the port
So it’s in and done … no more chemo arm!
My yoga buddy Lola came with me to the hospital yesterday afternoon, even though it meant she had to give up her (very expensive) seat at the evening bullfight. I felt really guilty about that, but from the minute I asked her if she might come with me there was no arguing with her. She was taking me and that was that…
I was lucky to get the appointment at all as they only do three ports on Tuesdays (and only on Tuesdays), and they were already booked up, but the doctor I spoke to last week (Santiago) got me in after I told him how bad my chemo arm and hand was. And it turned out that Santiago was also part of my surgical team, as well as the head surgeon (whose name I didn’t catch). Between the two of them they kept me “entertained” so that it was easier to deal with the PAIN when they injected the anaesthetic. We spent most of the time joking and talking … and it also helped that Santiago slipped me quite a nice tranq in my IV.
Anyhow, the whole thing took about an hour and Lola had been told that she should bring her car out front because I’d probably be feeling weak and dizzy. I felt nothing of the sort – just glad that it was over – so after Lola dropped her car off at home we went out for a nice cold beer at Flaherty’s. Then it was home to have something to eat and basically veg in the comfy chair for the rest of the evening.
As Lola said, this is one more thing done and out of the way, though it kind of creeps me out knowing there is this contraption under my skin and running into one of my veins. Haven’t seen it yet. It’s all bandaged up until Thursday, when they’ll want to take a look at it before the next chemo session.
So today I’m seeing the oncologist with Susan. And tomorrow it’s chemo again. I think my other yoga buddy Flor is coming with me for that one. Then I’ll be in a chemo/anti-nausea drug haze until about Monday. Lots of naps.
I reckon LISTS will probably have to wait until next week.
Yay!
It’s not as gross as you’d think; it’s like running an electrical cord under a carpet, only the electrical cord is a tube carrying chemo and the carpet is YOUR SKIN! So, gross, but kinda normal?
I’ve seen a fair number of ports and, well, there was nothing to see. The skin heals over it and there’s just this little disc shape that you can palpate or see from the right angle in the right light.
Happy drugs are a great thing (you mixed it with beer?
)
I would be kinda creeped out, too, but at least you won’t have to deal with that terrible sore arm anymore. Good luck tomorrow!
What good are anesthetic if you CAN’T mix them with beer?
Glad to hear that the port is in.
I’m glad you got that appointment, and hope the port improves things for you.
What are LISTS? (I’m sure I should know this…)
(Okay, I feel like I’m 12 here, but hey! That diagram has nipples!)
I hope the port helps and your chemo session goes well…
That’s a pretty good description, Rain. But it still feels creepy.
Well, just the one beer, Sled. It’s weird because I don’t normally drink beer (wine is my preferred beverage, after water). But I was so thirsty after this mini-op and it was 30º outside, and so a cold beer seemed like just the thing. And it was.
Kinda bummed because I want to go to yoga class but my chest is hurting like a bugger (not sure how many stitches I have there). Just popped a Nolotil, but I doubt I’ll feel okay enough by 8 o’clock. I also forgot to ask the surgeon if going to yoga would be a good idea or not.
Anyhoo … it’s just after 6am and so I think I’m going to try and get a bit more sleep.
“That diagram has nipples!”
It also has the breasts I never had *sigh*…
Sleep is probably the best thing for you right now, better even than yoga
Hope the chest pain soon wears off and hurray for Lola!
Glad to hear the port’s in, and I would recommend against yoga until the stitches heal. Regarding your earlier tweet, they do need a needle to access the port, generally a short, specially designed one.
Well, I never did get back to sleep, though I did lie down again for awhile and cuddle Azar.
Yeah, going to yoga is actually not an option. I really wasn’t expecting it to hurt this much. Bleh.
Re: the tweet. Gaelen thought they might just leave the access needle in until the chemo session tomorrow, but I don’t know if they did as they didn’t mention it and I can’t see anything because of the bandages. It’s been bleeding a little so I might pop over to the pain clinic (where the port docs hang out when they’re not in surgery) after I see the onc and ask if that’s normal. Or just wait till tomorrow.
