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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / December 2004Should I get a portal??
I am experiencing my 2nd go round with breast cancer. I was originally dx'd 9 years ago at age 43. All I needed then was radiation. While I am at Stage 1--tumor 1.7 cm by 1.2. cm and no lymph involvement, we are going to do chemo this time. Plan is for every 3 weeks for 4 times--doxo & cycol. The question is: Should I get a portal?--my oncologist can go either way--he did explain about the leakage problem. My surgeon seems to feel that I could get by without it. My veins aren't too bad but what has been your experience? Thanks for the input. regards, spiga I believe it is a port not portal you are referring to. I didn't get on, and did fine. I think it is a personal choice based on you ability to withstand needle sticks. Alex Yes, you are right--it is a port. Thanks for the input. I think I'll do without. As I understand, it is fulll surgery to get the port. regards, spiga >I believe it is a port not portal you are referring to. I didn't get on, >and did fine. I think it is a personal choice based on you ability to >withstand needle sticks. Alex It is surgery but day surgery, some people love them! Alex  Signature> Yes, you are right--it is a port. Thanks for the input. I think I'll do > without. As I understand, it is fulll surgery to get the port. regards, > spiga >>I believe it is a port not portal you are referring to. I didn't get on, >>and did fine. I think it is a personal choice based on you ability to >>withstand needle sticks. Alex Yes, it is day surgery. What I was trying to say was, it is not a "local" type surgery but full anesthesia. I appreciate all this input. The last type I dealt with the breast cancer was very easy---no chemo--no hormone--only radiation. Thought that is what I'd have this time. But...... Well, at least I'm at Stage 1. Thanks again for all your help. regards, spiga > It is surgery but day surgery, some people love them! > Alex [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >>>and did fine. I think it is a personal choice based on you ability to >>>withstand needle sticks. Alex Stage 1 great news, you have a good attitude! Let us know how it goes. Alex > Yes, it is day surgery. What I was trying to say was, it is not a "local" > type surgery but full anesthesia. I appreciate all this input. The last [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >>>>and did fine. I think it is a personal choice based on you ability to >>>>withstand needle sticks. Alex Will do so. I guess we all feel sorry for ourselves at times. But, where does that get you. By the way, has anyone here undergone Mammosite procedure?? I'd like any input on that, too. Thanks again. regards, spiga > Stage 1 great news, you have a good attitude! Let us know how it goes. > Alex [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >>>>>on, and did fine. I think it is a personal choice based on you ability >>>>>to withstand needle sticks. Alex Looks like there is a thread on mammosite. However, if anyone has anything > Will do so. I guess we all feel sorry for ourselves at times. But, where > does that get you. By the way, has anyone here undergone Mammosite [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >>>>>>on, and did fine. I think it is a personal choice based on you ability >>>>>>to withstand needle sticks. Alex When I had my port, it was done under twilight sleep. You are awake but not enough to feel any pain. Not bad at all. I went home within a few hours of surgery. Good Luck Marsha 10 year survivor I made it through four different rounds of chemo before getting a port. So, obviously, I would vote for not getting one if you don't need it. I didnt mind the needle sticks too much and I liked not having any reminders of chemo when I wasnt in the chair. Now I have a port and it is convenient for someone like me who now has poor veins. I objected to getting it because I didnt want the surgery and I didnt want it in my body. The surgery was minor and no problem. The port itself is easily ignored, although it is there. I have a small scar on my neck and the port which sometimes can be seen a little bit depending on the neck of a summer shirt. Neither are a big deal. I understand that it can be taken out when you are done with it. Also, minimal procedure. Chris > I am experiencing my 2nd go round with breast cancer. I was originally dx'd > 9 years ago at age 43. All I needed then was radiation. While I am at [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > that I could get by without it. My veins aren't too bad but what has been > your experience? Thanks for the input. regards, spiga > I am experiencing my 2nd go round with breast cancer. I was originally dx'd > 9 years ago at age 43. All I needed then was radiation. While I am at [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > that