Getting my port a cath

Absolutely, and I believe they stick a needle in the port during surgery to check it. Tell them to leave it in so your RN onc won't have to stick you again. Good Luck with this. Remember first that it is a surgery and you will react accordingly, second, remember to be proactive about your nausea medicine. Ask them when you can first take it and follow its directions for at least the first 3 days.  Also remember that the steriods will keep you awake the first night, so be sure to take your sleeping pill.

Good Luck and let us hear from you.

JUJU

I am not sure what TAC is. For my chemo and I believe for most, steroids are given so you will not have a reaction. There were a few other pre-meds for me. I did not gain weight, as a matter of fact, I have lost about 15 pounds( I had gained 10 pounds after a 2003 auto accident). Part came when I had the port and got a terrible sinus infection afterwards, I was sick for about 3 weeks. Also, part of the weight loss has come because I have changed my diet. I no longer eat "sugar". By this I mean, no cookies, no candy, no cakes, no pies, no icecream.

JUJU

Juju & Lori


thanks for the info Im not sure why I worry about all of these things. Iam such a control freek that I just want it all MY way. Unfortunatly this disease takes the control away from you. Did both of you work during chemo? I have read that you are supposed to stay away from crowds and people that might have colds. My job is selling I stand at the front counter and greet everyone and then sell to them. Im kindof worried about that. But I love my job and miss it, I have been off for 2 weeks and probably wont go back until Monday. I work will 18 men and they are like my kids and brothers.

about the weight thing I thought everyone lost during chemo. I was hoping that if I had to feel that bad that at least I would get something out of it! Do they sit down with you and give you a dietary guide?

Juju how did you get a sinus infection from the port a cath surgery?

Have a great day, Im off to have fluid drained from my breast and then to the wig store! I figure I will get one now so that I will be ready.

A friend is like a good bra...its all about the support!
Bernadette

Hi

So glad you are getting a port..I love mine ! Makes getting chemo so much easier, especially if you have bad veins.

My 1st round of chemo 5 yrs ago I worked almost full time, and the same my 2nd  round which was this spring. I did avoid malls and places with big crowds and I tried and stay away from the gtandkids on days when I knew my counts would be low.

Hope all goes well,

Cathi

Bern, I totally know how you feel....but try to think of it differently....you do not have control over having had cancer or undergoing treatment, but you DO have control over a number of things. I too was determined to be in control of everything, which is why I cut my hair before chemo took it. You are in control of your emotions, reactions, and how you approach things. Are you going to be passive or advocate for yourself? SIt and mope or show people how beautiful you can be? I also read and learned as part of my way to take control. Decide what you do have control over and don't let cancer take one ounce from you if you can prevent it.

For dietary issues, I consulted the cancer center's nutritionist, you may want to ask about that too. The ACS has lots of information on diet and nutrition during chemo. I lost weight before chemo, and stayed exactly the same for the whole time (too bad I gained it after, but that is another issue).

As for work, ask your onc. It may depend on what you do. I worked the whole time and avoided malls and movies during the period when counts were too low. But I have an office/ desk job and it was ok. If you work with the public, they may want you to take precautions. I worked through it all, but took a couple days off each chemo cycle (worked from home a little those days).
L&H,
Lori

Hi Bernadette, good luck with your chemo, I started all my treatments and on same schedule as JuJu so I know how hard this is for you and how many questions you have. It looks like the girls have been great with you and giving you good answers. I too am a control freak lol... no really the unknown is the worst for me. I only have 6 more radiation tx left and will be done... my biggest concern now is going back to work. I have been on light duty at a desk since I was diagnosed and work about 20 hours a week but in Oct I will have to jump into 12 hours shifts with day night rotations.. and worried to death about if I can handle it..see I will not be able to adjust slowly they say I need to be able to jump in like before and do the job right away. I will be on my feet the whole 12hrs...yikes.... I like you love my job and the people I work with are great its just my management I have problems with....uuummm ... right now you need to concentrate on getting through your treatments and getting rid of the cancer.... work if you can... but don't over do it k... does your job had short term or long term disability??? that will help money wise??? do what you can when you feel like you can and don't feel bad if you can't do things like you did before treatment!! I think during my chemo and surgery that thought really bugged me that I wasn't able to do things like before and it seemed like it would never come back but now that I am in rad tx and almost done I realize that I am starting to feel more like my self and that there is an end to this long tunnel I entered in the beginning....

everyone handles this adventure we are on differently... but we all seem to have the same concerns so hang in there k .... it will get better... skeeter1

Hi all

Had my port a cath today and have had NO pain I had surgery at 2:00 got home at 5:00 and it is now 10:00 I keep wondering when the pain is going to kick in. My hubby and I just got home from going out to dinner. Iam getting tired though so will be heading to bed. Did any of you have the (super glue) instead of stitches? This is great they say it stays on for 7-10 days and as it comes off you just peel it off.

Skeeter thanks for your post too, I always like hearing different peoples adventures through our cancer journey. You sound alot like me, I too feel guilty about not being able to work like I used to. At this point I have not been back but will try to go on Friday. Thank goodness for short term disability or we would be broke already. My work covers you for as long as you need to be out with 100% pay.


