Follow up after PET Scan

sammer4u

Had a Pet scan on Tuesday, and did a follow up with the oncologist yesterday. I have 6 tumors on the liver. We are starting 5-FU and Oxaliplatin for two months, then another Pet scan, and then potentially surgery on the liver. They have talked about installing a port in the chest on Tuesday, starting chemo on Thursday.

What is the installation of this port all about? I understand it is a outpatient thing, but is there much pain or issues afterwards? I have a couple of events to attend in the evenings next week and curious if I should back out of the one the day of the installation?

Any one have any thoughts on requesting my ostomy reversal at the same time as of the liver surgery? My thinking is that as long as they can get in there for the liver might as well reconnect the plumbing. Less time at the end of this battle. I would believe that enough time passed to allow for the colon to heal and be somewhat normal for the re-connection. Just looking for a quicker path to getting back to normal as heavy lifting is part of my life (co-owner of a moving company) and a bowler and fairly active.

I am nervous about the port installation, and the chemo. Reading the forms about the stuff... I am concerned about the Oxaliplatin and being in WI in winter. Says to cover mouth when exposed to cold air and may cause issues with mouth, throat, or lip numbness... Apparently drinking something cold is an issue.

Brenda Bricco

Hi, sounds like you have the
Hi, sounds like you have the same plan as my husband as far as surgery and the Wisconsin winters.
The port is a GODsend and it caused my husband little to no pain, he said the incision was a little tender if he bumped it for the first few days. There was some swelling for a week or two but nothing too bad. As far as the cold, my husband wears mittens and bundles up if he is going outside. The first couple days after treatment he avoided cold drinks (he is on pause waiting for surgery). He never experienced the metallic taste that some do.
The plan is for liver resection in January which they are planning to reverse the illeostomy at that time.
I am curious where you are doctoring... we chose UW Madison and have no regerets thus far.
God's blessings to you.
Brenda

tanstaafl

choices
The principal alternatives for FOLFOX infusion are PICC line and through the veins (very, very tough stuff).

tommycat

The procedure for the port
The procedure for the port installation requires you to go under....you probably won't want to do anything later that night.
I feel like Brenda---the port was a godsend for me. Chemo means many needle sticks and it just makes the whole experience easier.
Wishing you well on this journey~
Your Friend in California

lauragb

About the port. I did have
About the port. I did have some issues with mine in the beginning but I believe I am in the minority on this one. That said, I am glad I did not give up on mine because it has been a Godsend through two hospitalizations. The second week of my last hospital stay post surgery, the port was used for everything including the daily blood draws. It really cuts down on the amount of times you have to get stuck, although sometimes you have to ask for it to be used. Good luck with everything. Hope you can have your two surgeries at once.
Sending you light.
Laura

PS You might want to opt out of the event the day of the installation.

maglets

lauragb said:

About the port. I did have
About the port. I did have some issues with mine in the beginning but I believe I am in the minority on this one. That said, I am glad I did not give up on mine because it has been a Godsend through two hospitalizations. The second week of my last hospital stay post surgery, the port was used for everything including the daily blood draws. It really cuts down on the amount of times you have to get stuck, although sometimes you have to ask for it to be used. Good luck with everything. Hope you can have your two surgeries at once.
Sending you light.
Laura

PS You might want to opt out of the event the day of the installation.

wow slow down there sammer
ok one step at a time.....there is often chemo before liver resection....so just worry about the port right now. The fact that they are talking surgery for liver is good good good

I have done lots of oxy without a port...straight into the veins and that too can done....so if you are getting a port concentrate on that step.

next we can talk about oxy and side effects and cold... there are lots of Canadians and northers who have done oxy all winter. My first day it was 40 below.....so we can help with that too.

Hang in there and others with port experience will chime in

all the very very best....mags

steveandnat

No problem with port
The port is really good because when getting chemo it makes it alot eaasier. You may have to get a pump and the port is easiers when moving around with the pump.
Praying all goes well.
Jeff

sammer4u

Brenda Bricco said:

Hi, sounds like you have the
Hi, sounds like you have the same plan as my husband as far as surgery and the Wisconsin winters.
The port is a GODsend and it caused my husband little to no pain, he said the incision was a little tender if he bumped it for the first few days. There was some swelling for a week or two but nothing too bad. As far as the cold, my husband wears mittens and bundles up if he is going outside. The first couple days after treatment he avoided cold drinks (he is on pause waiting for surgery). He never experienced the metallic taste that some do.
The plan is for liver resection in January which they are planning to reverse the illeostomy at that time.
I am curious where you are doctoring... we chose UW Madison and have no regerets thus far.
God's blessings to you.
Brenda

I had my tumor removed in
I had my tumor removed in Watertown, which is a UW affiliated hospital. My cancer treatments will be thru Johnson Creek and again that is a UW affiliate. The liver specialist that my oncologist talked with is at the UW Madison hospital and more than likely that is where the surgery will take place for the liver. So far not one complaint from either hospital. Thanks for the insight! Helps ease the mind a bit...

Brenda Bricco

sammer4u said:

I had my tumor removed in
I had my tumor removed in Watertown, which is a UW affiliated hospital. My cancer treatments will be thru Johnson Creek and again that is a UW affiliate. The liver specialist that my oncologist talked with is at the UW Madison hospital and more than likely that is where the surgery will take place for the liver. So far not one complaint from either hospital. Thanks for the insight! Helps ease the mind a bit...

