The downside with the chemo/rad approach is side effects. 5-FU is the chemo drug I'll be getting starting Monday. The oncology team said it's one of the mildest chemos. Nausea, diarrhea, mouth sores, and fatigue are common; hair thinning is less common. Also, it will lower my red & white blood cell counts. Since red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body this could be a tough one for me and my whimpy lungs. Thankfully I've got oxygen available right now if I need it. The white blood cells help fight infection. This is the biggest issue for me since my lungs always harbor some degree of infection. I've discussed this with my infectious disease doc. We've agreed to monitor things closely and put me on inhaled Tobramycin at the first signs of increased cough. Thankfully I've got a great team of docs and we will all be monitoring things VERY closely.
Since chemotherapy is hard on the veins, a port-a-cath is often used to infuse the meds. A "port" is a reservoir that sits just below the surface of the skin. The reservoir is a little wider than a quarter and about 1/3 inch tall. It has a silicone top. A flexible plastic catheter runs from the reservoir to a large vein leading to the right atrium of the heart. During infusions a right angle needle is stuck into the skin above the port and then through the silicone top. No need to worry about pain as a numbing cream can be used for that...WHEW. The great part is that the port is totally enclosed in the body. Swimming, baths, etc are all no problem. I just got my port put in yesterday. So far post op pain has been well managed by a low dose of Vicodin. Dr. Nigh did a great job placing it. It's on the upper left side of my torso. I chose this spot based on where it would look best when wearing a tank top, bikini etc. Also wanted to keep my left breast free of having an "extra nipple". I can just barely access it with both hands. Right hand is easy; left hand is doable but not easy. Below are photos of placement & incisions. Note that the blue marks are my own artwork. They mark where a bikini strap falls. Thank you Sharpie! The incision area is bruised and yucky since I just had surgery. I'll try to take another prettier picture once things heal more.
Will update everyone again when chemo/rad starts Monday.
Peace,
Steph
Posts
welcome to the port club! Not that anyone really wants to be in our club....I've had mine for three weeks now and as long as I don't bang it, it no longer hurts. I hope yours heals up nicely. That is a great spot, I am not as hip on where mine is, but oh well, what am I going to do about it now? Will yours have to be accessed right away? I hope this chemo/radiation does the trick and everything goes as smoothly as it can in this situation - I will be thinking of you <3
ReplyDeleteWow, things are moving right along, I see! I hope the chemo isn't too hard on you. That does not sound fun.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was wondering since you mentioned the Tobi, do you cycle any antibiotics regularly?
Glad the port placement went well. Seems like a different spot than I've seen others get. Am I seeing it incorrectly or are there two incisions?
laura/catboogie
Hey Larua, yep that's two incisions. One where they implant the reservoir on the side and one up on my chest where they thread the catheter into my vein.
ReplyDeleteShannon, they did access three days later. This spot is good for fashion but the vest definitely needs padding when worn. The price I pay for vanity ;)