Finally!

allmost60

Hi all,
Ok...surgeon called a few minutes ago today and said no way for port implant tomorrow(no openings).. BUT>>>It's a "GO" for Monday(30th)at 8:00. Absolutely...positively...no more delays.."YES"!!! The surgeon will leave my port accessable(??) and at 8:00 Tuesday morning(31st)I will get my first round of chemo. I go to the hospital tomorrow for pre-op...blood work and EKG. Neither the surgeon nor the cancer clinic is concerned about doing the chemo the next day after the port is implanted, so I guess I won't worry about it either. So...guess I'll just chill out over the weekend and start the new week out with a "Bang"...ha!(about darn time)!!...ha! Thanks to all of you for putting up with my venting, huffing and puffing over the delays! You are all just the best!!!
Love...Sue

forme

Finally
Hi Sue,
I just saw your post and wanted to say something. I was thinking about congrats ! but really don't think that is what I am trying to say. I am so glad that your waiting will be over. Now on to the next most important phase, treating and healing. Do your best to have a peaceful and calm weekend. I know it will be difficult to do, but come Monday morn. you'll be somewhat rested and ready for whats to come.
Lisha

dixiegirl

forme said:

Finally
Hi Sue,
I just saw your post and wanted to say something. I was thinking about congrats ! but really don't think that is what I am trying to say. I am so glad that your waiting will be over. Now on to the next most important phase, treating and healing. Do your best to have a peaceful and calm weekend. I know it will be difficult to do, but come Monday morn. you'll be somewhat rested and ready for whats to come.
Lisha

Stay busy
Go for it. Go shopping, buy yourself something great! Eat to your hearts content. I am grateful your wait is almost over, but it's going to be a rough weekend trying to slow your mind down.

Congrats on finally getting this show on the road!

Love ya,
Beth

merrywinner

Thank Goodness
I feel so bad that you had all that waiting. That is so hard but it seems like you have been able to keep your spirits up. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that everything can go seamlessly forward. God bless. Mary

COBRA666

Port
Sue,
Ask them if they can put some sort of numbing cream on the surgical sight before they start the chemo. It will be sore I can assure you. It will sting but it won't last long. Still, why go thru the pain if you don't have too. Good Luck on Monday. John

yesyes2

COBRA666 said:

Port
Sue,
Ask them if they can put some sort of numbing cream on the surgical sight before they start the chemo. It will be sore I can assure you. It will sting but it won't last long. Still, why go thru the pain if you don't have too. Good Luck on Monday. John

About Time
Sue,
You have a good weekend and do something really fun. Monday will be here before you know it. And soon you will be one down!!! So sorry you had so many delays but I think that's the was it seems to go for us, delay, delay, delay. If it's not one kind of hurry up and wait it's another. Will be thinking of you this Monday.
Leslie

KC13167

Port
I had my port and my first chemo on the same day. It all worked out fine! Good Luck, Kellie

truckingalong

Good Omen
Dear Sue,

Oh, relief, relief. I was starting to think that maybe you should go to another center for better service but you got in for the port appt. Great! Now you are on the road and hopefully with no bumps!!

Be thinking of you everyday.

Hugs,
Liz

SRnOC1970nonhodkns2007

while doing chemo...
Try not to think too much about the medical stuff. Let the doctors worry and you have to remain blissfully ignorant. That's how I got through it (6 months of chemo and 2 months of radiation).

I actually took College Classes because I needed money to pay bills and figured if I live, I have purpose...use my education and pay off my loans. If I die well, I was improving my life as it happened. My point is, attitude is very much an influence on how things go.

I couldn't let anyone suffer because of my medical problems. I jokingly called myself Cancer Boy just so people wouldn't act weird. Laughter is powerfull. You have to think of all the good you have done in this life and trust that God will let you touch other peoples lives in 20 years too.

Blissfull ignorance is my advice....take it or leave it. But, it worked for me and many others.

And remember to eat lots of ice cream as a reward for going through all this junk. I usually ate ice cream after each 4 hr chemo session. It will be the best 6 bucks you can spend!

allmost60

truckingalong said:

Good Omen
Dear Sue,

Oh, relief, relief. I was starting to think that maybe you should go to another center for better service but you got in for the port appt. Great! Now you are on the road and hopefully with no bumps!!

Be thinking of you everyday.

