibes coming your way.Hope you can sense it.Thanks for all the kind wishes coming my way , need and embracing it.

To all of you currently doing chemo and would like to take a walk even though fatigued ,please calculate and plan your distance bearing in mind that you also have to walk back home.

Too often I had found that patients overwalked the going and cannot muster up the energy to return without depleting every bit of needed energy,You will need reserve energy to even feel like chewing air. so enjoy your walks but conserve, Nuff love , minimal discomfort with great results from your treatment is my morning wish for you. Moli

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

ConnieSW said:
Cindi
Don't forget to stay on top of the bowel movement situation. Be proactive. I figured just taking the colace would be enough. NOT!

Movement Question

Connie, you are so right! I have been taking Colace and Miralax since Friday morning. So far NOTHING! And probably TMI but I am normally a daily gal!

Question for all: I'm thinking I need to take a stronger laxative. Or, should I give the Miralax one more day?

Also, since I am on weekly chemo treatments, I assume I will have to deal with this every time. So, once the laxative works, can I stop taking it until the next treatment? I can't imagine being on laxatives every day for the next 4.5 months. I'll ask my chemo nurse about this too.

This is day 3 post the chemo on last Thursday. My side effects have been manageable. I have been tired and found myself not sleeping well, but overall the aches and other things are not over the top. My shoulder and arm still hurt some from the port surgery. Good grief. I hope that goes away soon.

Thanks to all for the posts, advice and general support. This thread (like others) has brought up a lot of great topics.

Love to all,

Cindi

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

ConnieSW said:
Appetite
I never had nausea but lack of appetite was an issue- a first for me. I lost 4-5 pounds with each of the 6 sessions. I found some things that appealed and were easily prepared: yogurt, smoothies, cottage cheese, eggs, vegetable and fruit juices, toast, oatmeal. It sounds a bit boring but it was reasonably nutrious.

Food

Thanks for the suggestions. I ate a baked potato, black-eyed peas and green beans last night. It actually tasted good. It was nice to feel like eating. Earlier in the day I had watermelon (I think Anne - AWK suggested it) that also was easy to eat. I have eaten Cheerios for breakfast forever. Still doing that. Just come in and do it whether I want to or not. Seems like during the day is the hardest time to want to eat. So, I'm eating a little at a time. Mostly fruit. But a little protein too. I think I will boil some eggs and give that a try too.

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

molimoli said:
To all of you Ladies and supportive partners
Today I am hugging tight,tight,tight with plenty healing vibes coming your way.Hope you can sense it.Thanks for all the kind wishes coming my way , need and embracing it.

To all of you currently doing chemo and would like to take a walk even though fatigued ,please calculate and plan your distance bearing in mind that you also have to walk back home.

Too often I had found that patients overwalked the going and cannot muster up the energy to return without depleting every bit of needed energy,You will need reserve energy to even feel like chewing air. so enjoy your walks but conserve, Nuff love , minimal discomfort with great results from your treatment is my morning wish for you. Moli

Moli

Right back at you.

I did make that mistake of going a bit too far one time. Kind of sneeks up on you.

ConnieSW · August 2015

TeddyandBears_Mom said:
Moli
Right back at you.

I did make that mistake of going a bit too far one time. Kind of sneeks up on you.

I remember

The first time after treatment when I felt good enough to take off on my own and ended up being gone for an hour and a half. My neighbor flagged me down as I returned and told me that she had been trying to figure out why my husband had walked to the end of our street a couple times and just stood there looking both ways. Poor man. I never thought of worrying him but how very happy I was to be able to take a long walk again. he knew it wouldn't do any good to come looking for me because I hate set routes and wonder all over our town. being me again was wonderful.

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

ConnieSW said:
I remember
The first time after treatment when I felt good enough to take off on my own and ended up being gone for an hour and a half. My neighbor flagged me down as I returned and told me that she had been trying to figure out why my husband had walked to the end of our street a couple times and just stood there looking both ways. Poor man. I never thought of worrying him but how very happy I was to be able to take a long walk again. he knew it wouldn't do any good to come looking for me because I hate set routes and wonder all over our town. being me again was wonderful.

movement questions - shifting down

Movement Question

Connie, you are so right! I have been taking Colace and Miralax since Friday morning. So far NOTHING! And probably TMI but I am normally a daily gal!

Question for all: I'm thinking I need to take a stronger laxative. Or, should I give the Miralax one more day?

Also, since I am on weekly chemo treatments, I assume I will have to deal with this every time. So, once the laxative works, can I stop taking it until the next treatment? I can't imagine being on laxatives every day for the next 4.5 months. I'll ask my chemo nurse about this too.

This is day 3 post the chemo on last Thursday. My side effects have been manageable. I have been tired and found myself not sleeping well, but overall the aches and other things are not over the top. My shoulder and arm still hurt some from the port surgery. Good grief. I hope that goes away soon.

