New Member, just got treatment plan

[Chris3877]

Hi all,

Just got my treatment paln from my oncologist, and I am a little anxious, but I feel better now that I know. Quick background:

-28 years old, currently enlisted in US Navy
-Had Left Orchietomy Nov 10, 2005
-First CT scan can back clear end of Nov
-Second Scan revealed 3 new growths (which may have been there before but may have been missed because they are so small)
-To date, no elevated tumor markers

So Doc says that I am definately at least stage IIa, and depending on what the PET/CT scan says about the lump in my right lung, maybe stage IIIa. I will be starting my chemo regimen on the 23 (doc likes to do everything during the week, to insure there are plenty of support staff around). He said it will be 3 cycles of BEP. Apparently it will be small doses spread over a series of 5 days for the Cisplatin and the E-one with doses of the B- spread out a little more. Doc says that by spreading out the doses like that it helps to minimize the sife effects, especially the nausea. So that's where I'm at for the time being. Also, I've opted to have a PICC tube put in my are, as opposed to constant needles. Do like needles, and haven't heard anything bad yet about the tube, so let me know if you have or not. So that's that, I will keep posting here as things develop.

Also, Doc recommended a website to me that has a lot of good information on staging and treatment plans: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/ph...testicular.pdf

[nzsteve]

Hi,

I had a PICC line in my arm after Id completed 2 cycles. After a while without a semi permanent line you might get 'chemo veins' - essentially they go hard and dont play nicely with lines being put in. I got my PICC line after 4 attempts to get a line into me failed and they gave up trying! I had no problems with it, and its much nicer than getting needles every couple of days. I had it in for just over 3 months total and they used it for everything - Chemo, IV fluid, blood (in and out!) so I didnt need any needles after it was in.

It is abit of a pain at first as your'll need to flush the line with saline every morning (easier if you have someone to help you by holding the ends), but you get used to it. Mine was positoned on the inside of the elbow, left arm (im right handed) and once you get used to it being there you forget you have it and carry on as normal. Only other thing is to watch for redness or swelling around it as they can get infected.

3 cycles of BEP sounds pretty standard. Make sure you keep your fluid intake up (I had my BEP as inpatient so they managed my intake with IV fluid), and take the anti nausea drugs even if you dont feel bad.

Good luck,

Steve

[Scott]

I'm curious why a PICC instead of a port-a-cath.

[mrb1980]

PICC vs. Port

Hi,

Just my two cents' worth, I had both a PICC and a port (port-a-cath) during my 4xBEP chemo. The PICC was inserted in the hospital and needed periodic maintenance, mainly flushing so it didn't clog up. Also--and I hope I don't sound like a wimp here--the location near the tricep area felt really weird and unpleasant. It was removed when I left the hospital.

The port was implanted under general anesthesia, so I didn't feel a thing other than some slight soreness for a day or two. Aside from a brief poke, the insertion of the chemo needle was almost unnoticeable, and boy, I was poked a lot. After chemo, the port was removed in the surgeon's office with local anesthesia. Again, just slight discomfort.

The port was sort of strange, like having a stack of quarters just under my skin. However, it saved my arms from some serious damage. In the end, I much preferred the port.

Just my thoughts on the subject. I think that any way you can avoid the multiple needle-sticks, you should do it, whether it's a PICC or port.