Hugs,
Liz

Not the clinics fault...(this time)..ha!
Hi Liz,
I am learning (very fast) that when you have a whole group of people scheduling appts and tests and then just 1 person goofs up, it can set off a chain of events that puts everything at a screeching hault. I'm ok...so far I haven't lost my cool or gotten ugly with anyone, but all bets are off on me staying this way if the phone rings between now and Monday...ha! Yes...I am also relieved! Hope you are doing ok...I'm trying to keep track of everyones treatment dates and appointments and shared information but worry I'll miss telling someone good luck or offer support. I think about all of us, all of the time! We truely are a whole new family and it's important for me to spread and share my love and support. Sure hope I don't mess up after treatment starts!
Take care of yourself and rest Liz.
Love...Sue

allmost60

KC13167 said:

Port
I had my port and my first chemo on the same day. It all worked out fine! Good Luck, Kellie

Same day..
Hi Kellie,
My surgeon said it is very common to put a port in and use it on the same day or day after. He said he will leave mine accessable for chemo so that they don't have to prick through the skin. Didn't think to ask "HOW" he does that, but wrote it down to ask him on Monday morning before he puts the port in. Sometimes I act like a "deer in headlights" when these doctors start talking to me..DUH!!..ha! Soooo much to remember all of the time.I'll get out to the car and say "darn..what the heck did he say???"...ha!
All will be good...Love...Sue

allmost60

SRnOC1970nonhodkns2007 said:

while doing chemo...
Try not to think too much about the medical stuff. Let the doctors worry and you have to remain blissfully ignorant. That's how I got through it (6 months of chemo and 2 months of radiation).

I actually took College Classes because I needed money to pay bills and figured if I live, I have purpose...use my education and pay off my loans. If I die well, I was improving my life as it happened. My point is, attitude is very much an influence on how things go.

I couldn't let anyone suffer because of my medical problems. I jokingly called myself Cancer Boy just so people wouldn't act weird. Laughter is powerfull. You have to think of all the good you have done in this life and trust that God will let you touch other peoples lives in 20 years too.

Blissfull ignorance is my advice....take it or leave it. But, it worked for me and many others.

And remember to eat lots of ice cream as a reward for going through all this junk. I usually ate ice cream after each 4 hr chemo session. It will be the best 6 bucks you can spend!

Thanks..
Hi "Cancer Boy"...
That doesn't feel right saying that, but you said it's how you roll. "Blissfully ignorant" wouldn't ever work for me.I'm one of those people that "needs to know" and actually feels comforted when I have all of the facts. I may not understand everything, but I'll give it my best shot at educating myself. I admire people who can relax and leave the driving to the bus driver...I'm just not one of those folks. I have a hubby that thinks like you do. The less he knows, the better, when it comes to his health. Now with me and this cancer...he isn't so peaceful. Now he wants to know EVERYTHING. Thanks for the advice...you sound like a very peaceful soul. Hope you are doing good.
Take care....Sue
P.S. I'll definetely take the "ice cream advice"...love-love-love ice cream...especially butter brickle...YUM!

onlytoday

allmost60 said:

Thanks..
Hi "Cancer Boy"...
That doesn't feel right saying that, but you said it's how you roll. "Blissfully ignorant" wouldn't ever work for me.I'm one of those people that "needs to know" and actually feels comforted when I have all of the facts. I may not understand everything, but I'll give it my best shot at educating myself. I admire people who can relax and leave the driving to the bus driver...I'm just not one of those folks. I have a hubby that thinks like you do. The less he knows, the better, when it comes to his health. Now with me and this cancer...he isn't so peaceful. Now he wants to know EVERYTHING. Thanks for the advice...you sound like a very peaceful soul. Hope you are doing good.
Take care....Sue
P.S. I'll definetely take the "ice cream advice"...love-love-love ice cream...especially butter brickle...YUM!

Glad your wait is finally over!!
Sue,

Will be thinking of you and praying for you through this journey. I'm a hiker (when healthy) and this path that we're on is no different that hiking a mountain. There are areas that are easy and peaceful like when you find a field of wildflowers by surprise. Then within minutes you're struggling up the side of a hill and the bugs are biting and you're sweating like a pig... But the cool part is that the end result will always be the
same in both instances. We will reach the summit ! We'll have peaks and valleys but we'll get there. Be srong and know that we are all with you every step of the way.WE CAN DO THIS!!!! Love and hugs to you.

tcvine

allmost60 said:

Thanks..
Hi "Cancer Boy"...
That doesn't feel right saying that, but you said it's how you roll. "Blissfully ignorant" wouldn't ever work for me.I'm one of those people that "needs to know" and actually feels comforted when I have all of the facts. I may not understand everything, but I'll give it my best shot at educating myself. I admire people who can relax and leave the driving to the bus driver...I'm just not one of those folks. I have a hubby that thinks like you do. The less he knows, the better, when it comes to his health. Now with me and this cancer...he isn't so peaceful. Now he wants to know EVERYTHING. Thanks for the advice...you sound like a very peaceful soul. Hope you are doing good.
Take care....Sue
P.S. I'll definetely take the "ice cream advice"...love-love-love ice cream...especially butter brickle...YUM!

Port
Hi Sue,
Glad to hear about getting your port in on Monday. Then getting started down this road.
We'll be praying for you!

Tom & Connie

dixiegirl

tcvine said:

Port
Hi Sue,
Glad to hear about getting your port in on Monday. Then getting started down this road.
We'll be praying for you!

Tom & Connie

Tom
Hey Tom,

How are you feeling? Still doing good? Hopefully you fly through this treatment with minimal effects.

Did your wart settle down?