Thanks to all for the posts, advice and general support. This thread (like others) has brought up a lot of great topics.

Love to all,

Cindi

Abbycat2 · August 2015

TeddyandBears_Mom said:
movement questions - shifting down
Movement Question

Connie, you are so right! I have been taking Colace and Miralax since Friday morning. So far NOTHING! And probably TMI but I am normally a daily gal!

Question for all: I'm thinking I need to take a stronger laxative. Or, should I give the Miralax one more day?

Also, since I am on weekly chemo treatments, I assume I will have to deal with this every time. So, once the laxative works, can I stop taking it until the next treatment? I can't imagine being on laxatives every day for the next 4.5 months. I'll ask my chemo nurse about this too.

This is day 3 post the chemo on last Thursday. My side effects have been manageable. I have been tired and found myself not sleeping well, but overall the aches and other things are not over the top. My shoulder and arm still hurt some from the port surgery. Good grief. I hope that goes away soon.

Thanks to all for the posts, advice and general support. This thread (like others) has brought up a lot of great topics.

Love to all,

Cindi

Constipation was not a problem for me.

Constipation was not a problem for me. I think we all response differently to chemo. I am a long distance swimmer, that is at least a mile each time I swim- which may account for the lack of constipation during the months I had chemo. A good approach is lots of physical activity, lots of fluids and lots of fiber. If you are new to chemo as I know Editgirl and Teddy and Bear are, should you develop nausea while eating your favorite food, you are quite likely to develop an aversion to that food! I had to stop making fresh salads for work, which I had previously craved- because even the thought of looking at one of my salads made me gag. It was at least 6 months after chemo ended that I could start making my salads again! It has been almost a year and a half since my chemo ended and I still have trouble eating "Thins"- a thin bread for sandwiches. The sight of this bread still makes me gag!!

I hope this helps,

Cathy

Lou Ann M · August 2015

TeddyandBears_Mom said:
movement questions - shifting down
Movement Question

Connie, you are so right! I have been taking Colace and Miralax since Friday morning. So far NOTHING! And probably TMI but I am normally a daily gal!

Question for all: I'm thinking I need to take a stronger laxative. Or, should I give the Miralax one more day?

Also, since I am on weekly chemo treatments, I assume I will have to deal with this every time. So, once the laxative works, can I stop taking it until the next treatment? I can't imagine being on laxatives every day for the next 4.5 months. I'll ask my chemo nurse about this too.

This is day 3 post the chemo on last Thursday. My side effects have been manageable. I have been tired and found myself not sleeping well, but overall the aches and other things are not over the top. My shoulder and arm still hurt some from the port surgery. Good grief. I hope that goes away soon.

Thanks to all for the posts, advice and general support. This thread (like others) has brought up a lot of great topics.

Love to all,

Cindi

I have ened up with some

I have ened up with some constipation after every chemo, but has soon has I have it taken care of, the other extreme sets it. When I treat that the constipation returns. So I try to go.easy on treatment for both oh what a roller coaster.

I have also noticed that things I used to love , I can hardly stand to look at. Bread was something I also had trouble with, I couldn't swallow it. I could eat pizza. Loved Pita Pit can't stand to drive by now. Real craving for salty stuff. Lou Ann

Sandy3185 · August 2015

TeddyandBears_Mom said:
movement questions - shifting down
Movement Question

Connie, you are so right! I have been taking Colace and Miralax since Friday morning. So far NOTHING! And probably TMI but I am normally a daily gal!

Question for all: I'm thinking I need to take a stronger laxative. Or, should I give the Miralax one more day?

Also, since I am on weekly chemo treatments, I assume I will have to deal with this every time. So, once the laxative works, can I stop taking it until the next treatment? I can't imagine being on laxatives every day for the next 4.5 months. I'll ask my chemo nurse about this too.

This is day 3 post the chemo on last Thursday. My side effects have been manageable. I have been tired and found myself not sleeping well, but overall the aches and other things are not over the top. My shoulder and arm still hurt some from the port surgery. Good grief. I hope that goes away soon.

Thanks to all for the posts, advice and general support. This thread (like others) has brought up a lot of great topics.

Love to all,

Cindi

Constipation

I had the same problem Cindi. I did take Miralax through most of the time I was getting chemo and often needed to supplement it with Ducolax. It just became part of my daily routine and I or 2 times a week for the ducolax. Then radiation can bring the opposite problem! Just part of the joys of chemo! But a little exercise and plenty of water also help a lot. Hope this helps, Sandy

AWK · August 2015

TeddyandBears_Mom said:
movement questions - shifting down
Movement Question

Connie, you are so right! I have been taking Colace and Miralax since Friday morning. So far NOTHING! And probably TMI but I am normally a daily gal!

