Hi debbi-I was wondering where you have your port(arm or chest)? Also, do you have to take blood thinners?I've been told I will to prevent blood clots.I guess the thinners scare me more than the port.Were you able to do radiation at the same time as the herceptin?How are you doing?Im assuming your still on the herceptin.They have only told me that it may damage the heart, not of any side effects.Hope all is well- Hi debbi-I was wondering where you have your port(arm or chest)? Also, do you have to take blood thinners?I've been told I will to prevent blood clots.I guess the thinners scare me more than the port.Were you able to do radiation at the same time as the herceptin?How are you doing?Im assuming your still on the herceptin.They have only told me that it may damage the heart, not of any side effects.Hope all is well-Best wishes
Michelle
Hi Skky, my port is located not far from my left underarm. I've never heard of one going into the arm. I don't know what surgery you've had but with a mastectomy, esp with lymph node removal, you should never use that arm for shots, blood pressure, ivs, etc.
Your port is really your best friend. My port and I became so close that, 9 1/2 years later, we are still bosom buddies.
Hugs, Jo-Ann
Your port is really your best friend. My port and I became so close that, 9 1/2 years later, we are still bosom buddies.
Hugs, Jo-Ann
A good friend will bail you out of jail...
but a true friend will be sitting
next to you saying,
"Dâmn... that was fun!".
Hi Michelle! My surgeon put my port in the same time that she did the mastectomy. It is on the right side of my chest, about 2 in below my collarbone. I can't see it. In fact, I forget that I even have it. Before my recurrance, I would be taking a shower and freak because I thought I had found a lump and then realize that it was my port! I was on a blood thinner for awhile. Cummadin. I really didn't have any problems with it. I quit taking it after a year and I haven't had any problems. My surgeon said that I could have my port removed after my year out of treatment but I decided to keep it. I liked not having to have blood drawn from my veins.
I have had no problems with the herceptin. I have a mugga test every 3 mos, along with a pet scan. All have been fine. I am sure that your onco will do this with you also, or a test similar. Discuss it with him. It is such an easy chemo to take. My dose takes about 30 mins each week. I just started on the hercpetin in Nov, 2003. There are women that take the herceptin and rad at the same time. I didn't take any chemo when I had rads. In fact, I had a month off between chemo and rad. I am on Navelbean along with the herceptin. I had a month off from the Navelbean and just took the herceptin. I felt great. No side effects. Once I started the Navelbean I had the muscle spasms and fatigue. So, if you take herceptin, I don't think that you will find many problems.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Hugs...Deb
Thank you for the information.I have been told I can choose the arm or chest. The two of you have convinced me to choose the chest. I'm wondering if I will do rads with the herceptin.It seems like everytime I see the onc. , I'm hit with something else.I keep forgetting to ask If Im stage I or II, because of all the info they hit me with.The only ansewer they have given me is TI, No, Mo.Now, I know you proably think by the second chemo i should know, but I swear I just get brain freeze.The onc. has told me I'm high risk for reoccurance, but im not sure why.
Thank You
Michelle
Thank You
Michelle
Michelle: We have all forgotten the types of chemo or our path reports or questions to ask the dr. That's normal. I would be worried if you remembered everything. lol
Here is something that I tell anyone that I talk with. Write your questions down in a notebook that you can keep with you. Then take it to your next appt and ask your onco those questions and write the answers down. You might even want to take someone with you or even take a small tape recorder. You are given soooo much info that there is no way to digest or remember it all.
I don't think that I would want a port in my arm. I only have one arm that I don't have to worry about and I can't imagine having something foreign put in it.
Hugs...Deb
The PIC line goes in the upper arm, perhaps that is what the choice is? The PIC line is not under the skin like a port is, however. That is what I had for my IV antibiotics for all those months. I don't know a thing about ports, but the two are similar in that they go directly into the vein into the heart. Hugs MK