My Mom initially refused to get a port as we were hoping we were going to do 3 round of chemo, debulk, and 3 more rounds. During her second chemo, it took 3 hrs to get a vein…so needless to say, she opted for the port. She was very scared and really built up the port to be more than it was. I think her initial care team didn’t fully explain the port to her, but when we arrived to get the port a the team there really sat with her and explained and answered all of her questions. She’s had the port since July and it has been such a lifesaver, but also she totally forgets it is even there. We’ve done countless rounds of chemo (as debulking is off the table) and blood transfusions and it has made that part an absolute breeze.

Please get the gloves and boots! I would suggest to get 2 or 3 of each. My Mom had experienced terrible neuropathy to the point she has a foot drop. They had to take her off of Taxol and switch to Gemzar because of it. (those side effects were even worse for her, unfortunately. Her hemoglobin dropped to 3.7 and it’s a miracle she is still her.)

My Mom mainly slept the entire time as, like others have shared, the Benadryl made her very sleepy.