Starting Chemo March 2015

Sorry Trvler, I didn't have any port issues. I was sore for about a day following the placement, but since then I have completely forgotten about it. But mine is in my chest, not my arm. Did you try searching other forums on this site? I seem to recall reading something about pain, but I can't remember where.

I hope you are able to get it resolved - sorry you are having problems. Go with your gut. Doctors don't always know everything.

Boy, that's the truth. The doctor visit felt a little like "Who's on First?" The guy said he could order a chest X-ray after which I asked if a blood clot would show up on one. He said no. Um, so what's the point of that exactly? He said they would have to order a CT or PET to find it. He did say it wasn't likely to be a blood clot if my pulse ox and my heart rate were normal, which they were. But I KNOW whatever it is is related to the port. It just feels generally icky up around that shoulder area and my chest. I guess as long as it resolves in a few days, I have other things to worry about anyway. On the plus side, it took my mind of the upcoming chemo tomorrow for a while. lol

Sorry - sounds like you wasted your time going to get checked. As if you need that with all the other doctor appointments, etc. Sometimes I get the feeling these people have a checklist in a book, and if what you have isn't on the checklist, they don't know what to do. I hope all goes well tomorrow!

All is well, I guess. 1 treatment down, 3 to go. Have most folks gotten ports? I didn't. Only have a slight bruise where the iv was.

So, eheinrich, no issues or problems? How long did it take?

ugh, first day of wearing wig to work. I took it off when I got in my car and rode home bald. Hope my head gets used to it.

Oh and everybody complimented my new haircut lol.

Happy birthday Katy and Sharon!

My port is in my right upper chest. I had some bruising along the vein in the neck and it was sore for a few days but otherwise no problems. I don't notice it now unless someone hugs me too right!

I did better 2nd round for sure but still mild nausea, headache, fatigue, REALLY tired today after working a full day but it will pass. Then I came home to a perfectly clean house with a. Essential oil diffuser going (love my DH to the ends of the earth!) and I promptly broke down into a 20 minute tear fest. Why? Dunno but the waterworks just kept coming. Feeling better now. Some mild back and hip pain - hope that doesn't progress to severe pain like last time.

Ttfn...Bekah

I hope so, too, Bekah.

SC Coqui, you look great without hair!

Thinking about you Shaz, and wishing you good luck.

Happy Birthday Katy🎉hope your day was wondrous!

My port felt odd for about 5 days, especially the neck area. Last night was first time I could sleep on that side. There is still a bruising at day 6. The lidocaine worked perfectly only felt small pinch when nurse drew blood. First session down and it wasn't bad at all, just took all day 6 hours. Had the best chemo partner, my favorite cousin and I laughed all day and she treated me to an Alex & Ani bracelet and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. The room is very blah and the whole office needs an interior designer, but I like my mo and the nurses today were great. Drinking lots of water, hoping on minimal se. Photos below of my 1st "spa" day, sounds so much better than chemo. The room and then my husband, cousin and me. I wore a super girl tshirt, nurses loved it and told them my port was named Bruce Wayne or batman, they never had anyone name their port - so thanks to whomever started that great idea!

Shaz I hope it is only migraines - sending you positive thoughts & prayers.

Princess I'm with you on the worry of dying and not going down without a fight. I'm hoping I'll stay at stage 2, but so concerned with petscan results that will move me to stage 4. Do you have a son in 8th grade? Mine is and today I could sense his worry and anxiety, breaks my heart.

Any thoughts on easing a child's anxiety?

Crazy day today, dr. appointments, Look Good Feel Better session and work in between. Finally I'm able to catch up on reading of our thread, not much time to post, have to get up super early for my chemo tomorrow. Took a Xanax to be able to sleep, I hope it kicks in soon.

Katy - late in the day, but still - a very Happy Birthday to you.

Sharon, good luck with the MRI.

Arlene, I take the smallest dose of Xanax in the morning of chemo. I let them know I took it and then they adjust the dosage of Ativan in my IV. One time I did not take the Xanax before my treatment and I was a sobbing mess at the chemo center.

Michele, thank you for the tip regarding the mouth wash.

