It’s still a surgical procedure, albeit a minor one. It’s unlikely you’ll need general anesthesia but you’ll probably be lightly sedated to help you relax. The fasting after midnight is a “better safe than sorry” thing.
You’ve got this.
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Oh, great - just what you need right now. Arguing and pouting boy. Argh and ugh. And if the statistics don’t mean anything, then why do they bother to calculate them? Just sayin’……
All will be well on Monday - it’s like mswillie and styder said - it’s a minor surgical procedure and they would rather be safe than sorry.
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I think they did use a General on hubby for port installation & removal. But it was a piece of cake. Your chemo sounds like his, and cold sensitivity was the worse side effect. Only nauseous after the first time. No other side effects, except a touch of “chemo brain”. He only missed wk on chemo day.
I hope yours ours goes as smoothly.
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I had a port and I don’t remember how they put in (doc with Hawaiian shirt). Before I would go to chemo I would put some numbing lotion on it so poking the needle into it would not hurt. Ports are amazing inventions for sure. I took Claritin I think to deal with nausea and was only nauseous a couple of times. I was pretty useless a few days after chemo which was usually the weekend for me, but worked on the computer while infusing and during the rest of the week. I did lose my hair but continued riding. This was 2010 (breast cancer) and I rarely think about it. I was very afraid of the whole process including a mastectomy but unquestionably I would do it again. Best of luck to you!
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After everything else you’ve been through, the port should be easy-peasy 
{{}}
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Try to remember that although you two couldn’t stay married that you make great friends. He loves you in his own way and he had to process and deal with all of his fears and concerns about your illness and possibly losing you in the very near future…while doing his best to be there for you. That’s a huge range of emotions and when he got the good news from you he decompressed and probably got moody and said some really insensitive things.
I’m not saying what he did was right, wrong or indifferent…that’s between you and him. You need to understand that although this is happening to you, it’s also happening to him as a loving friend/caretaker.
When things calm down and you’re speaking again tell him to smarten the hell up and that you’re the one with cancer, you need support not negativity and to stop being a d!ck.
Hope you have a grand day today!
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DH was under for his port placement and it really was no big deal (also had appointments afterwards, may even have gone into work) But i’m glad you’re asking–whatever you need to reduce any anxiety. You really do want that port.
And it’s likely the two of you will work out your relationship around the cancer. I have a very long, two year thread here, about my relationship with my husband while he dealt with breast cancer. Much of it was me learning how to be supportive and it was so, so SO helplful to have a place to vent, share my experience, ask questions and whatever. People have to do that.
When it comes to cancer, everyone has opinions (me, definitely!) I had lots of thoughts about what he should do He taught me that it really is HIS journey, that HE makes the calls, right or wrong, and that my job really was to be the best cheerleader/advocate I could be. The motto is kind of, ,“only forward,” as in, no looking back and second guessing!
But, even thought it is your job to just heal and enjoy life, you will wind up teaching others. You will teach them how you need them to be supportive. Ideally, they will find their own support as well–a group, a fabulous on-line community, great friends, whatever. Your ex is going to need support (not from you, his OWN support) His doc might have some ideas about local cancer support groups for families or something. It’s lonely, frustrating and scary as hell.
as I was told here and it has been really helpful, giving people something to do directs them to something you find supportive, rather than them guessing (_which doesn’t always go well!!)
That goes for the internet too. I am a “I gotta know whats up” kinda girl so I read everything about every treatment he got–possible side effects, what people did, what their experiences were–everything. DH read nothing. He went into the whole experience with an “Its gonna be what it will be” attitude and dealt with what came up. ultimately, I liked my way better (I felt I could advocate better when I knew) but I think he liked his way. You and your ex will find your ways (maybe the same, maybe different!)
He (and you) w ill have to sort out what you hear. Almost guaranteed, when people hear you have cancer, one way they feel helpful is to offer their experience. I do it too! But sometimes that experience is…really unhelpful! You will learn to smile and nod, think your private what the hell and move on.
