Port Loose & Cancer Free

I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
hour later when I got home.
Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
of eating, or ...

---
CSM

csm7532@hotmail.com wrote:

> I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
> This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
> but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
> home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
> drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
> prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
> had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
> hour later when I got home.
> Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
> recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
> that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
> life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
> pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
> of eating, or ...

Congratulations ! May you have a happy, healthy long life, CSM.
J

On Feb 23, 12:11 am, J <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote:
> csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
> > I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
> > This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
> > but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
> > home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
> > drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
> > prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
> > had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
> > hour later when I got home.
> > Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
> > recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
> > that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
> > life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
> > pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
> > of eating, or ...
>
> Congratulations ! May you have a happy, healthy long life, CSM.

Thanks, and the same to you and the others here.

On Feb 23, 12:07 am, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
> I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
> This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
> but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
> home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
> drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
> prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
> had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
> hour later when I got home.
> Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
> recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
> that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
> life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
> pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
> of eating, or ...
>
> ---
> CSM

Wonderful, what joy you must be feeling now. Happy times in your
second chance life - big grin - isi

<islavision2004@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1172399418.392000.83380@m58g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
> On Feb 23, 12:07 am, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
>> I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
>> This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
>> but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
>> home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
>> drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
>> prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
>> had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
>> hour later when I got home.
>> Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
>> recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
>> that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
>> life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
>> pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
>> of eating, or ...
>>
>> ---
>> CSM
>
> Wonderful, what joy you must be feeling now. Happy times in your
> second chance life - big grin - isi


God bless...you've had a miracle, which gives us hope also. Enjoy your
health. I'm sso happy for you.

Big Congrats hug!
Giuditta

On Feb 26, 5:34 am, "Giuditta" <jnotma...@giudiittaspeedworks.com>
wrote:
> <islavision2...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1172399418.392000.83380@m58g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Feb 23, 12:07 am, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
> >> I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
> >> This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
> >> but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
> >> home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
> >> drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
> >> prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
> >> had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
> >> hour later when I got home.
> >> Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
> >> recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
> >> that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
> >> life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
> >> pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
> >> of eating, or ...
>
> >> ---
> >> CSM
>
> > Wonderful, what joy you must be feeling now. Happy times in your
> > second chance life - big grin - isi
>
> God bless...you've had a miracle, which gives us hope also. Enjoy your
> health. I'm sso happy for you.
>
> Big Congrats hug!

isi, Guiditta, and lurkers,

Yes, this *does* feel great. I hope each of you can feel the way my
wife and I feel---that sense of reprieve. I'm still going to die, but
maybe not as soon as if the cancer had prevailed. All we have is the
time from birth to death; one we can't recall and the other we can't
predict. Let's make the most of what we have.

---
CSM

<csm7532@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1172503800.617342.126140@s48g2000cws.googlegr oups.com...
> On Feb 26, 5:34 am, "Giuditta" <jnotma...@giudiittaspeedworks.com>
> wrote:
>> <islavision2...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1172399418.392000.83380@m58g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Feb 23, 12:07 am, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
>> >> I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
>> >> This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
>> >> but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
>> >> home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
>> >> drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
>> >> prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
>> >> had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
>> >> hour later when I got home.
>> >> Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
>> >> recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
>> >> that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
>> >> life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
>> >> pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
>> >> of eating, or ...
>>
>> >> ---
>> >> CSM
>>
>> > Wonderful, what joy you must be feeling now. Happy times in your
>> > second chance life - big grin - isi
>>
>> God bless...you've had a miracle, which gives us hope also. Enjoy your
>> health. I'm sso happy for you.
>>
>> Big Congrats hug!
>
> isi, Guiditta, and lurkers,
>
> Yes, this *does* feel great. I hope each of you can feel the way my
> wife and I feel---that sense of reprieve. I'm still going to die, but
> maybe not as soon as if the cancer had prevailed. All we have is the
> time from birth to death; one we can't recall and the other we can't
> predict. Let's make the most of what we have.
>
> ---
> CSM

This is true!!!

G

csm7532@hotmail.com wrote in news:1172503800.617342.126140
@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com:

> On Feb 26, 5:34 am, "Giuditta" <jnotma...@giudiittaspeedworks.com>
> wrote:
>> <islavision2...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1172399418.392000.83380@m58g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Feb 23, 12:07 am, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
>> >> I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed
today.
>> >> This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of
lidocaine
>> >> but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there
and
>> >> home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
>> >> drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
>> >> prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I
hadn't
>> >> had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half
an
>> >> hour later when I got home.
>> >> Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
>> >> recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
>> >> that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
>> >> life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or
having
>> >> pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an
hour
>> >> of eating, or ...
>>
>> >> ---
>> >> CSM
>>
>> > Wonderful, what joy you must be feeling now. Happy times in your
>> > second chance life - big grin - isi
>>
>> God bless...you've had a miracle, which gives us hope also. Enjoy your
>> health. I'm sso happy for you.
>>
>> Big Congrats hug!
>
> isi, Guiditta, and lurkers,
>
> Yes, this *does* feel great. I hope each of you can feel the way my
> wife and I feel---that sense of reprieve. I'm still going to die, but
> maybe not as soon as if the cancer had prevailed. All we have is the
> time from birth to death; one we can't recall and the other we can't
> predict. Let's make the most of what we have.
>
> ---
> CSM
>
The world is probably opening up all sorts of possibilities now that
cancer's behind you. All the treatments, appointments, feeling down -
think of all the time that's now freed up for living now. I'm glad to
hear all of that is behind you & am very happy for you & your family.

