port
Comments
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punchPhillieG said:like a punch to the chest
That's how I remember it, it felt like someone punched me...hard. It did take a little time to get over it but in the long run it is worth it.
Glad yours went well.
-p
boy you are right on phil second day after the port is in and man i feel like mike tyson punched me!!!!! all good though, hope all is well with you.....Tommy0 -
portmsccolon said:
I always flirt with my anesthesiologist, figure it can't hurt! I want them doing their UTMOST best when I'm in there!
mary
I have the port and it is the best thing I could have done fore my treatments.
No more needles in my veins.I just got done with 28 treatments of radiation
and chemo healing now.The nurse told me make sure if I have a Dr. or nurse
take blood from the port to make sure they know what they are doing cause
all Dr's and nurses don't know how to use a port but do not worry all the Dr's
and nurses in you treatment team know how to use them so good luck and don't worry.
I have 6 weeks of healing from treatment then surgery to remove a rectal tumor.0 -
portqwe said:port
I have the port and it is the best thing I could have done fore my treatments.
No more needles in my veins.I just got done with 28 treatments of radiation
and chemo healing now.The nurse told me make sure if I have a Dr. or nurse
take blood from the port to make sure they know what they are doing cause
all Dr's and nurses don't know how to use a port but do not worry all the Dr's
and nurses in you treatment team know how to use them so good luck and don't worry.
I have 6 weeks of healing from treatment then surgery to remove a rectal tumor.
i will be having my port put in on thursday and im a wreck. i have 6 weeks of chemo and a fanny bag that comes home on mondays and gets taken off on fridays. i also need 28 treatments of radiation.
i was told i would get 30 min of anti neasuea meds first. i hope it works. how has been everyone else feeling through it0 -
Paulette Spaulette S said:port
i will be having my port put in on thursday and im a wreck. i have 6 weeks of chemo and a fanny bag that comes home on mondays and gets taken off on fridays. i also need 28 treatments of radiation.
i was told i would get 30 min of anti neasuea meds first. i hope it works. how has been everyone else feeling through it
The port is a Godsend of chemo patients....It prevents having to do the vein thing. It is a small quarter size either plastic or titanium device that allows the chemo to be sent into your vein and directly to your heart to be pumped all through your body for systemic dispersion and hopefully killing all or stalling the growth of new cancer cells.The fanny pack you will wear is to give the radiation you will be taking a "boost" so to speak so it will do the best job possible. The radiation you will do is normally a low grade radiation but in several doses...It will however give you a sunburn where the "Sun doesn't Shine"...My advice to you is to have your radiation person give you some "Aquaphor" . You will need it, it is applied just like sunburn creme around the " touchy" areas that get tanned. As soon as you feel a tingle like there may be the start of a tan you need to start putting the creme on. It will save you some discomfort. I didn't have much problem with burn but a lot do. I didn't have any problem with the chemo pack during radiation, hopefully you won't either. The radiation treatments take about 5 minutes, normally you are in and out in 15 minutes...I tried to get the earliest possible so that I had the rest of the day to do other things. Normally after the rad/chemo treatment is done it will usually be 4-5 weeks after before you have surgery. The radiation will work that long and they like to get all they can out of it, also it gives you a little break that you will enjoy very much having...God Bless ya and good luck.....0 -
thank you so much. im aBuzzard said:Paulette S
The port is a Godsend of chemo patients....It prevents having to do the vein thing. It is a small quarter size either plastic or titanium device that allows the chemo to be sent into your vein and directly to your heart to be pumped all through your body for systemic dispersion and hopefully killing all or stalling the growth of new cancer cells.The fanny pack you will wear is to give the radiation you will be taking a "boost" so to speak so it will do the best job possible. The radiation you will do is normally a low grade radiation but in several doses...It will however give you a sunburn where the "Sun doesn't Shine"...My advice to you is to have your radiation person give you some "Aquaphor" . You will need it, it is applied just like sunburn creme around the " touchy" areas that get tanned. As soon as you feel a tingle like there may be the start of a tan you need to start putting the creme on. It will save you some discomfort. I didn't have much problem with burn but a lot do. I didn't have any problem with the chemo pack during radiation, hopefully you won't either. The radiation treatments take about 5 minutes, normally you are in and out in 15 minutes...I tried to get the earliest possible so that I had the rest of the day to do other things. Normally after the rad/chemo treatment is done it will usually be 4-5 weeks after before you have surgery. The radiation will work that long and they like to get all they can out of it, also it gives you a little break that you will enjoy very much having...God Bless ya and good luck.....
