Tattooed and Ported
Comments
-
Sandy
Hello, I'm glad your on your way to being cured. Complain all you want, I know I understand. Hopefully, as you recover from the port insertion and as your body gets used to it, you won't even know its there. I've had mine for a little over 2 years and sometimes feel it to see if its still there, as it doesn't hurt at all. The pet scan is the other just lay there scan. I wish you well. Lori0 -
oh Sandyz said:Sandy
Hello, I'm glad your on your way to being cured. Complain all you want, I know I understand. Hopefully, as you recover from the port insertion and as your body gets used to it, you won't even know its there. I've had mine for a little over 2 years and sometimes feel it to see if its still there, as it doesn't hurt at all. The pet scan is the other just lay there scan. I wish you well. Lori
Complain all you want !! Glad you are on your way. I have had a miserable week. Sick sick and more sick. So glad that pump came off today made me real sick. After my radiation tonight at 7:15 I will be one week done. I have whined all week myself. Hopefully the chemo will not make you sick as it did me.0 -
suzynannysuzynanny said:oh Sandy
Complain all you want !! Glad you are on your way. I have had a miserable week. Sick sick and more sick. So glad that pump came off today made me real sick. After my radiation tonight at 7:15 I will be one week done. I have whined all week myself. Hopefully the chemo will not make you sick as it did me.
Hello, I was so happy to get the pump off the 1st week, just mentally. I had to take the nausea meds 1 time, but probably could have taken them more and should have. I know physically I started feeling better within a couple days. I wish us all well. Lori0 -
PET Scan
Hi Sandy,
I was told on the 7th of this month that I too have anal cancer. I have already had my PET scan so I can tell you what you are looking at for the procedure. If you are like me, I like to know as much as possible so I am not surprised with anything. This is my experience but I would think that yours would be similar so here it goes.
You will be given instructions on what you can eat and what you can't eat. They will have you come early for the following. The test requires your blood sugar to be under 200 so a fingerstick test was given. Make sure you go to the bathroom before they start. Very important. They inserted a butterfly needle into my vein in my arm and inserted the radioacity tracer with glucose. This does not sting or hurt going in. It does not make you feel funney or anything. My tech made sure I was comfortable and brought me nice warm blankets. I brought a book to read because you can not leave the recliner for at least 45 mins to an hour. When they come back in they will let you get up to use the bathroom again and I suggest you try because the actual scan takes 30 - 45 mins also. At this point you will lay on a machine just like a ct scanner but larger. I was lucky and my hospital has a machine that took my CT scan and Pet Scan at the same time. After they do the CT Scan they do the Pet scan. I had a scan from the top of my head to my knees. He divided me into 7 sections and each section lasted 4 minutes. The only uncomfortable thing was that I had to lay my arms up over my head the whole time. It didn't hurt but was not the most comfortable possition. Make sure they put a wedge under your knees so your back does not hurt.
That was it. I had no side effects and even drove myself home. If you do not know how the PET scan works I can answer that too, so just let me know. If you already knew all of this I am sorry for taking up the space but I did not know what was going to happen when I had mind done.
We all complain about some things. We are all on the same path here and hopfully the ones who go before can remove some of the stumbling blocks for the ones who follow.
Remember: "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it" God Bless and let us know how it goes.
) 0 -
But thanks for letting me knowsuzynanny said:oh Sandy
Complain all you want !! Glad you are on your way. I have had a miserable week. Sick sick and more sick. So glad that pump came off today made me real sick. After my radiation tonight at 7:15 I will be one week done. I have whined all week myself. Hopefully the chemo will not make you sick as it did me.
I think you letting me know you got sick will keep me from feeling like a failure if I get sick. I always want to get out of everything the easy way. I guess that's just human but sometimes I am hard on myself when I need most of all to let myself off the hook. I am so proud you didn't rip the sucker off. I hope I have that courage myself. You are one week in - ahead of me. Keep sharing. You are helpful when you do. I don't know you and you haven't posted a picture but you are in my prayers. With a name like suzynanny you must be loved by a lot of good people.0 -
But thanks for letting me knowz said:Sandy
Hello, I'm glad your on your way to being cured. Complain all you want, I know I understand. Hopefully, as you recover from the port insertion and as your body gets used to it, you won't even know its there. I've had mine for a little over 2 years and sometimes feel it to see if its still there, as it doesn't hurt at all. The pet scan is the other just lay there scan. I wish you well. Lori
I think I'm a ways away from not knowing it's there! But you remind me that most things improve with time. It looks pretty puffy around the bottom of it and the dog jumped right on top of it this morning. Perfect aim to wake me up. It was still bandaged. He's not coming out of his crate until I am on my feet tomorrow morning and in full (ha, ha, ha since he's a puppy) control!0 -
Great information!cph1127 said:PET Scan
Hi Sandy,
I was told on the 7th of this month that I too have anal cancer. I have already had my PET scan so I can tell you what you are looking at for the procedure. If you are like me, I like to know as much as possible so I am not surprised with anything. This is my experience but I would think that yours would be similar so here it goes.