I could get by without it. My veins aren't too bad but what has been > your experience? Thanks for the input. regards, spiga I went the "no port" route, when I did 4 cycles each of AC & Taxol at age 45. My veins aren't top-notch, but not apallingly, either. Since I had lymph nodes removed on the left, they could only use my right arm. The veins got gradually worse over the course of treatment, between the chemo & the blood tests, but I got through it without any major problem. The nurses just had to work a little harder to get a good vein in the later stages of treatment. If I were squeamish about needle-sticks (which I'm not at all - the phlebotomist usually turns pale before I do, if they have to try multiple times!), then the later attempts might have been a little disconcerting. I'd do it that way again, if I had to repeat the exercise. Good luck with it, Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email I got a port. It was out-patient and done on the same surgery as when my mammosite was put in. Mammosite on left, port on the right. It shows as a nice bump, but sweaters are covering it. At first, I had stinging on the neck, but that has finally susided. Now, I just can sleep on the right side very well. I'm not squimish about needles, but arm veins have taken a good beating so far. I start chemo (A/C) in the morning, so we shall see how well the port works. Gentle hugs. bgg i hope your first chemo session goes well for you. i would really like to know how it felt for you, as I will be starting in january. did you have surgery, and how long after had they recommended the chemo. regards to you, deva I had my surgery on 11/12/04--lumpectomy. They decided on the chemo after the biopsy came in. As I mentioned there is no lymph involvement--Stage 1, the cancer this time is a bit more aggressive. My Her-neu was 33% positive. We will probably begin our chemo together. It looks like I'll begin mine in January, as well. We can compare notes!! I am going to get my hair cut short on Friday. I have shoulder length hair. Don't want the lose of hair to be that dramatic. My best to you, too. regards, spiga >i hope your first chemo session goes well for you. i would really like to >know > how it felt for you, as I will be starting in january. > > did you have surgery, and how long after had they recommended the chemo. > regards to you, deva Could you please tell me if you had the type of lumpectomy where they first insert a needle and wire through the breast? I am scheduled to have this precedure on 12/20, and have heard it is very painful. Also, did you have a biopsy prior to the lumpectomy? I don't know too much about the initial steps, but some friends have asked me why I don't get a biopsy first, instead of a lumpectomy? My surgeon told me a lumpectomy is a biopsy so I am totally confused. Can anyone help? Thank you. Corinne > I had my surgery on 11/12/04--lumpectomy. They decided on the chemo after > the biopsy came in. As I mentioned there is no lymph involvement--Stage 1, [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >>did you have surgery, and how long after had they recommended the chemo. >>regards to you, deva > Could you please tell me if you had the type of lumpectomy where they > first insert a needle and wire through the breast? [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Corinne A lumpectomy and a surgical biopsy only really differ in intent. Both involve making an incision to the target area, and excising a piece of tissue. There are other less invasive sorts of biopsy which involve a needle or sampling instrument to be inserted to take a small sample. If this is not practicable due to the location and small size of the suspect mass, and a surgical biopsy is the only option, then the surgeon would hope to remove the whole tumour while he is at it, and so it becomes a lumpectomy. Wire guiding is the technique for guiding any sort of biopsy to a tumour which is difficult to find, and involves inserting a wire while watching an ultrasound or x-ray image of the breast, so that the wire then leads the surgeon to the tumour. People who have had this procedure have mostly described it as uncomfortable rather than painful. Tim Jackson > Could you please tell me if you had the type of lumpectomy where they > first insert a needle and wire through the breast? > > I am scheduled to have this precedure on 12/20, and have heard it is > very painful. I had the needle/wire location procedure prior to a surgical biopsy that was done while I was on the operating table for a mastectomy to the other breast (resulting in a bilateral mastectomy all during the same nap, but that's another story). The needle location part took place quite a while (couple hours or more?) before surgery. They did a mammogram-like squishing thing, but with less pressure than a typical mammogram. I think they did a local anaesthetic before the needle