when I ask about a port, they said they would ran a tube thru the arm and into my chest, Is this the same as a port? they said if they put a port in the chest, that I would have to have surgery to put it in and take it out, that this was the easy way. Do they knock you out for this? is it painful, they said the vein in the arm is too small for chemo, so, are they going to make the vein bigger with a tube? if so will it damage the vein in the arm? I know I should have asked them but I was upset and crying, I wanted dates, I wanted to know when and what, and they were just trying to keep me quite. I got mad at one time walked out then went back, I knew I was going to break and needed a min. They were telling me that they couldn't give me a date for radiation, becauce I had to get a peg first, and the peg doc was booked till the 25th. before he could even talk to me about getting it, I ask why they hadn't set up the appointment before today, then she told me she was going to have to get the chemo ok thru the insurance and I asked her why she hadn't already done it. They have known for a month that I was going to get radiation and chemo, they were waiting for my mouth to heal. They are talking about waiting till mid. Oct. I just broke. They did tell me that there is two places in the neck, close to where the surgery, I just had in July. I asked if she miss some and he said it could be something else, I never get a good answer, now can they not know? I wish I could go somewhere else, but the closest is 48 miles away and it's the same doctors, they come up here once a week. Our cancer center is new, build here about 2 years ago. before that people had to drive the 48 miles. I ask for records and they made me sign a paper this time, and said it would take 3 or 4 days.....I sure hope things get better before I start, can't sleep worring about it and making myself sick.

It seems to me that you are describing a PICC line this is not a port.

Most people either have a normal iv or a port. The port is in your chest and goes in a large vein, where the drug gets diluted much more quickly and causes less damage on the blood vessels. A port has definite advantages it works every time, also useful for drawing blood.

The other options are central line or PICC. To me (!!) these do not appear to be longer term solutions. However that it just my opinion.

This describes the differences:
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lymphomanon-Hodgkin/Treatment/Chemotherapy#6107
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/overview/ports.jsp
(I did not find a picture on the OCF web)

M

Hi Rubyann:

I feel so bad that you are going thru so much before your treatments start. It does seem like a never ending line of doctor appointments but it will fall into a routine once your treatments begin.

I think what you have described is a picc line. Im not familiar with that. I have a port and a peg tube. The port I almost said no to, I think just because I was given a choice. In the end Im so glad I have it. I was knocked out for the surgery and they did both the port and peg tube at the same time. Your doctor would probably do it the same if you get a port and peg tube placed. I was sore for about 2 days then just a little uncomfortable from time to time. The port was very helpful because it helped me to avoid being stuck with needles so many times. Once its accessed, then the nurses can do hydration, chemo, different meds and take blood all with only one stick. There is even a numbing spray they can use if you are scared of the stick like I was, you just need to tell the nurse.

Have you considered trying to get a second opinion? Even if the doctors are 48 miles away, there must be somewhere else to try for a second opinion. How about anyplace near a relatives? Im located 45 minutes from where I was treated, it was worth the commute as Im still here to talk about it.


Its good to see you are starting to ask questions and are taking a more assertive role in your care. Keep asking questions, there is so much help on here that you will be a very informed patient. You will know when the doctor or nurses tell you something that isnt right. Try not to worry, it wont help you, it will only make you a nervous wreck.

Thank you Markus, just what I needed to know. The type of chemo they are going to give me is called Cisplatin, Is there anything I should know about it? I hate susprises, I can pretty well hung in there if I know whats going on. No mather how bad, if I know I can deal with it, after I have had a good cry. I also hate waiting, if it's got to be done, do it.

Watch out for hearing loss. Get a hearing test now before you start.

Thanks Christine, Is the hearing loss short term? My hearing is already bad have hearing aids, sure don't want to lose what I have.

The hearing loss would not be temporary, it is permanant. I did not have that side effect, but several people on here have, be careful! Some members have used another type of chemo, Im not 100% sure of the name but it starts with carb_____. That one works with similar results but without the hearing loss side effect. Im sure somebody else will answer and give you the correct name of it.

It's Carboplatin.

I was given cisplatin in 3 large doses and I have permanent high frequency hearing loss. Not so bad that I need hearing aids but I do deal with it many times throughout every day. For instance I can't hear emergency vehicles until they are right on top of me and several months ago almost went thru a green light with a fast approaching firetruck on my left. Scary! Many now get smaller weekly doses and that seems to help in the side effects department but do ask about this for sure.

Re the port. I didn't have one but looking back I wish I had.

My husband had a PICC at the end of his treatment and hated it. He said he could feel it going to his heart. He had some pretty bad pain after it was removed from imflamation. He doesnt mind the PEG but couldnt wait to have the PICC removed.

Just to give a clue on care of the PICC. You have to wrap it when you take a shower with saran wrap so water doesnt get to it.

Also bought cheap crew socks and cut the toe out so that the heal of the sock is on the elbow.

Good luck and hope your experience is better than ours.
cray