You will be given instructions on what you can eat and what you can't eat. They will have you come early for the following. The test requires your blood sugar to be under 200 so a fingerstick test was given. Make sure you go to the bathroom before they start. Very important. They inserted a butterfly needle into my vein in my arm and inserted the radioacity tracer with glucose. This does not sting or hurt going in. It does not make you feel funney or anything. My tech made sure I was comfortable and brought me nice warm blankets. I brought a book to read because you can not leave the recliner for at least 45 mins to an hour. When they come back in they will let you get up to use the bathroom again and I suggest you try because the actual scan takes 30 - 45 mins also. At this point you will lay on a machine just like a ct scanner but larger. I was lucky and my hospital has a machine that took my CT scan and Pet Scan at the same time. After they do the CT Scan they do the Pet scan. I had a scan from the top of my head to my knees. He divided me into 7 sections and each section lasted 4 minutes. The only uncomfortable thing was that I had to lay my arms up over my head the whole time. It didn't hurt but was not the most comfortable possition. Make sure they put a wedge under your knees so your back does not hurt.
That was it. I had no side effects and even drove myself home. If you do not know how the PET scan works I can answer that too, so just let me know. If you already knew all of this I am sorry for taking up the space but I did not know what was going to happen when I had mind done.
We all complain about some things. We are all on the same path here and hopfully the ones who go before can remove some of the stumbling blocks for the ones who follow.
Remember: "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it" God Bless and let us know how it goes.)
Not too long even if I had heard it before (and I had not). But if I had it wouldn't hurt because I was born with a density factor I've struggled with my whole life:-) I am so glad the port will have a chance to heal since I know that position is uncomfortable and would be more uncomfortable if I didn't have a week to heal. They do know what they are doing at Sloan Kettering;-) It sounds like I will have pretty much the same thing you had except not a full body scan. I don't think the insurance company approved that, but they are going to do the upper abdominal area. It's fascinating how these machines work and what they look like. So if you want to go into more detail in layman's terms take a crack at this so not technical mind of mine!0 -
I am sorry you have anal cancercph1127 said:PET Scan
Hi Sandy,
I was told on the 7th of this month that I too have anal cancer. I have already had my PET scan so I can tell you what you are looking at for the procedure. If you are like me, I like to know as much as possible so I am not surprised with anything. This is my experience but I would think that yours would be similar so here it goes.
You will be given instructions on what you can eat and what you can't eat. They will have you come early for the following. The test requires your blood sugar to be under 200 so a fingerstick test was given. Make sure you go to the bathroom before they start. Very important. They inserted a butterfly needle into my vein in my arm and inserted the radioacity tracer with glucose. This does not sting or hurt going in. It does not make you feel funney or anything. My tech made sure I was comfortable and brought me nice warm blankets. I brought a book to read because you can not leave the recliner for at least 45 mins to an hour. When they come back in they will let you get up to use the bathroom again and I suggest you try because the actual scan takes 30 - 45 mins also. At this point you will lay on a machine just like a ct scanner but larger. I was lucky and my hospital has a machine that took my CT scan and Pet Scan at the same time. After they do the CT Scan they do the Pet scan. I had a scan from the top of my head to my knees. He divided me into 7 sections and each section lasted 4 minutes. The only uncomfortable thing was that I had to lay my arms up over my head the whole time. It didn't hurt but was not the most comfortable possition. Make sure they put a wedge under your knees so your back does not hurt.
That was it. I had no side effects and even drove myself home. If you do not know how the PET scan works I can answer that too, so just let me know. If you already knew all of this I am sorry for taking up the space but I did not know what was going to happen when I had mind done.
