Doctor's follow up to new treatment

Reddie
Reddie Member Posts: 72
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
It was interesting visit to the Oncologist today and explained to me what my plans are for the treatments. I will start my first chemo out of 4 cycles in two weeks from now after I completed working at school. He said that I will have port especially when I have fair skin. I find that having port is more convenient to use than poking the needles on my arm. He just informed me that I have small tumors but good news that it hasn't touch on any organs only on the lymph nodes. I asked him what my CA 125 number. He said that I have CA 133 and the normal number is 35. I'm still learning so much from the visit and I'm so thankful for them to be patient with me especially that I have interpreter to explained to me all of the details. They had recommended me to take three kinds of drugs CARBO, DOXO AND PACLI.
It was good for me to hear the side effects from the drugs and to be aware of it.
Hugs to all of the sisters! Reddie

Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #2
    Sounds like you have a good plan in place now!
    I'm glad you like your oncologist; that's important. I didn't have a port put in, and regretted it as I got deep into my chemo rounds, as my veins got a lot of scar tissue and now they have a really hard time finding a good vein for CT-scans and even blood draws. They now have to wrap my arms in hot towels to plump up my tiny veins, and call in the special 'IV-team' that handles inserting needles into difficult veins, hospital-wide, so it takes extra time waiting for them to come. It's good to go ahead and get a port if you think you might need it, because once the chemo has your white count and platelets down too far, they usually won't do the surgery to give you one.

    I'll bet your CA-125 is below 35 by your 3rd chemo round. That's my prediction: let's see if I'm right!
  • Reddie
    Reddie Member Posts: 72
    #3
    lindaprocopio said:

    Sounds like you have a good plan in place now!
    I'm glad you like your oncologist; that's important. I didn't have a port put in, and regretted it as I got deep into my chemo rounds, as my veins got a lot of scar tissue and now they have a really hard time finding a good vein for CT-scans and even blood draws. They now have to wrap my arms in hot towels to plump up my tiny veins, and call in the special 'IV-team' that handles inserting needles into difficult veins, hospital-wide, so it takes extra time waiting for them to come. It's good to go ahead and get a port if you think you might need it, because once the chemo has your white count and platelets down too far, they usually won't do the surgery to give you one.

    I'll bet your CA-125 is below 35 by your 3rd chemo round. That's my prediction: let's see if I'm right!

    Hi Linda
    I'm glad to hear the positive side about the port. He did mention that chemo will burn the skin and more difficult to insert the needle properly especially with my veins that are tricky. I might have blood transfusion later on especially when I'm having anemia. They will keep an eye on my progress and making sure that I don't have any fevers. I'm sorry about your scars tissue and I wish things could be easier for you. Linda, you are a true fighter that I really admire you a lot and a wonderful sister! Reddie
  • ssfbeagle
    ssfbeagle Member Posts: 50
    #4
    Reddie said:

    Hi Linda
    I'm glad to hear the positive side about the port. He did mention that chemo will burn the skin and more difficult to insert the needle properly especially with my veins that are tricky. I might have blood transfusion later on especially when I'm having anemia. They will keep an eye on my progress and making sure that I don't have any fevers. I'm sorry about your scars tissue and I wish things could be easier for you. Linda, you are a true fighter that I really admire you a lot and a wonderful sister! Reddie

    Go for the port
    My mom had a portacath inserted and it has been a godsend! She had a choice of a PICC but I told her the port is much better. Nothing is hanging from the arm and less chance of it clotting and getting infected. It is undetectable. Leslie
  • MaryAnnOnTheBay
    MaryAnnOnTheBay Member Posts: 20
    #5
    Reddie said:

    Hi Linda
    I'm glad to hear the positive side about the port. He did mention that chemo will burn the skin and more difficult to insert the needle properly especially with my veins that are tricky. I might have blood transfusion later on especially when I'm having anemia. They will keep an eye on my progress and making sure that I don't have any fevers. I'm sorry about your scars tissue and I wish things could be easier for you. Linda, you are a true fighter that I really admire you a lot and a wonderful sister! Reddie