The doctor that heads up his
The doctor that heads up his team is Emily Winslow at UW Madison, all the docs are wonerful there. We are from Clintonville so even further up nort than you, it's a three hour drive to Madison for us.

karen40

The Port
The surgery itself is simple. You'll be in and out within a few hours. I was pretty swollen and sore afterwards. I had some discomfort but no real pain. If the event on the day of your surgery doesn't require anything physical and you can tolerate some discomfort, I'd go to the event. The only real issue I had with my port was the first time it was accessed. IT HURT! I was told the reason it hurt so bad was because I was still swollen from the surgery. I wasn't prepared for that. If they offer numbing cream, I strongly suggest that you ask to be numbed. I really wish I knew about the numbing cream. I learned about it from this board - a little to late. Once the swelling went down I had no issues with the port being accessed. It was just a small pinch and that was without numbing cream.
Karen

lisa42

port install
Apparently most people don't have problems when they get their port put in. I was an exception to that rule- that area including my shoulder and collar bone area were very sore for a couple of weeks. I may just be more sensitive than most. It was no problem after that. I had to have it reinstalled about a year and a half ago (the first time was 4-1/2 yrs ago) & I was worried about it hurting again, but it was painless the second time.
You may feel a little groggy later that day or evening- I wouldn't commit to anything that same day.

Best wishes to you in everything-

Lisa

smokeyjoe

lisa42 said:

port install
Apparently most people don't have problems when they get their port put in. I was an exception to that rule- that area including my shoulder and collar bone area were very sore for a couple of weeks. I may just be more sensitive than most. It was no problem after that. I had to have it reinstalled about a year and a half ago (the first time was 4-1/2 yrs ago) & I was worried about it hurting again, but it was painless the second time.
You may feel a little groggy later that day or evening- I wouldn't commit to anything that same day.

Best wishes to you in everything-

Lisa

I was a little tender, but
I was a little tender, but not bad....I wasn't put under for the proceedure, they gave me something, but I wasn't knocked out, awake and aware for it. Suppose every hospital does it differently.

Kathleen808

Sounds like a plan
It sounds like they have a good plan. As Mags said, it is good they are talking about surgery for your liver.

My husband was not put under for his port installation. He did have pain as it was put Ina nd then quite a bit of pain for about a week after it was put in. He was in the minority. Most people have little pain.

I read that you are quite physical in your job. Make sure you are ver, very careful after surgery when it comes. My husband has a large hernia from lifting and exercising too soon and too much without proper support. It is a real nuisance.

Best to you.

Aloha
Kathleen

Kenny H.

Kathleen808 said:

Sounds like a plan
It sounds like they have a good plan. As Mags said, it is good they are talking about surgery for your liver.

My husband was not put under for his port installation. He did have pain as it was put Ina nd then quite a bit of pain for about a week after it was put in. He was in the minority. Most people have little pain.

I read that you are quite physical in your job. Make sure you are ver, very careful after surgery when it comes. My husband has a large hernia from lifting and exercising too soon and too much without proper support. It is a real nuisance.

Best to you.

Aloha
Kathleen

Port only way to go.
Just
Port only way to go.
Just try to put it on your side that will be most comfortable. I sleep on right side alot so had them put port on left side. Also if your a hunter best to have on left side if you shoot "right handed" gotta think ahead.

herdizziness

Sammer
I did the Oxi and all the goodies that go with those infusions without a port for about 6 infusions, no one bothered to mention a port and I had just found this site, oh how it burned so hot about half way through in my veins, they would have to take the needle out and reinsert it in the other arm, then veins started to get lumpy and unusable for the infusion so other parts of the arm had to be found with good veins going up higher on the arm. THEN, I found this site and heard about the port and then talked to my doctor and got my port put in. OMGosh, what a beautiful feeling getting my chemo in the port, no agonizing burning, nothing. LOVE THE PORT, LOVE THE PORT, LOVE THE PORT. I highly recommend the port as you can see. And you should be fine the next day.
My opinion,
Winter Marie

Annabelle41415

Port
Mine was a little tender, but not bad. That twilight medicine never works for me so I'm always fully awake when they use that on me. Oxy is a nasty drug and you are wise to cover up well, also use gloves when getting in the refridgerator. Not sure about the reversal at the same time, and really doubt it, as the reversal itself is a couple hours at least. Think you would need two different surgeons. Good luck on the treatments.

Kim

tanstaafl

chemo burned veins
Port, or perhaps, a temporary PICC line. I've talked with other patients whose Folfox experiences burning two veins per treatment was exactly like Winter Marie's, a painful waste of valuable real estate.

sammer4u

tanstaafl said:

chemo burned veins
Port, or perhaps, a temporary PICC line. I've talked with other patients whose Folfox experiences burning two veins per treatment was exactly like Winter Marie's, a painful waste of valuable real estate.

Thanks for the replies
They really are helpful! Thanks for the positive advice as well. My port install is Wednesday and getting Chemo already Thursday. In a strange way... I am looking forward to this since it means I am moving forward. From being a very healthy person to having a tumor removed, and now going to the Cancer facility feeling 110% not really sure why I am there.. things will get better. Thanks to your help and advice.

Have a great day, week, and Holiday season!