chemo

Your hospital will provide you with detailed information, but you seem like someone who wants info ASAP (I'm like that) so here are answers to your questions.  I was given a choice of having a port put in or doing the chemo with IV in the arm.  I know many folks who've done IV and were fine with it.  I decided on port because I'd had bilateral mastectomy and single node biopsy and did not want to increase risk of lymphedema.  Outpatient surgery is necessary to place (and remove) the port.  It's not general anesthesia, just a sort of twilight sleep where you drift in and out.  I found it to be an easy procedure - in fact I had amazing lucid dreams throughout and was bummed when they woke me up because they interrupted a very beautiful dream.  I had some pain at the surgical site for about 24 hours after but it was very manageable with painkillers.  I was at the hospital for about six hours on chemo days, although the actual infusion took about half that time (you always start with a blood draw and then it takes a while to get you set up for the infusion).  Don't assume you won't be able to drive.  I often drove myself there and back and had a friend meet me there.  It is a really good thing to have a friend with you for support and to pass the time.  You might need to go back the morning after each infusion for a neulasta injection (to boost your white blood cell production).  I always felt fine the morning after infusions and I drove myself to all the injection appointments.  I'm happy to answer any more questions.  My chemo course was 4 infusions of Adriamycin/Cytoxan, one every other week, and then 4 of Taxol, again one every other week. 

Ali,

I'm going through chemo right now.  Just finished my 2nd of four doses of AC last Thursday.  (Every other week followed by Taxol which will be weekly for 12 weeks.) I had a port put in at the time of surgery since I knew I'd be needing chemo.  I'll be honest, at times the port hurt worse than the mastectomy.  It made my neck hurt when I turned my head and made it hard to sleep.  However, I'd still take it over the IV for the chemo just because it's so much easier.  The first chemo session I went to they said to allow 5 hours.  I was done closer to four, though.  It just depends on what they schedule you for.  This last Thursday I had the blood draw at 8am, Dr apt at 9am, and infusion at 10am.  I finished up the infusion at about 2:30.  It takes awhile because first they give me premeds and hydration for nausea, then comes the Adriamycin which takes about 15 minutes, then the Cytoxan which is an hour, then finish up the hydration and I'm free to go.  I've felt pretty good both times on the day of and day after (with the exception of a rare side effect to a premed that makes me dizzy and headachey).  The following day I go back in for hydration to help with nausea and for a Neulasta shot.  This one lasts about 2-2 1/2 hours.  The day after the Neulasta is when I get hit.  The shot causes me pain and tenderness in my jaw, neck, shoulders.  I take vicodin to combat it and that makes me sleep all day.  That was yesterday.  Today, it's still sore and tender, but I can deal with it without the vicodin.  By tomorrow I expect to be back to almost normal.  So for me, it's just two days down.  Luckily it's on a weekend when my husband can take care of the kids and I just sleep a lot. 

Thanks for your reply Heather.

i was done will chemo last june, port is no big deal, ive done it twice , i was just put under at hospital in some sort of twilite sleep i could hear everyone and talk to them, but didnt feel a thing, both time i had it out in surgeons office , didnt feel anything then eather , its a little sore for about 5 days , then you dont notice it much, Beck

Thanks rawhyg,

Wow,

Thanks raehyg,

I'm still struggling with reconstruction. I've only looked at my scar a few times. I only got my stitches and staples out friday. I really didn't look at it until then and I came home and took my first shower since surgery. It was kinda tramatic.

Bought two wigs and   a few scarves......Don't know what I will wear. As for reconstruction, I am glad I have a few months to get over my fears. I am not having surgery until the summer so day by day I am becoming braver, lol. I spoke to someone from road to recovery from the American cancer society yesterday. She never had any surgeries prior to bc and she said it wasn't half as bad as she imagined it. Maybe you can call the amc and they can set you up with a survivor who can talk to you also. I think you have some time to figure things out. You will get some additional info after your onc. appt. Good luck