    Off topic - Hi, Reddie, do you sign?
    Hi, Reddie, Do you sign? I have been trying to learn American Sign Language for many years, but I am a slow learner and not too good at any languages other than English. I have a 22 year old Deaf grandson who lives back East. Just wondering about you. Sorry, other folks for getting off topic. Mary Ann on San Francisco Bay
  • Reddie
    Reddie Member Posts: 72
    #6
    MaryAnnOnTheBay said:

    Off topic - Hi, Reddie, do you sign?
    Hi, Reddie, Do you sign? I have been trying to learn American Sign Language for many years, but I am a slow learner and not too good at any languages other than English. I have a 22 year old Deaf grandson who lives back East. Just wondering about you. Sorry, other folks for getting off topic. Mary Ann on San Francisco Bay

    Hi MAOTB
    Yes, I am using American Sign Language even thou I can read lips but it's easier to use ASL interpreter while talking to the doctors and in a large group. It takes time to master the language same as other languages. If you know somebody who you can communicate with ASL then you can learn quickly. Smile, Reddie
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #7
    Reddie said:

    Hi MAOTB
    Yes, I am using American Sign Language even thou I can read lips but it's easier to use ASL interpreter while talking to the doctors and in a large group. It takes time to master the language same as other languages. If you know somebody who you can communicate with ASL then you can learn quickly. Smile, Reddie

    I have a port!
    I highly recommend the power port, port a cath. The power port allows you to have blood draws, IV's and chemo, and they can use them for your CT scans. That is what I have and it has been a blessing to have it.

    My DIL is a sign language interpreter. It is so beautiful to watch.
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #8
    ssfbeagle said:

    Go for the port
    My mom had a portacath inserted and it has been a godsend! She had a choice of a PICC but I told her the port is much better. Nothing is hanging from the arm and less chance of it clotting and getting infected. It is undetectable. Leslie

    Power port
    I really liked having the port. My veins are terrible and it was a godsend. I had mine removed 3 months after I finished chemo. Dr. felt it was better to remove it then to decrease chances of infection or clotting. Loved it!
    Karen
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #9
    deanna14 said:

    I have a port!
    I highly recommend the power port, port a cath. The power port allows you to have blood draws, IV's and chemo, and they can use them for your CT scans. That is what I have and it has been a blessing to have it.

    My DIL is a sign language interpreter. It is so beautiful to watch.

    Port
    Hi,

    I also am glad to have the port - mine is regular, not power. I am planning to keep it for awhile - I get it flushed every 6 weeks. How long will you keep yours Deanna??

    Mary Ann
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #10
    daisy366 said:

    Port
    Hi,

    I also am glad to have the port - mine is regular, not power. I am planning to keep it for awhile - I get it flushed every 6 weeks. How long will you keep yours Deanna??

    Mary Ann

    Unsure
    I don't know how long I will keep my port. I finished chemo last week, so I will probably wait a while. I won't let my gyn/onc do surgery on me again, so I will have to find someone else to take it out.
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #11
    I think the port is the way to go. I opted not to get the port, as I had very good veins. I was going to have the sandwich treatment, so I thought my veins would have time to recover during radiation treatments. my first three chemo treatments they got the vein the first time for lab and also chemo treatments. I had my fourth chemotherapy today. It took 3 sticks for lab yesterday and two for chemotherapy today, so I am wondering what treatment 5 and 6 will bring. They do say these drugs are very hard on the veins. I had my first chemo treatments in Florida and they did not encourage a port. This cancer center in Illinois very much encouraging ports, but for only three treatments left, I still said no. If God forbid I need more treatments I will opt for a port. Good luck with your decision, and good luck with your chemo. HUGS to you.
  • Reddie
    Reddie Member Posts: 72
    #12
    Ro10 said:

