Bruise nearby my port-a-cath

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EissetB
EissetB Member Posts: 133
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I had my pump pulled out yesterday an hour earlier than my appointment scheds due to malfunctioning. The tube was kinked up inside the pump, and I was in panic!! Anyway, the nurse took the pump out. She noticed a big bruise below by my port. She's real concerned and told me to report it to my oncologist or surgeon right away. I have no idea why or how I got this bruise. I remember I was in so much pain thru all 46 hours while the pump was actively pumping. I am scared!!

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  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #2
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    Get thee to a Doctor

    Put your fear into action, and tell your Onc straight away.

    There is a chance that the chemo leaked from the port, which can hurt. I think that is the worse scenario. Or, it could be something simple, like the port being pulled by the tube, causing bruising.  Either way, get it sorted and let us know how you are doing. 

    And yes, these fears pop up all of the time. I well remember my first experience with the pump. The clear tape over it puffed up like a ballon. I called the emergency number at 2 am to talk to a nurse, who assured me that air and movement had caused it to balloon like that.   

    Good luck!

    TRU

  • EissetB
    EissetB Member Posts: 133
    #3
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    Got in my surgeon's clinic

    Got in my surgeon's clinic yesterday. Showed him my bruise. He suspected it was from the tight tape the nurse applied on, and because of the tightness it left bruises and made me very uncomfortable. He said the bruise will eventually goes away within 2 weeks. I hope it wasn't the chemo that leaks inside my skin

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #4
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    Don't worry

    If the chemo leaked into the skin you would be suffering plenty by now, as I hear it burns.  Your diagnosis of tight tape sounds about right. 

    You were definitely right to worry, but now you can chill. 

    TRU

  • EissetB
    EissetB Member Posts: 133
    #5
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    I got checked up by my

    I got checked up by my oncologist this Friday and said the chemo leaked out. No wonder I am in so much pain!! She apologized but of course it wouldn't help to heal the pain. The damaged is done and I had to take the sharp pain by my breast. She, the oncologist cancelled the infusion and moved it to next Friday. Hope the pain is gone by then.

  • Bellen
    Bellen Member Posts: 281 Member
    #6
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    Chemo leak

    Hi Eisset - I am having folfiri chemo - when they hooked up the 5Fu bottle, I was all set to leave and noticed that my clothing near the port was wet.  There was a leak.  Thank goodness we noticed before I left, as I had a 2 1/2 hr ride home.  They washed my skin right away, put my clothes in a bag - told to wash clothes several times, I put on a hospital gown, and one of the nurses gave me a zip top to wear and return next day.  I had to return the next day to get a new bottle, as the pharmacy was closed - what an ordeal.  They said they were sending the bottle, tubes back to mfg to determine why it leaked.  I didn't get any skin reaction because they got it off right away.  It's hard to heal skin when on chemo.  Right now I have a bump on the stitch line of my port and had to put antibiotic and bandaid over - have two red marks on my skin where I pulled off the bandaid and changed it.  Not really going away after one week - not healing.  Good luck and hope you heal quickly.  

     

  • EissetB
    EissetB Member Posts: 133
    #7
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    I think infiltrated is the

    I think infiltrated is the right word to describe the treatment issue I had experienced. My cousin nurse from Florida adviced​me to put some ice wrapped on a towel or likewise to heal the bruise faster.

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