MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited July 2011

    mjb, i agree with marlegal ... it's wonderful that you had a chance to tell your dad goodbye although i know it won't make the pain any less, at least for awhile.  i'm so sorry you're going through all of this.

    ok ... i got my port last thursday and i'm supposed to start chemo this thursday.  the port has been a bit uncomfortable, but it's only been four days.  i thought the port would be a piece of cake, but the procedure itself took almost two hours and it's been more painful than my lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removal.  i know it will get better but i can't imagine getting a needle stuck on that port in just a few days. 

  • marlegal
    marlegal Member Posts: 2,264
    edited July 2011

    YaYa, hi...not sure we "met" before.  If you still have pain in that area, by all means talk to onc and postpone chemo if necess.  If it's just tender, you'll be ok ... they don't touch the part where the pain is, they insert hte needle in the skin area where usually you truly don't feel anything at all, I promise! If you do, they did something wrong and you need to get it fixed before another treatment. Good luck hon.

  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited July 2011

    YaYa, I was given a numbing cream to rub on the skin over the top of the port.  I applied it about an hour before the appt time & never really felt anything; the port was great because my veins "hide", but I have to say I was never not aware that it was there (if I didn't say that right I mean to say, I ALWAYS knew the port was there until it was removed.)   

  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited July 2011

    YaYa I had some discomfort as well.  It does let up and it gets better.  It was a bit uncomfortable to sleep, but once I found a comfortable spot I slept.  I too had a numbing cream to put on before treatment.  It works like a charm.

  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited July 2011

    pminxy-Welcome to our little sisterhood. We all wish we had met under different circumstances, but we have great ears for listening and hearts for big ((((HUGS))))!!

    MJB- sending my thoughts and hugs your way.  

    Sherryc--I'm glad that your dad is feeling better. Having a good attitude thru all this C maze is half the battle.

    YaYa-My port site hurt for a couple of weeks, now its just plain annoying!! It does take awhile for your body to recognize this foreing alien creature in your chest!! But I agree, if it is really bothering you see your BS, he may have to "readjust" it. I too used the numbing cream, it really makes the whole experience a breeze. OK, maybe thats an exaggeration!!  Now if I could just mine removed. . .its been 7 months since my last chemo and my MO wants to wait till the fall. . . RRRGGHH!!!! 

  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    I haven't had a port put in yet, no need right now. I'm holding off as long as possible. When I had one before it was a large port with 2 things hanging out of the skin. This was for the stem cell transplant. I thought the other port was supposed to be hardly noticable. I have a friend that has left hers in for 15 yrs, she doesn't notice it at all. So - are they uncomfortable? More reason for me to wait... Lol

  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited July 2011

    Fifteen years?  Is that even possible.  I thought that over time they kind of migrated to the surface, plus don't they need flushing with heparin once a month?  (Maybe not if hers was no longer used, but still!)

  • suzwes
    suzwes Member Posts: 1,740
    edited July 2011

    Hi Ladies,

    I haven't checked in for a while so just wanted to say hello and I think about all of you daily.  Welcome to the new ladies.  This thread is hard for me to keep up with because when I open it, it still takes me to Barb's lovely face on the bottom of page 2.  I think I'll email the moderators right now about it.  I keep missing out on the conversations and the mystery picture. 

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited July 2011

    Fox....I'm the port lady here. They or should we say 1...it wasn't uncomfortable at all

    I kept it around 17 months after my last Herceptin.

    Almost that was like my protection.

    Yes Elimar once a month I used to go to the hospital and they flushed it with Heparin.

    Port didn't bother me at all but i know it scared some people LOL

    It was visible but so easy to get my chemo.

    i used to call it my electrical outlet.

  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited July 2011

    suzwes, I don't think we've heard from you since way back before the "Thriver's Cruise."  I like your new photo!  You look happy, so I take it all your check ups have been going well.  We are having the mystery pic every weekend, so long as people enjoy it and want to play along.  Jo is the reigning champ with two wins under her belt.