    I think the port is the way to go. I opted not to get the port, as I had very good veins. I was going to have the sandwich treatment, so I thought my veins would have time to recover during radiation treatments. my first three chemo treatments they got the vein the first time for lab and also chemo treatments. I had my fourth chemotherapy today. It took 3 sticks for lab yesterday and two for chemotherapy today, so I am wondering what treatment 5 and 6 will bring. They do say these drugs are very hard on the veins. I had my first chemo treatments in Florida and they did not encourage a port. This cancer center in Illinois very much encouraging ports, but for only three treatments left, I still said no. If God forbid I need more treatments I will opt for a port. Good luck with your decision, and good luck with your chemo. HUGS to you.

    first day of chemo this Friday
    I just had port yesterday so it was little stiff on my neck but in the long run it would benefit me a lot more for the chemo tx. I can't wait to go Fox Chase Center at 7:30 when they provide class about chemotherapy and then at 8 am I will start my first chemo. Wish me the best of the treatments!

    I can't believe the medicine are soooo expensive that I bought 4 meds. two of them are for preventive of nauseas, one is emend and the other is to prevent rash, allergies, arthritis and asthma. Lucky for my insurance were able to cover all expenses so I only paid about 10 percent of it.

    I wanted to thank to all of the veteran sisters to support me for questions and feedbacks.
    I really enjoy reading your old post from last year what you have been going thru first chemo or radiation. It gives me ideas of what's happening. My interpreter tells me that I'm looking strong and positive. I'm glad that I have thick skin now.

    Hugs, Reddie
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    #13
    Reddie said:

    first day of chemo this Friday
    I just had port yesterday so it was little stiff on my neck but in the long run it would benefit me a lot more for the chemo tx. I can't wait to go Fox Chase Center at 7:30 when they provide class about chemotherapy and then at 8 am I will start my first chemo. Wish me the best of the treatments!

    I can't believe the medicine are soooo expensive that I bought 4 meds. two of them are for preventive of nauseas, one is emend and the other is to prevent rash, allergies, arthritis and asthma. Lucky for my insurance were able to cover all expenses so I only paid about 10 percent of it.

    I wanted to thank to all of the veteran sisters to support me for questions and feedbacks.
    I really enjoy reading your old post from last year what you have been going thru first chemo or radiation. It gives me ideas of what's happening. My interpreter tells me that I'm looking strong and positive. I'm glad that I have thick skin now.

    Hugs, Reddie

    Your cheo
    He is treating you agressively and I think that is good. it will be rough but you can do it. One treatmetnt at a time. I took doxyrubicin for breast but cannot take it any more as I have maxed out the dose. Rest and give the body time to heal. We are all hear for you.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #14
    ((((REDDIE)))), sweetie, you'll be in my thoughts all day.
    I remember how I cried just a little as I walked in through the door for my 1st chemo, anxious about what I was about to do, and worried about what it might do to me. I think of you today, getting hooked up for your 1st chemo infusion. You'll be fine, Reddie. Honestly, I cried harder the 1st time I came for my chemo and couldn't get it because my blood counts were too low. And it got to be a social thing where I looked forward to seeing my 'chemo buddies' that I tried to sit near to chat with as we all got our chemo. But you will be on my mind today, as I know that this is a HUGE day emotionally. BIG BIG HUGS! Please post and let us know how you made out.