Go get 'em!!
Fig

--
"Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"

BetsyB

<csm7532@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1172182066.926669.272220@p10g2000cwp.googlegr oups.com...
> I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
> This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
> but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
> home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
> drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
> prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
> had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
> hour later when I got home.
> Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
> recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
> that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
> life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
> pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
> of eating, or ...
>
> ---
> CSM
>

That is excellent news. I am wondering how long before they decide to remove
it? All my Pet Scans have been good so far. It has been 14 months since I
was diagnosed. Just wondering what is in store for me. Not really a problem
as far as I am concerned.

On Feb 28, 6:43 pm, "betsyb" <betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net> wrote:
> --
> "Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"
>
> BetsyB
>
> <csm7...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1172182066.926669.272220@p10g2000cwp.googlegr oups.com...
>
>
>
> > I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
> > This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
> > but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
> > home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
> > drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
> > prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
> > had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
> > hour later when I got home.
> > Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
> > recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
> > that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
> > life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
> > pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
> > of eating, or ...
>
> > ---
> > CSM
>
> That is excellent news. I am wondering how long before they decide to remove
> it? All my Pet Scans have been good so far. It has been 14 months since I
> was diagnosed. Just wondering what is in store for me. Not really a problem
> as far as I am concerned.

I think it depends a lot on who you ask. My oncologist suggested
getting it out as soon as I my first clear post-chemo scan results
were in. My surgeon, on the other hand, recommended keeping it, in
case of needing it for another round---cancer having a nasty tendency
to hide a bit, then show up. Once he found that my port was
malfunctioning (couldn't draw blood from it), he agreed that it should
come right out. As long as the port is functional, gets flushed
regularly, and isn't causing any undue distress, it may be left in.
Having it removed, then a new one put in later, is more hassle than
flushing. OTOH, it's a bit cathartic to have it removed.

---
CSM

--
"Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"

BetsyB

<csm7532@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1172760488.837995.246600@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> On Feb 28, 6:43 pm, "betsyb" <betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net> wrote:
>> --
>> "Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"
>>
>> BetsyB
>>
>> <csm7...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1172182066.926669.272220@p10g2000cwp.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
>> > This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
>> > but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
>> > home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
>> > drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
>> > prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
>> > had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
>> > hour later when I got home.
>> > Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
>> > recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
>> > that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
>> > life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
>> > pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
>> > of eating, or ...
>>
>> > ---
>> > CSM
>>
>> That is excellent news. I am wondering how long before they decide to
>> remove
>> it? All my Pet Scans have been good so far. It has been 14 months since I
>> was diagnosed. Just wondering what is in store for me. Not really a
>> problem
>> as far as I am concerned.
>
> I think it depends a lot on who you ask. My oncologist suggested
> getting it out as soon as I my first clear post-chemo scan results
> were in. My surgeon, on the other hand, recommended keeping it, in
> case of needing it for another round---cancer having a nasty tendency
> to hide a bit, then show up. Once he found that my port was
> malfunctioning (couldn't draw blood from it), he agreed that it should
> come right out. As long as the port is functional, gets flushed
> regularly, and isn't causing any undue distress, it may be left in.
> Having it removed, then a new one put in later, is more hassle than
> flushing. OTOH, it's a bit cathartic to have it removed.
>
> ---
> CSM

They have seldom been able to get a blood return on it but that dosen't seem
to bother anyone.
Considering my scans are not totally clear, I may not bother asking for it
to be removed.
They are not showing cancers but possible cancers?

On Mar 1, 8:22 am, "betsyb" <betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net> wrote:
> --
> "Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"
>
> BetsyB
>
> <csm7...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1172760488.837995.246600@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Feb 28, 6:43 pm, "betsyb" <betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net> wrote:
> >> --
> >> "Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"
>
> >> BetsyB
>
> >> <csm7...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >>news:1172182066.926669.272220@p10g2000cwp.google groups.com...
>
> >> > I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed today.
> >> > This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of lidocaine
> >> > but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there and
> >> > home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
> >> > drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
> >> > prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
> >> > had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half an
> >> > hour later when I got home.
> >> > Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
> >> > recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
> >> > that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
> >> > life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
> >> > pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an hour
> >> > of eating, or ...
>
> >> > ---
> >> > CSM
>
> >> That is excellent news. I am wondering how long before they decide to
> >> remove
> >> it? All my Pet Scans have been good so far. It has been 14 months since I
> >> was diagnosed. Just wondering what is in store for me. Not really a
> >> problem
> >> as far as I am concerned.
>
> > I think it depends a lot on who you ask. My oncologist suggested
> > getting it out as soon as I my first clear post-chemo scan results
> > were in. My surgeon, on the other hand, recommended keeping it, in
> > case of needing it for another round---cancer having a nasty tendency
> > to hide a bit, then show up. Once he found that my port was
> > malfunctioning (couldn't draw blood from it), he agreed that it should
> > come right out. As long as the port is functional, gets flushed
> > regularly, and isn't causing any undue distress, it may be left in.
> > Having it removed, then a new one put in later, is more hassle than
> > flushing. OTOH, it's a bit cathartic to have it removed.
>
> > ---
> > CSM
>
> They have seldom been able to get a blood return on it but that dosen't seem
> to bother anyone.
> Considering my scans are not totally clear, I may not bother asking for it
> to be removed.
> They are not showing cancers but possible cancers?