Take Care,
Beth

britta

allmost60 said:

Same day..
Hi Kellie,
My surgeon said it is very common to put a port in and use it on the same day or day after. He said he will leave mine accessable for chemo so that they don't have to prick through the skin. Didn't think to ask "HOW" he does that, but wrote it down to ask him on Monday morning before he puts the port in. Sometimes I act like a "deer in headlights" when these doctors start talking to me..DUH!!..ha! Soooo much to remember all of the time.I'll get out to the car and say "darn..what the heck did he say???"...ha!
All will be good...Love...Sue

Tomorrow
Sue,

Wish you luck tomorrow and Tuesday. My port was put in under radiology and I didn't like that, think surgery would be better. Glad the waiting is over, I think you are plenty prepared of what to expect after being on here a couple of months. Wish I had discovered this site earlier.

God bless you as you start on your chemo and pray for Complete Resmission.

Britta

allmost60

tcvine said:

Port
Hi Sue,
Glad to hear about getting your port in on Monday. Then getting started down this road.
We'll be praying for you!

Tom & Connie

Nice picture Tom
Hi Tom,
Yep...tomorrow starts the journey of treatment...port on Monday.. then first round on Tues. I'm ready. It's been a nice peaceful weekend and I haven't stressed a bit. I love the picture of you and your wife. Looks like a happy content couple to me.
Have a good Sunday...our weather is absolutely gorgeous today. Feels like a touch of fall is in the air, especially at night now.
Sue

dixiegirl

allmost60 said:

Nice picture Tom
Hi Tom,
Yep...tomorrow starts the journey of treatment...port on Monday.. then first round on Tues. I'm ready. It's been a nice peaceful weekend and I haven't stressed a bit. I love the picture of you and your wife. Looks like a happy content couple to me.
Have a good Sunday...our weather is absolutely gorgeous today. Feels like a touch of fall is in the air, especially at night now.
Sue

Sue
Good luck to you tomorrow honey! Hopefully they will be on schedule and you won't have to wait too long to get that cup of coffee!!

I don't do well without caffeine LOL.

Will be thinking of you!

Beth

tcvine

allmost60 said:

Nice picture Tom
Hi Tom,
Yep...tomorrow starts the journey of treatment...port on Monday.. then first round on Tues. I'm ready. It's been a nice peaceful weekend and I haven't stressed a bit. I love the picture of you and your wife. Looks like a happy content couple to me.
Have a good Sunday...our weather is absolutely gorgeous today. Feels like a touch of fall is in the air, especially at night now.
Sue

Mimi-Warrior is Shy
Hi Liz,

Our thoughts and prayers with you tonight. You won't have any problem. The port is a breeze. You'll love it.

Thanks for your picture comment. Connie (Mimi-Warrior) did not want me to use a pic with her in it. She never likes her pictures. But, I finally just did it anyway, because no matter how much I wish that she didn't have to go through this - I can't imagine doing it without her. So I just changed the pic and waited. I think she has seen it by now and I still have my head, so I hope it's OK.

Liz, if your first 2 weeks turn out to be as good as mine, you are going to feel guilty because you haven't been doing enough. I hope that's how it is for you.

Let us know tomorrow about the port. I'll bet you love it!
God Bless,
Tom

COBRA666

The big day!!!!!
Sue,
Haven't talked to you in a while, but been thinking about your big day tomorrow. That port will feel funny at first,but it will not take long to get used to it. It will be swollen in that area for a few days and feel like a hugh knot. After a while you will be able to feel 3 little bumps set up in a triangle surrounding the outer edges. Mine are 2 on the top and 1 at the bottom. The Onc nurse uses those points to put the infusion in. They put it directly in between those points. Sort of a guide for them. I was wondering myself what they were and one of the Onc. nurses told me they are there in case they are hung over and have trouble finding where to put the infusion. Then she bust out out laughing. Said she tells them all that. Nothing like a sense of humor, I guess. Good luck tomorrow, we all will be thinking of you.
John

yesyes2

COBRA666 said:

The big day!!!!!
Sue,
Haven't talked to you in a while, but been thinking about your big day tomorrow. That port will feel funny at first,but it will not take long to get used to it. It will be swollen in that area for a few days and feel like a hugh knot. After a while you will be able to feel 3 little bumps set up in a triangle surrounding the outer edges. Mine are 2 on the top and 1 at the bottom. The Onc nurse uses those points to put the infusion in. They put it directly in between those points. Sort of a guide for them. I was wondering myself what they were and one of the Onc. nurses told me they are there in case they are hung over and have trouble finding where to put the infusion. Then she bust out out laughing. Said she tells them all that. Nothing like a sense of humor, I guess. Good luck tomorrow, we all will be thinking of you.
John

Purple Port People
Hi Sue, Hope by now you are a proud member of the purple port crowd and that all went well for you during surgery. This is a very elite group of people and you should feel honored for having become a member,LOL. Just wanted to let you know I'm think about you today and tomorrow.
Blessings, Leslie