And damn right statistics matter!!! That’s why it’s great you like your oncologist. You will be relying on her to guide you through the stats–do they apply to me and my stage/condition? What has been your (doc’s) experience with this protocol?
Anyway, only forward! Right on to Monday and getting the port and then onward from that!!! Into tomato season!!!
Big hugs to you!
Onward!!!
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On the no food or drink after midnight: They may be planning on giving you a light sedative or even twilight sleep, with local anesthesia to the area. When I’ve had this combo, I’ve really appreciated being high as a kite during what is otherwise nerve-wracking minor surgery.
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just leaving this here ~
some ~ Jingles laced with
strength
support
patience
peace
comfort
calm
and the the reminder
You’ve Got Friends ~
AO ~ Always Optimistic ~
((hugs))
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I had a person visit my workplace (adult daycare) yesterday and he dropped off a brochure for “Cancer Care Connection”. What I can gather from the brochure is that it is a free service that helps you navigate the non-medical aspects of the disease, financial, communication, transportation, etc. I don’t know if it would be of interest to you but here’s the website:
http://www.cancercareconnection.org/
It’s based in Delaware but the brochure says they are available in other parts of the country.
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Hahaha! I have a bay window so I put two feeders up, one on the left, one on the right. I call my birds The Democrat and The Republican because they fight over the feeders all the time, even though they each have their own.
Sannois, thanks for the continued updates. We’re here for you.
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Your doctor sounds like a good one. Her approach is realistic and leaves you in control.
The port isn’t a big deal. ANY ‘surgical’ procedure demands nothing by mouth. The port requires a small incision = surgery. You will do fine. You will probably just get sedation but for me…just a whiff of Versed and I’m out like a light. I guess I am a lightweight.
You know there is a continuous jingle going from my neck of the woods.
Susan
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Thinking of you.
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Hope you are feeling as well as can be expected under the trying circumstances.
Sending good thoughts from Colorado.
Good Morning, Kim! I hope the sun is shining as brightly where you are as it is where I am. Warms the bones.
Thinking of you Kim, and hoping its going as well as possible today.
Kim, hope today goes well and you feel up to giving us an update later
Hi friends, I have been avoiding the internet, Feeling dark and twisty and do not want to bring you lovely folks down.
First let me say thank you for all the wonderful thoughtful things you have done for me.
Fudge?? YUM!! Lovely serene photos? beautiful. And encouraging cards. I have no words.
And massages?? Wow! To think that total strangers have shown such support and caring, and people who are my real life friends have done nothing. Really. I can only think I really must be a crappy person, and so forgettable. LOL
IF one of the people I am thinking of ever had something like this, even less I would do what ever they needed, well at least ask. I am over it. In the end you are all alone.
I decided not to do the port, the whole thing seemed wrong, and gave me the wiggs.
I am seeing the oncologist tomorrow for alternatives. People have been getting chemo for a long time without ports.
So see I am pretty dark.
Sorry Kim…nothing to say except your body, your decisions.
I haven’t said anything lately because you are in territory I don’t know, and honestly…I was scared for you, with the port. I’m sure it would be fine, others have had it, they did alright, it just sounds…uncomfortable and painful.
I am thinking good thoughts for you, I just don’t feel like I have much to say, except enjoy life. I don’t knkw your future, mine, or anyone elses, but you have been given the opportunity of knowledge.
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Kim - you are entitled to feel dark right now. This is a life-changing event and not something you go into all skip-a-dee-doo-dah. You are not a crappy person or forgettable. If you were WE would not be taking time for you or extending our hands. I understand what you are saying about helping people. I would do the same thing even though others might not (and haven’t).
I understand your not wanting the port - it does seem rather invasive and that is your decision. There are alternatives. I am thinking of you and want you to enjoy life. Plant your tomatoes and whatever else you want and enjoy them!
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