Oxi without a port

[ullefan]

I had a port but it kept acting up, so I finally ended up with the IV. My arm really burned. But I thought a big part of the port was that it got the oxi right to where the blood was flowing fast and dispersed it around quicker. Because of my bad port, I had a "test" where they inserted dye and watched what happened on an ultra sound(?) Anyway, my dye was drifting up to my neck and not getting in the main current of the aorta. I wouldn't want that poison sitting in my arm when it needs to be in my liver, lungs, colon, etc. The port surgery was the least of my issues during the whole ordeal. I hated having it, but multiple cycles in the arms sounds like a bad idea to me.

[cathy123]

Hmmm - nobody ever mentioned that the chemo wouldn't get where it needed to get as well thru an IV. I had cold sensitivity and other side effects within a few hours so I think it circulated ok.

[chemo sabe]

My two cents is to get the Port. I did 6 months of Xelox (8 cycles). The first infusion was in my vein. My arm went numb. Took a couple of days before it was 100%. I called my Onc who then called my surgeon and I got a port placed. The numbness is because the oxaliplatin is getting backed up in your arm. It cannot get out as fast as it is dripping in. They can slow down the drip but you will be in the room forever. I still have neuropathy from the Oxaliplatin in my feet and fingers. I would not want more damage that I have. I looked at it simply. I had 7 more infusions to go and I asked myself why should I go thru this and continue risking my veins and what if after 4 or so infusions, I decided I really needed to get a port. The rest of my infusions went just fine. Why people go without a port just confounds me.

[Nik Colon]

My two cents is to get the Port. I did 6 months of Xelox (8 cycles). The first infusion was in my vein. My arm went numb. Took a couple of days before it was 100%. I called my Onc who then called my surgeon and I got a port placed. The numbness is because the oxaliplatin is getting backed up in your arm. It cannot get out as fast as it is dripping in. They can slow down the drip but you will be in the room forever. I still have neuropathy from the Oxaliplatin in my feet and fingers. I would not want more damage that I have. I looked at it simply. I had 7 more infusions to go and I asked myself why should I go thru this and continue risking my veins and what if after 4 or so infusions, I decided I really needed to get a port. The rest of my infusions went just fine. Why people go without a port just confounds me.

I agree, unless you have problems with the port which some do but I don't think it's often

[jintyb]

I am from Scotland and I had oxi without a port. I experienced the pins and needles and almost immediate neuropathy in my hands and feet. The nurse slowed down the rate and wrapped my hand in a cosy pillow with an electric blanket in it. This made a big difference.
I am now on a different chemo regime and had a port fitted in my neck last week ( Hickman line) the procedure was a bit uncomfortable but so much better for having blood taken and finding veins in my hand for the chemo.

[BrownBagger]

I did 4 rounds via IV. It hurt.

[horizon]

Yep, I can relate to this. I had a bad experience with my first infusion that sounded similar. The forum convinced me to get a port and it was the correct decision for me.

Here's the thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24924&hilit=horizon+port

[chemo sabe]

So Cathy123, what did you do and how did you make out with the chemo??

[cathy123]

I have my next infusion Tuesday so decided to see how it goes with the IV one more time. The chemo nurse and my onc both said that with only 5 or 6 infusions (so 3 per arm) I shouldn't be doing any permanent damage to my veins, it is more whether the infusion and the numbness the next several days bother me. It wasn't that bad the first time (not pleasant, but not really painful either), so I am thinking I can tough it out to avoid the extra hospital procedures and possibilities (though slim) of complications with the port. But, I am going to be really mad at myself if I get thru 3 or 4 and then run into problems and have to get a port for some reason.

So, in other words I still haven't decided for sure, but no port yet.

[cathy123]

I had my second Oxi IV infusion and it went even smoother than the last. Arm is a little numb, but not as bad. Plus the onc said he only wants to do 5 total now, so think I can handle 3 more in my veins. Hopefully I don't eat my words.

Now if all the other oxi side effects would go away! Off to bed for me.

[justin case]

I had my second Oxi IV infusion and it went even smoother than the last. Arm is a little numb, but not as bad. Plus the onc said he only wants to do 5 total now, so think I can handle 3 more in my veins. Hopefully I don't eat my words.

Now if all the other oxi side effects would go away! Off to bed for me.

Just curious, how is 0 of 37 nodes, positive for lymphatic invasion,
or are you doing chemo, justin case
Michael

[cathy123]

The lymphatic invasion was in the vessels (biopsy report didn't specify lymph vessels or blood vessels). Since it didn't get to any of the nodes sampled hopefully it was just starting to spread, but the dr said there is a chance it could spread to other nodes or to distant locations thru the blood. Thus the chemo. (Plus he was also concerned that since I had radiation to shrink the low tumor the biopsy results may not be fully accurate)

[weisssoccermom]

I only did one infusion with an IV. I had a port put in for radiation, used it for a short period of time and was so sick of it (the pump) and was very allergic to the adhesive that I switched to Xeloda. After radiation I had my port removed (it had flipped and was very uncomfortable) and when the onc decided to do more chemo, I did the oxi via the vein. Honestly, I don't remember any problem with my arm.....nothing more than the usual uncomfortable feeling with the needle, etc. I had a bad reaction to the oxi so it was discontinued....can't help you with a second time, etc. I would think that I would remember if there was a lot of pain or something else unusual with the IV arm.....just don't remember anything so I guess it was just rather routine.

If your doc is only going to do three more cycles....my opinion, see if you can stick it out without the port. I know most people don't have a problem with the port but for me, it was a nightmare. Keep in mind that getting it out isn't as easy as one might think either. The actual procedure to take it out is a piece of cake.....it's getting the surgeon to remove it that's another story. They want to keep it in for a set period of time 'just in case', and while I get that line of thinking, if you want it out and they aren't agreeing with you, you're sunk.

[horizon]

Keep in mind that getting it out isn't as easy as one might think either. The actual procedure to take it out is a piece of cake.....it's getting the surgeon to remove it that's another story. They want to keep it in for a set period of time 'just in case', and while I get that line of thinking, if you want it out and they aren't agreeing with you, you're sunk.

That is true. I remember thinking mine was coming out soon and they pulled the 'just in case' news to me. I still don't regret getting a port but I had it longer than I thought that I would.