Port - Post Surgery Pain

AWK said:

Yay! One down!

So glad you checked back in, I was going to post earlier to let you know I was thinking of you but was crashed from my treatment yesterday.  You did great!  Keep hydrating and give gentle with yourself.  Chris - I am thinking of you too - almost there.  You are both strong and Chemosabes!

Hugs, Anne

Don't forget to stay on top of the bowel movement situation.  Be proactive.  I figured just taking the colace would be enough.  NOT!

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

One down, 17 to go!

Hi All,

Thanks for all of the positive feedback. I DID make it through my first session. Abbycat2, I agree... the chemo wasn't bad for me either. I will say I am still very tendor at the port site and it wasn't pleasant when the nurse pushed on it but it was doable. She was very good. I got up this morning at 2 and took Advil, put a pillow under my shoulder and side and was finally able to get some sleep. Since my treatments are split up in smaller doses, I'm hoping for little to no side effects. Time will tell.  I did sleep during some of it today. That Benadryl works like a charm. :-)

Chris, take a blanket! I needed mine and was glad to have it. Until my hot flash hit at the end and I was fanning. The nurses got concerned and I assurred them that this is normal.  lol

Can't tell you how much you all mean to me. Thanks for being there.

Cindi

it went well.  Regarding the blankets...  yeah, it is frggin' cold in these hospital rooms, but myinfusion center has warm blankets for us.  Yes! As many as we want!  Yes, please!

Chemo orientation didn't tell me a lot that I didn't already know from my research and the ladies here, but I have to say that seeing it all laid out at one time was a bit overwhelming.  Just want to be prepared and get this show on the road.  There was a bit of a mixup in scheduling, and now my first chemo is next Friday.  They hadn't allowed enough time in my Wednesday appointment.

BTW, I did ask my doctor about the weekly schedule vs. every 3 weeks.  She did consider doing the taxol weekly, but said that in her experience the taxol weekly affects the blood count more than the every 3 weeks schedule.  She did leave it up to me to decide, but since it was apparent that she did give it some thought knowing my physique, history, etc., I decided to go with her recommendation, at least to start with.  Time will tell...

Keep us posted, Cindi.  Much love.

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

Anne's Treatment

I'm going to take that as good news that you were able to get your counts back up enough to get the treatment.

Really wish it didn't hit you so hard but maybe, just maybe this will be THE ONE. You take care of yourself too Anne.

I drink loads of water so I think I will stay hydrated. And, I'm adding to it just in case.

Thinking of you every day!

They added in a shot to boost hemoglobin production plus the infusion for calcium levels, both I will get every three weeks.  i was already getting Neulasta as part of my second treatment in the cycle and they told me to plan on platelet transfusions probably every three weeks too.  It amazes me how they manage all of this!  I remember when my dad when through it 20 years ago and it was much more difficult to deal with And required hospitalization for a few days.  The doctor said the progress has been through three generations of treating those side effects since then. he noted that even as recently as a few years ago my counts would've had me hospitalized.  Just amazing!  

On another note my hair is coming out pretty steadily now.  So my stylist is going to shave my head this Saturday morning at the salon; three of my close girlfriends are coming and we are bringing in bagels for everyone.  after the shaving I am getting a make up lesson / makeover.  

flyerette65 said:

Port Pain

I too had port pain and my port was very prominent and not barely noticeable, like most I have seen.  It looked like I had a very large cyst on my chest. When I complained about the port pain to my cancer support group everyone laughed and said why do you think we didn't comment when you asked us if it was painful, it hurts! You're getting a foreign object placed in your body and it takes time to get used to it. I blamed the pain I was having on the fact that I had two rotator cuff repairs on the right shoulder and that there was probably a lot of scar tissue.  Also someone mentioned the "restless legs" and bone pain.  My oncologist told me the bone pain was caused by the Neulasta injections I was receiving.  The restless legs really bothered me, especially when it felt as if my legs wouldn't support me and I actually fell a few times because both my legs just "gave".   I noticed my potassium levels were low so I tried to drink a combination of coconut water and orange juice to give me more potassium., as well as eating a bananna everyday.  I was finally put on prescription potassium pills and the restless, weak legs were no longer a problem. My first chemo, I was really scared and told the nurse I don't think I can do this but it got less stressful with each treatment.  I, too, slept through most of the treatments because of the Benadryl. And I had bloodwork once a week and had the nurse take it out of my arm, rather than accessing the port.  I had a wonderful chemo nurse, I think of her often, she was always upbeat and had a lot of empathy for her patients.

my port stick out like a big overgrown mole! I thought that was just the way they were. I was the one who mentioned restless leg and I need to take medication 2X a day to keep it at bay. I have had that feeling that my knees and legs are giving way as well as pain in my knees, ankles and legs. Thank goodness for Mirapex!  Its amazing the things find out by sharing here. I was taking a potassium supplement for a while. I am going to try it again and see if it helps. Thanks, Sandy

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

chemo day plus 1

Last night was uneventful.  Glad for that.