procedure . . . I don't really remember for sure about the local, but I do remember that the whole thing really didn't hurt at all. After the wire had been inserted, they just kind of looped the loose end around & taped it flat to my chest until the surgery. I found it virtually un-noticeable. (I didn't try playing tennis with the wire in, or anything, but did lay on a bed, read a book, and move around normally.) One thing I found positively funny: They showed me this explanatory video before the procedure, with this beautifully dressed, coiffed and made up blonde lady smiling and nodding at her actor/doctor as he explained and performed the procedure, basically behaving as if the whole thing were tea at the ladies' auxiliary. Definitely not how I dressed for the occasion! What a hoot! If you can, try not to be too anxious; I found the procedure very manageable. Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email It looks like others have answered your questions. However, I'll put in my two cents. I had a needle biopsy--done under local. Radiologist goes into the "suspected" area using a monitor to "get" some of the tumor. It doesn't hurt. It can be uncomfortable. It is weird as when they get a piece of the tumor you hear a bang. It is not painful. Once they determine that the area in question was cancer, I then went in for a lumpectomy. When I had my first lumpectomy, it was a biopsy, as well. Good luck. Keep us advised. regards, spiga > Could you please tell me if you had the type of lumpectomy where they > first insert a needle and wire through the breast? [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] >>>did you have surgery, and how long after had they recommended the chemo. >>>regards to you, deva Best of luck with your chemo. Keep us advised. regards, spiga >I got a port. It was out-patient and done on the same surgery as when > my mammosite was put in. Mammosite on left, port on the right. It shows [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Gentle hugs. > bgg I love my port and will never take it out. Of course, being stage 4 it would be silly to. I have no veins. I was fully awake but relaxed and comfortable with my insertion. It was sore for a few days. I had a stiff neck for a couple weeks but now don't notice it at all. This is my 2nd and has been in 1 1/2 yrs. Do be sure and get some Elamax cream to put over the site when it is used to numb it as the sticks can be painful. It is over the counter. I think ports are better than groshongs because you can bathe and swim with them. I have even scuba dived with mine. Cathy > I am experiencing my 2nd go round with breast cancer. I was originally dx'd > 9 years ago at age 43. All I needed then was radiation. While I am at [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > that I could get by without it. My veins aren't too bad but what has been > your experience? Thanks for the input. regards, spiga hi spiga- bummer you have to deal with this again. i'm stage 4 and have been in continuous treatment (every 3 weeks) for 14 months. i've been debating the whole port question myself. i've had more needle sticks than i care to remember. i have tempermental veins and it often takes 3 or 4 sticks to get things going. and of course, they have to stick me twice - once when i arrive to get blood for lab work, and then again to get the line in for treatment. i've walked out of there with as many as 7 holes in me sometimes. i just had treatment the day before yesterday, and have awful bruising on my arms today. i look like a junky! and i can't wear my wristwatch for a couple of days... i'm still on the fence about the port. my onc has never suggested one, so i have just let it go. i understand they can have problems like clogging and infections etc. and i'm one to always defer any type of surgery if possible. for my part, even with all the problems with needles, it heals in a few days, and i feel "normal" again. but i'm still considering the port. if i were you, i would just tough it out for the 12 weeks with vein puncture. in my mind, i could only justify a port if i were receiving ongoing indefinite treatment (like i am). everyone is different though. i'll be curious to see what you decide. good luck with the treatment. i hope it's your last go with this beast! :) -christina Thank you for the input. I feel lucky that I am at Stage 1. My heart goes out to you. You are so amazing to go thru this for so long--14 months!!! I got my hair cut short today in anticipation of losing my hair from chemo. Also, got a wig--looks like the hair style that Uma Thurman had in Pulp Fiction. Christina, you are my inspiration!!! All my best and hugs and prayers to you. regards, spiga >> I am experiencing my 2nd go round with breast cancer. I was originally > dx'd [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > :) > -christina For all of you just diagnosed this test maybe of interest to