April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

I am going to begin chemo in June and my onco said that I could have my port in my arm or in my chest.  I'm just wondering what your experiences/opinions are.  Thanks for any input you can share!

Marcia111- I have my port, upper right chest area, close to my arm.  If you decide to have a chest placement, make sure you ask the doctor who is placing it to place it so it doesn't bother you where you would have a bra strap.

Sade- My onco said it was okay to have a glass of wine occassionally.

Ellamilana- I just had my second infusion last Tuesday and have not lost all of my hair yet.  My hair started coming out 2 weeks after I my 1st round of chemo. I got a haircut last weekend--- had a short bob and got a very short short boy hair cut---- because I was getting annoyed with hair everywhere.  I actually made five little ponytails and cut those off myself and then had my husband cut the rest with the electric clippers with a 1 inch cutter guard.   I plan to use the little ponytails for a hair halo.   I figure that the recent 2nd treatment will probably cause the rest of the hair to fall out.    Some opt to buzz their heads rather than deal with the hair falling out over time.  I decided not to buzz it close and deal with my transformation on my own terms from having waist length hair in March 2012 to having very sparse hair now.  Whatever you decide to do or when you decide to buzz/cut, take control over the hair situation before it takes control over you.

Marcia1111- what kind of chemo are you getting? The chemo nurses told me that Adriamycin is hard on veins, and that it's best/safest to use a vein that has flesh around it. My port is in my upper chest too. It did make it easier for me to use my phone and my tablet since I could use both hands. Edited to add - during treatment!



MLB - thanks for stopping by! Hugs!

Marcia1111, my friend had a port in her arm and it was too uncomfortable for her so she had it taken out.  I'm not sure if it was where it was placed in her arm, but she was too active for it to be comfortable.  That doesn't mean the same would be true for you, just passing on what she said.  I had one put in my chest last Monday.  It was more painful than I expected, but it's getting better.  Good luck!

Melrose, what a good idea about using your own hair for a hair halo.  Are you making it yourself or is there somewhere that will make it for you?  I, too, wanted to take control of the hair situation and cut mine short.  Liberating feeling.  I don't know if I'll lose it all, though, because I'll be on CMF.  I like to be prepared.

sorry that was to sade

Jeanie57- Someone has posted a thread on how to make your own halo that I checked out.  I have a few other ideas of my own about making the halo that I just haven't put into action just yet.  I'm planning to make whatever hair halo and hair hat attachments myself.  It will be just something fun to do..... I'll let you know if I'm successful with this "hair" adventure.

Dance tracer -- it's a cocktail the pharmacist had to mix and it tastes like cough syrup. It's called nystatin, that's what's on the bottle but it's missing the antibiotic ingredient cause they were out. but that wouldn't change the taste.



I get my next transfusion Tuesday so I will keep with the homemade recipe until then.



My mouth has a gnarly cold sore now too. I got a valtrex script called in so I am taking that now too.

Lol thanks Darnette. I plan to find out later today when I call for rx refill.

I've got my ticket to Chemoland.  Heading out in a half hour!  I have decided to think of the chemo transforming me into a new woman. Not sure what she will be like on the other side, but I've decided to love her no matter what.

Thanks for all the encouraging words yesterday.  I am feeling a little better today, which is good because I have to drag my sorry butt into work. Luckily I sit at a desk most of the day.  Port area is just tight now, not so much sore.  I'll just have to have help if I need to do much lifting at work, but I've got plenty of coworkers who will help me out if I ask.

Sade- My oncologist said I'm ok to have an occasional drink if I want it, but that I can't count anything with alcohol or caffeine towards my daily fluid intake.  (I'm getting TAC chemo.) 

I do keep forgetting that I need more sleep right now.  I already suspect I'll pass out pretty early tonight.

I don't really mind the flavor of the "magic mouthwash," mine is fruit punch flavored.  Maybe some pharmacies add flavor?  I get mine made at the pharmacy attached to my treatment center.  They're faster and friendlier than anywhere else.  

Good luck today, vballmom! 

Vballmom - good luck today! Everyone says to drink water - it really does help. I take the big cup they gave me in the hospital and drink water all during treatment. Nibbling on food/snacks is good too, and the hard candies (like lemonheads).



Cottontail - glad you are feeling better and thinking of you working today.



Stacie - your trip sounds wonderful. Enjoy the beach and your time with your friends!



I'm making my appointment to go later this week for prosthetics (looking ahead to parties and our anniversary next weekend). Gosh, they sure look expensive; insurance says it pays "20 percent of allowed cost" and the high comfort ones I'm looking at are between $150-$200. This should be interesting.