Question for all: I'm thinking I need to take a stronger laxative. Or, should I give the Miralax one more day?

Also, since I am on weekly chemo treatments, I assume I will have to deal with this every time. So, once the laxative works, can I stop taking it until the next treatment? I can't imagine being on laxatives every day for the next 4.5 months. I'll ask my chemo nurse about this too.

This is day 3 post the chemo on last Thursday. My side effects have been manageable. I have been tired and found myself not sleeping well, but overall the aches and other things are not over the top. My shoulder and arm still hurt some from the port surgery. Good grief. I hope that goes away soon.

Thanks to all for the posts, advice and general support. This thread (like others) has brought up a lot of great topics.

Love to all,

Cindi

Sorry I haven't responded but

I have been in the bathroom all day! After five days of total constipation I am now at the other extreme. ugh! I have this swing from one extreme to another with every type of treatment I have had aside from the radiation and brachytherapy.

Lou Ann M · August 2015

AWK said:
Sorry I haven't responded but
I have been in the bathroom all day! After five days of total constipation I am now at the other extreme. ugh! I have this swing from one extreme to another with every type of treatment I have had aside from the radiation and brachytherapy.

All I can say is "me too"

All I can say is "me too" this is a comment to Anne"s comment about constipation,, can't get it in the right place. sorry

pinky104 · August 2015

Miralax, etc.

My husband uses Miralax regularly but he also was told by a gastroenterologist years ago that he should be using one particular brand of fiber. It's called Konsyl. It's fairly expensive, but the container lasts a good amount of time. We buy it at Walmart where it seems to be cheaper than at the local pharmacies. The gastroenterologist said this was the only brand of fiber worth taking. You may want to take this in addition to your Miralax.

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

Sandy3185 said:
Constipation
I had the same problem Cindi. I did take Miralax through most of the time I was getting chemo and often needed to supplement it with Ducolax. It just became part of my daily routine and I or 2 times a week for the ducolax. Then radiation can bring the opposite problem! Just part of the joys of chemo! But a little exercise and plenty of water also help a lot. Hope this helps, Sandy

thanks!

That does help. I was so concerned about becoming laxative dependant. I guess I just need to address one thing at a time! I'm celebrating... the Miralax finally worked this morning. Oh the things we share here! And thank goodness we do share. Can't imagine trying to figure all of this out alone.

So far today, I almost feel normal. My energy level is up. And, I don't have any aches. I'm hoping that is a sign that I'll have at least 3 good days a week while on these weekly chemo pushes. :-)

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

AWK said:
Sorry I haven't responded but
I have been in the bathroom all day! After five days of total constipation I am now at the other extreme. ugh! I have this swing from one extreme to another with every type of treatment I have had aside from the radiation and brachytherapy.

take care of YOURSELF

Anne, I hope you feel better soon. That really is yucky to have to deal with. I appreciate your response and please don't ever feel like you have to do that. You need to put yourself above everything else. You are more appreciated than I can even say. Love, Cindi

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

Lou Ann M said:
All I can say is "me too"
All I can say is "me too" this is a comment to Anne"s comment about constipation,, can't get it in the right place. sorry

Lou Ann

Thanks. I had the same problem with my initial post on this subject! Fingers crossed that I don't now go to the other extreme today. I find it amazing how much our bodies can take. Appreciate all the tips. Love, Cindi

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

pinky104 said:
Miralax, etc.
My husband uses Miralax regularly but he also was told by a gastroenterologist years ago that he should be using one particular brand of fiber. It's called Konsyl. It's fairly expensive, but the container lasts a good amount of time. We buy it at Walmart where it seems to be cheaper than at the local pharmacies. The gastroenterologist said this was the only brand of fiber worth taking. You may want to take this in addition to your Miralax.

thanks

I have been using Benefiber. I'll get the Konsyl to see if it helps. thanks for the tip! Love, cindi

AWK · August 2015

TeddyandBears_Mom said:
take care of YOURSELF
Anne, I hope you feel better soon. That really is yucky to have to deal with. I appreciate your response and please don't ever feel like you have to do that. You need to put yourself above everything else. You are more appreciated than I can even say. Love, Cindi

Thanks Cindi!

Much better today! I felt compelled to respond because your timing was so funny To me. my doctors/nurses said to kind of mix up the various over the counter drugs as apparently our bodies develop a tolerance over time. Alternate them I guess. I am eating an apple today and it is awesome; good for fiber, iron. And just tasty.

My poor husband had a long day and night yesterday. Not only with me (luckily we have 3 bathrooms for the two of us) but also a sick vomiting dog and our other lab tweaked his front paw playing fetch.

