My mother's Hysterectomy

Kaleena said:

Hi Trish:
I also have MyChart

Hi Trish:

I also have MyChart and another source for all of my information.   In fact, I look forward to it.  You can also see after you have an office visit when the intake person doesn't put down all the information you give her.   Or when they ask are you having any pain today and say no that they put no pain for last several months.   I have caught many intake mistakes that way.

In the earlier days of my diagnosis, I never got my report.   I just went on what the doctor said.   I recently received my records when my physician retired and had to get the records to give to my new doctor.   There were a lot of things on there that I never heard - like the one reason they didn't take my port out was because I was a high risk of recurrence - never heard that before.

Although sometimes the reports can be overwhelming and you have to be ready to read it.      I am on my fourth doctor and I just realize that his records said that my cancer was only found in my uterus when my original reports say uterus, cervix and left ovary.   I think that is important when I tell them my symptoms I am experiencing and the fact that this doctor doesn't do PAP smears.  

Ok - I am rambling here - lol

Kathy

yes I found out a l I t from my chart. I was lucky with my dr as she tells me everything on my reports and what it means. She I s amazing. But after every blood test and every appointment I get a message that I have a new report. Trish

MrsBee said:

Having Chemo Port put in this Friday

My Mom's having her chemo port put in Friday.

She's worried about how big an operationthis is.

 

Also, this morning she woke up with extreme weakness, and she was shaking.

She felt better after juice and cereal. Sounds to me like low blood sugar-

is this normal -tomorrow is 3 weeks since hysterectomy.

I have had a port put in twice now, because I foolishly had the 1st one removed thinking I was finished with this roller coaster.  Both times mine were put in by a radiologist who use imagining to place it.  I was awake through the whole process. A little scary, but no pain.  It took longer to get the antibiotic infused then to have the port put in.  It was a little sore afterwards and I,had to shower wih plastic wrap over it for a few days.  The only time I notice it is when someone hugs me tO tight. Glad to hear that your mom is getting a port.  It makes life a lot easier.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

MrsBee said:

Are visitors allowed to be

Are visitors allowed to be with patients during chemo-to sit with them?

 

The1st place I was at didn't really like it because they had very little room.  My husband  insisted and they did make room for him to sit on a stool.  When My cancer recurred we went to a place where he was very welcome.  They always find a comfortable chair for him and he sits with me every time.  Insist If they don't encourage you to stay with your mother.  Lou Ann

MrsBee said:

Having Chemo Port put in this Friday

My Mom's having her chemo port put in Friday.

She's worried about how big an operationthis is.

 

Also, this morning she woke up with extreme weakness, and she was shaking.

She felt better after juice and cereal. Sounds to me like low blood sugar-

is this normal -tomorrow is 3 weeks since hysterectomy.

For all practical purposes, I was unconscious.  My team was great!  They showed me the port beforehand, started an IV, asked me what music I wanted in the operating room.    They wheeled me in, gave me two doses of whatever lala drug they use, and I was out.  When I came to, the surgeon was tugging on the thing, but I felt no pain.  BF drove me home.  Relatively easy procedure.

MrsBee said:

Thanks, guys!

Thanks, guys, I'm going to sit with her at the Chemo.

After listening to everyone here I think I am the only one who has had a bed during chemo.  I loved having a bed.  The first time they hit me with the IV benadryl it hit me like a ton of bricks. 

BTW MrsBee, everyone at my chemo location had people with them.  They realize that having family and friends with you really does help the patients in recovery and treatment

MrsBee said:

Thanks, guys!

Thanks, guys, I'm going to sit with her at the Chemo.

My experience with a port was very similar to others who have commented, but I will say that I had quite a bit of pain for about three or four days after insertion. I called the office and was told I could take leftover hydrocodone. They did have to dig around to settle it in, but I was left with only a subtle bump when it was finished. I was "awake" for the procedure, including hearing the attending give directions to the resident who was doing it, but the IV drugs made me not care particularly about what I was hearing and at that time I had almost no pain. I am very glad I had a port as it gave me free hands and no chance of a needle slipping out during infusion.