Did any of you bruise from your surgeries??? I look like someone used me for a punching bag, I still am not healed from the lumpectomy and now this. I should take pictures so that I remember how awful it looks. You know life is still good I worried about the port and it was very easy, so maybe the chemo will be too :)

Hugs
Bernadette

Bernadette, I think we are alot alike too.. I worry about little things too instead of the big stuff like Ca. I think by doing that I don't have to think about the future and if it will come back. I have done this all the way through. lol. I had super glue too as I call it. They used it for my port and for my surgery too, so when I came home I never had a dressing on. That was cool. I never worried about when it will come off, but it does on its own. Yes I looked very bruised after port. I actually had my port put in at the beginning of my chemo treatment before surgery. When I had surgery they took out my port too. I really bruised when they removed it but it didn't hurt. The docs had big debate at surgery time, about, if to remove my port or not, but I was so sure everything would go well that I pushed for them to remove it...and lol I was right!!!

You will do fine with chemo.. at the time of chemo I worried alot.. had tons of questions. I read alot of articles on what to eat and drink, and the girls here gave great advice. I hated the taste in my mouth, metallic) I drink alot of ginger ale, sonic has a limeade drink that has strawberrys in it and that was great too I got the recipe for it. I loved to drink that.. I also drink favored bottle water, can't remember brand but look for the kind that doesn't have carbon in it. I couldn't handle the carbon, there are several brands out there, if it says sparkling it has carbon in it!! My brother told me to make my own gateraide, can't remember exact recipe but you take water add 1/3 to 1/4 cup jucie (whatever you like) and put pinch of salt in it. I drank that too. They said to eat certain things but I never really did, ate what I wanted. The first few treatments I ate alot of chicken strips, or grilled chicken and mashed potatos, then moved on to grilled hamburgers or steak and potatos cooked anyway I liked. So eat what you want or think you can handle k. I always rebounded on my labs the week after my treatments I got treatments every two weeks. They gave me neulasta shots at end of each treatment. So these are some ideas sure you will figure out what works for you.

My biggest worry now is going back to work... seems like always something to worry about huh! I am like you without my short term and now long term disability I wouldn't have gone broke, mine was 70% and now 60% of normal monthly income. My insurance has been great too!! Once I do get back to work I won't have a huge medical bill to pay off just a do able bill that a big relief too...

life is still great for us..... and sometimes.... we need to stop and smell the roses.... skeeter1

Limeade Recipe: 12 oz sprite, 3 lime wedges (1/8 each) and I used 1/4 cup cherry juice (libby's) fill 16 oz cup with ice and mix ingred.

Hi all

It has been 3 days since port surgery and still not much pain. Im very happy about that. I get a (zizzle) now and then but that is it. I go back to work on Tuesday and start chemo Wednesday. I think all will be fine, I have kept a good attitude through it all and none of it has been too bad.

I went out yesterday and bought my first wig! I took a friend with me to give me advice. I picked one close to the same color and a little shorter. I hope I will be able to stand wearing it. I thought I should at least have one to be ready when the time comes.

I have another visit with the oncologist Wednesday to go over my Ct and Pet scans this way I will get to know a little more about the spots on my lungs and spleen. I hoping for the best.

Have a great day!!!!!

Bernadette

Bernadette,

Yes, after chemo I am supposed to have rads too...and hormone therapy. Taxol is chemo....are you thinking of tamoxifen?

Nope....didn't loose weight...I just gained! lol

I know what you mean about questions...new ones pop up all the time.

I have not worked since surgery....6 months now. My first chemo AC was every 2 weeks with nuelasta shots the day afterward and I really didn't feel good with it.... Flu-like symptoms (aches and pains and fever) and extreme fatigue. I had short term and long term disability so I got by financially ok....still LOTS of bills though.

But many people are able to work so you could do just fine! I work with dual diagnosis (developmentally disabled and mentally ill) adults..mainly men..who can be quite aggressive. And I'm a supervisor of 8 staff too. My job can be demanding physically and mentally and I had chemo-brain pretty bad. I even forgot names and what my job title was! LOL But I will be returning in a week and I am pretty nervous about that.

I had 3-4 kinds of anti-nausea meds so I wasn't sick too much. Mainly I was just sleepy all the time. They work pretty good. And some people don't feel sick at all!
The nurses said I just had more problems with side effects than most...so don't use my experience to go by! LOL

God bless you lots!

Beth

Hi Bernadette,

I'm 52 but feel 35 LOL.

I was first dx in Feb, surgery in mar and started chemo in April. I used the same chemos as you. I had 4 sessions of AC 2 weeks apart and then 12 sessions of taxol (similar to taxotere) 1 per week for 3 weeks then one week off. I think I have 4 or 5 treatments left. Then rads.....6-8 weeks and hormone therapy for 5 years. It seems like forever.......

I've never been to Seattle but have heard it is wonderful. I was born in NY, then lived in Illinois, Arizona and CA...and now have been in Kansas for 5 years. It is very pretty where we live in the Flint hills near KState U.....not flat like people think of KS.

If I had lots of money I would prefer to live by the Pacific coast somewhere. I miss vacations to Moro Bay, Cayucas, and Monterey areas.....and the feel, sounds and smells of the beach, surf and air. My sister from CO drives all the way there just to stick her feet in the sand! lol She used to live in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

I'm glad you have good insurance and disability.....that helps alot with peace of mind.

I think my chemo brain is getting better but some days I'm not too sure! : )

Take care,
Beth

Bernadette,I was on adriamycin and cytoxin the first two months of treatment and i lost 15 pounds and felt yucky.and the next two months i was on taxol and gained my weight back and had a good appetite.My bones hurt really bad but they have meds for that.I started losing my hair the day of the second treatment(2 weeks)Get you some bandanas and scarves,i thought i would wear a wig but i dont i just wear scarves.After the first treatment then you will know what to expect.I read that you have surgery on wed.im having surgery on thursday,ill be thinking of you.Hugs and Prayers.....Tammy