you...Alex http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=a79KDpnPbXXA&refer=us http://www.thewbalchannel.com/health/3989132/detail.html > > [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > > Spiga and Christina I'm Stage IV also. I just had a port put in 2 weeks ago. I will try it out next Fri. I was getting tired of all the extra sticks every time. I have been on Taxotere since Aug. Next one will be my 7th. My tumor markers started at 2400 and have dropped about 300 every treatment. I have bone mets so will be on Aredia for the rest of my life, so thought the port was just the ticket. We'll see. My DH wasn't in favor of it, he was the one getting sick watching the nurses dig for the veins..I had A/C and Taxol in 2000 with no port and got along just fine. They ruined my veins, tho, and so the multiple pokes. I don't know how I'll like it. but it was worth a try, I think.. I was out like a light while I got my port. I can't imagine getting cut and be awake. No way I could lay still for that... Pat from Apple Valley, CA > >>I am experiencing my 2nd go round with breast cancer. I was originally > >> [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > cut and be awake. No way I could lay still for that... > Pat from Apple Valley, CA pat- please, i'm curious to see how it works for you. does it show under clothes, or with open neckline? is it uncomfortable? like i said, i'm still considering it. good luck. :) -c. Yes, let us know how it goes. I, hopefully, will just have these 4 treatments so, I'm not getting it. God willing this will be it!!! Godspeed to you . regards, spiga >> >>I am experiencing my 2nd go round with breast cancer. I was originally >> >> [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > :) > -c. >Yes, let us know how it goes. I, hopefully, will just have these 4 >treatments so, I'm not getting it. God willing this will be it!!! Godspeed [quoted text clipped - 76 lines] >>:) >>-c. >>Cristina, >>Well, So far the incisions (there are 2 of them) are covered with butterfly strips.One cut had only 1 stitch the other 6 or 7. It does not appear to stick out very far. So is not a large lump. When I first got it I had to be careful how I slept so stayed on my back until I went to sleep. I always woke up on my stomach/side so guess it wasn't all too painful. There is no pain at all when I move my arm. I did get a painkilling cream from the chemo nurse and clear plastic bandages, to cover the cream, which is applied about an hour before treatments.. She said I could get a prescription for the cream but not for the bandage so I was to tell her I needed more and she would get them for me..As I said Friday the 17th is my trial day. Who knows maybe it is hooked up wrong..I sure hope not. Cristina, are you getting Taxotere? How about Aredia..Do you have mets??? Where? Hope I won't be taking the Taxotere for 14 months. I am really tired of it allready..I'll let you know about the first trial...Pat >>Cristina, >>Well, So far the incisions (there are 2 of them) are covered with butterfly strips.One cut had only 1 stitch the other 6 or 7. It does not appear to stick out very far. So is not a large lump. When I first got it I had to be careful how I slept so stayed on my back until I went to sleep. I always woke up on my stomach/side so guess it wasn't all too painful. There is no pain at all when I move my arm. I did get a painkilling cream from the chemo nurse and clear plastic bandages, to cover the cream, which is applied about an hour before treatments.. She said I could get a prescription for the cream but not for the bandage so I was to tell her I needed more and she would get them for me..As I said Friday the 17th is my trial day. Who knows maybe it is hooked up wrong..I sure hope not. Cristina, are you getting Taxotere? How about Aredia..Do you have mets??? Where? Hope I won't be taking the Taxotere for 14 months. I am really tired of it allready..I'll let you know about the first trial...Pat hi pat- good luck with the treatment tomorrow. i hope it goes smooth as silk. me, i just get zometa infusions every 3 or 4 weeks. i have multiple bone mets. i had lung, liver and kidney mets also when i was diagnosed. just got the word that they're all gone now. the bones are healing, although very slowly. they still hurt alot, but pain meds control it pretty well. i guess healing bone can be a painful process. the side effects of the femara and zometa are also pain, so... anyway, i hope the taxotere works out for you. you won't be taking it for 14 months, i know that. hang in there... the ride gets a little bumpy sometimes... :) let me know how the port works out for you. i'm still thinking about it. -christina >>>Cristina, >>>Well, So far the incisions (there are 2 of them) are covered with [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] >let me know how the port works out for you. i'm still thinking about it. >-christina >Well Christina, I had my first trial today. It was sooooo nice. The nurse was afraid I didn't put enough painkilling cream on, as I just put a little on my finger and rubbed it in, Of course I put it on at 6:00 AM and didn't get to the treatment room till 9:00 or so. It had plenty of time to do it's work and it sure did. The nurse said to put on a fair size glob straight from the tube and cover with the plastic bandage. Never felt the prick, or insertion or whatever it was..It Worked GREAT!!!I felt soo sorry for the man across from me that had about 4 nurses trying to get a vein. He must have had 8 or 9 (or more) sticks. I was supposed to tell him how great my port was, but got involved with scheduling and completely forgot, till I was out of the hospital. I feel bad about that, now. He seemed to think he would be awake when they put it in, which I wasn't. He was a huge man. Chemo can sure mess up your veins... They have nurses that come in for practice once in a while, I got one the second time. Never hit a vein! Well she was back, a kid about 15 or 16 got her. She was gouging around trying to find a vein and he was silently screaming. He told his Dad that it really hurt him. Well she failed and they had to call another. The kid just joked that his veins were all bunching up out of the way saying. "You can't get me!!!" and his veins were just rolling out of the way. I feel so bad when I see the young ones.. I have as far as I know just the bone mets. I have had the worst pain I have ever had, once, went to the hospital by ambulance because I couldn't breathe. The only time I could move was during a spasm. I figured the pain couldn't get any worse than it was..It went almost completely away with the first chemo. My markers were at 2400 and after 7 sessions are down to 747. My ribs and back still get pain if I bend and stand alot, about bed time I am finished! Completely! I take a 10 Vicodan,(pain) a Flexerile (relaxer) and a Resterile(sleep) every night. My bedtime snack. I sleep like a baby. Don't even wake up to pee. I don't take anything for pain in the daytime unless possibly a motrin if I get a swinge. My blood count is getting a little low but Procrit would take an hour trip to and from the office, every week, and hard telling how long waiting. I am going to be tired for awhile. If it gets worse or down to a dangerous level I will probably change my mind.. Well I just wanted to let you know how good I think the port-a-cath was and ended up writing a book..Sorry...Pat > "Pat from Apple Valley, CA" <desertdweller1@verizon.net> wrote in message news:0nOwd.488$2X6.429@trnddc07... > Cristina, > Well, So far the incisions (there are 2 of them) are covered with > butterfly strips.One cut had only 1 stitch the other 6 or 7. It does not appear to stick out very far. So is not a large lump. When I first got it I had to be careful how I slept so stayed on my back until I went to sleep. I always woke up on my stomach/side so guess it wasn't all too painful. There is no pain at all when I move my arm. I did get a painkilling cream from the chemo nurse and clear plastic bandages, to cover the cream, which is applied about an hour before treatments.. She said I could get a prescription for the cream but not for the bandage so I was to tell her I needed more and she would get them for me..As I said Friday the 17th is my trial day. Who knows maybe it is hooked up wrong..I sure hope not. Cristina, are you getting Taxotere? How about Aredia..Do you have mets??? Where? Hope I won't be taking the Taxotere for 14 months. I am really tired of it allready..I'll let you know about the first trial...Pat hi pat- good luck with the treatment tomorrow. i hope it goes smooth as silk. me, i just get zometa infusions every 3 or 4 weeks. i have multiple bone mets. i had lung, liver and kidney mets also when i was diagnosed. just got the word that they're all gone now. the bones are healing, although very slowly. they still hurt alot, but pain meds control it pretty well. i guess healing bone can be a painful process. the side effects of the femara and zometa are also pain, so... anyway, i hope the taxotere works out for you. you won't be taking it for 14 months, i know that. hang in there... the ride gets a little bumpy sometimes... :) let me know how the port works out for you. i'm still thinking about it. -christina Well Christina, I had my first trial today. It was sooooo nice. The nurse was afraid I didn't put enough painkilling cream on, as I just put a little on my finger and rubbed it in, Of course I put it on at 6:00 AM and didn't get to the treatment room till 9:00 or so. It had plenty of time to do it's work and it sure did. The nurse said to put on a fair size glob straight from the tube and cover with the plastic bandage. Never felt the prick, or insertion or whatever it was..It Worked GREAT!!!I felt soo sorry for the man across from me that had about 4 nurses