Back on dense dose with a new port

kayandok

Things are finally cranking back up in Japan, after the New Year's holiday. There are only 3 days of official holiday, but things are slow to start back up. I started back on the dense dose taxol/carboplatin today. They did a CA125 draw and after being off for 6 weeks, it will be interesting to see what the number did.

Yesterday, i checked into the hosptial to do the port surgery. My old power port had a kink in it and the drip was too slow to be of any use. I had been dreading this (the procedure is done only with a local numbing), and was happy to have it re-scheduled a few weeks ago, when I remembered I had been taking my one dose of baby asprin daily, and knew that wasn't a good thing for surgical procedures.

The new port went in with no hitches, and old one came out fine, but I came out with a very sore neck, and a bit traumatized by all the pushing, pulling, not to mention all of the of the needle pokes for the numbing. They put in a Bradport that goes into the juglar vein this time. The doctor convinced me that it is the better port, and my old one was an old model, and they had stopped using it here 10 years ago. They like to have all the newest latest gadgets in Japan. But the procedures they use to put those gadgets in are not always in that category.

The good news is that after it was over, I walked to the barber shop in the hospital, and got a hair trim/face shave (in spite of my sore neck) and didn't have any grogginess from all the drugs. I had a great night's sleep, and this morning, first thing I got my chemo in my hospital room, before checking out. They really wanted to be able to watch me after my last chemo room drama a few weeks ago, not to mention my panic attack 2 weeks ago.

Does anyone else have a Bradport in their chest that goes up to the juglar vein and then down?

I am praying for all of us here daily, as we all look this reality in the face and battle on!

TEAL hugs all around,
kathleen❥

PS I miss Saundra and Bonnie so much!!

childofthestars

Bradport
Hi Kathleen
I had this port and it was brilliant. I had it removed on Dec 11 after my last treatment. Initially i was so against having a port but my oncologist told me it was the best idea and i have to hand it to him it was. Although unlike you i was heavily sedated when it was put in and removed and i have a teeny tiny scar in my neck and about a 3cm scar on my right chest which is healing nicely.
wishing you best of luck with your forthcoming treatments.
Mx

nancy591

hi!
Good luck with the upcoming treatment1 Every 3wks? How many seperate rounds of carbo/taxol have you done now?

Miss Saundra and Bonnie too. Both of them were super nice, supportive and gave me hope.

kayandok

nancy591 said:

hi!
Good luck with the upcoming treatment1 Every 3wks? How many seperate rounds of carbo/taxol have you done now?

Miss Saundra and Bonnie too. Both of them were super nice, supportive and gave me hope.

I will have to confirm,
but 90% sure it was 3 double dose of carbo/taxol together. It was the day I was to receive the 4th that I had a cardio issue. I will recieve carbo/taxol week 1, and taxol olny week2 and 3 with week 4 off, if it all goes according to the plan. My doc really wants me to go for a good 5 or 6 in a row to try and knock some stuff back, if my body can handle it. The big IF. Otherwise, it might be a tweeking the dose and not taking the 4th week off, or just doing dense dose taxol only. (I really want tot do avastin, but can't get it here for ovarian.)

My CA was 22 at the beginning of November, so been awhile. I have bowel issues too, like you. It comes and goes. I use magmid (the magnesium) even after being off chemo. I feel pulling and pinching sometimes, and if i push certain areas, I can feel hot spots. I suspect some tumors on the move. I really want to get a PET and have always been sucessful in doing that because I was always "potentially" on the way to the States for suegery. But, I don't see that as a good option now, although I have thought/read/prayed long and hard about it, so don't think I can get a PET. I just want to know what is going on.

I met a lady today at the hospital, who just happens to also be in my therapy group, in her late 30's going in for her major debulk after doing 4 rounds of chemo first. She has a 5 and 7 year old and i could not help but think of you, and your little ones. She was saying all the right things and trying to be brave, but I know she was scared to death!!!

What is your routine? I think you are doing Avastin/cytoxin, if my I can trust this toxic brain. Did you just start? How many will you do?

K

nancy591

kayandok said:

I will have to confirm,
but 90% sure it was 3 double dose of carbo/taxol together. It was the day I was to receive the 4th that I had a cardio issue. I will recieve carbo/taxol week 1, and taxol olny week2 and 3 with week 4 off, if it all goes according to the plan. My doc really wants me to go for a good 5 or 6 in a row to try and knock some stuff back, if my body can handle it. The big IF. Otherwise, it might be a tweeking the dose and not taking the 4th week off, or just doing dense dose taxol only. (I really want tot do avastin, but can't get it here for ovarian.)

My CA was 22 at the beginning of November, so been awhile. I have bowel issues too, like you. It comes and goes. I use magmid (the magnesium) even after being off chemo. I feel pulling and pinching sometimes, and if i push certain areas, I can feel hot spots. I suspect some tumors on the move. I really want to get a PET and have always been sucessful in doing that because I was always "potentially" on the way to the States for suegery. But, I don't see that as a good option now, although I have thought/read/prayed long and hard about it, so don't think I can get a PET. I just want to know what is going on.