Some good news! I have a new student starting today. The owner of L’Oca Giuliva, who’d asked me about classes when Susan & I had lunch there a couple of weeks ago. Very convenient for her as I’m just across the street. Not sure if she wants one or two classes a week, but it all helps.
You see? It pays to introduce myself to the owners and staff of the places I visit, and not just for the Sevilla Tapas site.
Yeehaa – now you can weather any storm – or is that any port in a – - – never mind – I’m glad it’s in
Dear oh dear Archie!
Where is Zoomer when you need him?
The port, of all things, is what grossed me out the most – I don’t know, I just felt all Matrix-like, can’t describe it. But it’s a fabulous device as far as getting the chemo. A little pinch when they hook you up and another when they take it out but that’s it (you may want to ask about a topical pain killer to apply at home about an hour or two b4 your session – I didn’t but they offered it). You need to be careful about infections (not just everywhere but with the port). I had to take my temp twice a day and if it got above 100.5F, I had to call them. It happened once, but turned out to be a UTI but they still took blood from the port to make sure it was good.
I still have mine in b/c there wasn’t a convenient time to take it out before radiation and a week after radiation ends, we’re going away for the weekend, so I probably won’t get it out until end of May now.
Glad it’s done. Well kept they can last for years.
Well done on presevering and getting what you wanted in good time! Now, I’ll have a Homer Simpson moment and go “mmmmm, cold beer…..drool….”
Stilton goes better with port than beer…
You know, I wouldn’t travel to North Africa for a little while. The heat and dryness might get to you (beer would help I guess). You’d just end up complaining and like port, that would of course be a desert whine.
“Stilton goes better with port than beer…” Groan…..
“You’d just end up complaining and like port, that would of course be a desert whine.” Many groans….
Hope it all goes well. Hope that beer was tasty.
“Well kept they can last for years.”
I asked Santiago about this yesterday and he said I could keep mine in for a thousand years.
Good advice, Kim, thanks. I’m sure it will be a relief to finally get yours out. I reckon I’ll be keeping mine indefinitely. Being practical rather than pessimistic.
Anyhow, it’s hurting a bit less now. The port, that is. Still wincing from the awful puns…
*waves to CF*
Oh, I’m so glad that the port is in and that part is over. I thought it was going in your hand? Chest seems much better to me, does it to you?
Zoomer would be good to have around more for distraction value! Painfully funny puns…
Learned all my humour from me dad. I found him hitting his head against the wall one day and I asked him why.
“Feels soooo good when I stop!”
Glad the port is in. Hope your chemo is uneventful.
Hope today goes well :hug:
Just made sandwiches for the chemo picnic – and remembered the room temperature mineral water this time.
Flor has just buzzed me from downstairs – she’s 15 minutes early!
Gotta run …
*Homer Simpson* Mmmm…sandwiches….drool
The sandwiches were fab. We saved one for Nog as he is coming now to relieve Flor of her chemo duties so she can go to her yoga class. It’s going waaaay better, arm & hand painfree. Very happy with the port.
Arrived home a couple of hours ago, got some cheese & crackers, put my feet up and settled in to watch a film on tv … and then everything went blank! Including Shadow.
Turned out Nog had forgotten to pay the phone bill (one of his house chores) so the adsl & television were cut off. So Nog ran over to the post office and paid it. I got on the phone to Telefónica and played the cancer card, saying I’d just got back from hospital (true) and desperately needed internet at home to work (also true) and couldn’t wait 48 hours. It was back on in about 48 minutes. And Nog has given me 25€ to pay for the reconnection fee.
So all is well except I missed the film and all my cheese and crackers are gone. Am I rambling?
Think I need a nap…
Nice to know that big companies have a heart.
Hope the rest of your evening went smoothly – and that you manage a decent night’s sleep.
:hug:
Yay! That’s exactly the right time to play the cancer princess card!
Yeah, I’d play the cancer princess card, too. I’ve been known to play the cripple card occasionally myself.