Port Placement - CHECK, Cycle 4 - CHECK

Who's got a port - I've got a port!!
Overall, the port placement procedure on Friday 1/26 went well.  We arrived at the James 7 am Friday morning to check in for the procedure.  By 7:15 am I was back in the pre-procedure area getting prepped.  Once again, the nurse struggled to get an IV started, first attempting a vein in my right hand (ouch, ouch, ouch) which didn't take, and then being successful with a vein in my left arm.  Just one more confirmation that this port procedure will be worth it!!  By 8 am I was being wheeled back to the procedure room, meeting the team, and reviewing the procedure in more details.  They prepped the site (very interesting the way the strap you in, tape down body parts, etc) and the nurse gave me the first round of pain meds and midazolam, a medication that allows for patients to be awake but not remember the procedure.  In the past when I have been given midazolam for an upper endoscopy, it has worked really well and I did't remember the procedure at all.  However, during the port placement, it felt like it wasn't working as much and after a few additional doses, I still felt like I was aware of what was happening and can remember most of the procedure.  Luckily it was a pretty short and straight forward procedure.  I was wheeled to the post procedural area, given something to eat and drink, and was ready to head home by 10 am.  For about 48 hours after the procedure I had some expected soreness at the site but it wasn't too bad and has been healing nicely.

Side Effect Spotlight:  TKO of the Taste Buds
Chemo can really wreak havoc on the taste buds and cause taste changes.  After the first three chemo cycles, I have definitely noticed a "recovery pattern".  About a day or two after chemo I start to feel crappy and for about a week food doesn't really "sound good" or taste good.  It can be a real struggle just to eat food.  Luckily I have an awesome support system that encourages me to eat (only having to threaten force once or twice - just kidding 🤣).  All kidding aside, Nathan has been AMAZING!  He is always offering to get me any food that sounds even remotely good.  During the second week I start to recover and food starts to "sound good" again, but it doesn't always taste like it should.  It's hard to explain what is "off" about it.  So during this week I find myself getting disappointed sometimes when I eat. By the third week food not only sounds good but usually tastes good too.  I spend this week really enjoying food and try to eat my favorite things.  And then before I know it, the 21 days are up and it's time to get chemo again. 

Speaking of Chemo Again: Cycle 4 is in the Books

Nathan's progress on his path to donate hair

Ahhh why did I not get a port sooner?!  I had my lab draw on Monday and having the port made it so easy!  The nurse warned me that it may hurt a bit the first couple times it's used, but it was no worse than getting a peripheral IV started (and the port poke was a one and done).  My labs were good for treatment so I competed cycle 4 yesterday.  Once again, the port made life much easier and all 3 chemo infusions went well.  Since I have now had 4 cycles of carboplatin, there is a potential that I could experience an infusion reaction so I have to keep an eye out for that.  My oncologist wants me to get scans just to see how things are before the next cycle so I have a CT scheduled for 2/21.  She said that even if things look good she will probably still want me to complete all 6 cycles if possible.

Until next time peeps!!