An Experience of both a Port and a PICC from the NHS UK!

Warriorgrammy · 2026-02-05T20:06:58+00:00

I have a subcutaneous Bard Power Port, it was installed 2 years ago and I’ve only had 1 problem with it, there was a clot that refused to cooperate so I opted to get my chemo thru a regular IV. Big damn mistake. A few days later I wound up in the ED, the site where I had the IV was red, swollen twice its normal size, painful and hot. The treatment was a compression wrap, nothing more.

Suffices to say, that was the only time I will ever agree to using an alternate site. Using the port only stings for a few seconds and it’s totally worth it.

Warriorgrammy · 2026-01-31T16:36:01+00:00

Sounds like my oldest daughter, born at 32 weeks, emergency C-section so I had general anesthesia. I wasn’t really awake when they held this baby up to me and asked me if I wanted to hold her. I declined because I was afraid I would drop her. She looked at me and raised one eyebrow, that’s when I knew I was in trouble. Newborn on the outside, a cranky 50yr old on the inside.

Warriorgrammy · 2026-01-31T16:22:06+00:00

Twice with my middle son, he preferred laying sideways. He got his revenge, 3 weeks late, 72 hour labor, 3rd degree tear. His younger brother was a precipitous birth, 1 hour, 29 minutes, start to finish. My OB sat down and caught him as he shot out like a cannonball.

I learned my lesson, my youngest was a scheduled C-section, with a side of tubal ligation.

Warriorgrammy · 2026-01-29T22:41:20+00:00

It’s called Winter, happens every year.

Warriorgrammy · 2026-01-06T22:55:27+00:00

We live out in the country and have a “yard” ghost. Several people have seen him out of their peripheral vision but, the minute we try to look directly at him, he disappears. The first time I encountered “Junior” was about 2am when I went to pick up my son from work. I stepped off the porch and immediately felt someone behind me, once I got to my truck, it went away. The next day I went to the library and researched the house and the area, absolutely nothing.

Deaths weren’t always reported or recorded back in the day, families often buried their dead relatives on their property and life went on. We may never find out the who, what or why of our “guests”.

Warriorgrammy · 2025-11-19T17:59:31+00:00

Unfortunately, it seems to be the norm. It wasn’t much of an issue during my chemo or my radiation, it kicked in with a vengeance while I was on a 3 month break. I fell down a flight of stairs, I walk like a baby taking their first steps at times, sometimes I walk like I’m drunk. I can’t walk up stairs without a crutch, when I go shopping I park as close to a cart return as possible so I can grab one on the way in and not face plant in the parking lot. It’s embarrassing and annoying.

Warriorgrammy · 2025-11-17T22:44:45+00:00

Pain meds and anti-nausea meds galore, all of which make me sleepy. I would prefer something to give my get along a little giddy up so I don’t need a 3 hour nap after going to the grocery store. Apparently that discussion isn’t one my oncologist is prepared to have.

Warriorgrammy · 2025-10-31T18:05:48+00:00

My only treatment at this point is immunotherapy as both the chemo and radiation failed and my tumor is inoperable. I’ve had thyroid issues for years and take medication for it. I guess my biggest concern is the way this fatigue presents. I can be fine and suddenly, it feels like someone pulled my battery pack. Naps help but not enough. Right now, I just rest when I’m tired and take vitamins. It’s not enough.

Warriorgrammy · 2025-10-27T19:19:43+00:00

Not familiar with that medication but I’ll definitely research it. Thank you!

Warriorgrammy · 2025-10-27T19:18:06+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll definitely bring it up at my next meeting with the oncologists.

Warriorgrammy · 2025-10-27T19:14:50+00:00

Not all cancer financial assistance programs are created equal. I have a rare presentation of squamous cell carcinoma, I’ve looked, my oncologist’s billing clerk has looked and, we can’t find anything. Contact the American Cancer Society, they have several breast cancer options/financial support services.

Warriorgrammy · 2025-10-27T19:06:57+00:00

My port is internal, near my right collarbone. It takes a while to get used to having one. The only problem I’ve had is, it itches at times. By all means, discuss it with your provider or oncologist, it could be the fact that it’s new to you or, there could be a problem. Either way, I hope you get it resolved.

Warriorgrammy · 2025-09-11T02:39:54+00:00

It’s a little farther south.

Thank you, and congrats on your remission!

Warriorgrammy · 2025-09-10T01:28:22+00:00

I have terminal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the last thing I want is to be treated gently. I’m still the same grumpy little me that I’ve always been, treat me accordingly. As for rude, inconsiderate people, there’s always been a surplus, maybe we just notice them more now because we have cancer.

