Some of you asked, why didn’t I asked for a PORT instead, I had a PICC line. Well, the truth was, I was pretty sick when I was first diagnosed and there was no time to wait. For a PORT to work, I had to wait for a procedure and a couple weeks of healing time before the PORT could be accessed. I have heard patient’s story of an improper healed PORT. It could be painful during infusion or worse infection. For my 2nd time around, I had time, so I was given a choice and I chose PORT over a PICC line.
InPatient Chemo treatment Preparation
Keep warm & flexible during infusion
Hospital is always blasting its air-conditioning and for an inpatient for chemo infusion, you are often feeling the chill in your bones. Blankets are great for lying down or sitting in bed, but they are not so great for activities. You are told to go on small walks even if it means lugging your pump around with you. You need clothing to fit your situation/need and it is exactly what the 'LooopClothing sweatshirt' does. It offers warmth and flexibility while connected to the infusion pump.
Remember to get your medications translated!
You have your medications and you are getting ready to go home. Don't leave so fast, you need your meds translated! Because the instruction on the bottle is 1) tiny letterings 2) generic drug naming and 3) doesn't tell its purpose. Get your nurse practitioner or nurse to translate your medications for you. Write it out on the bottle: dosage, frequency and purpose in big letters. It helps when you are home alone!
How to combat bed fatigue?
When I was receiving my Chemo treatment, 24hours infusion for 5 days at every 21 days, I experienced a lot of bed fatigue. I felt like sleeping wasn't right, sitting wasn't right or nothing was right. I had this crummy feeling in the pit of my stomach. My nurse and doctor said, the only way to combat bed fatigue was 'small exercise', such as a walk around the oncology ward. A small walk did make me feel a lot better and it was recommended to walk 3 times a day to avoid blood clots too!
How to fight amnesia/Chemo brain?
After a few rounds of Chemo, I have experienced the Chemo brain symptom. Instead of trying to remember everything, I let my phone do it for me. Yes, use your mobile phone to record your doctor's session, record your list of things to do, or record your questions to your doctor. The phone recorder helps to take away the burden of not remembering. It helps to document progress too.
How to avoid saline taste during or after flushing?
About 50% of Chemo patient experiences 'saline' taste at the back of the throat during PICC/PORT line flush. Line flush is common practice to ensure IV line cleanliness and sterile. I personally find the taste 'nasty' and difficult to adjust to no matter how many flushes I had. I have heard chew gum or a mint candy can help avoid the saline taste. I have never tried these methods personally so I cannot confirm. However, I have found an easy & effective way to cancel out the saline taste by 'holding my breath'. Yes, just simply 'holding your breath' during PICC/PORT line flush can somehow bypass the saline taste at the back of your throat. Next time, try it, hold your breath before flushing starts and breathe when flushing is finished.