I woke up at 4AM thanks to one of my little guys walking on my stomach. Didn't go back to sleep but stayed in bed until 6:30.

I got up to what looks like a sunburn on my cheeks. Doesn't hurt.

I had a slight headache that resolved after my coffee.

My shoulder and port are still sore but so much better. I can use my arm and lift it over my head now.

Had some mild anxiety that hit around 9:30. Not sure why. But I took a Lorazapam and feel much better. (Note: I don't use them often. Still on my first 10 day supply that I got back in June. :-) )

I had about 2 hours of energy that I took full advantage of. Washed some clothes, cleaned up the kitchen. It is amazing how much the little things make me feel more normal!  My surgeon still won't let me vaccum. Major celebration ahead when that happens. 2 more weeks!!!!

Something I wanted to share that my chemo nurse told me: She said if I share a bathroom to make sure I flush the toilet twice and wipe the seat with Clorox wipes for 2 days post my treatment. This protects others from chemo exposure. I thought that was interesting.

More to come.

I had that with my first chemo but never again.  Nobody had mentioned it but google educated me, thank goodness, or I might have been calling the doc.

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

Thanks Connie and Lou Ann,
I

Thanks Connie and Lou Ann,

I had not seen anyone else mention the red cheeks on any of the discussions. Glad it is normal. I didn't panic, figured it was some kind of normal reaction.

I got really tired around noon today and have not felt like doing much.

Also, I'm having to push myself to eat. I'm not nauseas, just not hungry at all.

My upper back and shoulders were aching earlier. I took Ibuprofen, fell asleep and feel much better now.

I'm going to push myself to take a short walk with my boys when it cools down. It is important for all of us.

So far, so good though. Nothing has happened that isn't manageable.

Leg cramps and lightheadedness are signs of dehydration.  So drink as much as possible.  Sometimes that is not even enough and your cancer center can give you fluids.  I was stubborn and didn't want to admit I needed it but when I,finally went in it sure did help.

It sounds like you are doing good.  Remember with this it does go away and things get better.  I am saying that to my self too, right now. Fatigue has set it and nausea is so to follow for me.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

Lou Ann

They gave me a prescription for nausea. And the nurse said to take it at the first sign. So far I haven't had any but she said they gave me nausea medicine in the IV that should last for 3 days. So that might be why. I drink a lot of fluids. Probably more than I need to. But, I drank a lot of water before all of this so figured I would add onto that just in case.

I'll be glad when I am healed from my hysterectomy. I still have sharp pains in my stomach and V at times. Nothing unexpected, just annoying. And, of course my port that started this thread. I really hate sleeping on my back. I'm hoping it will be well in the next few days and I can "roll over"! That is my whine for the day. :-)

Overall, I think I am doing really well. And, the information and support from everyone here is such a large part of that wellness. Knowledge is power. It is so nice to know that any question will be answered by people that have been there done that. Who could ask for more?

Always Grateful!  Cindi

I have several kinds of nausea meds.  I never needed them when I was on Taxol/carbo, but now that I am on Doxil there gets to a point were nothing wants to work.  Me , myself and I have decided that the chemo is trying to get out of my body through my digestive system and I need to throw-up.  After I do I usually start to feel much better.  Your attitude is great you will handle his.  Hugs and prayers Lou Ann"

Lou Ann M said:

I have several kinds of nausea meds

I have several kinds of nausea meds.  I never needed them when I was on Taxol/carbo, but now that I am on Doxil there gets to a point were nothing wants to work.  Me , myself and I have decided that the chemo is trying to get out of my body through my digestive system and I need to throw-up.  After I do I usually start to feel much better.  Your attitude is great you will handle his.  Hugs and prayers Lou Ann"

I never had nausea but lack of appetite was an issue- a first for me.  I lost 4-5 pounds with each of the 6 sessions.  I found some things that appealed and were easily prepared:  yogurt, smoothies, cottage cheese, eggs, vegetable and fruit juices, toast, oatmeal.  It sounds a bit boring but it was reasonably nutrious.