I met a lady today at the hospital, who just happens to also be in my therapy group, in her late 30's going in for her major debulk after doing 4 rounds of chemo first. She has a 5 and 7 year old and i could not help but think of you, and your little ones. She was saying all the right things and trying to be brave, but I know she was scared to death!!!

What is your routine? I think you are doing Avastin/cytoxin, if my I can trust this toxic brain. Did you just start? How many will you do?

K

ca125
Thats a great number. HOpefully you will see your number come down. I've been taking epson salt (Magnesium) baths and it think it has helped my bowels greatly plus the magensium seems to be abosrbed better through the skin. My Mag level is actually within normal range. You had a ct scan at the end of your last treatment, correct?

I am on avastin/cytoxan. I started last Friday. I searched this board and see that Bonnie was on that regimen in 2006 with success. Her ca126 went to a 10. I will be going once every 3 weeks. After 3 or 4 rounds they will do a scan.

Yeah, my guys are 5 and 7. It is sweet tht you remembered.

clamryn

I have a power port
Hi Kathleen, I am so glad that you have gotten your port in and your first chemo under your belt. I haven't heard of a Bradport. I have the power port and it has worked fine so far. I tried to be the "brave" one in 2008 and didn't want the port because of doing just 6 rounds of the chemo. I didn't know then that it would damage my veins. I am a slow learner. So, in 2010 when I had to go through chemo AGAIN, I got the powerport put in. And I am glad that it is in. So much easier.
I am getting ready to start on the Avastin next Tuesday. I had to wait because I got shingles. Had my CA125 taken a week ago and it went down 2 points. I was glad about that. It was 37.4 and now it is 35. I am so glad that I can get started on the Avastin. I had been on a break for 2 months and my cancer had grown.

Praying that 2011 will be a good year for all of the "Teal" sisters.

Linda

Lisa13Q

Hello
Hi Kathleen,

I am so gald you are not barbigerous any longer! Thank God for that. Let us know how the CA-125 is going; and how the dense dose taxol works. Mom starts that in 2 weeks. Hopeing that slows the tumor growth in her liver. I can't remember but how did you tolerate the taxol regimen before? If I recall correctly, you were pretty hearty and it did slow things down, yes? I, too, miss Bonnie and Saundra, there was always something about their posts that calmed me down. Keep us updated on your CA-125!! How's the weather there in Japan?

srwruns

Great update...I'm not
Great update...I'm not surprised that Japan has the latest greatest gadgets. Every new electronic gadget seems to be introduced initially in Japan before it is available on the US shelves. Sorry for you that they don't seem as generous with anesthesia options! Ouch. Best of luck on this new round of treatment and good luck with new port. Susan

Hissy_Fitz

Kathleen....I had my first
Kathleen....I had my first Power Port removed with just a local and I can attest to the tugging and pulling. The surgeon who removed mine was not the one who placed it, and since he uses a different procedure, he didn't realize the first doc had stitched the port in place. He yanked and pulled and finally realized that he had to remove the sutures first!

My second port was placed on the opposite side of my chest from the first one. The surgeon told me that "Plan B" was my neck. I wonder now if that would have involved the Bradport. Or do they sometimes place the Power Port in the neck?

At any rate, I'm glad to hear that you are off and running with this new treatment. I hope it gives you great results - and soon!

Carlene

kayandok

Hissy_Fitz said:

Kathleen....I had my first
Kathleen....I had my first Power Port removed with just a local and I can attest to the tugging and pulling. The surgeon who removed mine was not the one who placed it, and since he uses a different procedure, he didn't realize the first doc had stitched the port in place. He yanked and pulled and finally realized that he had to remove the sutures first!

My second port was placed on the opposite side of my chest from the first one. The surgeon told me that "Plan B" was my neck. I wonder now if that would have involved the Bradport. Or do they sometimes place the Power Port in the neck?

At any rate, I'm glad to hear that you are off and running with this new treatment. I hope it gives you great results - and soon!

Carlene

Bradport
My bradport is placed in my chest at the same place the power port was, just opposite side. The tube goes up the neck (into the juglar) and then down into the chest vein. The power port went up towards the collar bone and then down into the main vein/artery (which is it?) it is mainly the route that is a bit different from what I can tell, and the stats do say that the brad tends to not kink or get blood clots as often as the power port. I had my power port for 3 plus years, and never once had a problem, until a couple months ago. And fortunately it wasn't a blood clot or anything serious.

I hope to be posting great results soon too!

kathleen

Cafewoman53

kayandok said:

Bradport
My bradport is placed in my chest at the same place the power port was, just opposite side. The tube goes up the neck (into the juglar) and then down into the chest vein. The power port went up towards the collar bone and then down into the main vein/artery (which is it?) it is mainly the route that is a bit different from what I can tell, and the stats do say that the brad tends to not kink or get blood clots as often as the power port. I had my power port for 3 plus years, and never once had a problem, until a couple months ago. And fortunately it wasn't a blood clot or anything serious.

I hope to be posting great results soon too!

kathleen

ouch
Whenever I have anything done they ask if you are allergic to anything and I always answer yes , I am allergic to pain ! I hope your port lasts as long as you need it to with no problems !
Colleen