thank you so much. im a marathon runner and my oncologist doesnt think i will be able to run with my new fanny pack. it is my life and i feel shut down now. i just hope i dont get all these side effects. the only one i dont mind is the loss of my pelvic hair. one less thing to shave ha haim actually going out and buying aquaphor now, it is on my to do list thank you0 -
You'll do finepaulette S said:port
i will be having my port put in on thursday and im a wreck. i have 6 weeks of chemo and a fanny bag that comes home on mondays and gets taken off on fridays. i also need 28 treatments of radiation.
i was told i would get 30 min of anti neasuea meds first. i hope it works. how has been everyone else feeling through it
Hey Paulette... I must have missed a post or two, so I'm not sure what kind of cancer you have... colon or anal or ? I can only go by my own personal experience (colon cancer). I had a port and it was the best thing that can be given to you for your chemo treatments!! Seriously!! You don't want to go the "IV" route where it's put in your arm each time... especially since you say you will take the fanny bag home with you from Mon - Fri. Imagine having an IV in your arm at home Mon-Fri?? Totally not convenient, not to mention PAINFUL to have chemo going into a vein in your arm for 5 days at a time.
The port surgery is very quick and chances are you aren't going to remember a thing while they do it because you get the twilight drugs. Even if you are like me and the drugs don't knock you out, the worst part of the surgery was I was awake and aware of how hungry I was and had to wait until the surgical procedure was over before I could have anything to eat
I also had 6 weeks of daily radiation ... and being that I'm a full-figure gal, was warned that I would probably get radiation burn in the fold of my belly. But, nope... didn't get a thing... not even a pinkish sunburn. So everyone is different... and there's no guarantee you are going to burn or get nauseated... and the fatigue can vary from one person to the next. I didn't really get bad nausea at all and as soon as I felt I might be getting some, I did make sure I took anti-nausea meds (both the pill form and/or the smoking of the natural weed form). I would NOT recommend waiting to see if you are going to be really really sick... if you feel like you might be coming down with nausea, then take something for it.
I didn't lose any hair during the radiation (again, I was warned that I would). But here it is almost 2 years since I had the radiation and I've noticed I don't have to shave my legs very often... maybe once every 2 months or so
So, yes... it's possible you might have side affects to varying degrees... that's just the nature of the treatments... on the other hand, you might be one of those who has little if any side affects. So I wouldn't try to second guess what is going to happen... just take it a day at a time, a treatment at a time and be pleasantly surprised if it's not nearly as bad as your imagination makes it out to be
Huggggs,
Cheryl0 -
Aquaphor........CherylHutch said:You'll do fine
Hey Paulette... I must have missed a post or two, so I'm not sure what kind of cancer you have... colon or anal or ? I can only go by my own personal experience (colon cancer). I had a port and it was the best thing that can be given to you for your chemo treatments!! Seriously!! You don't want to go the "IV" route where it's put in your arm each time... especially since you say you will take the fanny bag home with you from Mon - Fri. Imagine having an IV in your arm at home Mon-Fri?? Totally not convenient, not to mention PAINFUL to have chemo going into a vein in your arm for 5 days at a time.
The port surgery is very quick and chances are you aren't going to remember a thing while they do it because you get the twilight drugs. Even if you are like me and the drugs don't knock you out, the worst part of the surgery was I was awake and aware of how hungry I was and had to wait until the surgical procedure was over before I could have anything to eat
I also had 6 weeks of daily radiation ... and being that I'm a full-figure gal, was warned that I would probably get radiation burn in the fold of my belly. But, nope... didn't get a thing... not even a pinkish sunburn. So everyone is different... and there's no guarantee you are going to burn or get nauseated... and the fatigue can vary from one person to the next. I didn't really get bad nausea at all and as soon as I felt I might be getting some, I did make sure I took anti-nausea meds (both the pill form and/or the smoking of the natural weed form). I would NOT recommend waiting to see if you are going to be really really sick... if you feel like you might be coming down with nausea, then take something for it.
I didn't lose any hair during the radiation (again, I was warned that I would). But here it is almost 2 years since I had the radiation and I've noticed I don't have to shave my legs very often... maybe once every 2 months or so
So, yes... it's possible you might have side affects to varying degrees... that's just the nature of the treatments... on the other hand, you might be one of those who has little if any side affects. So I wouldn't try to second guess what is going to happen... just take it a day at a time, a treatment at a time and be pleasantly surprised if it's not nearly as bad as your imagination makes it out to be
Huggggs,
Cheryl
Don't buy the Aquaphor your radiation nurse will have it as free samples for you....Guaranteed....you have to ask for it when you go in and make sure they have it onhand....saves a little cash........... :-)0 -
thanksBuzzard said:Aquaphor........
