Chemotherapy schedules

[Adrian]

Ok cool, thanks for all the info everyone.

Im looking forward to the chemo, i just want to get rid of this crap that is in my body. This weird feeling im getting in my abdominals is really getting to me. I feel so useless. The sooner it starts the better. The chemo just needs to kill this.

What is everyones experiences of the chemo helping the abdominals. I know it probably wont get rid of everything but it should help a lot.

Then it will be seen if i need RPLND to just finish it all off, i guess.

Hey Don, how can i get myself a port?

[mrb1980]

Adrian,

I'd like to second Don's recommendation to have a port implanted. The primary reasons are to keep your arms from looking like the scene of trench warfare, and to more effectively distribute the chemo drugs, since the distribution will be in one of your big chest veins rather than a small arm vein. My port was an absolute life-saver. I'd have the port implanted in a nanosecond if I had to do it again (and I hope I never have to).

One good suggestion from my chemo nurses was to avoid my favorite foods during the times I experienced the metallic taste in my mouth. The reasoning was that I would forever associate the funny taste with my favorite stuff. So, I lived on tapioca and bland foods when the taste was there. It only lasted about 5 days after each cycle.

I was terrified of chemo when I began last August. I thought I'd be violently ill, tired, and--well, you name it. The last two rounds of my 4xBEP were pretty rough from a fatigue perspective but I was never experienced nausea. I made it through and I now feel pretty good, 5 months post-chemo. You'll do fine.

You're setting out on a path that a lot of us here have gone through. It can be rough in spots, but the overwhelming odds are that you'll emerge cancer-free. We're all pulling for you.

[Don]

The port is inserted surgically.. A minor 20-30 minute procedure.. The port is usually installed in a chest vein as MRB has already said..I had my port installed into the jugular vein in my neck... Not by choice.. I was on TPN for nutrition because I couldn't eat at the time and the Dr. said the TPN would be absorbed quick if injected in the Neck(its weird but it worked)???????? Usually your Oncologist will talk to you about the port a few days before chemo begins... if they don't be sure to mention that you want one installed.. I think it needs to be installed 2-3 days before chemo starts... Once it's put in you will never again have to be stuck with a needle for the rest of the duration of your treatments.. Really the only maintenance that needs to be done to the port is a saline push every other day. The hospital will usually give you several of the injections of saline/gel so you can flush it yourself...

[danebert]

what do you mean by weird pain in your abdominals. Is it pain, where?

[Don]

If there is teratoma in your abdominal area it is usually removed VIA the RPLND....

[danebert]

where is the pain in the back/ abdomen localized ? I know lower back but where exactlly

[Adrian]

Its not pain to be exact. It just feels like a minor stomach ache, like a dull ache. I can just feel something in there.

Does anyone know if a teratoma in the abdominals is dangerous if left for a few months? Should it be out as soon as possible? Im getting a bit worried now.

This port thing sounds quite sensible by the way. Ill definitly ask for it.

[dadmo]

Adrian:
At this point the teratoma isn't an issue. The doctor's won't address that until you have completed you treatments. If, when you are done with the chemo, your nodes are still swollen then they will discuss their removal.

[swg03a]

School and Picc line

Hola,
I would recomend getting an I or a IP in school, if you are in college or grad school. I thought that I could remain in school and continue in my studies. I was very, very wrong. You should look into it! Also look into a piccline, i had one and it was not painful at all and it is easier to have it put in than a port! Best wishes!
scott

[Adrian]

Ah cool, im hoping its a teratoma then.

Is it possible for a more dangerous tumor that can develop in the abdominals? Like it could not be teratoma and be something else more deadly and serious.

Are there any other types of tumor possible, which can grow in your abs from testicular cancer?

Sorry for all the questions.

[Scott]

I'm assuming that we're talking about abdominal (retroperitoneal) lymph nodes. Adrian, was there teratoma in your pathology report? What cancer cell types were identified?

[Adrian]

I got no idea yet. I should know some type of results by tomorrow or Saturday.

Yep im talking about abdominal lymph nodes. I aint had a RPLND yet. But what im asking is.. is it possible for something else other than terotoma in my lymph nodes causing this dull ache..which could be more serious.

What other type of tumors can develop in your lymph nodes other than teratoma?

[dadmo]

You can have active cancer in the lymph nodes. The chemo will take care of that. When you get the results of your lab work make sure you ask your doctor all of these question.