Farrah's story question ...

tgf
tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I watched Farrah's story ... and it was very emotional. But ... there's one thing I do not understand. Throughout the story Farrah is poked over and over again ... with needles ... her veins are in terrible shape and they keep poking ... in her arms, hands, etc. She has chemo therapy ... over and over again ... and yet ... I don't understand why she didn't have a port. Can anyone explain to me why she didn't have a port ... so that she didn't have to suffer through all of that poking and prodding? It was heartbreaking.

I have a port ... and I know how "easy" infusions are ... and I can't imagine going through all of those needle stabs she's had to experience.

Any thoughts on this?

teena
«13

Comments

  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #2
    Yes
    I have thoughts on this.............

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxx
  • djteach
    djteach Member Posts: 273
    #3
    Hi Teena, I was wondering
    Hi Teena,
    I was wondering the same thing. Why didn't she have a port? Her arms looked horrible and I felt for her. I only wish that everyone was able to access the care that she has gotten.
    Can you see medicare paying for a trip to Germany? Oh, well. Just a thought.

    love and gentle hugs,
    Donna
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #4
    My question exactly
    This is what I asked my husband several times throughout the documentary. I am very curious as to why she didn't have a port.
    Jackie
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #5
    djteach said:

    Hi Teena, I was wondering
    Hi Teena,
    I was wondering the same thing. Why didn't she have a port? Her arms looked horrible and I felt for her. I only wish that everyone was able to access the care that she has gotten.
    Can you see medicare paying for a trip to Germany? Oh, well. Just a thought.

    love and gentle hugs,
    Donna

    I was wondering the same thing
    I had the same thought. I havn't even started chemo yet but I already have my port ready to go. I would like to know the answer too.
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #6
    tasha_111 said:

    Yes
    I have thoughts on this.............

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxx

    Tash
    and.....................
    hugs jackie
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #7
    rjjj said:

    My question exactly
    This is what I asked my husband several times throughout the documentary. I am very curious as to why she didn't have a port.
    Jackie

    I didn't see it--- But:
    Nuff said.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #8
    tasha_111 said:

    I didn't see it--- But:
    Nuff said.

    J???
    Your posts here are cryptic. Which is so unlike you. We rely on you for blatant honesty, which is so refreshing and very much appreciated by all. Not comfortable stating your opinion? Well, OK. So be it. You're allowed to hold back, I'd guess.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #9
    Christmas Girl said:

    J???
    Your posts here are cryptic. Which is so unlike you. We rely on you for blatant honesty, which is so refreshing and very much appreciated by all. Not comfortable stating your opinion? Well, OK. So be it. You're allowed to hold back, I'd guess.

    Kind regards, Susan

    Susan
    I didn't see it or hear it. But it just doesn't seem right. Why put someone through extra suffering needlessly? Unless they are....well, cummon, you know....
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #10
    tasha_111 said:

    Susan
    I didn't see it or hear it. But it just doesn't seem right. Why put someone through extra suffering needlessly? Unless they are....well, cummon, you know....

    I'm confused too Tasha ...
    I guess maybe it's my chemo brain ... but I'm not able to read between the lines ...and figure out what you are saying ...

    teena
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #11
    tasha_111 said:

    Susan
    I didn't see it or hear it. But it just doesn't seem right. Why put someone through extra suffering needlessly? Unless they are....well, cummon, you know....

    Thanks, J...
    OK, I getcha now. Thanks for the clarification, I do appreciate it. I thought, well... Since you're from England - maybe a comment on German medicine?, or something (please, no offense meant to the Germans)... I didn't see the program, either. But, it's my understanding she went to Germany for some sort of experimental treatment. Which is usually a "last resort" kind of option that only the very wealthy can afford (i.e., travel expenses, and insurance companies definitely do not cover those sorts of things). From USA media coverage in general, I believe the only thing that could possibly save her life at this point would be a true miracle.

    Your instincts, J, are astounding.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #12
    Missing Port
    I have it taped and plan to watch it later when the grandkids are not home as I suspect it will be quite emotional. Here are my thought on why she may not have a port. Getting a port is a personal issue, one can refuse it. I myself have had 28 rounds of chemo over a 12 year span and had opted never to have the port. My veins are bad yes, and if I ever have to do it again my doctor strongly suggests I get a port. It will still be my decision. It may be she did not want to have one, just a thought.

    Hugs to you all,

    RE
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #13
    RE said:

    Missing Port
    I have it taped and plan to watch it later when the grandkids are not home as I suspect it will be quite emotional. Here are my thought on why she may not have a port. Getting a port is a personal issue, one can refuse it. I myself have had 28 rounds of chemo over a 12 year span and had opted never to have the port. My veins are bad yes, and if I ever have to do it again my doctor strongly suggests I get a port. It will still be my decision. It may be she did not want to have one, just a thought.

