thread for middle age to older Christian women.

GB, I had my power port placed and then received my first chemo infusion a few days later. The chemo nurses took care of any clean up at that time.

I've heard and read that some patients have their ports placed and go right to the first chemo infusion. My surgeon and oncologist did not recommend that process for me. I was thankful they gave me some time for the soreness and bruising to diminish.

I grew to love my port. I'm a very 'hard stick' for blood draws, and the port made those a breeze. I will admit that I was a little sad the day my surgeon removed it.

I'm so confused. I took my bandage off as instructed (to shower today), and the steri strips completely cover the entire port, not just the stitches. Is that normal? I was going to have them use the port for a CT scan on Wednesday, but that's too soon to pull the strips off I think.

I don't understand why they applied the strips like that.

I wonder if day 5 would be too soon to pull off the strips? I worry about the incision not being healed enough yet. The alternative would be letting them try IV access. <<Shudder>>

However, the OR RN did a fine IV for me yesterday. No bruise even. Never had it like that before.

GB, I was told not to remove the steri-strips so I let them be. They did look pretty gnarly near the end, though. My surgeon said the incision healed well, and I had very little scarring. I hope you have a similar outcome.

Happy Independence Day! God Bless the USA!

I called and described the incision. No one is in the office but they reached out to the other surgeon (who I think is in the OR all day, that's what it sounded like). She's going to see me tomorrow afternoon but I'm to call back if it starts looking way worse. Great, another day to sit and watch symptoms.

I have to get my echo tomorrow before I see her. Hope they can do that around all this mess. It was really hard to get that appointment.

Dear sisters in Christ,

You've been on my heart all week. Nancy, I was so relieved to hear the tornado missed your home and you were safe. Two weeks after my lumpectomy and SNLB (11 nodes), I flew my family to Hawaii to repair and clean up a condo we rent year-round. Found it in rough shape which our guests did not share with us. I was quite apprehensive about flying so soon after surgery, which both surgeons said I could do safely, but my integrative MD was more cautious and not happy about the travel. She had me double up on my systemic enzymes, drink tons of water on the flight, and I did wear compression gear on three limbs. We have been here since the 25th and the condo is almost ready for the incoming guests. I have a few more items from Wayfair which FedEx is showing no signs of delivering in time. Praying... no beach time yet but walking up to 6 miles a day which I never did at home. Our little family of three feels so blessed to be together, breathe the air and see God's creation in the beautiful sunsets. We enjoyed the Fourth and thanked God for America. I was supposed to have 1 to 2 doctor appts every day this week, but we extended the trip by cashing in all of my travel points, and I will do two of those appts by telehealth. Thank God for technology. Sometimes it is all a bit much, isn't it?

Ade, I'm glad James is finding relief from the migraines. I continue to pray for you both. Haven't checked out Dr. Blaylock yet. I wonder if he offers a trial for the first monthly update. Is his advice specific to cancer patients? I'm interested to hear more.

Nancy, did you ever learn what befell your integrative MD? Do you or did you take enzymes, either systemic or digestive? Sounds like my own (much shorter) journey. I am continuing with IV C and EDTA chelation IVs but it would certainly help if they were again covered by insurance. My IMD thinks my cancer came about due to my blood type (which on the whole does not digest well or clear cellular debris). I know that chronic severe stress was also involved. With my blood type (A) I will be taking digestive enzymes with every meal until Jesus comes.

GB, you are in my daily prayers. I became worried a few days after surgery that something wasn't healing right, and I sent my swollen photos to both surgeons. No generalized redness, no heat or pain but I was worried about the goose egg under my arm and how the stitches looked. I couldn't reach either for a few days, grew frustrated and lost quite a bit of peace (sorry, Lord) so I well understand that feeling. Both finally responded that it looked like normal healing and not to worry (a bit too late). I will continue in prayer as you begin this treatment. Many have mentioned that fasting the day before chemo is helpful. I wonder if any others here have experience with that.

