Chemo Pump

cowman
cowman Member Posts: 61
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My hubbie will be getting hooked up to his chemo pump soon and we were wondering what the guys out there use to carry it around. The nurse told us to use a "fanny pack" which I just can't see him using! I looked on some medical supply websites but didn't see anything. What do you all use? Our clinic went from a 1 lb pump to 3 lb but it's better than the old IV stick every time.

Comments

  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #2
    Chemo pump
    The clinic gave me a fanny pack for mine. I pretty much forgot I even had it on. It wasn't in the way at all.
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    #3
    grandma2selena said:

    Chemo pump
    The clinic gave me a fanny pack for mine. I pretty much forgot I even had it on. It wasn't in the way at all.

    It's easy...
    Not large - you can "hide" it under a T-shirt. I thought it would be an inconvenience and it wasn't that bad.
  • mommyof2kds
    mommyof2kds Member Posts: 519
    #4
    I had the fanny pack for my
    I had the fanny pack for my 5 day infusion. My hospital has an even smaller version of the pump which is very lighweight for the 2 day infusion. The fanny pack can either be worn around the waste or the straps can be moved around so it can be worn off the shoulder or around the neck & shoulder to the side(not sure if this makes sense.) example like the travel purses are sometimes worn. Hope this helps.
  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    #5
    mommyof2kds said:

    I had the fanny pack for my
    I had the fanny pack for my 5 day infusion. My hospital has an even smaller version of the pump which is very lighweight for the 2 day infusion. The fanny pack can either be worn around the waste or the straps can be moved around so it can be worn off the shoulder or around the neck & shoulder to the side(not sure if this makes sense.) example like the travel purses are sometimes worn. Hope this helps.

    I am a guy who does not like
    I am a guy who does not like the idea of a man purse or a fanny pack but it really is the easiest way to carry the pump and can easily be hidden under a shirt if you strap it above your belly instead of around your waist. most of the line can go in the pack and the rest can be easily hidden under your shirt. I will say I do not go many places when I am strapped to it and am very glad to get rid of it but I would rather carry that than more tumors. Might as well name it and make friends. Mine is Jr. and we have an understanding. Jr. gets to annoy me and in return he kills my cancer. Although there is no love loss when we depart a few days later.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #6
    eric38 said:

    I am a guy who does not like
    I am a guy who does not like the idea of a man purse or a fanny pack but it really is the easiest way to carry the pump and can easily be hidden under a shirt if you strap it above your belly instead of around your waist. most of the line can go in the pack and the rest can be easily hidden under your shirt. I will say I do not go many places when I am strapped to it and am very glad to get rid of it but I would rather carry that than more tumors. Might as well name it and make friends. Mine is Jr. and we have an understanding. Jr. gets to annoy me and in return he kills my cancer. Although there is no love loss when we depart a few days later.

    That's funny
    A Man Purse, they had a Seinfeld episode with a man purse as part of the show. Jerry kept saying it was "European". Anyway, the thing the hospital gave me (5 years ago) was so big you could fit a loaf of bread in it. No kidding. Very inconspicuous. I went with a man purse but it was a very manly one. No "Hello Kitty" one for me!. That one actually fit under my shirt if I wore a t-shirt or the shirt tail out. I used to take mine kayaking with me, I'd put it in a ziploc bag just in case.
    -phil
  • shoppergal
    shoppergal Member Posts: 118
    #7
    Fanny Pack
    Unfortunately, most of us had the fanny pack. I like Eric, thought about naming mine, but in the end I just refered to it as my boyfriend.It was far from a fashion statment, but it was only for 3 days. The worst part was trying to bath with it, my favorite part was when it got "UNHOOKED" and I was able to shower. I met a man that just put his in his pocket, but I would think that would be uncomfortable.:-)

    Wendy
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    #8
    Fanny Pack
    I wore one for 6 weeks, during my first chemo/radiation round. It became part of me. I strapped it around the waist and just wore loose shirts and sweaters (it was winter) over it. I did name it as well...Actually my radiation techs named it Jack, short for jack%^&, because it was a pain to get it out of the way for the zaps.

    He can do this...Many hugs, Vicki
  • confused1
    confused1 Member Posts: 50
    #9
    VickiCO said:

    Fanny Pack
    I wore one for 6 weeks, during my first chemo/radiation round. It became part of me. I strapped it around the waist and just wore loose shirts and sweaters (it was winter) over it. I did name it as well...Actually my radiation techs named it Jack, short for jack%^&, because it was a pain to get it out of the way for the zaps.

