Ok...AC Chemo #1 came and went. I'm happy to report that 1 week later I feel back to 100% my usual self! But...it was definitely not a walk in the park. Here's my experience of the 1st time.
As part of my preparation, my sister Ariel came up and we went out for a pre-chemo dinner to celebrate the next step towards my treatment/recovery. It was nice having her there and meant a lot to have her there to support Adam and I as we embarked on this new journey. We got home, packed my chemo bag, and before I knew it, it was time to go to bed to get a full night's rest.
As my luck would have it, it snowed that night before chemo and even though it wasn't bad (not even snow on the roads), people still freak out driving just seeing snow on the grass so traffic was awful. My 9:30 appointment became 10:30. It worked out though and we were still one of the first patients there that morning as everyone was running late due to the traffic.
Upon arriving, I get to go back pretty much right away. The nurse took my temperature and blood pressure just to make sure everything was right and before I knew it, it was time to start. I got to have one of the more private bays. Unfortunately for us, the snow had messed up the television reception so no TV but we came prepared with my Kindle Fire & Netflix.
The nurse gave me some ice to help numb my port area before they accessed it. I couldn't use the numbing cream yet because there was still some surgical glue there but honestly, the ice did the same thing. They accessed the port, pretty painless and to my surprise, they couldn't get blood. My nurse, Kelly, said this happens sometimes so they flushed it and gave me some Heparin. Unfortunately that still didn't work. After a couple of tries, we were on our way downstairs to get a chest x-ray to make sure everything was okay with the port. Everything turned out fine and they gave me Cath-Flo to see if we could get it working again. After about 45 minutes it worked! Thank God! You know, we went into this with the mentality that hiccups are going to happen along the way but it was a shock to have it happen on the 1st try.
Soon after that, I was hooked up to some saline followed by steroids and anti-nausea medication. It must have been about 3:30 by the time we got that going. All of that went in great and then it was time to start the Adriamycin. Kelly came in with the chemo that she had to manually push. It wasn't just another bag they hung on the IV pole. I have to be honest, it was intimidating a little. The medication was the color of red Gatorade and watching it go from the syringe Kelly had to my port was like watching seconds of clock tick down. When it reached my port, I was anticipating some type of pain or feeling but surprise surprise: NOTHING. Kelly, Adam, Ariel, and I chatted for about 20 minutes and then it was all over. I felt great still.
Next it was time for the Cytoxin. Kelly did warn me that we would set it up on a 30 minute drip (as this was one she could hang from the IV pole) and that I may have some sinus pressure, runny nose, and/or a headache. Near the end, I did feel the sinus pressure and a runny nose but it wasn't that bad and it cleared 10 minutes or so after we were done.
By now it was about 5:00 or so and Kelly came and gave me another flush and dose of Heparin to flush my port and then we were all set. It was over. 1 down, 3 to go. Pretty painless! :)
We got home and for the rest of the night, I felt pretty good. When it was time for bed, I just felt a little tipsy but otherwise that was it. All in all...good news story!
More to come about the days following...
Showing posts with label medi-port. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medi-port. Show all posts
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Chemo School?
Ok...it wasn't really school but it was chemo training. I can't believe it required training. But I guess it's something that changes so often that what most people imagine chemo to be like isn't how it actually is.
On Tuesday, we went in for Chemo Training, blood work, and genetic testing (see, I'm starting to get smart and make them combine everything into 1 appointment so I can save my free time). I was actually really excited about this part. I had a list of questions for them and was still jotting them down while we were in the waiting room.
First, we had to sign consent forms for the genetic testing. I wanted to go ahead and get it done now since I knew they were already doing blood work (less needle sticks in the long run, each one counts!). From there, they took me back to the bays where patients were getting their chemo. I was shocked to see the smiles on these patients faces. I was so sure I would see people puking everywhere and miserable. Nope, some were sleeping, some were reading, some watching tv, and other just enjoying their free time to relax and sit in their chair. It was COMPLETELY different than I imagined.
They put me in one of the chairs and were going to draw the blood from my port! This was the first time I've seen how it all works. I will warn people, the needle for the port looks different and it looks long, BUT they don't stick it all the way in! You have to remember that there are some patients who have ports put in a lot deeper than just under the skin so this specially designed needle has to be long. And No, don't worry, they can't push the needle in too far. There is a metal bottom for the port so it only goes so far in until it has to stop.
Unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to use the lidocaine cream to help numb my port area before they inserted the needle because I still have the surgical glue over the incision site. They did give me some ice though to help numb it. They told me to take a deep breath and it was over before I knew it. Something I thought for sure was going to be super painful was actually far better than an IV or even some blood draws I've had in my arm. I barely felt it. They went ahead and flushed the port first and I got a weird taste in my mouth (normal). Then they did the blood draw and then finally flushed the port again. All in all, it was over in 5 minutes or so. Too Easy!
Once that was done, it was off to training. I let them give me the schedule of my treatment and go over what to expect. Then it was my turn. I think I caught the NP off guard with all of my questions. Not in a bad way but more in a good way in that I wanted to be as prepared as I could as to what to expect come Friday and the days following. She was soooooo nice and really helped alleviate all of my concerns.
In the end, we left ready more than ever for Friday's 1st chemo treatment!
On Tuesday, we went in for Chemo Training, blood work, and genetic testing (see, I'm starting to get smart and make them combine everything into 1 appointment so I can save my free time). I was actually really excited about this part. I had a list of questions for them and was still jotting them down while we were in the waiting room.
First, we had to sign consent forms for the genetic testing. I wanted to go ahead and get it done now since I knew they were already doing blood work (less needle sticks in the long run, each one counts!). From there, they took me back to the bays where patients were getting their chemo. I was shocked to see the smiles on these patients faces. I was so sure I would see people puking everywhere and miserable. Nope, some were sleeping, some were reading, some watching tv, and other just enjoying their free time to relax and sit in their chair. It was COMPLETELY different than I imagined.
They put me in one of the chairs and were going to draw the blood from my port! This was the first time I've seen how it all works. I will warn people, the needle for the port looks different and it looks long, BUT they don't stick it all the way in! You have to remember that there are some patients who have ports put in a lot deeper than just under the skin so this specially designed needle has to be long. And No, don't worry, they can't push the needle in too far. There is a metal bottom for the port so it only goes so far in until it has to stop.
Unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to use the lidocaine cream to help numb my port area before they inserted the needle because I still have the surgical glue over the incision site. They did give me some ice though to help numb it. They told me to take a deep breath and it was over before I knew it. Something I thought for sure was going to be super painful was actually far better than an IV or even some blood draws I've had in my arm. I barely felt it. They went ahead and flushed the port first and I got a weird taste in my mouth (normal). Then they did the blood draw and then finally flushed the port again. All in all, it was over in 5 minutes or so. Too Easy!
Once that was done, it was off to training. I let them give me the schedule of my treatment and go over what to expect. Then it was my turn. I think I caught the NP off guard with all of my questions. Not in a bad way but more in a good way in that I wanted to be as prepared as I could as to what to expect come Friday and the days following. She was soooooo nice and really helped alleviate all of my concerns.
In the end, we left ready more than ever for Friday's 1st chemo treatment!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Bionic Woman
So...I know it's been a while since I've posted. Needless to say it's been a busy week and most of it's been spent recovering from everything I've had done.
To start, I had the port put in and all I have to say is G-R-E-A-T S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!! We did run into some hiccups along the way but I won't go in to detail about that as it was more to do with the staff we dealt with and not the overall process. I find that in the event someone else who may be reading this is looking for reassurance in their own journey, my purpose is not to scare you, but to show you that I was fine! :)
We checked in for the port at 12:30 with a 2:00 procedure time. I went back pretty much right away to get my hospital garb on and get an IV started. I have to admit, the IV hurt a bit but that was because they put it in my hand and is not the case with with all people. I guess I was just lucky :). Unfortunately for me, my 2:00 procedure time turned to 5:00. It was the day after a holiday weekend and there was an emergency that bumped me back, so all I can say in looking back at it is that at least it wasn't me with the emergency.
The total procedure time was about 30 minutes. They took me back to the procedure room and had me get on the OR table. They gave me twilight medication to make me out of it and I actually ended up falling asleep. What I remember though is that they cleaned the area (obviously) and they actually used an ultrasound or some type of imaging to help them put the port in. So don't be worried if it reminds you of lying on a table for an x-ray. When I woke up, I was just ready to go. Unfortunately at that point it was nearly 6pm-6:30 and I hadn't eaten anything since midnight. It made me lightheaded so we had to stick around a bit while I ate some graham crackers and drank some juice. But then we were free!!!
