Postby Dot » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:27 pm
Hi Witchydlm;
My husband is on Folfox 6, (Leucovorin, 5FU, Oxaliplatin) and the other drugs Michelle mentioned. He too has a "portacath" in his right upper chest. That really is not too bad. It allows these strong drugs to be administered into a large vein. They can numb up the area before putting the IV needle in. At least with a port you can shower when you are not hooked up to treatment. He gets his treatments every other week. We go in on a Wed morning for lab work, then see the Doc, then if lab work is OK he gets hooked up to his treatment. Takes about 4 hours or so. He then gets hooked up to a 46 hr infusion of 5FU. The medication pump fits into a "fanny pack" and he comes home with it. We return on Friday to be disconnected. So far, so good. 9 rounds of treatment and no new growths and there is shrinkage of the liver tumor (he also gets a drug called Avastin that affects the blood supply to the tumor).
At the hospital we go to, we get a simple form to fill out each time. It asks: Questions for the Doc, prescriptions that need refill, pain status, etc. You should sit down before your next appointment and write down your questions so you won't forget.
Hope this helps.
PS This is the best web site I have found to connect with others. This is my support group.
Dot