My hair is now really failing out as I mentioned before. I have always had thick wavy hair my whole life. I have to admit I kind of miss it. When it grew back after frontline it came in extra thick and curly. Didn't lose any during Doxil nor Avastin but the new treatments are causing it to quickly thin and most likely go entirely. So went to my hair stylist Saturday to shave it, we ended up shaving it down into a pixie cut which will make it easier to shave when the time comes in the next week or so. Three of my closest girlfriends went with me, then we got makeup lessons and bought makeup, went to DSW and went shoe shopping and hats too and out to lunch. It was a great day and gave me the mental boost I need heading into this week's treatment. I crashed for four hours and only woke up because my dogs woke me up.

Living with cancer is my goal and I continue to do so thanks to Annie's Army! Hugs to all!

TeddyandBears_Mom · August 2015

AWK said:
Thanks Cindi!
Much better today! I felt compelled to respond because your timing was so funny To me. my doctors/nurses said to kind of mix up the various over the counter drugs as apparently our bodies develop a tolerance over time. Alternate them I guess. I am eating an apple today and it is awesome; good for fiber, iron. And just tasty.

My poor husband had a long day and night yesterday. Not only with me (luckily we have 3 bathrooms for the two of us) but also a sick vomiting dog and our other lab tweaked his front paw playing fetch.

My hair is now really failing out as I mentioned before. I have always had thick wavy hair my whole life. I have to admit I kind of miss it. When it grew back after frontline it came in extra thick and curly. Didn't lose any during Doxil nor Avastin but the new treatments are causing it to quickly thin and most likely go entirely. So went to my hair stylist Saturday to shave it, we ended up shaving it down into a pixie cut which will make it easier to shave when the time comes in the next week or so. Three of my closest girlfriends went with me, then we got makeup lessons and bought makeup, went to DSW and went shoe shopping and hats too and out to lunch. It was a great day and gave me the mental boost I need heading into this week's treatment. I crashed for four hours and only woke up because my dogs woke me up.

Living with cancer is my goal and I continue to do so thanks to Annie's Army! Hugs to all!

Anne

All I can say is I hope I can keep my attitude half as good as you do! Your strength and resolve is amazing.

I keep making jokes about going bald but the hair thing is not going to be easy. I suppose it is just another one of those things we do. Period. Can't avoid it so go with it. I'm so glad you had a great day and made it YOURS instead of the cancer dictating.

Poor babies! So hard when the kids get sick. I find it interesting that mine know something is different. And, I was kind of worried about exposing them to chemo. Especially since the nurse told me to flush the toilet twice and wipe the seat for the first 48 hours. (I didn't do it, we used different bathrooms!) My one little guy is like a Mom. He should have been a female. He won't leave my side at all. And, he won't lick my face (I'm glad about that). It's like he knows I shouldn't be exposed. Either that, or he doesn't like the way I smell now? Who knows?

Anyway, I hope this week's treatment is easier on you! Sending lots of love your way.

Cindi

Lou Ann M · August 2015

AWK said:
Thanks Cindi!
Much better today! I felt compelled to respond because your timing was so funny To me. my doctors/nurses said to kind of mix up the various over the counter drugs as apparently our bodies develop a tolerance over time. Alternate them I guess. I am eating an apple today and it is awesome; good for fiber, iron. And just tasty.

My poor husband had a long day and night yesterday. Not only with me (luckily we have 3 bathrooms for the two of us) but also a sick vomiting dog and our other lab tweaked his front paw playing fetch.

My hair is now really failing out as I mentioned before. I have always had thick wavy hair my whole life. I have to admit I kind of miss it. When it grew back after frontline it came in extra thick and curly. Didn't lose any during Doxil nor Avastin but the new treatments are causing it to quickly thin and most likely go entirely. So went to my hair stylist Saturday to shave it, we ended up shaving it down into a pixie cut which will make it easier to shave when the time comes in the next week or so. Three of my closest girlfriends went with me, then we got makeup lessons and bought makeup, went to DSW and went shoe shopping and hats too and out to lunch. It was a great day and gave me the mental boost I need heading into this week's treatment. I crashed for four hours and only woke up because my dogs woke me up.

Living with cancer is my goal and I continue to do so thanks to Annie's Army! Hugs to all!

Anne

I am so glad you are feeling better. That bathroom problem can sure zap your energy! I am glad you were able to,get out Saturday get the hair cut and and some fun while you were doing it. I lost my hair 3 times now and it seemed like the 3rd was the hardest. The first time I cried about hair. The 1st go around I gave all,my hats and scarves away. I won't do,that again. A new hat can do wonders for a sinking attitude. My hair is growing back with Doxil, although my husband, bless him, still says I looked sexy bald.

I am hoping everything goes well with your treatment this week. You are a trooper. Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

pinky104 · August 2015

Cindi

You're welcome. I hope it helps. Another thing we've often found helps us is garlic, especially in spaghetti sauce. Also, apples often do the trick for me.

Port - Post Surgery Pain

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