We all complain about some things. We are all on the same path here and hopfully the ones who go before can remove some of the stumbling blocks for the ones who follow.
Remember: "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it" God Bless and let us know how it goes.)
Sorry for all of us but once you are here for a while you will see some of the gifts. Especially that we have each other. I was diagnosed May 5th.0 -
ha, ha, haz said:Sandy
When I 1st looked at the profile picture, and I've looked at it several times, and until just now I didn't realize it was sideways. I was thinking what the heck is that thing, lol, and now I see you and the radiation machine. Duh lol. Lori
Leave it to me to put it in sideways!0 -
The beginning of the battlesandysp said:I am sorry you have anal cancer
Sorry for all of us but once you are here for a while you will see some of the gifts. Especially that we have each other. I was diagnosed May 5th.
Sandy,
The first week is overwhelming. Tests, scans, tatoos, info overload. I remember being in a daze, in disbelief, terrified and yet ready to fight like **ll. Things settle down a little after everything gets started. Then about 3 - 4 week into the whole thing you may begin to feel the impacts of radiation. For me the last three weeks were hard and I counted the days, almost the hours. Listen to your body, rest when you are tired and don't try to fight the fatigue. Rest as much as you need to. They will most likely prescribe meds for the nausea, diarrhea, etc. I thought I was tough and didn't need them, then whamo! So like a good girl I began to take the meds and it helped tremendously.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Liz0 -
got the medslizdeli said:The beginning of the battle
Sandy,
The first week is overwhelming. Tests, scans, tatoos, info overload. I remember being in a daze, in disbelief, terrified and yet ready to fight like **ll. Things settle down a little after everything gets started. Then about 3 - 4 week into the whole thing you may begin to feel the impacts of radiation. For me the last three weeks were hard and I counted the days, almost the hours. Listen to your body, rest when you are tired and don't try to fight the fatigue. Rest as much as you need to. They will most likely prescribe meds for the nausea, diarrhea, etc. I thought I was tough and didn't need them, then whamo! So like a good girl I began to take the meds and it helped tremendously.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Liz
My doctor wrote two prescriptions for nausea for when the treatments begin. I have morphine and Vycodin which I am taking (morphine morning and night) but still having painful little deep in the pelvic bone like spasms which make me a little anxious. I am also worried about constipation from the pain meds. I also had to take Prednisone this week for poison ivy and another medication for thrush. Which evidently is from a "compromised immune system." I never have suffered from constipation in my life until now. The sedative for the port surgery probably didn't help either. I don't know what I would do without you and the others. Thanks.0 -
Sandysandysp said:got the meds
My doctor wrote two prescriptions for nausea for when the treatments begin. I have morphine and Vycodin which I am taking (morphine morning and night) but still having painful little deep in the pelvic bone like spasms which make me a little anxious. I am also worried about constipation from the pain meds. I also had to take Prednisone this week for poison ivy and another medication for thrush. Which evidently is from a "compromised immune system." I never have suffered from constipation in my life until now. The sedative for the port surgery probably didn't help either. I don't know what I would do without you and the others. Thanks.
Sandy, Are those clummer spainels? If they are remember the one that won at Westminister?
Beautiful dogs. I tried to comment on your expression page under the picture, but was unable to. Lori0 -
Hi Sandy - can't comment onsandysp said:got the meds
My doctor wrote two prescriptions for nausea for when the treatments begin. I have morphine and Vycodin which I am taking (morphine morning and night) but still having painful little deep in the pelvic bone like spasms which make me a little anxious. I am also worried about constipation from the pain meds. I also had to take Prednisone this week for poison ivy and another medication for thrush. Which evidently is from a "compromised immune system." I never have suffered from constipation in my life until now. The sedative for the port surgery probably didn't help either. I don't know what I would do without you and the others. Thanks.
Hi Sandy - can't comment on the port...I had two PICC lines for each round so I am not sure what it should feel like with the port. I will let others who have gone through that comment. I remember, as Liz said too, the flurry of activity the first week with the tats (wanted a tat but now I have red dots...wonder if I can connect them to make something useful?) and ugh the having to lay there to be molded. I had forgotten about that until you mentioned it. I kept thinking how the heck am I going to lay in this position while they do radiation. But it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I always held something in my hands across my chest that someone sent me, a locket or a small stuffed animal. That helped me.
