I am an L&D nurse and not more than basically familiar with oncology. A very good friend of mine was dx with carcenoid cancer in her colon that had gone to her liver. This was last Oct. She had her colon resected 4 weeks ago and is doing wonderfully--no GI problems. Eating normally, etc. She looks good-no jaundice. She is now scheduled to have several chemo tx done to her liver to try and shrink the carcenoid to the point that they can try a resection there some time next summer. It is my understanding that carcenoid is very slow growing and time isn't as much a factor as with other cancers.
The surgeon even told her that he doesn't like to refer to carcenoid as cancer because she is not as bad off as typical liver cancer patients and shouldn't feel it is a death sentence. This all sounds OK. She is dealing well, but is only 39 and has three young kids she would like to at least egt to adulthood. They put her on Zoloft and I encouraged her to feel good about it if it helps.
To get to my question: they have told her that it may be best if she had a portacath put in for the liver chemo. She was asking me about it. She had some bad luck with her peripheral line during her surgical stay. After asking her more about it, it sounds like she was just uncomfortable with a k rider and the morphine didn't go in very smoothly either. Going back to what I knew from school. I told her the main drawback for portacaths was the possibility of infection. Am I correct? I think she will be having 3-4 round of chemo lasting 2-3 days each. What are your experiences with portacaths?? Do you have a high rate of infection? What are risks/benefits?
Thanks so much for your time! It is nice to know you all are here. I applaud what you do.
PICC= line which starts in the arm but whose tip is in the SVC= central line
arm port= portacath placed in the arm with tip in SVC= central line
OP here! She ended up with a PICC line which I think is a good choice for her situation. She had her first round of chemo this week and I haven't had the chance to talk to her yet. Her husband sent out an e-mail about the PICC.
Thanks to you all for your responses!!! I really appreciate the time spent.
JaneyW
640 Posts
OP here! She ended up with a PICC line which I think is a good choice for her situation. She had her first round of chemo this week and I haven't had the chance to talk to her yet. Her husband sent out an e-mail about the PICC.
Thanks to you all for your responses!!! I really appreciate the time spent.