Update on kitty

[Skyraider50]

When I joined the forum a few weeks ago, Kitty was one of the first to welcome me and make me feel at home here. I will definitely add her to my prayer list....

[kanyonkitty]

Platelets low today, so no chemo, so will try again next monday.

Also being scheduled for another CAT Scan to see how things are looking.

I was kinda afraid I would not be able to have chemo today, since I was not feeling very well all last week, and I'm very tired feeling again today.

This crap has to stop as I have some "Modding" to do, and no, I can't tell you what I have in mind, except for what you already know about replacing the wall border.

Kitty

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Kitty, Maybe doctor can do something to help the platelet count. Maybe even a transfusion, or something. We're pulling for you.

[kanyonkitty]

Hi Everyone,

Well after missing 2 appointments for chemo due to low platelets, I was able to have my liquid chemo today as blood work came back OK. Tonight I would usually start my other cancer treatment consisting of 7 pills per day for 2 weeks, but due to the platelet count dropping doctor now has me only taking 5 chemo pills per day, hoping this will help keep my platelet count up so that I won't have to miss any more liquid & pill chemo treatments. Todays treatment already has me real sensative to the cold, again.

Latest CAT Scan (two saturdays ago) shows that the tumors in my liver are responding to treatment and shrinking, but still no word about "HOW" many more treatments I might have to go thru.

I am feeling better, still a bit weak, and have to be careful when walking, because sometimes I suddenly stagger (That would be fine "IF" I had been drinking, but I don't drink) so I just look like a drunk, dizzy blonde.

On to another subject : IS it time to go camping ??????????????? OH, I guess we need to get our tow vehicle back before we can take Sunny anywhere, darn it.

OK, think I have bored ya'll enuff, so I'll let ya off the hook and shut up for a little while.

Kitty

PS: thank you all for your prayers, cards & words of encouragement. Having contact with my friends sure helps me get thru the days.

[Murphie]

I am so happy for you Kitty, this sounds like excellent news. I remember the doctors telling me that once my tumor had shrunken to under three centimeters that they consider it taken care of. Thankfully it did. Chemo puts the body under so much stress. There is so many issues you go through, it's like a war going on in your body. Like you I looked forward to going camping. Be kind to yourself and try and relax and know that things getting better.

Richard

[Jim-Bev-2363]

"IS it time to go camping ???????????????"

Like waiting for the five o'clock to habe a drink... It is always five o'clock somewhere. Sooooo, is it time to go camping yet? It is always time to go camping, somewhere.

Great on the tumors responding to treatment. Things are looking much better, thank God.

[kanyonkitty]

Well, I went for chemo yesterday (monday) and things were not good. First, the tech that was accessing the "port" in my chest hurt the hell outta me. She had a hard time finding it to start with, then when she went to insert the approx. 1 inch long needle into the port she had trouble, it HURT . Then she could not get it to work, so she got another tech to try to get it working, still no luck. No other choice but to remove that needle and insert ANOTHER one . So ok, she preps the site AGAIN, and the 2nd tech hurts me yet again locating my port, then she goes about inserting another 1 inch long needle into the port, thankfully, this time it worked. They drew some blood to send to lab to check my platelets, and about an hour later, they tell me "NO CHEMO TODAY", platelets TOO low. So, now they have to remove the second needle they had inserted, and I am re-scheduled for next monday.

My chest really hurt from these two clowns, but my girlfriend asked me if I felt up to eating something, so we stopped for a quick lunch, and on the ride home, I noticed some blood on my shirt. We were close to home, so once home, she removed the blood soaked bandage, cleaned the site up, and re-bandaged things for me. Then I used Oxi-Clean on my shirt & bra to get the blood out.

Today, I am still very sore, even hurts to move my right arm as it pulls on the muscles in that area. Gary used some alcohol to remove the sticky residue from my skin. I am starting to bruise, bet that will turn pretty ugly.

