Port-a-Cath - Yes or No?

[Wai]

Thanks rlhawk - I guess it just sounds a lot more painful that what it actually is I spoke to my onco today and he had a preference to not use one.....of course he would, it obviously isn't his arm & pain threshold!!! hehe. I really don't want my arm/hand looking like a pin cushion!

Mom - It is re-assuring to hear your son thought the flu was worse than the chemo. I keep picturing myself as being a horrible, dribbling mess ...hopefully it won't be that bad! I just plan on drinking as much water as possible.

[rlhawk]

To answer Wai's PICC line questions:

I had a PICC line installed before getting a VAP. It was a bit strange when they put it in, but there was no pain or discomfort whatsoever. I was not given any anesthetic. They measured first to determine the length of the line that needed to go in. Once it was threaded, they did an x-ray to make sure it was in the right place. My nurse messed up and used a line that was too short, so it didn't go in as far as it was supposed to, but it was good enough.

[Dave40306]

Where are you being treated, Dave?

I'm very lucky to have a good, private Oncology team/treatment center in a local hospital that's only 2 minutes from my house. So, on the days I feel up to it, I'll be able to walk to and from treatment! My wife even knows one of the Oncology nurses.

I've consulted with Sloan Kettering and have a former Sloan Oncologist at Yale New Haven hospital that is also part of my "team". All parties, including Sloan, agreed that most any reputable Oncologist/treatment facility will be able to handle the chemo phase of my treatment. If/when the RPLND becomes necessary, I'm going to try like hell to get my insurance to cover Sloan and Dr. Sheinfeld.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and words of encouragement!

Gotta run, I'm off for one last test - a bone scan.

[Kev332]

Yes Dave, good luck with everything. Before you know it, this will be over and you'll be moving on. Hope all goes well.

-Kevin

[Mom]

Where are you being treated, Dave?

[dadmo]

Good luck Dave. I know how scarry this is but it will be a relief to finally get this thing started. I added your start date to our tc calendar.

[Dave40306]

Thanks again for all the replies.

I'm starting my first round of 4 x EP on Monday, the 22nd and I'm getting the port installed tomorrow. Both the doc and the nurses thought it was a good idea.

[Mom]

Wai, I'm not sure how it is installed. He didn't complain about that. However, during his first two rounds he had been getting blood clots in the IV arm. His hand and wrist were so swollen he could not make a fist or wear a watch. Don't let this alarm you. He did really well during chemo. When he got the flu a couple of weeks after he was done he said the flu was worse than the chemo. I think hydration is the key. Also, I was told recently to drink a lot of water before I get blood drawn. My viens are so small that they have to use a pediatric needle and even that sometimes doesn't work. Apparently, the water pumps up the viens so they are more easily accessible.

[Chris'Mom]

Good luck with chemo and getting it started and over...my son Chris did not want a port installed....but towards the end of four rounds of EP his veins were "hiding" and only certain nurses could get a vein.....very tough to watch him poked over and over, and his arms started getting bumps all over them...but in the end he still says he would never want a port, even though we weren't really told that much about it at the time....whatever you decide...all will work out....good luck and stay strong...Mary Ellen

[Wai]

Hi Dianne,

Did your son experience any pain getting the PICC line put in? I have read up a little bit about it and it sounds kinda nasty! My understanding is, the line runs all the way up the vein in your arm, to a large vein in the chest. If they give me a local anasthetic, wouldn't I still feel pain further up the arm when they push it through?

Or am I misunderstanding the concept?

Thanks,
Wai

[Karen]

Dave,
Assuming you start any day now....go to battle and beat this basta**!!!!! Keep up upated, we're with you in spirit!

[ryan1]

i'm on my second round of 4XBEP and i' ve been stuck usually 1 time per visit. however, as someone already said in this thread, get the nurse who knows what he/she is doing. on one day i got stuck 7 times, after that i specifically requested a perticular nurse, and haven't had problems since. personally, i can't stand the thought of something being lodged inside of me for leigthy periods, wheather it be a port, picc line, or even a butterfly IV needle. i'd rather get stuck a few times per visit, and when it's over, i want that thing out of me. i've found that doing curls (or even wrist curls) before you go in makes you nice and pumped so its easy for the nurse to hit a vein.

[laidback93]

You know looking back on it I wish I would of done inpatient chemo. I probably wouldn't of suffered as much.

[Mom]

Wai, my son was 5 days in-patient. He still wishes he had it from day 1. Good luck to you. You will get bored in the hospital but the benefits are tremendous. They will handle any side effects immediately and they will have you hooked up to an IV 24/5 so they can flush that chemo out of your system. Dianne

[Wai]

A port is a cathader that goes near your heart. I would rather have it mess up my arm veins than the possibility of it messing up the veins near my heart.

I am starting 3 x BEP next week....so no doubt I will need to consider this also. I have no idea on choosing the portacath or PICC line. I am hoping to go the less painful! Going by what I have read, it looks as though the PICC line leaves a tube hanging out your arm?

btw - I hate needles!!! I can handle the small ones used to take blood, but those bigger ones kill. (yes I am a wuss) I will be having my 5 days on as an in-patient, so maybe its not worth it?