Last thing - my port was hurting for a few days. It's been almost a month since I got it and it is very bruised. After each treatment the bruise gets darker. I wonder what they'll say tomorrow when they see it.

BB

thanks everyone for the kind birthday wishes. We got rained out but still, I had a wonderful day and calls from everyone I cared about.

SC and IC- you both look stunning with your new "do"s. Great heads, eyes are lovely. I see so much character and strength in your faces!

Trvler and Beatit- thinking of you now, and will continue in the hours leading up to your moments. I know it's scary, but I also know, YOU GOT THIS!

I'm sorry I'm not able to respond to the port problems except to say that although mine was in my chest, I felt pressure on my windpipe, which therefore caused anxiety and trouble breathing normally. Lots of bruising and very slow healing. No doubt your body is reacting to a foreign body. Finally, after 3 weeks I can sleep on my side and I'm not conscious of it every time I move.

Eileen, hope your first night was ok and you experience minimal SEs. Thinking of you.

Bekah, hope you are continuing to manage. You gave us such a scare last time.

Shaz..... You have never been far from my thoughts over the last days. Waiting is the pits. Your history of migraines and the fact that migraines are an established SE, not to mention that this whole bizness is the mother of all triggers, I feel your team is doing the right thing to be cautious, and just ruling out.,that's it. Just ruling out. The cause and effect seems so directly related to the chemo. We all love you and anxiously await your good news.

Michelle, I feel for you with the headache and scalp issues and all it portends, but with examples like we've seen of the beautiful and courageous faces here will give you strength- and you will know it's only temporary.

Meme-so glad you had great company on your first Spa Day!I think your infusion center looks very nice, most importantly, clean! I love the group pic of you and your support team, and glad you laughed a lot. Sounds so trite, but truly the best medicine.

And to anyone I've overlooked, please forgive me....I am really trying to remember and even writing stuff down, but have done some astoundingly stupid things this week. There's been a burglary. Someone has made off with at least 250 points of my IQ. I'll post a funny story about yesterday's take the cake moment.

But to the point, each of you has become special to me. I read all of your posts and smile, laugh, cry, and shake my head in wonder at your strength and generosity of spirit. Be good and calm and peaceful today everyone!

Katy

58 years old

So here is the stupidest thing. I have shared a bit about my very inappropriate reaction to steroids (and bc in general) which often manifests itself in extravagant internet shopping during the wee hours.

After the hats (in anticipation of losing my hair) and a couple of adorable felted totes almost too good to take to infusion, my attention switched to earrings. It all started the day my bestie came with for my first buzz cut and as she was tearfully telling me how good I looked, she removed her earrings and put them on me. I used to have so much hair you couldn't see them but now...I could, and went on a spree. When they started at arriving they sometimes seemed unfamiliar but I always liked them.

One pair in particular was so nice! I was very impressed with the quality, considering the budget I had established for spending on any one pair. I wore them almost every day last week.

Well yesterday, my brother got tired of waiting for me to mention a package he felt sure I would have received by then. Got fedex involved. Investigation opened by the vendor. My brother kicking himself that he hadn't insisted on delivery sig. A big giant brouhaha. I finally wheedled out of him the name of the vendor and gasped aloud when I looked at their product line. Expensive shit.

Now mind, my brother and I have a long standing agreement never to exchange gifts. He finds it very stressful to do that kind of shopping so our permanent gift to each other is to forever cut that stress out. Anyway, because of the obvious, he insisted on doing something this year, and now the very expensive gift was lost. I swore I never got anything from him, didn't recognize the vendor name. Finally, in a last ditch attempt to solve the crime I asked for the exact product description. I saw a beautiful pair of unusual dangly pendant earrings on the computer screen. I looked up sheepishly at my earring tree. Twins. Uh oh. More like awwwww shtttttt. I'd had them all along. And worse, had been congratulating myself on what a smart shopper I was. Ahhhhh NO. It's just that he spent 3-4 times the $$ I did. Steroidal mania and chemobrain together. Not my best moment. Of course, my brother, still laughing , will never let me live this one down.

K

Jackbirdie - I love, love, love those earrings!

I am reading a lot of people saying they are sucking on ice chips before during and after to prevent mouth sores. Does the cancer center provide them? Where do you get them?