Ouch!
Showing posts with label port. Show all posts
Showing posts with label port. Show all posts
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
One Year Anniversary
Dec 20, 2011 was my lumpectomy surgery. It almost feels like a lifetime ago. It is hard to wrap my brain around surgery, 6 rounds of chemo, 33 days of radiation and 17 IVdrips of Herceptin.
Not to mention 3 MRIs, 3 ultrasounds, 1 bone density screening, 2 blood transfusions, 2 echos, hospitalization due to multiple blood clots, followup appointments and just to throw into the mix, a neurologist specialist.
At 8:00am, I was scheduled for my port removal. The doctor was the same one that had put the port in my arm last January 5. I had an added bonus of dissolvable stitches, so I won't have to go back and have them pulled and cut out. The doctor asked if I felt a sharp pain and I said yes ... so she gave a little bit more numbing on the area. The only other person in the room was a nurse. The doctor held a conversation with me as she worked and had several questions. It was a good distraction.
"How did your life change after going through cancer treatment?" she asked.
I have been asked that before. "I have grown closer to God."
She nodded. "I have heard that before many times from patients."
I explained that my faith has always been strong, but now I got to experience "the peace that passes all understanding" as in
Not to mention 3 MRIs, 3 ultrasounds, 1 bone density screening, 2 blood transfusions, 2 echos, hospitalization due to multiple blood clots, followup appointments and just to throw into the mix, a neurologist specialist.
At 8:00am, I was scheduled for my port removal. The doctor was the same one that had put the port in my arm last January 5. I had an added bonus of dissolvable stitches, so I won't have to go back and have them pulled and cut out. The doctor asked if I felt a sharp pain and I said yes ... so she gave a little bit more numbing on the area. The only other person in the room was a nurse. The doctor held a conversation with me as she worked and had several questions. It was a good distraction.
"How did your life change after going through cancer treatment?" she asked.
I have been asked that before. "I have grown closer to God."
She nodded. "I have heard that before many times from patients."
I explained that my faith has always been strong, but now I got to experience "the peace that passes all understanding" as in
Philippians 4:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gentle, deep peace wraps around my whole being and removes any anxiety and worry I held on to all my life. This peace cannot be explained by mere words, it can only be experienced.
Once the port was finally removed, doc stitched me up with dissolvable stitches. So glad I don't have to go back to get them removed. No bruising yet. Do you remember the last bruise when it was put in? Oh, yeah, and the "multiple" blood clots it created.
After the procedure, I went back to the lobby waiting room. This is also the day my mom is getting her kidney biopsied. I waited for my brother in law to bring her. The place was getting busy since my early morning appointment. Filling up with patients, wheelchairs, canes....
This broken world filled with broken bodies.
How many with broken spirits?
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Herceptin #17 and The Last One!
Friday, December 14 was my 17th Herceptin drip. 8:00am, I arrived at the clinic and all its familiarity. The white tree that sits elegantly next to the receptionist window was decorated with beautiful Christmas ornaments. They have ornaments for each holiday or season .... Easter, St Patrick's day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, etc... In the past 12 months, I have never seen it removed from the room or undecorated.
I scanned my patient card and settled in my chair. I decided to stop for coffee before coming in and SO glad I did. This was the first time I actually made time to do so. I pulled out my electronic Yahtzee game and watched as the nurses arrived to begin their work day. I wondered if they really knew how special they are to so many of "us".
Nurse Regina took care of me today. Nurse Karen was the other one on site and in the same chemo room. On the other side of the hallway, it was Nurses Tracy, Dawn and Bev.
It was smooth sailing and the nurses reminded me that I will need to get my port flushed every 4-6 weeks. It is hard to explain, but it gave me comfort knowing that I would get to come back and see them. Nicole, the pharmacist, stopped by to wish me well and I asked how long I would need to keep the port in. She said that Doc Esther usually kept them in patients for a few months....even up to a year. She is a new mom and the conversation easily moved to photography and my all time favorite ~ Shutterfly. I am still planning on creating a piece for display at the center.
Once the chemo was done, I collected my things and gave hugs to Regina and she led me to the scheduling desk for the port flushing. I got it for Jan 15 when I come in for my follow-up with Doc. Karen found me and gave me good-bye hugs as well. She is special to me.
I decided to go across the hall to find the other nurses and say my good-byes. Doc Esther was there on the computer and she watched all the exchanges.
Then she said, "Why don't you go see Kim and have her schedule to get the port removed."
"Really!?" I was shocked. "Really!?" I said a little louder.
"Yes," she said. "I don't want to have to write out any more work orders for you."
I scanned my patient card and settled in my chair. I decided to stop for coffee before coming in and SO glad I did. This was the first time I actually made time to do so. I pulled out my electronic Yahtzee game and watched as the nurses arrived to begin their work day. I wondered if they really knew how special they are to so many of "us".
Nurse Regina took care of me today. Nurse Karen was the other one on site and in the same chemo room. On the other side of the hallway, it was Nurses Tracy, Dawn and Bev.
