[CoolBreeze]

I have to agree with your nurse - I did one round of navelbine without a port and it was very painful. My veins felt burned and damaged and I wasn't able to move my arm for a time. The veins were like stiff strings inside my arm and I wasn't sure they would heal, but they eventually did. Because I only have that one vein to use, I had to protect it and get a port. Navelbine is extremely toxic.

Because I wanted to continue with that drug, which I found a very easy chemo to take, I got the port.

However, I totally understand not wanting a port. I didn't either and the only way I agreed to get one was when they said they'd put it in my arm. I wasn't going to have one in my chest. And, it is still there. I am happy that I can cover it with clothing because I'm super thin and it sticks out about an inch. I know it would be horrible in my chest and interfere with clothing and seatbelts and stick out where I don't want people to look.

Although I don't agree you should try Navelbine without a port, I do think you should not have to have one if you do't want one and so if a port in your arm is not a possibility, than maybe try a different chemo until you get down to no others. I know for sure my veins could not have taken two infusions of navelbine.

It did cause some regression in me - at the time I was trying to shrink my tumors so that I could get a liver resection and it did that. So it worked.

Nothing else has worked for me except for Gemzar, which was also the only chemo that caused me nausea. It was my 7th chemo though so it was time.

We are all so different in how we react to things that it's hard to say what drug will work for you, but I think if your nurse doesn't want to give you Navelbine in your hand she shouldn't have to, I think she might know something there and I've been through some awful things but wouldn't do that one twice.

Good luck I hope you can come up with a solution.