    This is a 'family wedding' weekend for me. (My DIL's sister is marrying her long-time boyfriend; they've been together already 20 years and have a 16-year-old child together.) My grand-daughter, (the flower girl!), is sleeping upstairs still. Her little cousin is in from Germany, and the 2 boys slept over at their other grandma's. (With the little ones on sleep-overs, their parents all went out to dance and drink last night.) As soon as Emily finally wakes up, she and I are to head over to the reception hall and help with the decorating, or at least take photos of the bridesmaids doing the decorating. My son Eric and his girlfriend will be coming in around 8 this evening and staying with me, and the 'big day' is tomorrow. It looks to be a very busy fun exhausting weekend! :D
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #15
    Reddie said:

    first day of chemo this Friday
    I just had port yesterday so it was little stiff on my neck but in the long run it would benefit me a lot more for the chemo tx. I can't wait to go Fox Chase Center at 7:30 when they provide class about chemotherapy and then at 8 am I will start my first chemo. Wish me the best of the treatments!

    I can't believe the medicine are soooo expensive that I bought 4 meds. two of them are for preventive of nauseas, one is emend and the other is to prevent rash, allergies, arthritis and asthma. Lucky for my insurance were able to cover all expenses so I only paid about 10 percent of it.

    I wanted to thank to all of the veteran sisters to support me for questions and feedbacks.
    I really enjoy reading your old post from last year what you have been going thru first chemo or radiation. It gives me ideas of what's happening. My interpreter tells me that I'm looking strong and positive. I'm glad that I have thick skin now.

    Hugs, Reddie

    Hugs of Courage...
    Reddie,
    I know you will not get this post until after your first chemo, but I wanted you to know that I admire your positive attitude. You have a much better attitude than I did in going into my first chemo. I was so scared and unsure, mostly from not really knowing what to expect. I pray that you will have any easy time with all of your treatments. I pray for no side effects. You are a strong lady and you are going to breeze through this. Take care and believe that you will be healed!
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #16
    lindaprocopio said:

    ((((REDDIE)))), sweetie, you'll be in my thoughts all day.
    I remember how I cried just a little as I walked in through the door for my 1st chemo, anxious about what I was about to do, and worried about what it might do to me. I think of you today, getting hooked up for your 1st chemo infusion. You'll be fine, Reddie. Honestly, I cried harder the 1st time I came for my chemo and couldn't get it because my blood counts were too low. And it got to be a social thing where I looked forward to seeing my 'chemo buddies' that I tried to sit near to chat with as we all got our chemo. But you will be on my mind today, as I know that this is a HUGE day emotionally. BIG BIG HUGS! Please post and let us know how you made out.

    This is a 'family wedding' weekend for me. (My DIL's sister is marrying her long-time boyfriend; they've been together already 20 years and have a 16-year-old child together.) My grand-daughter, (the flower girl!), is sleeping upstairs still. Her little cousin is in from Germany, and the 2 boys slept over at their other grandma's. (With the little ones on sleep-overs, their parents all went out to dance and drink last night.) As soon as Emily finally wakes up, she and I are to head over to the reception hall and help with the decorating, or at least take photos of the bridesmaids doing the decorating. My son Eric and his girlfriend will be coming in around 8 this evening and staying with me, and the 'big day' is tomorrow. It looks to be a very busy fun exhausting weekend! :D

    Enjoy Linda!
    Sounds like a great time. Enjoy!
  • shortmarge
    shortmarge Member Posts: 291
    #17
    deanna14 said:

    Enjoy Linda!
    Sounds like a great time. Enjoy!

    Enjoy
    Being around family and having such a wonderful event like a wedding sounds like a perfect weekend!

    Hugs...
  • Reddie
    Reddie Member Posts: 72
    #18
    shortmarge said:

    Enjoy
    Being around family and having such a wonderful event like a wedding sounds like a perfect weekend!

    Hugs...

