Not what I expected...

So I went to my Oncologist appointment which was at 1pm. I just got home a little while ago. Let me begin at the beginning.

During the start of my last chemo treatment the nurse got a very quick blood return and then it was gone. I got my treatment and then the next day had bruising that outlined the catheter straight up to my clavicle. The nurse and physician's assistant both checked it out the next day when I went in for my Neulasta shot and they just said to keep an eye on it and if it got worse to give them a call.

Anyway....today I go in for my follow up from last week's chemo and the nurse tried to draw blood using the VAD port instead of my vein in my arm. She couldn't get a blood return. So...they flushed the port and still could not get a blood return. I ended up having to get an x-ray with contrast to have the VAD port checked to make sure it was operating properly. The Radiologist came in and they injected the contrast and he read the x-rays. Basically, a 'fibroid sheath' has grown at the end of the catheter and it will allow fluid in, but will not allow blood to return. If this isn't making sense, I'll try to be clearer. Anyway....I went back to Dr. Hammond's office and they injected a fluid into the port that he referred to as "Drano" which was essentially to try to clear the blockage. Needless to say, it did not work. So the nurse flushed the port a second time and then they removed the access tube.

I just got off the phone with Tracy, Dr. Hammond's nurse. She said that Dr. Hammond will discontinue using the port for chemo. So for the next two chemo treatments and all the follow up blood draws they require, they will use my veins instead of the port.

The good news is my blood counts came back "perfect" (Dr. Hammond's word) and that is a great relief because as many of you know, if the blood counts aren't good, it will prolong chemo and God knows I am SO ready for it to be over!!!

I'm tired. When I get tired I get very emotional. So yeah..I'm emotional. I mean - I guess this is what I mean when I say I seem to take two steps forward and one step back. Anyway, I'm gonna' head to bed early. Thanks for checking in.
Doris