[Mom]

My son had the PIC inserted in the 3rd round of 3xBEP. I wanted it installed before the first round but he thought he "could take it" without the PIC so he suffered the first two rounds needlessly. He wished he hadn't. We understand your anxiety. We all have gone through it either as a patient or a parent, a spouse, a sibling or a friend. Most of the anxiety is leading up to the treatment, once you begin you just go forward and get through it. Chris, you are in good hands. One thing about being in the Navy is that your urologists/oncologists treat mainly men so are very experienced. My husband's doctor (25 years ago) was a young guy who had gotten his experience working at the VA hospitals. He was excellent and we credit him with saving my husband's life. Do you know what your tumor make up is? Will they do the chemo as an in-patient or out-patient? Keep us posted on your progress. You might want to bank sperm before you start the chemo. Dianne

[Chris3877]

Good Info

Thanks Scott and Steve for the info. Wasn't given the option of a port-o-cath, not quite sure the difference, but again the pic was the only option. But I will ask the Doc next time I see him. As to Dianne, thanks for the incouragement as well, tumor make up was 90% Embryonal carcinoma, 10% seminoma (updated signature!). Also, was given the option for either in-patient or out, and opted for out. Don't really like hospitals, and don't want to be there any more than I have to. If I don't react well, then it will be in-patient, but that is a wait-and-see type of thing. thought of the sperm-banking, but I already have one son (age 5, alexander - wonderful kid) and pretty sure I don't want another child. Thanks again all!!

Chris

[Don]

I would also suggest the port. I played the tough guy for 5 months- through 3 surgeries, 5 rounds of chemo, blood and platlette tranfusions and 1 week of TPN until my veins finally collapsed(along with the rest of me). I woke up with a jugular triple port. 1 line for chemo and tpn, 1 line for morphine and fentinole and 1 line to draw blood. I was always dead set against a Port---If had to do it all over again I would have had the port installed on day 1 and saved myself alot of pain !!!!!! DON

[rlhawk]

I had a PIC line until a port (double lumen) could be installed and I much preferred the port. I still have it, in fact, though it's due to come out in a few weeks.

[Chris3877]

What's the difference

Haven't had a chance to talk to my doc about it yet, but what exactly is a Port, and what's the main difference. Also, how physically limiting is the Pic line going to be, or the port for that matter. Again, thanks all for the info, definately makes me feel better about the situation.
Chris

[amorgan74]

Port

I don't think the port had any limitations. I am not sure about a pic line but the port stays completely under the skin so except for the first week of each round there's not any kind of line coming from your body. The nurse uses an access line that is put into the port and then connects your IV line to the access one. It made life a lot simpler, especially if you were one of these people that don't get stuck unless it's life or death. Wesley hated drawing blood so this was a Godsend for us. The only time he said the port bothered him was feeling kind of funny when he slept on his left side. He knew it was there so he piled up the pillows to get comfortable. April

[nzsteve]

The only limitation I had with the PIC was no heavy lifting with that arm. Took me a few days to get used to it being there, but after that I had no pain or problems in using the arm as normal. Having to flush the line yourself is abit strange at first, but you get used to squirting water into pretty quickly

Ive attached a photo (if its worked!) of mine if your interested in seeing what it looks like. Generally I kept it covered over with an elasticated bandage, so doesnt it didnt get in the way at all.

Steve

[Chris3877]

Thanks Steve, appreciate the picture. Have I mentioned just how much I hate needles!! Gave me a chill just looking at it. However, at least I know what to expect and that's always a good thing. Getting mine next thursday, so I'll let ya'll know.

Chris

[Scott]

I've attached a photo (if its worked!) of mine if your interested in seeing what it looks like.

Well, that brings back memories. I had a PICC line for several weeks this summer, when I was being fed intravenously to help my chylous ascites clear up after surgery. I'm sure glad that chapter ended!

[Chris3877]

Dietary question???

OK, been reviewing some other sites and some of the other posts, (particularly the xango juice). In preparation for chemo (and life after) trying to improve my diet. I've always been fairly active (exercise regularly - especially basketball and racquet ball), been never been the healthiest of people, especially when it comes to eating habits. I have a very high metabolism (half-Thai) but definately need to take better care of myself. So any suggestions would be much-appreciated. Thanks

Chris

[Scott]

Here's good, healthy diet advice: http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html...althyDiet.html

Also, don't forget that your tax dollars went toward this site: http://www.mypyramid.gov/