Still hanging in there :)

Tina Brown
Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
in Peritoneal Cancer #1
Hi, I'm back again.

Sorry folks this Topotecan regime kinda wipes me out for the whole week and Imhave just finished my 3rd round. They tried new anti-sick meds and they worked a treat :) I also had a porta-cath fitted which means I get the drugs direct to my central line. I call it my "docking station" ha ha. For those of you who don't know what it is I will explain:

They put a receiver just under my skin on the top of my right boob (told everyone I had a breast implant lol) and then they attach a tube under the skin that connect with one of my main veins. Whenever I need chemo they just stick a special needle into the receiver and off we go. The sticking of the needle bit into the receiver makes my toes curl but it is over in seconds. I have this done everyday for a 5 days and by day 5 I am very bruised. But thats the way it is.

I am feeling really well today and all of the effects have now worn off. My bloating is really under control and I am hopeful for a good CA125 result in a few weeks.

My lungs are still fluid free after one year - yay just need tp sort out my tummy.

Lots of love to you all Tina xxxxxx

Comments

  • lulu1010
    lulu1010 Member Posts: 367
    #2
    Good to hear from you!
    We all know how hard it is to get thru the chemo. Glad you are doing better with the nausea. How long do you have to get this chemo? Keep hanging in there and post whenever you feel up to it. We always enjoy your humor and advice. You're still in my prayers!
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #3
    Ask about Emla cream
    It is a prescription cream that you gob on over your portacath about an hour before chemo (and cover with plastic wrap or a tegaderm). They wipe it off before inserting the needle, and you feel no pain! It's wonderful stuff! I used it for both my chest port-a-cath, and my belly port. Saved me a lot of toe-curling.

    Alice
  • AussieMaddie
    AussieMaddie Member Posts: 345 Member
    #4
    abrub said:

    Ask about Emla cream
    It is a prescription cream that you gob on over your portacath about an hour before chemo (and cover with plastic wrap or a tegaderm). They wipe it off before inserting the needle, and you feel no pain! It's wonderful stuff! I used it for both my chest port-a-cath, and my belly port. Saved me a lot of toe-curling.

    Alice

    Thanks for the heads up,
    Thanks for the heads up, Alice. I must keep it in mind now as I look to start my next chemo fairly soon (probably - yet to have the CT scan.) If not this time, it will almost certainly arise in the future. That's the way of this cancer

    Take care,

    AussieMaddie
  • AussieMaddie
    AussieMaddie Member Posts: 345 Member
    #5
    I'm so glad that you are
    I'm so glad that you are hanging in there, that you are feeling better.

    Sounds like the porta-cath is a good idea. And it's great news to hear that the anti-nausea meds are working well, and that your lungs are free.

    I always keep you in my thoughts.

    AussieMaddie
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #6
    abrub said:

    Ask about Emla cream
    It is a prescription cream that you gob on over your portacath about an hour before chemo (and cover with plastic wrap or a tegaderm). They wipe it off before inserting the needle, and you feel no pain! It's wonderful stuff! I used it for both my chest port-a-cath, and my belly port. Saved me a lot of toe-curling.

    Alice

    Cheers Alice
    Thanks Alice what good advice I will do just as you have suggested xxxxxxxxx
    Tina
  • Best Friend
    Best Friend Member Posts: 222
    #7
    Tina Brown said:

    Cheers Alice
    Thanks Alice what good advice I will do just as you have suggested xxxxxxxxx
    Tina

    Hey
    I tell my mom about the women I have met on here hoping that she will join but she won't. You are one of my favorite. It just seems like you have the greatest personality, especially when it comes to dealing with this stuff. Thanks so much for just being you!
  • SOPHIE333
    SOPHIE333 Member Posts: 92
    #8
    Hi Tina!
    Hi Tina!
    Glad to hear from you! I am one of those following your journey and I too am so happy that you are sharing your thoughts and treatment. I feel you are a varm and comforting person and I can not thank you enough for it. I hope that what we write also gives some back to you and I wish you all the best for next round!

    Love,
    Sophie
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #9
    Best Friend said:

    Hey
    I tell my mom about the women I have met on here hoping that she will join but she won't. You are one of my favorite. It just seems like you have the greatest personality, especially when it comes to dealing with this stuff. Thanks so much for just being you!

    Best Friend
    Well thank-you so much I take that as a massive compliment xxx

    I find myself trying to be upbeat and positive as I don't want to be a miserable and negative person. I have always been positive about life and having cancer is actually a good reason to carry on being positive. Life might be a bit shorter for me now so I do not want to waste it away feeling sorry for myself and waiting to die.

    Thanks again Tina xxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #10
    SOPHIE333 said:

    Hi Tina!
    Hi Tina!
    Glad to hear from you! I am one of those following your journey and I too am so happy that you are sharing your thoughts and treatment. I feel you are a varm and comforting person and I can not thank you enough for it. I hope that what we write also gives some back to you and I wish you all the best for next round!

    Love,
    Sophie

    Hello Sophie
    Thank-you so much for your comments.

    I find it quite therapeutic to write about my experiences and my treatment. I am glad I do not bore people with my stories as I am very concious that people with an illness can become very insular and self obsessed with themselves.

    I use a lot of humour to get through the times that are hard. I laugh and joke with the chemo nurses and sometimes with my consultant. I am open with my friends and work colleagues and have had feedback from them. They have said that I have made it easy for them because I am open about it and it is not a taboo subject that people are scared to talk to me about.

    It is so nice to have friends on here. Take care xxxxx

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