Infected port

This sounds terrible! I hope your doctor can address all these issues tomorrow. It is so discouraging when we are fighting so hard to beat cancer to have the "medicine", aka poison, we are relying on turn on us. It seems like the port didn't heal properly. But rashes, lung congestion and short of breath too, Wow. I hope your doctor can get to the bottom of this!

I know how scary this must be, but don't get discouraged. If need be, your dr. can adjust or change you meds or perhaps delay chemo until you recover from all these side effects. In hope and caring, Sandy

Eldri what you are experiencing is not unusual at all so don't worry too much ,The doctors will fix the infection in no time ,the other problems sometimes comes as part and parcel of Chemo treatments for some people, happens all the time and gets sorted out.

You certainly don't need the added stress this new event can cause so take deep breaths ,as deep as you can, it will help the lungs and at the same time bring some calm to you. 

My sister I know you need some calm when you are threatening to be " pissed " if you die   .How???  How will anyone even know that you are pissed???  Eldri if you think about your statement even in your distress you will smile. ( just trying to dismiss your frown, if only for a moment) I am awaiting the good news tomorrow , (1) that you won't die and  (2) that the doctors are on top of it.

Nuff Love, Moli.

EZLiving66 said:

Moli, I'm just kidding.

Moli, I'm just kidding.  Believe it or not, this cancer, the treatment, the side effects....they're all just part of my life and don't stress me out.  Life is a series of events, good and bad, and I take them as they come.  Of course I'm going to die; we're all going to die.  My whole life I have been able to see the humor in life and I embrace it.

Take care,

Eldri

whats the report?

EZLiving66 said:

Moli, I'm just kidding.

Moli, I'm just kidding.  Believe it or not, this cancer, the treatment, the side effects....they're all just part of my life and don't stress me out.  Life is a series of events, good and bad, and I take them as they come.  Of course I'm going to die; we're all going to die.  My whole life I have been able to see the humor in life and I embrace it.

Take care,

Eldri

Thats a  great way to look at life my sister, from a half full cup point of view. Embracing humor is our savior from depression and arrested lives.

Way to go Eldri,  Blessings. 

Moli.

Editgrl said:

Thankful that it wasn't

Thankful that it wasn't anything worse, Eldri.  I was worried when you talked about chest congestion.  Hoping everything heals wells enough to have chemo on schedule!

Chris

Thanks for letting us all know the outcome! That sure doesn't sound like fun to have them cut into the darn thing.

I'm sending you positive vibes that this clears up quickly and you can stay on schedule. I hope your blood counts improve so that you don't need the Neulasta. Just a word of caution, if you had bone pain with it, you most likely will have bone pain without it. But, it will most likely be a bit less intense. At least that is what happened with me. Plus, I did not have muscle cramps once I stopped the Neulasta.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

EZLiving66 said:

I didn't have any bone pain

I didn't have any bone pain after my first chemo without Neulasta - I'm on Taxotere/Carboplatin.  With the Neulasta it felt like all my bones, but especially my pelvis, were vibrating in pain with each heartbeat.  Bone pain is a less common side effect in Taxotere than Taxol.  Cindi, what was your chemo combo?

Another good thing about the Taxotere is that it goes so fast.  My chemo takes about two hours total.  Last time, I was the last person to come in for the morning infusion and the first to leave.  People were bringing in lunch so I know they expected to be there for awhile.  

My port is still draining today.  If it doesn't stop by Thursday I have to call and go back in to see what they want to do.

Yesterday, a representative from our local Sting Cancer group stopped by work and brought me a care package - a book, a blanket, a hat, a cool hand sanitizer holder and two $20 gift cards - one to a local grocery store and one for gas.  I can't believe how many people have sent me cards, gifts, letters, etc. and all the messages and phone calls I've gotten from people wishing me well.  It sure makes a person feel loved!!

Take care,

Eldri

First of all... I'm glad you feel loved. Because you ARE loved.  :-)

I'm on Carbo/Taxol so maybe that is why the bone pain.  It's kind of hard to judge impacts by my experience anyway.  I did my first two full rounds weekly.  Then switched to every 3 weeks starting with round 3.  While on weekly I didn't have any joint pain. But, by week 4, I was getting zero good days. The fatigue was constant and the emotional toll was heavy having to face chemo every week.  Starting with the full dose on round 3, they also gave me the Neulasta. Major pain. So, I have had rounds 4 and 5 now without the Neulasta.  Not sure what round 5 will bring since I just had it yesterday. With round 4 I did have lots of bone pain but no muscle pain.

My blood built up into the normal ranges.  So, I'm just going to stay home until I'm done.  With one exception - I have to go out and buy my Christmas cards. I'll go in off-peak hours and to a small store.  Seems reasonable to me! :-)  My WBC was 6.9 (up from 3.2 last week) My ANC was 3.8 (up from 1.4)  HGB 12.3 (up from 11.3)

Good luck with your port Eldri.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

EZLiving66 said:

My doctor called this

My doctor called this afternoon and said the culture they took on Monday from the gunk coming out of my port is a bacteria infection and put me on an antibiotic.  I have to take it for five days and if it works I'll still be able to have my chemo on Tuesday on schedule.  I'm going to clean it tonight with some hydrogen peroxide and bandage it.  I want to get this over and done!!!!

Take care,

Eldri

Antibiotic will do the trick.and you will be right on track.  Moli.

Lou Ann M said:

Eldri

Hoping that by now the antibiotic is doingi its job and you are healing.  Hopefully we will both be sitting in the chemo room on Tuesday an you can stay on schedule.  It is never fun to have to postpone, but for me the postponement gave me a good Thanksgiving and an extra week of feeling pretty good.  Good enough to go see my daughter, grand daughter and great grand daughter. Hugs and prayers to you, Lou Ann

I can't believe what you have been through- fortunately you are now being treated with antibiotics. Until you posted this issue it never occurred to me that my port might get infected. On top of everything else, who needs this to happen. I hope that you and Lou Ann will have your chemo on Tuesday.

Warm Wishes,

Cathy