    Sorry the thread is still messed up.  It's like that for me too, and a bunch of others (but not everyone.)  We can't figure it out, but then the site techs haven't yet either.  Some of us have PM'ed, but nothing has changed.  I think you should let them know because I don't think they know who, or how many, are affected.  Worth a try.

  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    Whew! CT scans good, tumor markers down again! Relief! Only concern is I still am losing weight. 9 lbs in six weeks this time and 7 lbs six weeks last time. What's up with that? Scheduled a bone scan because of increased back pain. I'm very optimistic! Sounds like good news!

    Foxy

  • suzwes
    suzwes Member Posts: 1,740
    edited July 2011

    I did email them E, so hopefully it will get better.  It seems like since I got back from the thriver's cruise (which was wonderful and Mum and I had a terrific time together) life has been going at 90 mph!  My check ups have been going well, thanks for asking.

    I need to add that MJB and Sherry are in my prayers.  Also, my port hurt for a while after I had it placed but when the nurses accessed the port it didn't hurt any more than normal.  I wish I would have remembered to ask for the numbing gel!  I still think the port was a Godsend and was very happy to have it even if I experienced occasional discomfort!

  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited July 2011

    Foxie, You probably eat very healthy. Have you tried adding the protien shakes, or the high calorie sports bars in for a snack?  Nuts are a good snack.

    When my mom was losing weight on her chemo, the doctor tried to "Supersize" her.  He told her to stop on the way home and get a Big Mac and a milkshake, and that is probably something like 1,000 calories right there.  She told him she could not stomach something greasy like that.  At the time, she only had a taste for cottage cheese, vanilla yogurt and fruit.  Healthy, but not caloric enough.  They did give her a med. to stimulate appetite that helped a little.

  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited July 2011

    Prayers for your dad's mjb and sherry.



    I'm on my second port and don't feel/see it except for the scar. I don't even need any numbing cream/spray for use. It's just a quick pin prick.



    So I sit here waiting for the nurse at the orth to call me with the pre-cert number so I can schedule an mri of my left tibia. I either have a fracture or tore a muscle. Good news is xray showed great healing where my met used to be.



    But it's back to no weight bearing til we know.

  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    Geez Reesie, hope it works out ok for you. Take care of yourself!

    Foxy

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited July 2011

    Reesie - Girlfriend you need to catch a break and real soon - hope it is nothing major.  Sending big (((HUGS)))

  • janinnj
    janinnj Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2011

    Reesie-You have sure a great sense of humor for all you are going through.  Glad to here you are healing and sorry to hear about the new problems.  I was talking to a friend yesterday who had her first BC Dx at age 39,she is now 77.  She has had 3 recurrences since with mets in lungs and bones.  I met her about 6 years ago just after she finished her last round of treatment.  She gets stronger and more youthful everytime I see her.  Her fight and love of life are a real inspiration.  She was sharing horror stories of her first chemo and inability to keep any food down.  Made me realize how lucky I was to get all the anti-nausea drugs they use now.

    YaYa-I had my port put in on a Tues and 1st Chemo through it on Thurs it was tender when the accessed it.  By the 3rd time it wasn't so tender any more.  I never had the numbing cream but it sound like a good idea. 

  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited July 2011

    Reesie, I double like the part about "great healing where my bone met USED to be" Here's to hoping your injury heals quickly!!

    15 years for a port??!! i know you do what you have to do, but I couldn't imagine having one that long. I just wish they would make them a little smaller. . .  

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited July 2011

    Reesie what rotten luck.  You need a break (but not bone) sending (((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))

  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited July 2011

    Thanks everyone. I'm not sure which would be better fracture or tear. Well nothing would be better but with the amount of pain involved I'm pretty sure that's not on the table. I pretty sure it's some muscle thing from radiation. Whatever it is it just better not interfere with surgery plans.



