Welcome to Christianchickcher

TracieK
TracieK Member Posts: 45
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am so glad you have found this site. It is full of information and support. I had IP chemo for stage 3B in the beginning months of 2008. The port was just below my right breast. There was one person at Loyola that had completed all 6 treatments prior to me and she gave me tons of good advice. I was so afraid. They say nurses are the worst patients and I was. I tended to be a "little" demanding. If there is any advice I could give you, it would be drink a lot, and I mean a lot, of good old fashioned water. I wanted my kidneys working well because having to stop this treatment was not an option. Also, ask your doc for EMLA cream to put on the skin over your port before the treatment. I never felt a poke when I used it. On day 1 I had IV taxol. Day 2 was a bag of IV fluid with potassium and magnesium in a vein and a bag of IV fluid and a bag of cisplatin in my belly. Day 8 was a bag of taxol in my belly. Though I felt bloated and some pressure during treatment, my week off was great. I had no pain with treatments.

I looked at it as a challenge, and as a good reason to shop for and dress in baggy elastic waisted pants. HAHA! I completed treatment in June of 2008. My CA125 last month was 8.59 and my exam was clear.

I will pray for you, and feel free to contact me if you have questions. We are all in this thing together, and the support here is amazing.

Tracie

Comments

  • christianchickcher
    christianchickcher Member Posts: 26
    #2
    Support
    Tracie,

    Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and advice. I will probably definitely be around asking you lots of questions. One thing I have picked up so far from a couple of you is to stay hydrated. I'll be stocking up on water. Anything I can do to make this easier on myself will be well accepted. I will ask about the EMLA cream. Did you find you felt good on your weeks off?
  • TracieK
    TracieK Member Posts: 45
    #3
    christianchickcher said:

    Support
    Tracie,

    Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and advice. I will probably definitely be around asking you lots of questions. One thing I have picked up so far from a couple of you is to stay hydrated. I'll be stocking up on water. Anything I can do to make this easier on myself will be well accepted. I will ask about the EMLA cream. Did you find you felt good on your weeks off?

    I Felt Great!
    I really only had a bad 2 days after the cisplatin. I wasn't throwing up or really sick. I just had body aches and no appetite and I was very tired. For me I almost think the steroids were the worst part. I was pretty grouchy on them. As if ovarian cancer doesn't make you grouchy enough. Some people do great on them. I was very emotional for a few days after treatment. But that week off. It was good. just remember to listen to your body. If you need a nap, take one. If you need a massage, ask for one. If you need a cry, grab the tissues and go for it. You can message me any time.

    Tracie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • christianchickcher
    christianchickcher Member Posts: 26
    #5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    location
    I have one in my right chest close to my shoulder and the one in my abdomen is just below my rib cage.
  • softD
    softD Member Posts: 69
    #6
    christianchickcher said:

    location
    I have one in my right chest close to my shoulder and the one in my abdomen is just below my rib cage.

    IP port
    Mine was on my left side of the abdomen, just below my lower rib. Rather uncomfortable at times especially when sitting. Ended up removing underwire from bra on that side and that made it a bit more comfortable, especially since I'm too big breasted to go without a bra!!!
    Take care...luv Carolyn xxx
  • TracieK
    TracieK Member Posts: 45
    #7
    softD said:

    IP port
    Mine was on my left side of the abdomen, just below my lower rib. Rather uncomfortable at times especially when sitting. Ended up removing underwire from bra on that side and that made it a bit more comfortable, especially since I'm too big breasted to go without a bra!!!
    Take care...luv Carolyn xxx

    Bras with IP port
    I had the same problem with bras Carolyn. My mother in law found a surgical camisole with bra support. She found it at a local masectomy shop. There is a bra built in and it had pockets for drains(which I didn't have). It was the only thing that was comfortable over my peritoneal port. Even a wireless bra didn't help because my port was right on the band line.
    Anyway, it finally came out and now I am back to the good old underwires.

    I hope you all have a great sunday!
    My prayers for all of you continue.

    Tracie

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