With some of my chemo treatments coming up....
By jeepstergirl
@jeepstergirl (396)
United States
January 25, 2007 10:00am CST
I'm sure that I'll be spending a bit of time either in bed, or attached to an IV at the oncologists office. Any helpful hints on keeping myself entertained? I love to read, but that even bores me after a while. I am not crafty, so sewing, knitting, etc. are not good suggestions. Anything else?
1 person likes this
1 response
@deeble (102)
•
25 Jan 07
Yep, you can only read so much, I find!
Do you have an ipod, or similar? I've got a few audio books on mine, which don't seem to put me to sleep as easily as reading. And I can do other things at the same time. Then there's the music, of course.
I always finding reading magazines is easier than books too. They don;t require as much attention, and you can just flick to a different article, if your concentration wanders!
I also have a Nintendo DS, but don't use it much while I'm actually having chemo.
The IV always has to go into my right arm, and usually ends up on the inside of my right wrist (I haven't got very good veins anymore). So being right handed, it's quite difficult to play games with a cannula stuck in my wrist!
I have a few games on my mobile phone too, which I can play with my left hand. Sudoku's my favourite, at the minute.
I'm interested in hearing other suggestions too :o)
2 people like this
@jeepstergirl (396)
• United States
25 Jan 07
If you don't mind my asking, why didn't you have a port put in? They had me get one so that it wouldn't ruin my veins. I was in a little pain for a couple of days after it was put in, but it's so much easier to deal with! I am surprised that they didn't have you get one.
1 person likes this
@deeble (102)
•
25 Jan 07
Well, there's a bit of a story with that one..
My hospital will let you have hickman lines, or picc lines, but they don't fit chemo patients with ports. Nor are any of the chemo nurses trained to access ports.
I don't want a hickman or picc line, but I'd really like to be able to have a port (well, you know, I'd really rather not have one, but that seems the best option).
I'm hoping to be able to get a referral to see another onc, at a different hospital (in London) fairly soon. Not primarily for the port thing, but just because I really don't have much faith in my current onc.
I am hoping that if I can be treated through the new onc though, that he'd fot me with a port.
2 people like this
@cascogirl (79)
• Canada
28 Jan 07
Also I had a picc line put in, I didnt want a port just because I didnt want to be bothered with the day surgery and thought a picc would be quicker. I had problems with blood clots from getting the picc put in and had to take blood thinners for the rest of my treatment, but I do not regret getting the picc even with the difficulty in having it placed and the clot problems.
Maintanince wasnt a big deal, just having the line flushed with saline and having the dressing changed to keep the area clean. I had a nurse visit once a week to do all that for me but I have heard of other gals doing that themselves.