    1st Chemo Treatment DONE!
    Wow! it wasn't that bad as I thought as I stayed there for 6 hours for the tx. At first my Gyn/Onc and the practicner (sp.?) nurse came to see me how am I doing and talk about my blood work results from yesterday and it came out good news! My CA-125 has dropped from 133 to 37. It's amazing that my body is fighting off pretty well before my chemotherapy starts. I just found out that I had 32 lymph nodes removed and 14 lymph nodes are positive for tumors so hopefully after this 4 rounds of chemo will kill those bad cells! One thing I have to watch out for WBC (5.8), RBC (4.61) and Hemoglobin (11.9) those numbers are pretty low so I have to be careful and stay away from bacteria. They told me not to eat any FRESH fruit and vegetables that contains bacteria. She said that store bought canned fruit or cooked vegetables are safe. If I reach the temp. of 100.5, hot flashes (very hot like when you feel like taking all of your clothes off), diarrhea (severe like 4/5 times a day), red dots on the arm and bleeding all of those symptoms are required to call the doctor. They were very patient with me so I had to write down notes cuz you know why? I don't trust my Chemo brain.
    Right now I'm back home and feeling just fine but just taking things easy.

    Big smile and HUGS to all!

    Brenda (Reddie)
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #19
    Reddie said:

    1st Chemo Treatment DONE!
    Wow! it wasn't that bad as I thought as I stayed there for 6 hours for the tx. At first my Gyn/Onc and the practicner (sp.?) nurse came to see me how am I doing and talk about my blood work results from yesterday and it came out good news! My CA-125 has dropped from 133 to 37. It's amazing that my body is fighting off pretty well before my chemotherapy starts. I just found out that I had 32 lymph nodes removed and 14 lymph nodes are positive for tumors so hopefully after this 4 rounds of chemo will kill those bad cells! One thing I have to watch out for WBC (5.8), RBC (4.61) and Hemoglobin (11.9) those numbers are pretty low so I have to be careful and stay away from bacteria. They told me not to eat any FRESH fruit and vegetables that contains bacteria. She said that store bought canned fruit or cooked vegetables are safe. If I reach the temp. of 100.5, hot flashes (very hot like when you feel like taking all of your clothes off), diarrhea (severe like 4/5 times a day), red dots on the arm and bleeding all of those symptoms are required to call the doctor. They were very patient with me so I had to write down notes cuz you know why? I don't trust my Chemo brain.
    Right now I'm back home and feeling just fine but just taking things easy.

    Big smile and HUGS to all!

    Brenda (Reddie)

    Glad you got through easily...
    Brenda, happy to hear that your first treatment went well. Tak good care of yourself over the next few days. Lots of rest!
    Hugs,
    Deanna
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    #20
    Reddie said:

    1st Chemo Treatment DONE!
    Wow! it wasn't that bad as I thought as I stayed there for 6 hours for the tx. At first my Gyn/Onc and the practicner (sp.?) nurse came to see me how am I doing and talk about my blood work results from yesterday and it came out good news! My CA-125 has dropped from 133 to 37. It's amazing that my body is fighting off pretty well before my chemotherapy starts. I just found out that I had 32 lymph nodes removed and 14 lymph nodes are positive for tumors so hopefully after this 4 rounds of chemo will kill those bad cells! One thing I have to watch out for WBC (5.8), RBC (4.61) and Hemoglobin (11.9) those numbers are pretty low so I have to be careful and stay away from bacteria. They told me not to eat any FRESH fruit and vegetables that contains bacteria. She said that store bought canned fruit or cooked vegetables are safe. If I reach the temp. of 100.5, hot flashes (very hot like when you feel like taking all of your clothes off), diarrhea (severe like 4/5 times a day), red dots on the arm and bleeding all of those symptoms are required to call the doctor. They were very patient with me so I had to write down notes cuz you know why? I don't trust my Chemo brain.
    Right now I'm back home and feeling just fine but just taking things easy.

    Big smile and HUGS to all!

    Brenda (Reddie)

    You did it!
    You go through stages after the treatment. I still write down every medicine I take and the time because I don't trust my chemo brain either. Rest and give it time. You are brave and courageous. Don't be afraid to take the medicine they give you to make you more comfortable. just write them down. It's so much to learn. Rest and remember we are here for you.

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