I've always had constipation. I kind of thought harvey was caused because of my chronic constipation and hemmi's so I'm always eating fruit, fiber, veggies, whatever helps. Right now I'm using benefiber three times a day and take two colace at night, not to mention chewing on fiber one here and there to snack. That seems to keep things moving along okay but forget it if I forget one or like you had to take some type of pain killer with codeine. I NEVER worried about whether or not I went and how and now that seems to be my job.
As for complaining? Heck...complain to your hearts content. That is okay. I vented and whined so much in here that I'm surprised people didn't come in and say, oh gosh, she is here again yapping away. lol. Seriously, that is what this forum is for. I'm thinking of you and praying for you. Hugs, Marilyne0 -
sandysp said:
Great information!
Not too long even if I had heard it before (and I had not). But if I had it wouldn't hurt because I was born with a density factor I've struggled with my whole life:-) I am so glad the port will have a chance to heal since I know that position is uncomfortable and would be more uncomfortable if I didn't have a week to heal. They do know what they are doing at Sloan Kettering;-) It sounds like I will have pretty much the same thing you had except not a full body scan. I don't think the insurance company approved that, but they are going to do the upper abdominal area. It's fascinating how these machines work and what they look like. So if you want to go into more detail in layman's terms take a crack at this so not technical mind of mine!
Hi Sandy,
I tried sending you a private e-mail. Did you get it?
Thanks
Cindy0 -
Hi, Sandy, Hope all is
Hi, Sandy, Hope all is going well your first week. I also have PET/CT scans which go from the neck to the knees. I always bring a book or magazine and I wear a hat or bandana , a sweater (with no metal buttons or zipper) and gloves, because it is freaking COLD in the lab. I also wear elastic waist pants and button down shirts or pullovers with no metal at all, this way I can stay dressed and don't have to wear that hospital gown which opens in the back. By the way, does anyone know why, with all the medical technology and breakthroughs that have come down the pike over the last 50+ years, that there has been no upgrade at all on those hospital gowns?????? For my scan I was given the finger stick, and the blood count has to be under 200, and then the butterfly needle for the radioactive injection, which lasts only a few seconds. The isotope has to go in in conjunction with a saline type solution, so you might taste the saline, but it goes away real quick. Then I get to drink abut a quart of sugar goop, which tastes like a creamsickle and really isn't too bad. Just a lot to drink in the hour prior to the scan. I know you have to fast at least 8 hours, except for water and whatever meds you take, except for diabetic meds, (check with the dr first if you or on diabetice meds). Absolutely no candy or gum chewing for at least 6 hours prior to the scan. The reason is that the muscles used for chewing and sucking on candies can harbor the glucose from the test and it will give a false reading, as though there are tumors or something going on. Because of my fecal urgency situation, I take an imodium prior to going for my test, otherwise I have to keep getting up to go to the bathroom. The techs will allow you to use the restroom, but they want you as still as possible while you are drinking that goop, so you will definitely use the restroom just before you get the scan. I can make it to the end of the scan, then I really have to use the bathroom again. If you absolutely positively can not hold it, you can ask to go during the scan, BUT it is hard for the techs to get you back to the spot where you left off and continue the scan. This is stuff you probably won't have to know, I just want to keep people informed of the possibilities you can expect. Other than that, the scan is a real cakewalk. I also had a port. I had no problem with pain or anything. I was lucky in that my surgeon is also a cancer survivor, and he knows how to show compassion for cancer patients especially. He gave me such comforting words. After about 6 weeks, my port however started coming out of my chest, so it had to be removed. When I learned that the cancer spread, I had to have a new port put in. By that time, I had lost about 20 pounds, and there was not much meat on my bones, so that was uncomfortable, but very, very tolerable. I hope your scan goes great for you. God bless you. Keep us posted. Compalin all you want. Actually, don't think of it as complaining, but as giving us all another set of experiences. Good luck tomorrow.0 -
English Cocker Spanielsz said:Sandy
Sandy, Are those clummer spainels? If they are remember the one that won at Westminister?