    Hugs to you all,

    RE

    you could be right RE
    They also made a point of saying she opted to take the chemo drugs that wouldn't make her lose her hair for like 2 years until she ran out of options , because her hair was such a big part of her star personna...uh, I dont know but I dont think that would be my criteria for which chemo drugs to take with such a terrible form of cancer to fight...that bothered me too..
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #14
    Wondering.....
    I have not seen the documentary. I have been debating with myself about whether to watch it because I was afraid that it might be too upsetting or emotional.
    Those of you who have seen it...should I?

    CR
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #15
    dyaneb123 said:

    you could be right RE
    They also made a point of saying she opted to take the chemo drugs that wouldn't make her lose her hair for like 2 years until she ran out of options , because her hair was such a big part of her star personna...uh, I dont know but I dont think that would be my criteria for which chemo drugs to take with such a terrible form of cancer to fight...that bothered me too..

    We all make choices....
    Who knows? I had a port put in right away to start chemo for my rectal cancer. Partially because my onc insisted...lol!

    I was on 5FU 24-hour pump, 4 days straight. It just made sense to me.

    But, you know sisters, you know how much cancer upsets your life. Many don't even GET treatment for breast cancer because they don't want to lose their hair, which is a certainty with ACT. The chemo for rectal is even different from anal, BUT my sister had anal cancer, and she didn't lose her hair...just thinned. Who knows? We try to hold on to ANYTHING normal during this experience. Sometimes to our detrement. We all have 20/20 hindsight.

    I take the lesson from Farrah that this cancer beast, regardless of what type of cancer, is nothing to mess around with. You go in slugging hard from the start, and you realize that later you will have time to live. That's my take...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #16
    I did not see the story but
    I did not see the story but that is because...we don't get tv reception and I haven't watched tv for 1 1/2 years. My husband was supposed to put an antenea up and he hasn't had time. I don't miss tv. We do watch DVD's. I was getting tired of all the commercials anyway. They've increased commercial time and decreased story time. Just watch something from the VHS days that you taped.

    As for the port, I didn't get one because I couldn't stand to have more surgery than necessary but if I would need continued infusions for extended length of time, I may have changed my mind. It's a personal choice.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #17
    Did Farrah have a
    Did Farrah have a recurrence?? I know she took Iscador (mistletoe) which is common in Germany and was on bio-identical hormones but I thought she was doing fine now. HELP!!
    what am I missing????
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #18
    CR1954 said:

    Wondering.....
    I have not seen the documentary. I have been debating with myself about whether to watch it because I was afraid that it might be too upsetting or emotional.
    Those of you who have seen it...should I?

    CR

    Eh, never mind....
    I don't want to watch it.

    All during chemo & rads, that's all I focused on. Getting through treatment.
    Now that I am just getting Herceptin, my focus has turned to...I'm just sitting here waiting for it to come back. I know it will be back. Others are long term survivors, but not me.

    If there was a group Ya Ya Sisterhood of The Sissy Pants...I would join.

    So, I don't think I will watch it.

    CR
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #19
    phoenixrising said:

    Did Farrah have a
    Did Farrah have a recurrence?? I know she took Iscador (mistletoe) which is common in Germany and was on bio-identical hormones but I thought she was doing fine now. HELP!!
    what am I missing????

    well according to the
    well according to the documentary her liver tumors have come back and also her anal cancer..the German treatment seemed to work for awhile but then the cancer comes back full force again and again.The impression is that she is losing the battle. It was sooooo sad...
    But to watch the love and support from her friends and family is so touching...it is very worth watching...just bring the kleenex
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #20
    dyaneb123 said:

    well according to the
    well according to the documentary her liver tumors have come back and also her anal cancer..the German treatment seemed to work for awhile but then the cancer comes back full force again and again.The impression is that she is losing the battle. It was sooooo sad...
    But to watch the love and support from her friends and family is so touching...it is very worth watching...just bring the kleenex

    Thanks for bringing me up to
    Thanks for bringing me up to speed. I went to her website and it didn't say anything about her anal cancer returning. I missed the documentary I wonder if it will be on again.
    Thanks again, if I get an opportunity I probably will watch it.
    jan
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #21
    phoenixrising said:

    Thanks for bringing me up to
    Thanks for bringing me up to speed. I went to her website and it didn't say anything about her anal cancer returning. I missed the documentary I wonder if it will be on again.
    Thanks again, if I get an opportunity I probably will watch it.
    jan

    It was on Dateline tonight..
    How she was took off alot of her meds so she could be coherant enough to watch it with her loved ones, she took alot of pride in this documentary.. and i think anyone who brings our cancer plight to the media and to Cancer Awareness, should be applauded. I admire her courage
    hugs, Jackie

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