Just finished 6th chemo session and waiting to discuss surgery options

Mine has just settled, 2 weeks tomorrow from surgery.  Are you doing the exercises..

Hello Maxwell31. Your post is from a while ago so I’m not sure if you’re still on here. I noticed your bloods comment . I’m awaiting diagnosis but have an endocrine adenoma and already have low neutrophils, low magnesium, v low phosphate and high creatinine. Can you please tell me why these are important for BC? Does treatment affect these? 

Hi Yorkshirelass9,

Thanks for your message. Sorry I don’t know the answer to your question. I was just asked to take a magnesium supplement to boost my levels. I definitely think you should speak to you BCN for further information. Sorry not to be able to help. I hope all goes ok. Take care.

Unfortunately, I have been doing the exercises but it hasn’t helped and had it drained twice. It is the size of an orange and really hard making it difficult to sleep.  Not really sure what i can do to resolve it. 

Hi, I am going for my planning meeting on Monday for my radiotherapy. I am quite worried about how my skin will be affected by the treatment as i have really sensitive skin. I was wondering what cream you used  before, during and after treatment. Thanks

Hi maxwell, how did your planning go? 
heard e45 is good

Hi Daisy03, thanks for your message.

The planning session went well. I struggled a little bit with keeping my arm above my head as i have had some chording but i can work on that over the next few weeks. I am going to start the radiotherapy on the 6th Dec. for five days which is good news. I have had some really useful advice from here so that helps a lot. Hope you are doing well. Take care.

Hi Maxwell3

Do you mind sharing with Mr your experience of Port being put in and what to expect/care afterwards? Just prepping myself mentally.

C x

Hi Claud272,

I was really nervous about having one put in but it has been really useful as the nurses had problems taking blood and put in the cannulas for chemo. I was sedated during the procedure so I wasn’t really aware what was going on. I had mine put on my left hand side. I was given local anaesthetic during the procedure and told to take pain meds. afterwards.  You will have two wounds one really small one at the base of your neck and the other lower down. It takes a few days to heal. Then you are good to go. The good thing about the porta cath is that it is under the skin so there is no maintenance required by you.
I have had my blood tests and chemo put through it. They have special needles for the porta cath and they draw blood to check it is ok. Once the chemo has been done they flush it . 
To start with you are aware of the porta cath but after a while you don’t notice you have it, a bit like contact lenses.  Hope this has helped. Let me know how you get on. Take care.

I am so grateful and thank you for sharing your experience. Like you I am apprehensive and didn't want to go for more anaesthetic! I am hoping they will sedate me but they say I will just be groggy! I don't really wana see the procedure going on!

How would they flush it out, assuming it's done by nurse?

Your assurances is exactly what I need to calm my nerves. I will make sure I ask for this to happen a few days before chemo starts then. Just worried about healing/infection, but hopefully it's straightforward.

C x