My dear sis has had a rough time lately...

ammebarb · 07-08-2009, 04:16 PM

She didn't bounce back from AC treatment number two, as we had hoped. She felt weak and tired and had a cough for all of the three weeks since her last treatment. Since she's asthmatic, she didn't worry about the cough initially and she thought the "punky" way she felt was from the chemo. She finally noted a swelling in her neck and felt so rotten that she called her family Dr. (incidentally, she was his office nurse for about 23 years). She was seen last week and was told she had an upper respiratory infection (some fever too) and was given an antibiotic. She and her husband came for the weekend and we seemed to think the swelling was going down, she didn't seem so painful and she'd begun to eat a bit better. She saw her oncologist today, in anticipation of her next treatment being this Friday. Well, he didn't like the swelling in her neck and sent her for testing....it's a clot from her port. So, she is doing the injections for that and had her coumadin increased. Treatment was posponed for a week. I'm trying not to be scared about the whole clot thing.....I know they can be dangerous, but am hoping that now that she knows what it is and is treating it...she will be ok. She really didn't think she could do a treatment this week, so I'm glad she has a bit of a reprieve. We both just want to get them done, however.

Has anyone else had any problems with the port causing a blood clot? Do they resolve in short order?

Thanks so much for listening to me. I so appreciate knowing that you all have walked this path and understand.

I pray for you all daily.

Barb A.

DanaRT · 07-08-2009, 04:25 PM

Barb, I am sorry your sister is having so much trouble. As if battling cancer isn't enough. It sounds like she is in good hands.

Prayers and healing thoughts headed your way.

chrisy · 07-08-2009, 04:44 PM

Hi Barb,

I can't respond on the clot from a port question, but I think others have had that issue. It sounds like now it is being given the proper attention.

Although I didn't have a port, I DID get a couple of clots (they called them phlebitis in my veins which were quite painful but eventually resolved. I'd say they will want to pay close attention to this in the future for sure.

A lesson she may want to take from this experience is, it's ok to be a pest when you have ANY symptoms - and to keep the oncologist in the loop. Some things just may not be on the radar of a primary care physician.

Particularly with a fever, you want to get that dealt with immediately (my onc nurse likes to brag about throwing antibiotics at you with the tiniest excuse) Of course in normal situations you wouldn't so this - but with challenged immunity from chemo it is so important to get ahead of any problems before they become big problems.

Your sister will get used to the "normal" side effect things as her treatment continues which will make it easier to quickly flag the abnormal ones.

Hope she continues to feel better - I'm sure the extra week will help that!

Chris

Jackie07 · 07-08-2009, 08:38 PM

I'm bumping this one up so more members can see this.

ElaineM · 07-08-2009, 09:20 PM

I hope things get better soon. Sending positive vibes to help.

suzan w · 07-10-2009, 09:19 AM

I ended up in ER, very ill, after A/C treatment #2. Bad infection of "unknown origin". Took a while to bounce back, but I did! Treatment #3 had to be postponed for 2 weeks. Same thing after treatment #4. My onc. said no more A/C for me. Hope your sister is feeling better by now! Let us know. XO Suzan

ammebarb · 07-10-2009, 04:30 PM

Thank you everyone who responded. I spoke with sis yesterday and she is pretty discouraged. I think it's mostly from feeling so badly for so long. She is scheduled for treatment number three next Friday, but I think they will decide for sure on that day. Thanks goodness, she is slated for only four of the AC. This is to be followed by taxol and herceptin weekly for twelve weeks. Her onc told her on the second treatment that the AC is the harder of the chemos....sure hope he was being frank!

Anyway, thanks again for answering me....It really helps to not feel alone as I try to support her through this.

Barb A.

juanita · 07-10-2009, 08:39 PM

hope that things get better for your sister. sending lots of positive thoughta her way.

Believe51 · 07-10-2009, 08:52 PM

Barb, I am sorry to hear how your sister is feeling. This disease and its treatments sure do play with your body and mind. Sending her a giant hug and prayers that go along with it.>Believe51