| | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 21 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 21 | We've just begun, and today's crisis is number of needle sticks during treatment. We had a pre-op visit yesterday as well as the radiation mapping session. Exploratory surgery is on Monday. Radiation and chemo is to start 4/22.
Needles are causing huge problems. At the mapping session yesterday, it took 3 sticks to get the IV in for the contrast. Plus there was another stick for the pre-op blood work. We've just learned that want us to come early for another blood draw before surgery. We haven't told my mom yet, because we are trying to get that changed.
How many more sticks will there be? She'll have chemo weekly, plus 35 radiation sessions. She's against having a port right. Can you add (or correct) the info below? Thanks.
plus:
1. no more sticks - at least once a week, maybe more?
2. veins will be safe for future use
3. improved comfort during treatment, reduced anxiety and discomfort
4. ...
negative:
1. another scar, more destruction of body
2. foreign device on body
3. ....
Little Bird, CG to mother, diagnosed March 15, 2013, age 70, non-smoker, non-drinker
BOT, HPV+
Cisplatin and 35 days of radiation, completed June 13, 2013.
Looks like they got it all. (knock on wood)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | A port is just another tool to help her get thru this. I had one and its not a big deal. Even if she has a port she will still get a 'stick' when they access the port. I dont like being stuck no matter if its getting an IV, taking blood or or accessing the port so I know where she is coming from. It stinks!!! Unfortunately there is no way around all of this, it goes with the territory of getting ready to begin treatments or having surgery.
Best wishes!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | The number of "sticks" is different in everyone due to a number of factors, and I would say I had too many to count. I did, and still do have a media-port, and a pic-line at one point while hospitalized. It came handy not to get stuck all the time, have infusions with, including blood transfusions, even TPN, but sometimes they don't use it, even in the hospitals or when I go to have regular blood work done. I think one has to be trained in port access, and sometimes a sample needs to be taken directly from the vein like for blood typing, not sure, but that's what they did for me.
The other negative factor is risk of infection, sepsis, so access protocols need to be strictly adhered to. If the later occurs, they have to or should take out the port, which I vaguely remember being done, otherwise, I don't even know it's there. Good luck with everything.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
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