BUT, hey I get to have a go at it again next monday, joy, joy . Man I hope my regular girls are there to access my port.

But, other than all that, I'm doing OK. Gotta get my fireplace mod finished. My woodworker said he should be able to get over this week to see what I need in the way of woodwork.

Bruised Kitty

[MACK C-85]

Was it a full moon yesterday???

hurt the hell outta me.

Carol had her stitches removed yesterday and her surgeon had the director of the center come in and check her out. Carol said he had his arm in a sling and still managed to twist and turn her ankle all around. I asked her how she managed not to put the other arm in a cast (she kicks like a mule if I even accidently brush up against one of the plates and this guy was squeezing on them!!!) and she said "I was having too much trouble remembering how to breathe to think about kicking!!!"

Anyhow, things are looking good....but her ankle has been really sore.

Kitty, hope things get better and you can keep those treatments going!!

Mack

[kanyonkitty]

OUCH, you made me cringe with pain just thinking about her ankle. Hopefully, it will soon be much more tolerable and back to as much of a normal ankle as possible. We all know it will never be 100%, but hopefully it will be close.

Glad it's healing well, but those doctors don't mind inflicting pain on us when they examine us.

Keep up the good work.

Kitty

[Tweety]

I'm so sorry it didn't go well today I hope you can verify that you're gonna get the regular good techs next time!

[Gene]

Kitty, sorry to hear that too. Take some pictures to show them to NOT do that again.

Prayers for a better visit next week.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Kitty, sorry for your pain. I thought the port was to eliminate problems like that. Hope next time your regular tech can make everything go smoother.

[Poppy & Nana]

Kitty that was NOT what I wanted to read!!!! Hope things go better next week!

[kanyonkitty]

This darn port is implanted in the upper-right portion of my chest. They (the surgeon) had to go in, cut into the muscle to create a sort of pocket, insert the port, and feed the small tube from the port up into the artery in my neck. The port is NOT attached to this pocket, so it can and DOES move around a good bit. When they need to access the port, they have to feel around for it so they can locate the area where they need to insert the 1.5 inch long needle. Once they have got that done, they can hook up my IV's and start my liquid chemo treatment. Here is what the port looks like:



They have to insert the needle into the gray center area.

AND, once my chemo is done, they will still have to access this port once a month to keep it functional,

[Jim-Bev-2363]

I was thinking of a external port. That looks togive them a bigger target than trying to hit a vein that might collapse on them.

It sounds like the pacemaker that Wifey has except they don't have to stick it with needles. They said in about six years they will have to replace the battery. By then they will probably have a new designed pacemaker.

It seems like being sick is like being on drugs. once your hooked they never let go.

[JohnB]

Kitty and MDfiregal,

Sorry to hear this. Hope the best for both of you.

John and Cindy

[clueless campers]

Kitty,
Sorry to hear the techs had trouble and caused you so much pain - and only to hear "no chemo today". Hope things go better Monday and you don't have to deal with those "clowns" (I don't think that would be my choice of words) again.

[Sunline Fan]

Here's to hoping next week goes better and they can get it done!

[2 Wheelers]

Ouch! The port is supposed to make this somewhat painless...yikes! Hope next Wed goes well. I will keep ya in my prayers.

[jsms264]

Hey Kitty,

I'm on the site all the time, reading...I don’t post very often. I've been watching your posts on this subject for a while; sorry you are going through all this... You probably don’t remember me; we meet at one of the Buttonwood M&G's.

Anyways, my wife has worked in oncology for many many years here in NYS as an RN, so she has a great deal of knowledge in this area. You mention "techs" were accessing your port? In NYS only trained/certified RN's are allowed to access ports. There are all kinds of protocol, skills, and procedures required...she can’t believe techs are accessing yours. She suggested that you demand only a skilled/trained/certified RN be allowed to access your port, that is your right. From the sounds of it your experience the other day was not handled well...but of course you already know that!

Were pulling for your speedy recovery, keep fighting!