CHEMO: peripheral or portacath?

[BernieO]

Hi

I have had my porta cath for almost 2 years. I had 6 months of chemo through it and countless numbers of blood draws and IV's. The main advantages are: you have both hand free during chemo and iv therapies, the infusions are never "positional" thus no beeping when moving, and the pain of accessing the port is minor compared to multiple venipuncture attempts on poor chemo weakened veins.

I will have to use my port again soon for more chemo as I slipped out of remission. My gyn/onc wisely advises his patients to keep their ports for as long as possible. Just a monthly heparin flush, otherwise I never know its there.

I wish your sister the best. The 1st chemo is the hardest.

Cindy ( ovca survivor)

[leslie :-D]

Hi

I have had my porta cath for almost 2 years. I had 6 months of chemo through it and countless numbers of blood draws and IV's. The main advantages are: you have both hand free during chemo and iv therapies, the infusions are never "positional" thus no beeping when moving, and the pain of accessing the port is minor compared to multiple venipuncture attempts on poor chemo weakened veins.

I will have to use my port again soon for more chemo as I slipped out of remission. My gyn/onc wisely advises his patients to keep their ports for as long as possible. Just a monthly heparin flush, otherwise I never know its there.

I wish your sister the best. The 1st chemo is the hardest.

Cindy ( ovca survivor)

hi cindy,

thank you so much for your tender hearted response. she got her porta cath today. i'm glad it's over, as we spent a lot of time on the phone last noc, as she was quite anxious about being awake during the procedure. when i called her tonight, she was sleeping but her husband told me that she was heavily sedated.

her 1st chemo tx is next wed and i've been trying to have her get a script for ativan. she has all the antiemetic meds already.

i get so emotional when i hear stories such as yours. and i'm so sorry that you slipped out of remission but this struggle you face will be short lived. studies have proven that one's attitude has much to do in the recovery process. and yes, you are such a survivor. was your 1st tx the hardest because you didn't know what to expect?

again, thank you and bless you always.

leslie

[gaulkari]

Sorry to hear about your sister, I hope she does well on her chemo regimen. I know she will be thankful for the port as her treatment progresses, our pt's always tell us how much pain it avoids for them. Has the Onc. discussed the use of Neupogen for your sister after her chemo treatments? Some docs use it prophalacticaly to prevent neutropenia .

[leslie :-D]

Sorry to hear about your sister, I hope she does well on her chemo regimen. I know she will be thankful for the port as her treatment progresses, our pt's always tell us how much pain it avoids for them. Has the Onc. discussed the use of Neupogen for your sister after her chemo treatments? Some docs use it prophalacticaly to prevent neutropenia .

yes, she goes for her neupogen injection the day after her chemo, since her chemo is every 2 weeks instead of 3.

she had her 1st chemo tx last wednesday and she said (in terms of accessing the port) everything went well. but the side effects caught up w/her later that noc; and she also experienced a lot of facial flushing.

i think it's because of the cytoxan, she was to hydrate herself with approx. 2000cc, which she had difficulty doing because of all the nausea and vomiting. so now the new plan is to infuse 2 liters post chemo, instead of the original 1L.

thank you very much for asking.

i tend to just babble away when it comes to my sister and i apologize.

leslie

[suzy253, RN]

.

i tend to just babble away when it comes to my sister and i apologize.

leslie

{{{hugzzzz}}} Leslie. Don't apologize!! This is very very rough. I know b/c I went thru it with my sis.

[leslie :-D]

i speak to my sister every day.

the port does not bother her.

but so many other things do.

today her scalp is tingling, which is a warning sign (as she was told) that she will soon be losing her hair.

it's like clockwork- they told her 8-14 days after her 1st tx she will lose her hair, and today is the 8th day.

she was not prepared for the psychological lability that she feels from hour to hour. she cries so easily now.

and she is so overwhelmed with the love she is receiving from so many people.

she is also overwhelmed with hearing about all of those with her type of cancer, who have died. she doesn't go seeking this information. but in the support groups she attends, she listens to stories.

i am going over saturday to give her the quilt. i hope it doesn't send her over the edge, because if it does, we'll be going over together.

[gaulkari]

I saw a info spot from the breast cancer society the other day and it was about a program where they match up newly diagnosed women with survivors of approx. the same age and interests to be a support person. I think for your sister it may be a more positive type of support since these people have been through the treatment and are doing well. Just a posibility, maybe worth looking into.

[leslie :-D]

I saw a info spot from the breast cancer society the other day and it was about a program where they match up newly diagnosed women with survivors of approx. the same age and interests to be a support person. I think for your sister it may be a more positive type of support since these people have been through the treatment and are doing well. Just a posibility, maybe worth looking into.

i think that sounds PERFECT. truly, the best medicine of all is hope.

do you know the name of the website where i can get more info?

i appreciate this gaulk.

thank you....

leslie

[suzy253, RN]

Oh Leslie. {{{{hugzzzzz}}}}} xxxooo

[longtermcarern]

i speak to my sister every day.

the port does not bother her.

but so many other things do.

today her scalp is tingling, which is a warning sign (as she was told) that she will soon be losing her hair.

it's like clockwork- they told her 8-14 days after her 1st tx she will lose her hair, and today is the 8th day.

she was not prepared for the psychological lability that she feels from hour to hour. she cries so easily now.

and she is so overwhelmed with the love she is receiving from so many people.

she is also overwhelmed with hearing about all of those with her type of cancer, who have died. she doesn't go seeking this information. but in the support groups she attends, she listens to stories.

i am going over saturday to give her the quilt. i hope it doesn't send her over the edge, because if it does, we'll be going over together.

I know just how you are feeling. I lost my 56 year old sister in Dec.97 and my 53 year old sister in Feb.98 from cancer that had mets to the liver. just 3 months apart. Keep focused on everything positive, I think it can be the most powerful medicine for your sister and you. sending positive energy your way~~~~~~((earle58))

[gaulkari]

The name of program is called Reach to Recovery peer support program and you can get information about matching up a person for your sister at 1 800 227-2345. I talked to them and they said you can arrange to meet in person or talk on lthe phone with your support person. They also have a lot of other support services your sister might be interested in. I hope this helps.

[leslie :-D]

I know just how you are feeling. I lost my 56 year old sister in Dec.97 and my 53 year old sister in Feb.98 from cancer that had mets to the liver. just 3 months apart. Keep focused on everything positive, I think it can be the most powerful medicine for your sister and you. sending positive energy your way~~~~~~((earle58))

i can't even begin to imagine your losses....the thought of 1 sister is too much right now, but 2........

they keep on telling us what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger?

my prayers and wishes for peace to you, longterm.

leslie :kiss