Hi Everyone!

woodsygal
woodsygal Member Posts: 64
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi,

The chemo port was inserted today, and I am not a "happy camper". My mother told me that when I woke up, I was crying hard, my surgeon was upset over it. I don't remember that, as I was just plain TIRED!! I am feeling pain in the shoulder area, and it is a nuisance. The area is all black and blue. Life goes on and I ended up doing errands. I am alone now, when I really could use help. Boy, do I have mood swings like I never have before. I hope I sleep well tonight! Love, Carlie

Comments

  • aztec45
    aztec45 Member Posts: 757
    #2
    Your Surgeon Will Get Over It
    Your surgeon will get over it. Sometimes you need to cry and you need a release. You will be pretty sore for a few days. That is because any surgery is hared on the body and they tend to put the port close to the collar bone so it does rub and hurt for a few days. It will pass. Just take it slow and don't try to do too much. Brace yourself when you sneeze. That is a killer.

    P
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #3
    Carlie
    sorry that you had a tough time. I hope you can sleep tonight too!
  • ritazimm
    ritazimm Member Posts: 171
    #4
    Agree
    I do recall having pain after it was inserted and the first few days were the worst. After thing started to heal the pain subsides and it becomes just another annoyance of the whole process. I found it most annoying when I tried to sleep on my right side (my port was on the right side). It would kind of pinch and hurt until I found just the 'right' position.

    I will also atest to the fact that it was WELL WORTH IT!!! Although the sticks at the time of chemo or blood draws do hurt a bit, it is much less than an IV for each treatment!! It was also great that I didn't have to worry about the veins in my 'good' arm being ruined since it is all that I have for use for the rest of my life. I have become a bit paranoid about my precious veins. Had a blood draw this morning and then donated a pint of blood for my upcoming surgery and tonight my vein looks like minced meat. I'm having an MRI tomorrow and a bone scan and will be having more IV's so right now I'm wishing I still had my port. Although it is a a pain in the arss, one day, you will be thankful for it.

    Also.......you do not need to feel bad about the mood swings! i think they are expected when one is put under so much stress. I'll be praying that you have a great night of sleep tonight.

    God Bless,
    Rita
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #5
    Sorry that you had such a
    Sorry that you had such a bad experience. I hope that you will get a restful night and that tomorrow will be a better day for you!
  • jojo elizapest
    jojo elizapest Member Posts: 122
    #6
    When my port was put in all
    When my port was put in all I remember was the surgeon talking throughout the procedure about his wifes pork roast!!! My port was uncomfortable for the first couple of days...but so worth it! I have never been an easy stick for blood work...

    I am sorry you were alone when you were feeling like you could have used someone there with you...but I am glad you came online and tapped into this support system.

    Hope things progress smoothly over the weekend.

    Jojo
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #7
    outdoorgirl said:

    Carlie
    sorry that you had a tough time. I hope you can sleep tonight too!

    So sorry that it was so
    So sorry that it was so tough on you. Someone should have been there with you. I hope that it feels better soon and that you can get some sleep. Did you get some sleeping pills?

    Lex
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #8
    Hi, Carlie
    Hope you're feeling a bit better today, and that you got a good night's rest. Is it OK for you to take something like Tylenol, or Aleve, for relief from the temporary pain - until your body adjusts to the port? Hope so.
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #9
    Christmas Girl said:

    Hi, Carlie
    Hope you're feeling a bit better today, and that you got a good night's rest. Is it OK for you to take something like Tylenol, or Aleve, for relief from the temporary pain - until your body adjusts to the port? Hope so.

    I hope you are better today
    I hope you are better today too. Didn't they give you some pain medication? If you need some, call your doctor. Feel better!

    Susie
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537 Member
    #10
    HI carlie
    Really the port is worth the hassle...it really is...
    Mine actually was the easiest thing I had to deal with throughout this whole ordeal. Just ask your doc for some emla cream. YOu put a blob of cream over the port about 1 hour before they access it and it numbs the area.

    As far as mood swings go...I was diagnosed in April, had surgery in May, was put on an antidepressant in June and xanax as well and I still cry...but not as often. I find that crying is a good release for me. I expect to be on antidepressants for at least a year. Also ask for something to help you sleep because there is nothing worse than a sleepless anxious night.

    Hang in there
    LInda .t
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #11
    outdoorgirl said:

    Carlie
    sorry that you had a tough time. I hope you can sleep tonight too!

    Sorry Carlie that it was so
    Sorry Carlie that it was so tough on you. I hope you got lots of sleep and are doing better.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #12
    Tux said:

    Sorry that you had such a
    Sorry that you had such a bad experience. I hope that you will get a restful night and that tomorrow will be a better day for you!

    Sorry about your not so good
    Sorry about your not so good experience. Hope you are sleeping now comfortably.

    Post and let us know how you are doing now.

    I am so sorry.


    Diane :(

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