Denise, welcome and I do have a valuable free resource for you. Tustin Longevity Center (Dr. Rita Ellithorpe). A great many cancer patients have sought her out for decades. She is my doctor. She is nearing 70 and has 40 years of experience (with biochemistry/chem degrees and an additional MD and is published). She LOVES the Lord. She offers a weekly hour-long YouTube Q&A every Monday at 5:30 Pacific time, for anyone with a medical (or cancer) questions. Just type your question into the chat and she will answer you live. "Tustin Longevity Center" on YouTube will lead you there. She has over a year of Q&A videos and I thank God for her as she has substantially eased my bc adventure. I say, "adventure," because like you I feel the Holy Spirit purposefully guiding me through this adventure. I'm grateful for the Lord's direction and constant support. You are each an encouragement to me. I am praying for you as He upholds you with His strength and love.

Hershey, I'm celebrating with you and thanking God for that great news! How wonderful and what great timing with our special National Holiday this week.

Carol, your Yosemite trip sounds amazing. Are you still there or home now? I have not been there since a little girl and would love to see it again. "Great is Thy Faithfulness" is so special to me. Thank you for sharing that.

Chris, about the cruise... if you go, we have a couple who are dear friends in Christ who will be on the October 30 Majestic Princess sailing out of San Diego roundtrip to Mexico. There will be daily Bible Studies onboard the ship. That is how we first met them. If you happen to choose that voyage, I will introduce you. We hope to be on that sailing ourselves, but the cruise line likely will not allow us to sail. I was not keen on trying anything experimental during a cancer diagnosis, so we have been on the international FLCCC protocol for many months and feel it is a gift from God. Ironically, the cruise lines view us as "unprotected" even though those on the FLCCC protocol would be among the healthiest passengers aboard. I am reminded of Ade's successful treatment which it is true has been greatly undermined in the media and would have saved a great many lives this past year if doctors had not had their hands tied by the pharmaceutical giants. When history looks back at this time, I feel that many med. institutions will have much to answer for in dismissing safe early treatment and prophylaxis which was readily available for over a year now. I wonder at it all, but leave it in the Lord's hands.

Love to each of you, even when I am silent, I am here thinking of you and praying for you,

Esther

Esther, thank you for thinking of me. We actually already booked our cruise for the end of September, so sadly won't be on with your friends, but it sounds like a similar cruise. I have a scan in two weeks so I am anxious that it reads well so I can go without worrying about changing medicines again. We can get our money back if I am having problems as we went ahead and paid for that. I am praying for good results as my DH really needs to get away. He is retired and spends his days here at home with me. I am also trying to find a digestive routine that works for me. The current medicine I am on (I am stage IV) keeps my bowels doing acrobatics and I would love to have it all settle down. I will check out your resources.

Gb, I continue to pray for your healing. May God surround you with His peace.

May I ask for prayer for my oldest son, Danny, who is going through some personal trauma right now. He lives in New York and is so far away I worry about him. He needs God's touch and salvation.

Thank you. Chris

I just spent a half hour typing a very long post and lost the whole things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't redo it now. Sorry everyone. I am praying.

Love,

Nancy

GB, I'm glad that your appointments went well yesterday. I hope the physician was able to allay fears about your port. Praying for an easy, uneventful CT scan today.

I am glad I found this thread. Just diagnosed with DCIS, grade 3. I will see surgeon next Thursday. It’s all overwhelming at this point. I just stumble through the days, praying every other minute. Sending prayers to all of you out there on this thread.

GB, my surgeon placed my port high on the right pec muscle, about 2 inches south of the clavicle. He didn't have a lot of real estate to work with (I'm thin, too). Port placement was on a Friday, and my first chemo infusion was the following Wednesday. The port worked just fine (my sense is that yours will as well).

I've read a couple of ladies' accounts of not having a port placed and using a vein instead. I don't recall if they were receiving AC or another chemo agent, though.

Bookpusher, I'd like to welcome you to the thread as well. I'm adding you to my prayer list.

Chris and Bandwoman,

Thank You for your encouraging words and prayers. I am trying to read and learn, a lot of good info here. But it’s pretty overwhelming right now I do think once I know more and have a plan it will help. Sending prayers to both of you!

Gb, surrounding you in prayer right now that God holds you and provides the strength you need. That is a lot for anyone to bear. Only good things come from God: the rest are earthly woes. Hugs. Chris

GB, I'm so sorry you can't be with your mom. I pray for her/your comfort and peace during this extraordinarily challenging season. We are here for you.