My port is still infected - DRAT!!!

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EZLiving66
EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

My infected port is STILL infected!  The culture report done today came back as “LIGHT GROWTH PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA; MODERATE GROWTH STAPHYLOCOCCUS, COAGULASE NEGATIVE.”

I saw my PA and she went and got my gyno/oncologist to look at it.  They both poked in there and you can actually see the port BUT there is less gunk coming out of it and he said when he's inside there, it's clear.

 

They are going to do chemo in a vein tomorrow (my good one in the right arm).  Next week he is going to numb the port site, clean it out and stitch it in from the inside.  He wants to save the port because I still have chemo for three more times after tomorrow.  He is also going to call in an oral and topical antibiotic and hopefully won't have to do an IV antibiotic.  If that doesn't work he will remove the port and then decide if he wants to try to install it in another place.  For my part, I have to take the meds, rinse out the site twice a day and put a sterile bandage on it.

 

Not exactly what I wanted to hear but at least we have a plan.  I also have to have a Neulasta shot because of this infection I need to rebuild WBC...and, the antibiotics I've been taken have seemed to cleared up the lung infection I had in my right lung so, that's good!!!

 

THE RAINY DAY

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

~Henry David Longfellow

 

But just as some days are dark and dreary, there are so many that are filled with sunshine and happiness and those are the ones I choose to concentrate on!  My motto is "Worry won't stop the bad stuff from happening; it just stops you from enjoying the good."

 

Love,

Eldri

 

 

Comments

  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #2
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    Port

    Don't fret too much Eldri.  I had the six Taxol/Carbo and never had a port.  I still have a couple of really good veins and it didn't make blood draws any harder!  I had them put the chemo line in my left arm half way between wrist and elbow every time.  Hand veins are smaller and apt to go bad.  Strange thing, the vein the chemo went in is THE really good vein!  If it makes you well to keep on track with chemo, get the port out.  I've never regreated having no port, matter of fact, I was never offered one!  Best, Debra(Jo)

  • molimoli
    molimoli Member Posts: 514
    #3
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    Sorry about the continued

    Sorry about the continued infection Eldri. The antibiotic will kick in soon ,it is really a little bit early for it to finish the job so hang in there.

     Yup it stops all good from getting noticed. I love Henry Longfellow's  writings . Was part of our booklist for high school, donkey's years ago.

    Nuff love , Moli

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    #4
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    debrajo said:

    Port

    Don't fret too much Eldri.  I had the six Taxol/Carbo and never had a port.  I still have a couple of really good veins and it didn't make blood draws any harder!  I had them put the chemo line in my left arm half way between wrist and elbow every time.  Hand veins are smaller and apt to go bad.  Strange thing, the vein the chemo went in is THE really good vein!  If it makes you well to keep on track with chemo, get the port out.  I've never regreated having no port, matter of fact, I was never offered one!  Best, Debra(Jo)

    I have horrible veins.  After

    I have horrible veins.  After three tries to hit one today and blowing up all three they finally put the line into the crook of my right arm - my ONLY good vein.  They even looked at my feet!!  I couldn't bend my arm at all and had to hold it absolutely still - couldn't even go to the bathroom.  If I moved it even a bit the alarm went off and they had to reposition it.  It took forever to get done!  I'm usually in and out in three hours; today was almost five.  I sure hope they get my port fixed up!  Next week I'm going in and my doctor is going to numb it and put in a few stitches under the skin, leaving the top open to let it heal underneath.

    When I was in the hospital for my gallbladder, there was one night the nurse was in the teens trying to hit a vein.  She finally got it into my wrist and they had to put a splint to hold it straight and then they hung my arm up on a pole - talk about uncomfortable!!!

    Take care,

    Eldri

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    #5
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    molimoli said:

    Sorry about the continued

    Sorry about the continued infection Eldri. The antibiotic will kick in soon ,it is really a little bit early for it to finish the job so hang in there.