Beautiful dogs. I tried to comment on your expression page under the picture, but was unable to. Lori
The one on the right is our dog, Luke. The one closest to me is his sister, Sunny. Sunny was kept by the breeder for showing but now she has changed her mind. I am crazy about Sunny as you can see in this picture. For some reason, we just "click." She is coming over to visit us again on Friday and I am so wanting to adopt her. I know it's bad timing but still hoping we can take her. I call Luke "Dr. Luke" he makes me laugh and feel so much better but it is really fun watching the two of them together.0 -
Great informationCaptain11 said:Hi, Sandy, Hope all is
Hi, Sandy, Hope all is going well your first week. I also have PET/CT scans which go from the neck to the knees. I always bring a book or magazine and I wear a hat or bandana , a sweater (with no metal buttons or zipper) and gloves, because it is freaking COLD in the lab. I also wear elastic waist pants and button down shirts or pullovers with no metal at all, this way I can stay dressed and don't have to wear that hospital gown which opens in the back. By the way, does anyone know why, with all the medical technology and breakthroughs that have come down the pike over the last 50+ years, that there has been no upgrade at all on those hospital gowns?????? For my scan I was given the finger stick, and the blood count has to be under 200, and then the butterfly needle for the radioactive injection, which lasts only a few seconds. The isotope has to go in in conjunction with a saline type solution, so you might taste the saline, but it goes away real quick. Then I get to drink abut a quart of sugar goop, which tastes like a creamsickle and really isn't too bad. Just a lot to drink in the hour prior to the scan. I know you have to fast at least 8 hours, except for water and whatever meds you take, except for diabetic meds, (check with the dr first if you or on diabetice meds). Absolutely no candy or gum chewing for at least 6 hours prior to the scan. The reason is that the muscles used for chewing and sucking on candies can harbor the glucose from the test and it will give a false reading, as though there are tumors or something going on. Because of my fecal urgency situation, I take an imodium prior to going for my test, otherwise I have to keep getting up to go to the bathroom. The techs will allow you to use the restroom, but they want you as still as possible while you are drinking that goop, so you will definitely use the restroom just before you get the scan. I can make it to the end of the scan, then I really have to use the bathroom again. If you absolutely positively can not hold it, you can ask to go during the scan, BUT it is hard for the techs to get you back to the spot where you left off and continue the scan. This is stuff you probably won't have to know, I just want to keep people informed of the possibilities you can expect. Other than that, the scan is a real cakewalk. I also had a port. I had no problem with pain or anything. I was lucky in that my surgeon is also a cancer survivor, and he knows how to show compassion for cancer patients especially. He gave me such comforting words. After about 6 weeks, my port however started coming out of my chest, so it had to be removed. When I learned that the cancer spread, I had to have a new port put in. By that time, I had lost about 20 pounds, and there was not much meat on my bones, so that was uncomfortable, but very, very tolerable. I hope your scan goes great for you. God bless you. Keep us posted. Compalin all you want. Actually, don't think of it as complaining, but as giving us all another set of experiences. Good luck tomorrow.
Thank you. It will be a first for me. I'm so glad a friend is coming with me. My husband is with his mother for her 90th birthday celebration. Is your cancer in remission now?0 -
Great suggestionssissy310 said:Hi Sandy - can't comment on
Hi Sandy - can't comment on the port...I had two PICC lines for each round so I am not sure what it should feel like with the port. I will let others who have gone through that comment. I remember, as Liz said too, the flurry of activity the first week with the tats (wanted a tat but now I have red dots...wonder if I can connect them to make something useful?) and ugh the having to lay there to be molded. I had forgotten about that until you mentioned it. I kept thinking how the heck am I going to lay in this position while they do radiation. But it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I always held something in my hands across my chest that someone sent me, a locket or a small stuffed animal. That helped me.
I've always had constipation. I kind of thought harvey was caused because of my chronic constipation and hemmi's so I'm always eating fruit, fiber, veggies, whatever helps. Right now I'm using benefiber three times a day and take two colace at night, not to mention chewing on fiber one here and there to snack. That seems to keep things moving along okay but forget it if I forget one or like you had to take some type of pain killer with codeine. I NEVER worried about whether or not I went and how and now that seems to be my job.
As for complaining? Heck...complain to your hearts content. That is okay. I vented and whined so much in here that I'm surprised people didn't come in and say, oh gosh, she is here again yapping away. lol. Seriously, that is what this forum is for. I'm thinking of you and praying for you. Hugs, Marilyne
Especially about the stuffed animal. I'm not afraid to connect with my inner child while in there. It made me smile to think about old Harvey blowing up.0
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