Hi Ladies,
I have just spent two miserable days of sheer terror!
I woke up the morning before yesterday and discovered a 'pea' like lump about three inches above my portacath - I freaked, hubby is away so I have had to sweat this out on my own - make matters worse, I don't drive so go figure for the rest of the story as you read on.
I rang the hospital and they said ring my GP - the medical centre gave me the 'we are booked out routing' and I told them my story so they said come up at two pm. I did so (walk, walk) and the GP booked me in for a scan the next day at the hopital (taxi there, taxi back) I ended up having two ultra sounds (visiting radiologist needed to see for himself) then that arvo (yesterday) I walked back up to the medical centre - doc said, need to talk to radiologist, but you need a blood test to rule out infection - so the blood-dudes at the medical centre had gone home for the day, and the health centre ones had closed up for the day, so I walked on up to the hospital - mean while, say my favourite blood-taker nurse and she had BC - she had a few jabs before my arm would behave itself (I told her, I'll just tip my arm over the test tube and you can collect it that way!) she laughed as she jabbed me again - finally got some blood (other arm out of action re lymph node removal) so she said, you are going to bruis - I said, "Don't worry collateral damage, chook" I showed her my swollen vein above the port - she said "Oh, that happened to me - but it went down after awhile, when I stopped rubbing it" ....................I nearly slid off the chair thinking 'Oh God, please let that be the case!" and then I said "Well two bloody ultra sounds over the top of it would have made it worse, wouldn't it". ANYWAY, I walked home - the GP rang and said the radiologist said there were no blod clots (Yay!) ............but no results on blood test - well, my temp wasn't up and I was ok except for being totally exhausted after walking all over bloody town from doctor to hospital etc. So realising when I woke the other morning I had slept on that side where the port was - so last night I opted to sleep in an arm chair (so I wouldn't roll over on the port) and I was so plum tuckered out I crashed for about 12 hours! I have to see the oncologist tomorrow anyway so I will check out the blood test results with him - darned if I am going to walk into town again even if it is only ten minutes! Hope my onc doesn't put the brakes on my Tassie trip on the 13th for my 60th birthday.................what a sh**t if he does. I told my blood-taker nurse - I can't believe how paranoid I am - as I said she has been through this hersefl...................She's a tough old bean (but most likeable) and she said, "Darls, you will always be paranoid.........it goes with the territory" Yep she's right...................any one else had 'port' issues? x x x Josie
Comments
Oh you poor thing , what an awful time for you . I too have a port and it has not been all plane sailing for me either. A month after having it implanted my arm swelled and turned red. I rang the hospital and they told me to come down straight away. I had an ultra sound which showed notheing ! but thankfully the head nurse was convinced there was something wrong so she asked ( told !) the Dr to order a CT scan. This found a clot around the catheter. I was put on Clexane injections twice a day ( my husband got the job of doing this !) for 4 mths. I have been frightened ever since that I will get another clot . Even though the last one resolved itself I live in fear of something else happening and now my Dr is talking of leaving it in . Good luck with yours keep in touch Regards Hilary xxx
Thank you Hilary
Thank you Hilary, actually this has been my biggest worry - the upside is I am seeing the oncologist tomorrow (he's pretty pedantic) so I he will obviously be looking at those scans as well - the lump is still there but no redness and I feel ok (body wise - head might need a check up!) I was terrified it was a clot - so who knows, we will have to 'wait and see' especially when the radiographer said that there wasn't any - all I know is I still have a lump and ??????? x x x Josie
Poor Josie
What a miserable few days you've just had.And wouldn't it just happen when your husband goes away.So sorry to hear your portacath troubles.I've got a pea size lump on my 'bad' arm and when I showed my surgeon she shrugged it off saying it was a harmless cyst.I see my oncologist tomorrow too.I don't know whether to show the "cyst" to him- goodness knows the poor man has to sift through 8 pages of blood test results.Good luck for tomorrow Josie.We should compare notes tomorrow night.
ps. Bet you walked off all that chocolate and icecream.
love Tonya xx
Hi again Tonya
You bet I walked off that icecream and choccies.................I 'Skyped' my sister today on the net and she reckons I have lost some weight.........pity the scales don't seem to agree with that awesome opinion! Still got the lump - will tell fussy old fart onc tomorrow (watch him put a spanner in the 'Tassie' works!) x x x
Must be true
Sisters tend to ration the compliments so you really must look thinner.Don't let that old onc throw a wet blanket over your holiday.You've been waiting for ages for that trip to Tassie.It's not like you are going on a long flight. Maybe you just have abit of trauma to the vein from lying on that side.I sure hope you don't have to have it out or anything. I leave for a 5week holiday to Europe in early March and I've broken my golden rule which is never have tests just before a big holiday.Lucky for me,all tests results are clear.I just have to see my onc for a 6mths checkup -just hoping he doesn't want to change my medications and upset the apple cart.Let me know how you get on tomorrow.
love Tonya xx
Wet blanket
Well Tonya - am hoping will have the 'nuts' to call his bluff - because I went for treatment last week and the nurses said "Oh, we thought you played 'hookie' and was in Tasmania"................I looked at them and said with a wicked gleam in my eye and said.........................."If that what it takes!......................" I hope you go on your trip Tonya - I won't go overseas as I hate flying (note: am going on the Spirit of Tasmania - and taking said car) and can't afford a cruise to the south seas...............So one is doing something one has wanted for a very long time - lets face it I spent 20 years in QLD and have lived in WA and SA.........mostly grew up in Tas.....so this is a 'trip down memory lane'...............bugger google, I have discovered a lot of places have been 'bull dozed', but the place is still 'pretty' one way or the other. I think we will be in Hobart on the 15th (my 60th) and I plan to go to the Casino (as I did when it opened in '70's for my 21st) so I told hubby we will be having 'Lobster Mornay'.........................trust me, nothing is as yummy as a Tasmanian CrayFish............................(note: drool drool!) I have only a little money left from my late Mother's estate (most on medical stuff - bla bla bla) so this is my time to really lash out and spoil me - lets face it, its about time isn't it! So me thinks if doc is going to be pedantic, one is not going to be a 'happy camper' and thusly will relate one's anguish............most strongly! Cross your fingers............here's hoping! x x x x x x x x hugs girl! x x x x x
Got the go ahead!
Hi ladies, had a ct scan this morning that there are no 'clots' - my veins and arteries are all scew wiff - but I found that out when they put the portacath in - (they hit and artery) any hoo....................I am due for a herceptin right on my birthday, but that is when I want to go on my trip.........................my onc wasn't happy about me going away - but I wasn't worried about his 'happiness' and am going to Tasmania any way! By all counts - I am a happy little vegemite! hugs to all x x x
Oh goodie
I am so pleased you are going on your holiday cant wait. We are looking at booking Tassie holiday too - wont be till next summer. You can tell me all the best places to go.
All the best.
Maria333