All my angels
It was smooth sailing and the nurses reminded me that I will need to get my port flushed every 4-6 weeks. It is hard to explain, but it gave me comfort knowing that I would get to come back and see them. Nicole, the pharmacist, stopped by to wish me well and I asked how long I would need to keep the port in. She said that Doc Esther usually kept them in patients for a few months....even up to a year. She is a new mom and the conversation easily moved to photography and my all time favorite ~ Shutterfly. I am still planning on creating a piece for display at the center.
Once the chemo was done, I collected my things and gave hugs to Regina and she led me to the scheduling desk for the port flushing. I got it for Jan 15 when I come in for my follow-up with Doc. Karen found me and gave me good-bye hugs as well. She is special to me.
My sister will also have these amazing angels to care for her
I decided to go across the hall to find the other nurses and say my good-byes. Doc Esther was there on the computer and she watched all the exchanges.
Then she said, "Why don't you go see Kim and have her schedule to get the port removed."
"Really!?" I was shocked. "Really!?" I said a little louder.
"Yes," she said. "I don't want to have to write out any more work orders for you."
Happy Dance! Laughter! Delightful squeals!
So, I made my way down the hall and Kim scheduled it for next Thursday, 20th. Naturally, I turned right around and went back to the chemo scheduling desk to cancel the flushing. Wow, what a turn of events.
As I was driving to work, I was trying to wrap my brain around everything that had just occurred over the past 2 hours. With the clear results of my one year mammogram/ultrasound , I realized
I'm no longer a cancer patient
I am a cancer survivor!
I am one of God's miracles!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Christie's Prep
This morning, Christie went to her Chemo Class. Even though we are not quite sure what her cocktail will be, it was a time to receive all kinds of information, including terminology. She came with me and my husband for my chemo class. I know that since Richard (her husband) hasn't experienced this part of the process, it will be beneficial for him.
After that, she received her "port". When I talked to her this afternoon, she was laying on the couch resting. My power injectable port experience was horrible. And remember, she also received her flu and pneumonia shot yesterday.
She talked about two meetings she was scheduled to go to this evening. Well, doc said to keep life's schedules at a normal pace as much as possible. It does help [me] to put both feet on the floor each morning I get up. Purpose.
The MRI on her liver has to be done at the main hospital and the next available appointment is Dec 5. We are checking into other options.
She has to contact her family doctor to get further testing done on her stomach issues. Hopefully, there is nothing to deal with, but we need to alleviate any other fears of the "unknown".
Well, Christie is still dealing with the news and I can remember how surreal at this time of my journey. I am praying that people continue to hug her and encourage her.
After that, she received her "port". When I talked to her this afternoon, she was laying on the couch resting. My power injectable port experience was horrible. And remember, she also received her flu and pneumonia shot yesterday.
I would imagine that she is not feeling 100%
She talked about two meetings she was scheduled to go to this evening. Well, doc said to keep life's schedules at a normal pace as much as possible. It does help [me] to put both feet on the floor each morning I get up. Purpose.
The MRI on her liver has to be done at the main hospital and the next available appointment is Dec 5. We are checking into other options.
She has to contact her family doctor to get further testing done on her stomach issues. Hopefully, there is nothing to deal with, but we need to alleviate any other fears of the "unknown".
Well, Christie is still dealing with the news and I can remember how surreal at this time of my journey. I am praying that people continue to hug her and encourage her.
Oh! How important that is!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Power Injectable Port
The intensity of this procedure was totally unexpected. You see yesterday, when I met with Doc Esther, I mentioned that I would like to get back to work by Friday. She agreed and said that returning to a routine would be great. What she didn’t tell me was how terrible inserting the port was going to be. I must be a wimp or something.
I consider myself somewhat a tough cookie. You can’t go through life with endometriosis and not learn to develop pain management. But, THIS WAS PAINFUL. On a scale from 0-10, I’d say a 20.
|
| Day of Insertion |
OUCH!
This was an hour long process in a surgery-like room. Gowns, masks, the whole thing. But instead of lovely sleep, it was a local anesthesia. Thankfully, the medical team was compassionate. Pat was the lead and she walked me through the procedure to let me know when it was “going to hurt”, when to breathe, and when to "go to my happy place" (which I chose Colorado). So, this round device goes under the skin and a wire is inserted thru the vein to your heart. Once it is PUSHED into place, you are stitched up and bandaged.
REALITY CHECK! THIS IS NOT A DREAM!
Nope, can’t wake up from this. So, again, I have to say, no choice but to walk through this journey holding God’s hand. I am so blessed with all the support from friends and family.
As I write this, about 7 hours have passed since the procedure. Yes, I took a pain pill, okay 2. On a scale from 0-10, now a 4. Time, a nap, a pill = my life.
In 7-10 days, the stitches come out. I will probably do that on Jan 12 (first day of chemo). I am to carry information the size of a credit card to show for future tests, such as CT-scan or MRI (to show the type of port)
Work tomorrow.
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