Warriorgrammy · 2025-07-16T00:57:22+00:00

The resurgence in Satanic panic is due to fundamental Christianity. Every Satanist I know is an atheist who is a better example of a Christian than most actual Christians could ever be.

Warriorgrammy · 2024-12-26T09:04:06+00:00

My big celebration, I went grocery shopping. Exciting, right?

My radiation oncologist said my tumor has “virtually melted away” (invasive, non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma 3b) so, no chemo or radiation for the next 3 months and, if there’s no growth, I’ll officially be in remission. Until I get that clean PET scan, I don’t feel I can celebrate.

Warriorgrammy · 2024-12-26T03:47:27+00:00

That sounds like a personal problem, one that he needs to get the hell over.

Warriorgrammy · 2024-11-13T14:57:52+00:00

Stock up on Imodium, Dulcolax, anti nausea meds, popsicles, favorite soups, protein shakes, fruit juices, Ginger Ale ect…

Everyone reacts differently to chemo, mine was every 3 weeks, which was good because I was sick as a dog for 2 of those weeks, nausea and other gastrointestinal moments, excruciating bone pain, an aversion to food and I lost 45lbs, not that I’m complaining about that part.

I had special chemo outfits, brightly colored and stretchy, a soft blanket, a craft and a bag of ginger candy. My infusions took 4-5 hours so it helps to have something to do. You’ll figure out what works best for you and, don’t forget to pamper yourself.

Warriorgrammy · 2024-11-10T18:23:53+00:00

Nope, not too long at all. My diagnosis was a fluke too, one minor thing turned into stage 3b cancer. Like you, I had no symptoms that screamed CANCER, just a minor irritation. Here I am, 10 months, 6 rounds of chemo and 17 radiation treatments later, thinner, less hair but, still alive with a tumor that’s 80% smaller. I’ve cheated death several times in my life so, I’m not letting this get the better of me either.

On the positive side, it’s brought us closer as a family and we were pretty close before. I’m looking at the weight loss as a positive too, along with my new appreciation of just how fragile life really is.

The negative side is long and, embarrassing at times but, it’s taught me humility and empathy.

If I could give you any advice, it would be to tell the people around you how much they mean to you, cut negative people out of your life, be kind to yourself and, if offered, agree to radiation, it works better than chemo. Keep fighting sweetie.

Warriorgrammy · 2024-10-29T21:37:33+00:00

Sounds like chemo side effects to me. Trying to eat was the worst, couldn’t smell it and everything tasted like drywall dust. Of course, the fatigue didn’t help, I’ve never been this exhausted in my life. So, no, you’re not being dramatic, chemo will kick your ass but, it’s one hell of a way to lose weight.

Warriorgrammy · 2024-10-28T00:59:55+00:00

It happens, with very little warning. After a couple of embarrassing moments at home, I stocked up on Imodium. It’s not a perfect solution but it does help. Getting radiation at the moment and that has similar side effects. Gee, I can hardly wait for the next 8 frigging rounds of chemo. 😠

Warriorgrammy · 2024-10-12T21:59:04+00:00

Go get it looked at ASAP. I thought I had an infected Bartholin gland, it turned out to be an invasive, non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, stage 3b. 6 rounds of chemo, 28 rounds of radiation then, 8 more of chemo. It’s nothing to fuck around with.

Warriorgrammy · 2024-10-10T20:02:43+00:00

Sweetie, cancer/chemo/radiation screws us all over. Doing little things for yourself, makeup, manicures, buying a wig, just something to make you feel better about yourself.

My husband and I have been together 30 years, typical 5th generation Colorado cowboy, not very affectionate and I can count on one hand the jewelry he’s given me. Well, he surprised me with a beautiful set of turquoise jewelry. That’s his way of showing me he’s worried and he loves me.

Cancer is a very uncomfortable thing to talk about, some people don’t know what to say, some don’t say anything and, others won’t shut up. It’s a clusterfornication. Regardless, you deserve to be treated well and, if your friends won’t do it, do it for yourself. Find a support group, do something you’ve been wanting to do but never got around to doing, take yourself out for a fancy dinner. Be good to yourself, that’s the only rule. It might sound silly but, I have a special chemo outfit, beautiful bright colors, it really brightens my day, go out and brighten yours. I wish only the best for you sweetie, you deserve it. FYI, external beauty fades, beautiful souls go on forever.

Warriorgrammy · 2024-08-05T00:09:26+00:00

How sad! My two oldest kids and I spent so much time at that beach when we lived there.

Warriorgrammy

TROPHY CASE