Sepsis from Chemo port--will my chemo be postponed?

gerry29

I got my port put in two weeks ago, and just have been in ICU for two days with sepsis. They are removing port today. does anyone have any idea how long i will have to be antibiotics after this, i.e. how long i might have to delay my chemo?

thanks so much!

LeesaD

Oh gerry29, I'm so very sorry about your infection and sepsis. I had severe sepsis from infection in my chemo port also. My port had been in for almost a year and was not being used anymore as I had completed chemo. Staph (MSSA) was introduced at my monthly port flush. I was in hospital for 9 days. The port infection also caused a DVT blood clot in my jugular vein as port was threaded through there and also caused a second sub clavicle DVT. Port was removed and wound left open as it was so infected they couldn't close the wound. I could not be released from hospital until my blood cultures were clear for 48 hours. I'd get to like hour 36 and the cultures would grow. Finally on the day before my release and clear cultures, I had a PICC line put in my arm and I was on IV antibiotics four times a day for six weeks. I know that's not what you want to hear. I was in shock from the whole experience. I had a visiting nurse come to my home the night I was discharged to show me and my husband how to do the IVs. Got weekly deliveries of all the IV medication and supplies to flush out the PICC line etc... Also 90 days of lovenox shots to clear up the blood clots. For me it was six weeks of iv antibiotics. I'm not sure if that is standard or if it was because mine was staph. If they put a PICC line in then maybe you can have chemo through the picc line but because chemo is not a walk in the park and you are already very sick your doctor might want to wait until you recover fully. I know what you are going through and I'm sending healing positive thoughts your way. Hang in there. Any other questions please ask.

gerry29

thank you so much for your kind response

truly, much appreciated --thank you

fifthyear

LeesaD, what an ordeal that you went through, so sorry. Glad it was over. gerry29 hang in there, hopefully you will recover completely. The things that us women (and men) do to combat cancer!! Sending cyber hugs.

gerry29

Thank you both. Sounds like it will be delayed at least two weeks