[StillHere]

Hi Annie
When I was first diagnosed, I found this site. Unfortunately I was scarred off by all the threads concerning mets. I soooo wish I would have continued to check this site the last 2 yrs. It provides a world of valuable "real life" information. I am now addicted, because I don't want to miss anymore great insites these wonderful gals and guys provide. Fortunately I was a surgical tech a few jobs ago and I was able to discuss w/ my surgeon what type of port he was going to implant. We decided on a single slimport. I thought he was nuts when I looked where he placed it. It was just below my left shoulder, exactly where my bra strap covered. I thought for sure this would be irritated by bra straps, swim suits, etc. But in fact, it was perfect. Even tank tops and swim suits hid the site and it never gave me any trouble. The only trouble was one year later when I had it removed at the time of my bilateral free flap operation. It must have caused a blood clot, blocking blood flow to my left skin flap. Had go back in for emergecy surgery to reroute the blood flow to another vessel to save the flap 2nd day post op.
It truely amazes me how much progress there has been for Her2+ Brst, Ovarian, & Pancreatic CA in just the last few years. They are still agressive CA's, but there are so many more tools to fight these crazy beasts.
My heart truely goes out to all the men and women who write in and have such young families while dealing with this energy sucking disease. I know for a fact that if my kids where not grown and out one their own, I would be stressed to the N'th degree. The great thing for you is that they are there to be hugged and kissed every day. Do your best to stay positive most of the time and only let the sinking feeling take hold for fleeting moments. None of my treatments were anything near as dreadful as I had anticipated them to be. I hope the same holds true for you. Peace, Karen