Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Yesterday...(no Beatles lyrics will follow, sorry)

I was supposed to start chemo, but when I got there, they sent me to the hospital for a dye test to check to make sure my port and the catheters were placed right.   I have been having a lot of pain in my neck, so they wanted to be sure before they pumped in a ton of chemo.  The dye test showed that I have a blood clot blocking the tip of the main catheter, so I spent the day in the hospital getting all kinds of medicines injected in to try to desolve the clot.  Nothing worked yesterday, but I go back in this morning to start my chemo and check to see if I need to have yet another surgery to replace my 6 DAY OLD port.   My luck lately isn't the best...

In case any of you wonder what the port is, it is this purple thing pictured agove and is implanted under your skin above your breast.  There are plastic tubes inserted up your neck that hook into a main vein that takes the medicine into the vena cava.  The second picture shows how they access the port to administer the chemo.  I am already nautious and nervous...but I'll let  you know how today goes.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey you! Don't be nervous...the port will be your friend, trust me! It definitely looks a lot worse than it is...but after everything you have gone through, this will be cake! Plus see if they can't numb the site first before they access it, that always made it easier for me. If anything, it is just an inconvenience until your body adjusts to it, and then you won't even remember you have it! :) I totally get your luck sista - I went through the same thing, but stay strong and stay positive! YOU CAN DO IT! Hugs!

Janet said...

What the heck!! Could you have any more problems come up!! I'm so sorry....really, the port should have been easy. But as always we can look on the bright side and be grateful that clot didn't move or worse!! NOW, maybe you are on the way! Hope all goes well for you today and I really hope that the chemo will treat you well...meaning that it will do it's job, but without too many "side effects". I guess you knew that this would not be an easy journey, but you've had enough already!! Hopefully it will be easier from here on out. I'm anxious to hear how it all goes for you today and I'll come to see you whenever you are ready. Stay strong, but don't be too hard on yourself either. You get to feel how ever you need to feel about this whole situation! You are allowed to have ups and downs. Love, Janet

Shellie said...

Sending our love and support. The port should make things easier eventually- good luck with everythng. Lots of love to you, Shanda.

Lexie said...

Holy cow, that is crazy! Maybe it is a blessing in disguise though, because it doesn't sound like it should be as painful as yours has been, hopefully they can give you one that lets you move. I'm so sorry the whole thing sounds so crazy. You are on a wild rollercoaster, hopefully it will slow down soon. We love you!

Renee' Morris-Dezember said...

Thinking about you!!!

Auds Beck said...

Just remember you have SO many people behind you and all you are going through, we love you and are continually praying for you! You are SHANDA!!!! dNothing can beat you or get you down:)

Aly G said...

Ouch!I can't believe how it all works. I am thinkin of you and hope it goes well keep updates coming. You are so strong it makes my trials seem so small you will get through this I just know it:)xoxo

Laurene said...

I had no idea something like this was used. Thank you for helping me to understand yet another portion of what it is all about. You are amazing to me! You have been in our prayers since Alicia informed us a few months ago. I am thankful you can be so open about your experiences. It truly helps me to be as I should be. You are a great teacher, and we all need to be taught!