Infected Port?

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JustAnne
JustAnne Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have been reading here for several months and have found answers to all my other questions - but now I have one I couldn't find an answer - so I worked up my nerve to ask it myself...

My husband is stage IV and is currently on a chemo break. His last scan showed that the chemo seemed to have lost its effectivness so the onc wanted to switch him from CPT11 to Oxaliplatin (along with the 5FU, Leucovorin and Avastin) My husband asked for a few weeks extra off chemo because he was quite worn out. He has not been to the onc. since early March and now it looks to me like his port is infected. He says it doesn't really hurt and he "forgot" to call the doctor today. He's planning to call on Monday and try to make an appointment for later in the week. I think it is pretty scary to have a potential infection at the site of the port -- Am I being over anxious or should I encourage him go to the hospital this weekend?

Thank you!!!

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  • pink05
    pink05 Member Posts: 550
    #2
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    Is there a number you can call at the onc's office over the weekend? Maybe the onc or someone else at the office is on call. You can explain to them what is going on and ask them if this can wait until Mon. That is what I would do. They may still tell you to go to the hospital but at least you will have some peace of mind.
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #3
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    I would go to the emergency room. When the area near my port got infected they were quite concerned.
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #4
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    My onc's office always hasone of the docs on rotation for the weekend...it is agood idea to give that a try - or the ER. I am so soory to hear that he is having any sort of problem. I was quite lucky to nothave an infection, but I did worry and have the darn thing taken out as soon as I was able to. Very much hoping that your husband soon feels relief. All the best to you - Maura
  • Btrcup
    Btrcup Member Posts: 286
    #5
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    My husband's port got infected. Go to the ER and have it taken care of. He was in the hospital for 2 days on antibiotics and everything was fine.

    Linda
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #6
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    I have not dealt with this issue, but if it is red around the area and he has a fever then I would definitely go to the ER.
    Good luck to you. I know how it can be dealing w/ a stubborn husband! LOL.
    Take care,
    Susan.
  • JustAnne
    JustAnne Member Posts: 13
    #7
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    Thank you for all your help! I admit feeling pretty stupid - of course we should call the onc on call.... which I did. First he said we'd have to take out the port, but since my husband is not running a fever and feels fine otherwise, he prescribed a heavy-duty antibiotic for now. At least I guess it's heavy duty -- $100 copay.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #8
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    JustAnne said:

    Thank you for all your help! I admit feeling pretty stupid - of course we should call the onc on call.... which I did. First he said we'd have to take out the port, but since my husband is not running a fever and feels fine otherwise, he prescribed a heavy-duty antibiotic for now. At least I guess it's heavy duty -- $100 copay.

    Great news. Remeber where this port taps into. Infection anywhere near should be looked at IMMEDIATELY. What is $100 compared to a hospital stay? (My anti-nausia med cost that much in co-pay FOR 3 DARN PILLS!!!)
    Good call.
    Kathi

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