trying to get a vein. He must have had 8 or 9 (or more) sticks. I was supposed to tell him how great my port was, but got involved with scheduling and completely forgot, till I was out of the hospital. I feel bad about that, now. He seemed to think he would be awake when they put it in, which I wasn't. He was a huge man. Chemo can sure mess up your veins... They have nurses that come in for practice once in a while, I g ot one the second time. Never hit a vein! Well she was back, a kid about 15 or 16 got her. She was gouging around trying to find a vein and he was silently screaming. He told his Dad that it really hurt him. Well she failed and they had to call another. The kid just joked that his veins were all bunching up out of the way saying. "You can't get me!!!" and his veins were just rolling out of the way. I feel so bad when I see the young ones..</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE><PRE wrap="">I have as far as I know just the bone mets. I have had the worst pain I have ever had, once, went to the hospital by ambulance because I couldn't breathe. The only time I could move was during a spasm. I figured the pain couldn't get any worse than it was..It went almost completely away with the first chemo. My markers were at 2400 and after 7 sessions are down to 747. My ribs and back still get pain if I bend and stand alot, about bed time I am finished! Completely! I take a 10 Vicodan,(pain) a Flexerile (relaxer) and a Resterile(sleep) every night. My bedtime snack. I sleep like a baby. Don't even wake up to pee. I don't take anything for pain in the daytime unless possibly a motrin if I get a swinge. My blood count is getting a little low but Procrit would take an hour trip to and from the office, every week, and hard telling how long waiting. I am going to be tired for awhile. If it gets worse or down to a dangerous level I will probably change my mind.. Well I just wanted to let you know how good I think the port-a-cath was and ended up writing a book..Sorry...Pat hey pat- sorry for the formatting problems. at least im my window, the last format was long and difficult to read, so i reformattted it here. anyway... tech crap aside... i'm glad things went smoothly for you. i know the cream - EMLA it's called. i've used it for when they put the zoladex implant in my belly. it's a gigantic turkey baster of a needle. the first time, i didn't know what was coming. the second time, i was prepared with the emla cream. it made a world of difference. i will let you know if i decide to get a port or not. for now, i'm trying to keep the surgical stuff to a minimum, even if it's minor. also, i have to wait for insurance to straighten itself out... long story... anyway, i hope the rest of your treatments go as smoothly as this first. get some sleep, hang in there. :) -christina I was reading your post about all the needle sticks and was wondering why they can't draw your blood for labs from your IV once they get that in... That's the way they did mine so I wouldn't have to be getting stuck so much, as I've got veins that "run and hide" when that needle comes at them. Can't say as I blame them...;-)) Before the treatment they would flush tne line with saline to clean it out.. I finished chemo 6/6/03. Just thought I'd make the suggestion so maybe this would help....as I know how bad this is to get repeatedly stuck. take care there/God bless annie Ultimately.....we know deeply that the other side of every fear is a freedom. "Courage"...is *fear* that has said it's prayers. > I was reading your post about all the needle sticks and was wondering > why they can't draw your blood for labs from your IV once they get that [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > "Courage"...is *fear* that has said it's prayers. hey annie- yeah, i tried the first few times to have that done. they call it a ponytail here. you get the lab draw and then they leave a tail sticking out and flush with saline while i saw the doc etc., then they would tap into it when i went into the infusion room. it was alot easier, but the main drawback was that it took nearly an extra hour to get the ok from whomever ok's that stuff, and i got tired of making the request and having to wait so long for it to be approved. that, and it's really hard to get undressed for the exam with that thing in my arm. i may bring it up directly with my onc and see if he can make a standing order for the ponytail. it's a larger (15 or so oncs in practice there) treatment center, and it's assembly line process. that doesn't bother me though. it seems rather efficient, actually. and it's somehow reassuring to see so many others, most of whom seem happy and healthy, that are in the same position as myself. i appreciate the suggestion, though, as i am still trying to figure out how best to deal with the multiple sticks... hope you are well and happy today. :) -christina Hi there dear, Leave it to me to confuse someone, Gene says I'm rather talented at this lol!... When I posted before I meant that they got the IV in for the chemo and then drew my blood for lab work. This was all done in the onco dept of the hospital I go to... The last time I had chemo [2003] I got blood work and chemo at 2 different times. Labs a couple days before chemo which was always on a Friday. This was every three weeks, but I had blood work every week both times I had chemo. 