    He can do this...Many hugs, Vicki

    Fanny Pack
    I just carry mine under my shirt and u can't even see it. If u have a big enough shirt u can't even tell. They are a pain in the side though.LOL Or Butt. He will be fine. Take Care Colleen
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #10
    confused1 said:

    Fanny Pack
    I just carry mine under my shirt and u can't even see it. If u have a big enough shirt u can't even tell. They are a pain in the side though.LOL Or Butt. He will be fine. Take Care Colleen

    Finally........
    confused1....I finally thought of who you reminded me of.....Reba Mcintyre (sp)... :)
  • confused1
    confused1 Member Posts: 50
    #11
    Buzzard said:

    Finally........
    confused1....I finally thought of who you reminded me of.....Reba Mcintyre (sp)... :)

    You no buzzard I have been told that before. And also the star that play's on tim time tool man his wife jill. Gees i wish i made the money they do. LOL
  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    #12
    Chemo pump
    My husband has one and they gave him a pack for his pump. He doesn't seem to have to much trouble with it. He has dropped it a coulpe of time. No harm done. Paula G.
  • qwe
    qwe Member Posts: 124
    #13
    Paula G. said:

    Chemo pump
    My husband has one and they gave him a pack for his pump. He doesn't seem to have to much trouble with it. He has dropped it a coulpe of time. No harm done. Paula G.

    I used the pump 5 days a
    I used the pump 5 days a week and the carrying case comes with it I used the strap one
    and put the strap over my head and let it hang to my side and put the tub under\my shirt
    by putting the pump through my shirt no problems good luck.
  • cowman
    cowman Member Posts: 61
    #14
    Thanks to everyone for your
    Thanks to everyone for your input. I'm sure it will work out. Just so many things to think about in 3 weeks time since my DX. My first chemo pump fill and radiation treatment is tomorrow and I'm just plain scared of all that is ahead of me. You all have been through it or are on your way through and seem very upbeat. It does help to read your comments and know you guys haven't lost your sense of humor!
  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    #15
    PhillieG said:

    That's funny
    A Man Purse, they had a Seinfeld episode with a man purse as part of the show. Jerry kept saying it was "European". Anyway, the thing the hospital gave me (5 years ago) was so big you could fit a loaf of bread in it. No kidding. Very inconspicuous. I went with a man purse but it was a very manly one. No "Hello Kitty" one for me!. That one actually fit under my shirt if I wore a t-shirt or the shirt tail out. I used to take mine kayaking with me, I'd put it in a ziploc bag just in case.
    -phil

    Next I think I am going to
    Next I think I am going to get a rainbow care bear fanny pack or maybe Hannah Montana.

    Eric
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #16
    VickiCO said:

    Fanny Pack
    I wore one for 6 weeks, during my first chemo/radiation round. It became part of me. I strapped it around the waist and just wore loose shirts and sweaters (it was winter) over it. I did name it as well...Actually my radiation techs named it Jack, short for jack%^&, because it was a pain to get it out of the way for the zaps.

    He can do this...Many hugs, Vicki

    Zaps
    That was very easy with my radiation. They just had me take the fanny pack off from my waist and hold it between my hands up on my chest. They always gave me something to hold onto anyway during radiation, so the fanny pack worked perfect for that reason.

    Debbie
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #17
    cowman said:

    Thanks to everyone for your
    Thanks to everyone for your input. I'm sure it will work out. Just so many things to think about in 3 weeks time since my DX. My first chemo pump fill and radiation treatment is tomorrow and I'm just plain scared of all that is ahead of me. You all have been through it or are on your way through and seem very upbeat. It does help to read your comments and know you guys haven't lost your sense of humor!

    You'll be fine :)
    We were all scared little bunnies like you are for your first chemo treatment, the unknown, and don't you worry, those nurses will take care of you :)

    They'll first just give you some anti-nausea meds, access your port, if you have one, and then the meds will be distributed through them, while you watch T.V. or even bring a book, listen to some music, and before you know it, the Home Health person comes in with the fanny pack to hook you up, just keep on top of those anti-nausea drugs, and though the pouch is not a fashionable statement, it's part of the meds that are killing the cancer, I actually just carry mine around, and when I clean, I may throw the strap over my head, and start cleaning.

    You will get through this, let us know how your treatment went :)

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    #18
    Claire
    I named my fanny pack Claire. She used to get on my nerves, but hey...she did her job! Anyway, I'm on the Xeloda now and won't have to carry Claire around anymore until radiation in August! I don't miss her at all!
  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    #19
    luv3jay said:

    Claire
    I named my fanny pack Claire. She used to get on my nerves, but hey...she did her job! Anyway, I'm on the Xeloda now and won't have to carry Claire around anymore until radiation in August! I don't miss her at all!

    There will be no love loss
    There will be no love loss between me and Jr. when it is time for him to go.

    Eric
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    #20
    grandma2selena said:

    Zaps
    That was very easy with my radiation. They just had me take the fanny pack off from my waist and hold it between my hands up on my chest. They always gave me something to hold onto anyway during radiation, so the fanny pack worked perfect for that reason.

    Debbie

    Radiation
    I have a shoulder injury (pre-cancer) and couldn't raise my arm above my head. It created problems for where to put the pack. I was lying on my tummy for my zaps as my tumor was a very low rectal, just 4cm inside. I also had a bad port during this time, and it would bleed and pull out if we weren't careful. So...the darn pack was just one more thing to deal with. But the techs figured it out and we were able to get good position. It just took a little longer. Hence, the name...

    Vicki

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