    My niece called me and said she's gonna play my cancer card to try to get her son's baptism before my surgery. She asked me when she was pregnant to stand up for him as his Godmother. I was really touched. He's my little McGyver (his name is Richard Dean lol).



    I was so sad when I first called him that and she said "huh?" Because she didn't know who McGyver was.

  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    That's cuz we're getting old Reesie.

    Yes, my friend had ovarian 15 yrs ago. I didn't know it until one day she had a tank top on and I could see the port, so I asked. She said she just has chosen to leave it in. It looked kinda small but did stick out enough for me to notice right away.

    Foxy

  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited July 2011

    thank you, everyone, for your thoughts.  i talked to my doc's PA today and she said to call her on wednesday if it didn't feel better.  here's the thing:  it still has steri-strips on the port incision and on the incision where he stuck that damned thing down my jugular.  can they access the port even with the ster-strips?  can i put the numbing creme on it with the strips still on it?  i know i can ask the PA or the radiologist who put it in, but i'd like to hear it from those of you who have gone through it.

     reesie, much, much good luck with your left tibia.  geez.  so much happening.  I hope everything goes well.  

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited July 2011

    My Oncologist wanted me to wait until I healed.

    They never used a numbing cream it doesnt really hurt.

    Good Luck YaYa

  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited July 2011

    The access is not where the incision is. The steri strips won'tt be a problem. My second port was accessed the next day (would have been same day but anesthesiologist thought she might have to put me totally under so she nixed that).

  • heartnsoul76
    heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
    edited July 2011

    I'm in awe of you ladies working full-time during treatment!  I still feel barfy, but I'm going to blame it on this infernal heat!  Today, I was so hot and nauseous, that I actually took one of my old chemo nausea pills.  Fortunately, that helped a bit and now that it's cooled off I feel slightly more human...

    reesie - I hope they fix you up STAT so as not to interfere with your surgery.  There's nothing worse than delays and more waiting!

    sherry and mbj - prayers going up for your dads. I love these men from the WWII generation. I can't believe how brave they were.  And funny, and self-depracating, and most of all - humble. I hate to see our old soldiers die - they know so much more than we do.

    I never had a port, so I don't know anything about them. I was never offered one - I believe I would have taken it. I heard chemo really does a number on your veins!

    I know, I'm playing musical avatar...decision-making is not one of my strong points! :) 

  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited July 2011
    Waiting right along with you, reesie, to find out what's going on with the left leg.  Normally, I'd say fracture would be better than ligament tear, quicker healing time; but you might have a longer healing time for bone, so I don't know.  Whatever, I hope you are not (semi) immobilized (again) for too long a time.
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited July 2011

    Reesie I hope they find out whats up quickly for you.  Take care!

  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited July 2011

    Reesie - good luck (((hugs)))

    (((BIG WARM HUGS)))) MJB & Sherry

    Yaya - RE:  port.  I had the first port put in my chest - no problems.  The second port that was put in a few months ago in my arm hurt terribly.  The surgery was extremely painful, it was swollen and tender for 2 or 3 weeks after the surgery and bruised terribly.  I normally don't get the numbing spray, but did get the spray for a chemo infusion during that time and it did help.

    I've been off boards for the last week while I was on vacation.  We spent a wonderful week @ Perdido Key Beach in Florida.  I could live on the beach, the warm grainy feel of the sand between my toes, the taste of the salt water when the waves splash, the sound of the waves crashing into the shoreline.  I just love it!!!!! Anyway, I have good news to share.  My DD#1 got engaged while we were on vacation.  Yipeeeee!!!! I am so excited for them, my DD and her fiance make a beautiful couple.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited July 2011

    Congrats Jenn!!! It's always better when you like the spouse....ehhehehehee.

  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited July 2011
    Sound like a great getaway...Congrats on the exciting news, jenn3!!! 

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