The next couple days I was sore but nothing that wasn't manageable. Per my oncologist, I just took some Tylenol as I needed it. Go figure, after a month of babying my right side from my lumpectomy, I went into full swing of babying the left and ended up pulling a muscle in my back on the right. So I ended up having a sore left-front side, and an aching back-right side. Not Fun!
A week later, I'm happy to say the surgical glue is starting to come off and while I'm anxious to get it off because it itches, I'm being as patient as I can to make sure it heals properly. Initially it felt weird to turn my neck but now I really can't feel it in me other than when I touch it or the catheter. It's definitely visible under my skin and makes me feel somewhat like a cyborg, but I'm somewhat proud that I have it. I know I'm doing everything I can to better help me get through the chemo.
I had Chemo prep today actually and they went ahead and did blood work. It was my first time accessing the port (at least while I was awake). All in all, it actually was surprisingly harmless. Let me tell you, it by far beats having a needle stick every day and seeing my arms getting bruised. All in all, I was really impressed with how well it went and how easy it was. They give me a cream to help numb it but because the surgical glue was still on, we couldn't use it. Instead, they just gave me an ice pack to help numb the area. They also flushed the port and gave me some Heparin to help prevent clotting. All in all, I'd day from the time they accessed the port to the time it was over, it was maybe 5 minutes? Not bad at all. I think I could get used to this (when you consider the alternative!)
Ok, I'll write back tomorrow to catch everyone up on everything else from this past week including chemo training and the IVF stuff.
To start, I had the port put in and all I have to say is G-R-E-A-T S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!! We did run into some hiccups along the way but I won't go in to detail about that as it was more to do with the staff we dealt with and not the overall process. I find that in the event someone else who may be reading this is looking for reassurance in their own journey, my purpose is not to scare you, but to show you that I was fine! :)
We checked in for the port at 12:30 with a 2:00 procedure time. I went back pretty much right away to get my hospital garb on and get an IV started. I have to admit, the IV hurt a bit but that was because they put it in my hand and is not the case with with all people. I guess I was just lucky :). Unfortunately for me, my 2:00 procedure time turned to 5:00. It was the day after a holiday weekend and there was an emergency that bumped me back, so all I can say in looking back at it is that at least it wasn't me with the emergency.
The total procedure time was about 30 minutes. They took me back to the procedure room and had me get on the OR table. They gave me twilight medication to make me out of it and I actually ended up falling asleep. What I remember though is that they cleaned the area (obviously) and they actually used an ultrasound or some type of imaging to help them put the port in. So don't be worried if it reminds you of lying on a table for an x-ray. When I woke up, I was just ready to go. Unfortunately at that point it was nearly 6pm-6:30 and I hadn't eaten anything since midnight. It made me lightheaded so we had to stick around a bit while I ate some graham crackers and drank some juice. But then we were free!!!
The next couple days I was sore but nothing that wasn't manageable. Per my oncologist, I just took some Tylenol as I needed it. Go figure, after a month of babying my right side from my lumpectomy, I went into full swing of babying the left and ended up pulling a muscle in my back on the right. So I ended up having a sore left-front side, and an aching back-right side. Not Fun!
A week later, I'm happy to say the surgical glue is starting to come off and while I'm anxious to get it off because it itches, I'm being as patient as I can to make sure it heals properly. Initially it felt weird to turn my neck but now I really can't feel it in me other than when I touch it or the catheter. It's definitely visible under my skin and makes me feel somewhat like a cyborg, but I'm somewhat proud that I have it. I know I'm doing everything I can to better help me get through the chemo.
I had Chemo prep today actually and they went ahead and did blood work. It was my first time accessing the port (at least while I was awake). All in all, it actually was surprisingly harmless. Let me tell you, it by far beats having a needle stick every day and seeing my arms getting bruised. All in all, I was really impressed with how well it went and how easy it was. They give me a cream to help numb it but because the surgical glue was still on, we couldn't use it. Instead, they just gave me an ice pack to help numb the area. They also flushed the port and gave me some Heparin to help prevent clotting. All in all, I'd day from the time they accessed the port to the time it was over, it was maybe 5 minutes? Not bad at all. I think I could get used to this (when you consider the alternative!)
Ok, I'll write back tomorrow to catch everyone up on everything else from this past week including chemo training and the IVF stuff.
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