Don't buy the Aquaphor your radiation nurse will have it as free samples for you....Guaranteed....you have to ask for it when you go in and make sure they have it onhand....saves a little cash........... :-)
You guys are so nice. this is so new to me. i was diagnosed last friday and things are moving real fast. i have rectal cancer. at the beginning they werent sure it was rectal or colon cuz it was right on the border but now it is rectal and my petscan showed no spreading thank god. im actually shaking as i write this. i hope im not a bother to any of you but i thank you for answering me so quickly. i start next monday radiation and chmo. had my rear all mapped and tattooed for readiation so it looks special ha ha0 -
Good Luck!paulette S said:thanks
You guys are so nice. this is so new to me. i was diagnosed last friday and things are moving real fast. i have rectal cancer. at the beginning they werent sure it was rectal or colon cuz it was right on the border but now it is rectal and my petscan showed no spreading thank god. im actually shaking as i write this. i hope im not a bother to any of you but i thank you for answering me so quickly. i start next monday radiation and chmo. had my rear all mapped and tattooed for readiation so it looks special ha ha
Paula, we're here whenever you need to talk..I was just diagnosed last month with Stage 4 Colon Cancer, with a tumor to the liver, they are shrinking the tumors with the chemo first, I guess before they want to do something else, but I was shaking as well, (sometimes still do) and the people on this board calmed alot of my fears, and I have such a positive attitude that I will get through this, and you keep your positive attitude as well, don't worry about the port, it was nothing.. I was knocked out, alittle sore the next day, but nothing I couldn't handle, they gave me some painkillers which helped. You are no bother, please ask about anything here, the people here are awesome, I still come and question alot, since I'm new to this as well, with only 2 chemo treatments down, I have 10 more to go!0 -
Donna, it seems you did muchShayenne said:Good Luck!
Paula, we're here whenever you need to talk..I was just diagnosed last month with Stage 4 Colon Cancer, with a tumor to the liver, they are shrinking the tumors with the chemo first, I guess before they want to do something else, but I was shaking as well, (sometimes still do) and the people on this board calmed alot of my fears, and I have such a positive attitude that I will get through this, and you keep your positive attitude as well, don't worry about the port, it was nothing.. I was knocked out, alittle sore the next day, but nothing I couldn't handle, they gave me some painkillers which helped. You are no bother, please ask about anything here, the people here are awesome, I still come and question alot, since I'm new to this as well, with only 2 chemo treatments down, I have 10 more to go!
Donna, it seems you did much better this time with your treatments. I'm so glad. I felt bad for you, thinking you might get sick like before. Hopefully # 3 will be good too. I go Monday for CBC and then start 2nd treatment on the 9th.
carletta0 -
I did!colon2 said:Donna, it seems you did much
Donna, it seems you did much better this time with your treatments. I'm so glad. I felt bad for you, thinking you might get sick like before. Hopefully # 3 will be good too. I go Monday for CBC and then start 2nd treatment on the 9th.
carletta
They gave me Emend and Dexamethasone for the nausea, and it was a godsend! I was able to eat, and not feel nauseatious, maybe some moments, but not bad at all...I hope they do give it to me again for #3, I am abit tired and weak, but will be bouncing back soon I'm sure.. try to get to church tomorrow anyway, I go for a CBC on Wednesday, my White Blood Cell count was very low, I'm anemic, and may need another blood transfusion, if they get lower, since the chemo affects the bone marrow producing blood, but that's ok, if that's what it takes, I'll do it. Good luck with your 2nd treatment! My 3rd is I believe on the 11th! I hope you are getting good anti-nausea meds! it sure makes all the difference in the chemo treatments.0 -
POWER PORT and no general
I read with interest the stories relating to ports. Most seem to include general anaesthetic and recovery time.
My mother was fitted with a power port at her hospital here in Adelaide Australia last year.
It was all done under local (20min operation actually took 2 hours though) but once fitted she got straight of the table and walked out. http://www.powerportadvantage.com/about.html
Is this new technology?
Bluey0 -
fanny packpaulette S said:thank you so much. im a
thank you so much. im a marathon runner and my oncologist doesnt think i will be able to run with my new fanny pack. it is my life and i feel shut down now. i just hope i dont get all these side effects. the only one i dont mind is the loss of my pelvic hair. one less thing to shave ha haim actually going out and buying aquaphor now, it is on my to do list thank you
I used to call the fanny pack my bad buddy. I used to push mow grass and paint rooms and garden with this thing on. You might have to experiment on ways to secure it and cushion it but I bet you'll be able to continue running. Give it a try. Don't let this little nasty bag keep you from your love of running. You'll feel strong every time you can run and beat the bag. You might not run as far or as long at first, but this will help you as you go thru treatment. Being active I felt stronger and was kicking cancer's butt. Not to much slowed me down. My oncologist is a runner, he always encouraged being active. God bless and may you feel good when you run. Main thing is listen to your body.0 -
Good for you!Shayenne said:I did!