As for chemo, I had a very comfortable reclining chair, and my husband stayed with me in the room. A volunteer would give hand or foot massages if wanted. There were two chemo patients to a room and two chairs for visitors at my center.

I don't recall getting much input from this site about chemo, probably because I didn't ask, but I really do like knowing what is happening, so it's good you can be your mother's advocate.

Hopeful162 said:

Chemo Port

My experience with a port was very similar to others who have commented, but I will say that I had quite a bit of pain for about three or four days after insertion. I called the office and was told I could take leftover hydrocodone. They did have to dig around to settle it in, but I was left with only a subtle bump when it was finished. I was "awake" for the procedure, including hearing the attending give directions to the resident who was doing it, but the IV drugs made me not care particularly about what I was hearing and at that time I had almost no pain. I am very glad I had a port as it gave me free hands and no chance of a needle slipping out during infusion.

As for chemo, I had a very comfortable reclining chair, and my husband stayed with me in the room. A volunteer would give hand or foot massages if wanted. There were two chemo patients to a room and two chairs for visitors at my center.

I don't recall getting much input from this site about chemo, probably because I didn't ask, but I really do like knowing what is happening, so it's good you can be your mother's advocate.

My chemo place doesn't have a place for visitors to sit with you. They have a waiting area where family members can sit.  We don't have beds either. But the recliners are comfortable.

I have not had my husband wait with me throughout the 7 infusions. Just never felt the need for him to be there.  He does drive me to my appointments and pick me up. Thankfully, we are only 15 minutes away.

The Benedryl still kicks my butt. I generally sleep or eat the entire time. And, I come home and sleep some more.

MrsBee said:

Thanks to everyone

What's benydril everyone keeps mentioning for?

It is a medication that is given to prevent allergic reactions.  You can buy it in the store and is often used for allergies and rashes .  They give a much larger dose during your premeds before you start your chemo.  It makes most people extremely sleepy.  Some of us have the opposite reaction.  It keeps me awake for hrs.  Lou Ann

MrsBee said:

Having Chemo Port put in this Friday

My Mom's having her chemo port put in Friday.

She's worried about how big an operationthis is.

 

Also, this morning she woke up with extreme weakness, and she was shaking.

She felt better after juice and cereal. Sounds to me like low blood sugar-

is this normal -tomorrow is 3 weeks since hysterectomy.

The only problem I had with my port insertion was that the room the interventional radiologists used to put it in was very cold (62 degrees).  They said it's always that cold.  I like my heat up high, and no number of sheets and blankets they put on me could keep me warm.  I was awake through it and it wasn't a hard procedure at all.  Mine stuck out more than most did. How it looks depends upon how deep the blood vessels it goes in are.  I kept it in for over 3 years just in case, and the radiologists said I was wise to do that.  My biggest problem with it was putting a seat belt over it.  My husband bought me a lambswool seatbelt cover, but that would slide around, and I'd have to keep adjusting it.  Even that hurt a bit.  Mine was on my right side and only hurt when I was sitting in the front passenger's seat because of the way the seatbelt hit it in that seat.  When I was driving, it was no problem, but I didn't do that for a few weeks.  I'd had pretty extensive surgery (stage IVb cancer surgery plus removal of my gallbladder and appendix for gallstones).  Sometimes ports go on the left and sometimes they go on the right.  It depends upon what they find when they examine the blood vessels.  Your mom will also have a little slit in her neck besides the one where the port is.  I had to put Glad Press'n'Seal over mine for my shower (it's like Saran Wrap but adheres more tightly).

I think you're probably right about the low blood sugar, especially since she felt better after eating.  In addition, she could be weak from blood loss during surgery, but 3 weeks seems like a long time for that to suddenly show up. 

Having the port removed was even easier than having it put in.  I didn't even have to go in a special room, and I think I was out in less than a half hour.