My surgeon said the reason for no blood return was a flap of fibrous
material formed over the end of the catheter. It acts as a one-way
valve. He said it couldn't be fixed. If I were still getting chemo,
they'd need to stick a vein each time, to get blood for tests. They
could still have used the port for putting stuff in (saving the veins
from the damaging effect of the drugs and allowing for the pump I took
home), but it wasn't fully functional. If my scans hadn't been
completely clear, I'd have left it in. I hope you don't have
"possible cancers", but rather just something else lighting up the
scan. Anything that absorbs sugar at a high rate will light up a PET.

---
CSM

--
"Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"

BetsyB

<csm7532@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1172779211.427804.311850@z35g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
> On Mar 1, 8:22 am, "betsyb" <betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net> wrote:
>> --
>> "Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"
>>
>> BetsyB
>>
>> <csm7...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1172760488.837995.246600@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Feb 28, 6:43 pm, "betsyb" <betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net> wrote:
>> >> --
>> >> "Anybody can have more birthdays, but it takes balls to get old!"
>>
>> >> BetsyB
>>
>> >> <csm7...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> >>news:1172182066.926669.272220@p10g2000cwp.google groups.com...
>>
>> >> > I've done it! I'm back home after having my dual port removed
>> >> > today.
>> >> > This was a "local" procedure, with plenty of small shots of
>> >> > lidocaine
>> >> > but no general anesthesia. I was told I could drive myself there
>> >> > and
>> >> > home, but I'd recommend to anyone having it done to get someone to
>> >> > drive you if possible. By the time I'd filled my Percocet
>> >> > prescription and started home, I was feeling the wound. If I hadn't
>> >> > had to drive, I'd have taken a Percocet then, instead of over half
>> >> > an
>> >> > hour later when I got home.
>> >> > Since my oncologist says I'm cancer free, I'll believe him. If it
>> >> > recurs, that will surely reveal a vengeful God, and none of us want
>> >> > that, right? As far as I'm concerned now, I'm done with cancer for
>> >> > life. Now I just need to avoid getting run over by a bus, or having
>> >> > pieces of space junk fall on my head, or swimming within half an
>> >> > hour
>> >> > of eating, or ...
>>
>> >> > ---
>> >> > CSM
>>
>> >> That is excellent news. I am wondering how long before they decide to
>> >> remove
>> >> it? All my Pet Scans have been good so far. It has been 14 months
>> >> since I
>> >> was diagnosed. Just wondering what is in store for me. Not really a
>> >> problem
>> >> as far as I am concerned.
>>
>> > I think it depends a lot on who you ask. My oncologist suggested
>> > getting it out as soon as I my first clear post-chemo scan results
>> > were in. My surgeon, on the other hand, recommended keeping it, in
>> > case of needing it for another round---cancer having a nasty tendency
>> > to hide a bit, then show up. Once he found that my port was
>> > malfunctioning (couldn't draw blood from it), he agreed that it should
>> > come right out. As long as the port is functional, gets flushed
>> > regularly, and isn't causing any undue distress, it may be left in.
>> > Having it removed, then a new one put in later, is more hassle than
>> > flushing. OTOH, it's a bit cathartic to have it removed.
>>
>> > ---
>> > CSM
>>
>> They have seldom been able to get a blood return on it but that dosen't
>> seem
>> to bother anyone.
>> Considering my scans are not totally clear, I may not bother asking for
>> it
>> to be removed.
>> They are not showing cancers but possible cancers?
>
> My surgeon said the reason for no blood return was a flap of fibrous
> material formed over the end of the catheter. It acts as a one-way
> valve. He said it couldn't be fixed. If I were still getting chemo,
> they'd need to stick a vein each time, to get blood for tests. They
> could still have used the port for putting stuff in (saving the veins
> from the damaging effect of the drugs and allowing for the pump I took
> home), but it wasn't fully functional. If my scans hadn't been
> completely clear, I'd have left it in. I hope you don't have
> "possible cancers", but rather just something else lighting up the
> scan. Anything that absorbs sugar at a high rate will light up a PET.
>
> ---
> CSM
>
So far nothing has glowed in the dark! I am just grateful for that. The
stress bothers me more than anything. I have dots here and there but nothing
lighting up.