Preparing for Chemo: Getting a Port Installed

Surprised me too ..assigned surgeon first for lumpectomy...then port/chemo route option ...The port will save from vein damage and pain...standard/regular blood draws beat them up enough. 🤲🍎 Find something relaxing to do during treatments (most are 3-5 hours...but vary) I crochet, I color, in books with real crayons, I journal,/record my journey, I bring snacks, and sometimes I have actual heart to heart convos with hub...always by my side ..very therapeutic in itself...some folks telework...I try to use the time for ME and de-stress focus on joyful...work and stress are unavoidable, this 'quidt' time helps. You do you, of course, just sharing experience. (In Oklahoma)

Thank you so much for sharing...I will use the time to relax and get closer to God 🙏🙌❤️ I like to color....I'm in Tx.. Blessings you have a husband I don't ....I wish God will...

After I get all settled and get my premeds(Benedryl, anti nausea and steroids) I usually take a nap. Except when I was doing taxol, then I had to ice my feet and hands to keep me from getting neuropathy. This really helped me as I never had any issues with it. Praise Jesus, I gave him my cancer the day I found out, and after 12 weeks of chemo, my tumor has shrunk by half. My port was put in before chemo and what a blessing. Use the lidocaine cream and I didn’t feel a thing except a little pressure for a second. Stay strong and hydrated!!!!

Thank you 🙏

The port is by far the best way to go. Saves a lot of time and discomfort from poking at your veins. I just had mine removed after 18 months. I have bad veins, and just a regular blood draw is horrible.

Please ask for the numbing cream to use on the port. I wish I had known about the ice to prevent neuropathy. My fingers and toes are numb. No pain, just numb.

Has anyone second round BC 30 years ago stage 1 hormone positive, did chemo radiation, didnt take tamoxifin, liver issue which gone now , diagnosed stage 1 hormone positive opposite breast , have autoimmune diseases now , which might mean not able to do radiation and aromatase inhibitors might make autoimmune diseases worse , anyone have this complicated issues

Teresa c. Can you please explain ice for hands and feet? I’m a hairdresser the last thing I need on top of all this is numb fingers. Please and thank you

Denise, if you have Taxol infusions ice is very helpful for preventing neuropathy in your hands and feet. During the infusions keep your hands and feet in ice bags. I also kept ice in my mouth to prevent mouth sores. The taxol runs for about an hour so the only thing I could do is watch something on my iPad to keep my mind off of how cold I was. I looked at it as 12 hours of discomfort on ice for the lifelong benefit of not having neuropathy.

Denise - you can get glove slipper ice packs from amazon. Very easy to use. I used them during my taxol infusion and so far havent had any of thr nueropathy side effects.

Georgia and Thomas Thank you so much!! I have to have my hands and feet work. Oh my.

Denise, I wish I would've known about the ice packs for my legs & feet. I have terrible neuropathy in my feet and lower legs because of that chemo. My doctor never told me about that. I couldn't walk half way thru my chemo so my Dr. had me admitted to the hospital. Five days later I got out and nothing was done to help. He let me have a week off then sent me back to finish chemo.

Oh my goodness Pam that’s awful I’m so sad that happened to you I hope you’re feeling better. 🩷

I feel better now. That was last August. But i'm still having a lot of problems with my feet. I wish I'd known then what I know now. No one told me a lot of the side effects of that particular chemo. I had a real hard time. I'm determined to find a solution of this problem..

Pam O, let me know if you find a solution for your feet.

I just finished Taxalt and have neuropathy in hands and feet. Im hoping this is temporary as it is a big hen-durance having some balance issues as well.

Janice, I will.

I'm sorry, that was meant for Cynthia.

Janice, I hope you're neuropathy is temporary. But they told me mine might be I'd have to wait and see. Still waiting!!!

I have some neuropathy as well. Could be from taxol? Or the anastrozole. I recently bought a cream that I saw on IG (I know I know), but I have to say it does help a little, especially when I’m trying to fall asleep and my feet (left foot especially) is throbbing. The cream is mama Bear oasis. “Nerve relief lotion”. I’m going to be consistent with it and see if it really helps! 💕

Joanna, I hope the cream works. Keep me updated. Mÿ neuropathy was from the taxol.

If you have hormone positive breast cancer, please be careful with the creams, some act as endocrine disruptors! You need to do a lot of research, believe it or not, even oncologists/cancer centers don't realize how many products they suggest (even long-term) that can increase your risk of recurrence! BTW, stay away from added fragrance as much as possible. I am truly angry at how many "clean" brands are not even close.

Btw, I was NOT referring to the lidocaine cream for your port, you definitely want to use that before they access your port for blood draws/port access for chemo! I wish I had known I would have a cut in my Aorta as well as my chest, don't panic, they're small, and the port IS worth it. If you ever have to go to an ER, they probably will not access your port, as they don't want to risk an infection, which would cause them to have to remove it entirely. So they will end up giving you a normal IV if you ever need to go into a regular ER.

How did the aortic cut occur?

How has your chemo worked so far ..my scan outcomes have shrunk or diminished greatly....so far ..6 more taxol treatments scheduled ..