've got a friend in the lab and she uses a pediatric needle, or "butterfly needle" I've got little tiny veins and they like to play hide and go seek with the needles. Hope you get to talk to your doctor about this and get some relief... Take care there/God bless annie Ultimately.....we know deeply that the other side of every fear is a freedom. "Courage"...is *fear* that has said it's prayers. •*•Annie•*• wrote: >Hi there dear, >Leave it to me to confuse someone, Gene says I'm rather talented at this [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Kaiser here in the US only uses butterfly needles. I used to go to a Unilab where they had to try with a regular neeedle before going with a butterfly. Kaiser has kind of a bad rap but I find they are very accomodating. It would be nice if I didn't have to go so far for most of my treatments..Our area is growing very fast, so maybe in my lifetime....Pat •*•Annie•*• wrote: >I was reading your post about all the needle sticks and was wondering >why they can't draw your blood for labs from your IV once they get that [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >"Courage"...is *fear* that has said it's prayers. > Annie, I live in a different town than where I get my chemo. When I get my tumor marker test at 2 weeks and the blood count test the day before chemo, they can easily get the blood tests from the vein at my elbow. There never is a problem with the blood tests. The problem was with the chemo. Trying to get them in the back of the hand or forearm. Just couldn't get the needle into the vein. They only have 1 arm to work with, too, remember? I had A/C and Taxol in 2000 so my veins are a little used and now I am on Taxotere 7 sessions so far. After my numbers go down I will be taking Aredia for the rest of my life. The port is really nice. I hope to use it for years and get my money's worth. I felt the sound of the stick not really a feeling of being stuck. No pain at all. the cream really did its job, even if I used way too little..I really felt sorry for the man across from me it took 4 nurses to finally get him hooked up. I guess he is really against the port. The nurse wanted me to tell him how easy it was. I forgot. I will sure make a point of talking to him if we have the same time next time. I believe this man would look like a shower when he drank something..He kept smiling, but I know how tedious it is.. If you ever have to do chemo over again. I would highly recommend the port-a-cath... Pat from Apple Valley, CA Pat, I live in a different town then where the hospital is also...It's about 15-20 miles from here. We're considered the "boonies" where we live, "we're just plain country folk" my friend. I get all my blood work, doctors appt, [except bc surgeon/private practice now] scans, mammograms, and chemo when I was on it in the same hospital. I remember going for my Muga Scan to one of the other hospitals here [same hospital group] because our regular hospital isn't set up for this yet. To a degree we're very fortunate that we can have everything in one place...for now..there's talk of a couple going somewhere else...but that's a maybe. Take care there dear/God bless annie p/s I've been keeping up with your posts and I'm truly sorry that you're having to go through this again. I had Taxotere for my last 4 treatments last year [recur 11/02] email if you need to dear...@ Ultimately.....we know deeply that the other side of every fear is a freedom. "Courage"...is *fear* that has said it's prayers. •*•Annie•*• wrote: >Pat, >I live in a different town then where the hospital is also...It's about [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > I am taking it 1 day at a time. We are moving the 30th of this month. Thank goodness I have my kids to pack...They have been very good. If I can get the Procrit here from my pcp. I think I'll try it. I am soooo tired ALL the time...PAt << I am taking it 1 day at a time. We are moving the 30th of this month.=20 Thank goodness I have my kids to pack...They have been very good. If I=20 can get the Procrit here from my pcp. I think I'll try it. I am soooo=20 tired ALL the time...PAt>><BR><BR> Bests of luck--hope it will be closer to where you are getting treatment. As far as the fatigue, some are getting Ritalin which can help with that. There is also suppsed to be another drug--Provogil??? -- that may help with that as well... |
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