They gave me Emend and Dexamethasone for the nausea, and it was a godsend! I was able to eat, and not feel nauseatious, maybe some moments, but not bad at all...I hope they do give it to me again for #3, I am abit tired and weak, but will be bouncing back soon I'm sure.. try to get to church tomorrow anyway, I go for a CBC on Wednesday, my White Blood Cell count was very low, I'm anemic, and may need another blood transfusion, if they get lower, since the chemo affects the bone marrow producing blood, but that's ok, if that's what it takes, I'll do it. Good luck with your 2nd treatment! My 3rd is I believe on the 11th! I hope you are getting good anti-nausea meds! it sure makes all the difference in the chemo treatments.
Donna... I'm so glad you did so much better this second go round. Before you go in for #3, make sure you call your onc and let him/her know just how well you did do and confirm that they will be giving you the Emend and Dex that works for you.
I had just the Dex when I was doing my chemo and that worked pretty well for me... I certainly never experienced the nasty stuff you did on that first session. And the thing is... no one SHOULD have to go through that! As you can see, there are meds to cover any side affect. Some people need a bit more than others, others don't need much at all. Everyone is different (where have we heard that before?? ), so it's just a matter of finding out what works so no one is suffering. Looks like you've found what works for you... so make sure you get it for the next 10 sessions
Hugggggs,
Cheryl0 -
No general ...bluey1sa said:POWER PORT and no general
I read with interest the stories relating to ports. Most seem to include general anaesthetic and recovery time.
My mother was fitted with a power port at her hospital here in Adelaide Australia last year.
It was all done under local (20min operation actually took 2 hours though) but once fitted she got straight of the table and walked out. http://www.powerportadvantage.com/about.html
Is this new technology?
Bluey
Na... I don't think anyone (at least most cases) gets a General, Bluey. We are talking about the "twilight" meds, like the ones you get when you have a colonoscopy. It's not a general but a lot of people go to la-la-land and don't remember the actual procedure. In some places, this is called "Conscious Sedation" where you actually are conscious but you just don't remember
Some of us aren't affected by this med so we actually are wide awake through the whole procedure (although I'm sure there's enough of the med that makes us "relaxed", but still very much conscious). Sounds like your Mom reacted like some of us.
I, too, could have just go up and off the table and walked out, but due to hospital policy, I had to stay for an hour for "observation". But once my hour was up, off I went with my friend who came to pick me up and the two of us walked 4 blocks to where I had parked my car... and we went out for lunch
As for the port itself... depending on the brand name of the manufacturer, they are called by different names. But the "Power Port" is the exact same one I had but it was called something different. I'd have to look up the card I was given to carry around (I wasn't given a bracelet or key ring)
Huggggggs,
Cheryl0 -
I Hope...CherylHutch said:Good for you!
Donna... I'm so glad you did so much better this second go round. Before you go in for #3, make sure you call your onc and let him/her know just how well you did do and confirm that they will be giving you the Emend and Dex that works for you.
I had just the Dex when I was doing my chemo and that worked pretty well for me... I certainly never experienced the nasty stuff you did on that first session. And the thing is... no one SHOULD have to go through that! As you can see, there are meds to cover any side affect. Some people need a bit more than others, others don't need much at all. Everyone is different (where have we heard that before?? ), so it's just a matter of finding out what works so no one is suffering. Looks like you've found what works for you... so make sure you get it for the next 10 sessions
Hugggggs,
Cheryl
They do give me that same combo.. it was one Emend, 3 Dexamethasones, and 1 Zofran.. and they sent me home with the other 2 Emends, and a prescription for the Dexamethasones, with what dates my treatments are on the bottle to take them as well, so I hopefully am assuming they will be giving me this each time.
I couldn't eat or get out of bed for 4 days for that first treatment, and this time, I was up and walking and eating, not missing any meals.. what a difference in the world some anti-nausea meds made! the nurse said my reaction was probably just the same like having food poisoning that first time, and she told me I would not feel like that again.. she was really good.
You're so right about no one having to feel like that, they have the good meds there, that's for sure! Thanks for the reassurance!
Huggsss!
~Donna0 -
well i get my port thursday
well i get my port thursday and i start chemo on the 9th along with radiation. thanks for everyones kind words0 -
port
well i get my port thursday and i start chemo on the 9th along with radiation. thanks for everyones kind words0 -
port
well i get my port thursday and i start chemo on the 9th along with radiation. thanks for everyones kind words0 -
Good Luck!paulette S said:port
well i get my port thursday and i start chemo on the 9th along with radiation. thanks for everyones kind words
Good luck with it Paula, you'll do great! Let us know how it went 0
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