     Yup it stops all good from getting noticed. I love Henry Longfellow's  writings . Was part of our booklist for high school, donkey's years ago.

    Nuff love , Moli

    I finished the antibiotics

    I finished the antibiotics yesterday and it's still infected although I think it's getting better (or at least that's what I want to believe).  They took another culture yesterday to see if something new has developed in there but won't get that info until Thursday.  Hopefully next week my doctor can go in there, clean it out and stitch it up from the inside out.  I NEED that port!!

    Take care,

    Eldri

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    #6
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    EZLiving66 said:

    I have horrible veins.  After

    I have horrible veins.  After three tries to hit one today and blowing up all three they finally put the line into the crook of my right arm - my ONLY good vein.  They even looked at my feet!!  I couldn't bend my arm at all and had to hold it absolutely still - couldn't even go to the bathroom.  If I moved it even a bit the alarm went off and they had to reposition it.  It took forever to get done!  I'm usually in and out in three hours; today was almost five.  I sure hope they get my port fixed up!  Next week I'm going in and my doctor is going to numb it and put in a few stitches under the skin, leaving the top open to let it heal underneath.

    When I was in the hospital for my gallbladder, there was one night the nurse was in the teens trying to hit a vein.  She finally got it into my wrist and they had to put a splint to hold it straight and then they hung my arm up on a pole - talk about uncomfortable!!!

    Take care,

    Eldri

    Eldri

    You made it through one more.  So glad for you, but so sorry about your port.  Hopefully the doctor can get it cleaned out, stitched up and healing.  It makes me very thankful that I have a port.  I also have poor veins.  When I had my hyrsterictomy, they blew the veins in my right elbow, .  They couldn't get in any other vein, so they called in the flight crew, they didn't have any luck, so they called in the ultrasound tech.  he was finally able to get in a vein in my left arm.  I am feeling your pain.  Hugs and prayers to you, Lou Ann

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
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    EZLiving66 said:

    I finished the antibiotics

    I finished the antibiotics yesterday and it's still infected although I think it's getting better (or at least that's what I want to believe).  They took another culture yesterday to see if something new has developed in there but won't get that info until Thursday.  Hopefully next week my doctor can go in there, clean it out and stitch it up from the inside out.  I NEED that port!!

    Take care,

    Eldri

    What a trooper you are.

    I can't imagine going through what you went through to get your chemo without your port.  My husband (who had immune disorders), had veins that rolled.  I remember the poor guy had problems similar to your's.  I hope if the port is not usable, they consider something else.  Sending positive energy your way (while I still have some left)!  Nancy

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    #8
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    unknown said:

    What a trooper you are.

    I can't imagine going through what you went through to get your chemo without your port.  My husband (who had immune disorders), had veins that rolled.  I remember the poor guy had problems similar to your's.  I hope if the port is not usable, they consider something else.  Sending positive energy your way (while I still have some left)!  Nancy

    Thanks, Nancy!  I can use

    Thanks, Nancy!  I can use that positive energy!!  LOL  My arms are already starting to look like rotten bananas.  It takes forever for black and blue marks to go away.  Well, it's cold here so I can wear long sleeves to hide them.  I even get black and blue from blood pressure cuffs.

    Love,

    Eldri

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #9
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    EZLiving66 said:

    Thanks, Nancy!  I can use

    Thanks, Nancy!  I can use that positive energy!!  LOL  My arms are already starting to look like rotten bananas.  It takes forever for black and blue marks to go away.  Well, it's cold here so I can wear long sleeves to hide them.  I even get black and blue from blood pressure cuffs.

    Love,

    Eldri

    Eldri:
    Sorry to hear you are

    Eldri:

    Sorry to hear you are still having trouble with that port.   Hopefully, it will be healed and healthy soon!  

    On another note, what a beautiful photo of you!

     

    My best to you,

    Kathy

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