New Here ~ Stage IIIc

Welcome - you've got a great attitude!  It's a rough road but you've already made it through 1 part (surgery and recovery) and you sound like you handled it well.  Just take care of the treatment that is in front of you!

I love my port.  Still have it since it doesn't bother me.  It's also an insurance related thing -- I figured I'd set aside money in my FSA to either be scanned or to get the port out.  Turns out I've needed scans so I'll wait till next year for the port.

Like sedosa, I had to have my port moved.  Actually, they moved it during my BMX.  But I don't have much body fat and it actually started eroding the skin.  So I had that one removed and a child-size port placed in a better spot (I'm 5'7" so it's not like I'm child-sized!).  Even going through that, I still love my port.  So easy to access and I never think about it.  I do believe placement is very important.  Mine is a little lower down and toward my side but not so far as to be felt by my arm movements.  So it get covered by the bra cup, just off to the side from the tip of my form. 

I haven't heard of getting a port-a-cath in the arm.  I've seen pic lines in the arm but didn't want anything to do with that because it's tubes coming out of the arm and requires more care than a port-a-cath.  If it's a port-a-cath that they would be placing in your arm then you definitely need to think about where it would go so it doesn't get rubbed with normal body movement.

Good luck and keep us updated! 

Hi - I just signed up today and we have similar diagnoses although my cancer was > 10 cm involving the whole left breast.. I had my double mastectomies, skin sparing, with immediate expanders placement on April 7 and started  chemo about 6 weeks later (once the drains were out and port had been in one week) carboplatin, taxotere, herceptin, neulasta, the steroids, compazine, etc and have completed round 3 of 6, and then will have the herceptin for a full year then the radiation then reconstruction. 

I am doing OK - I am finding I need more emotional, physical, and spiritual support though as it seems some people have checked out and it is too much for them. Most of my family lives across the country... I have my port between my boobs as my daughter just got married and the surgeon wanted it low so it wouldn't show in the pictures.  It does bruise a bit after they put it in but nothing serious.  If it were me, I would not use the arm as they are going to hang four or five bags of fluid to push thru there and it is better and probably less painful to push those big volumes through larger more central veins - my port attaches to the heart so I can be sure it is getting diluted into the system and reaching everywhere. Just a thought..

 I am not taking this personally as there is a strong family history and want to have this whole part of the journey completed so I can get back to normal.  It is very important to eat lots - especially great nutritious foods and red meat, ice cream etc. as the chemo will make you anemic and the meat boosts your RBC count and hydrate lots lots lots during chemo, constantly minding bowels as it has been either severe, and I mean severe constipation, or very severe diarrhea after the same chemo regimen. Only 3 left of the heavy chemo though - and really looking forward to completing that.  I can't stress enough how important to hydrate and get Biotene for dry mouth from your dentist. I asked for pain pills to handle the bone pain from the Neulasta, used to boost white blood cell growth in the bone marrow.  It has helped alot.

 I am looking for a local Phoenix support group in 85018 zipcode if possible, and mentors, supportors and victorious stories and advice. Thanks ans Blessings in advance.

Cdnosell, you found this site and it's a good start through your" JOURNEY". We get temendous help and support here, you can share all your concerns, questions, experiences. The amazing ladies are here through thick and thin!!!!

I finished my chemo treatment today, which I started last year in August. But I made it, step by step, round by round, good days and bad days, taking each one as it came. Good luck with your treatment and hugs. You will overcome !!!! 

Karina

p.s. Just thought to suggest you to start a new topic in stage III forum, so  that it draws more attention. 

I'm so sorry you've all had to join us here, you've came to the right place for loads of support and info.  I welcome you all and hope all goes well with your tx plans, it does get better.

kc123-I didn't have supraclavical + but intermammary nodes and chemo/rads took care of them.  I'm sure there are others with + supra that can give you more info., it may help if you start a new topic in the III forum.

Thanks!   Will do

Scratch my last post! I see you've already created a new topic and got a great response from LindaLou!  I ought to read before I start typing...

But I meant the part about welcoming you to the boards!