Well after treatment last tuesday, on the wednesday i got this really itchy, sore to touch red mark on my wrist about an inch away from where the iv was placed. It's got worse since then and I started taking painkillers. Someone at work said they thought it looked like a burn and I'm sure i read somewhere that the chemo can burn the area where it goes in(?) I don't want to use a burn cream incase it makes it worse though it probably wont do anything. Has anyone else had this? I'm scared that the tissue in my wrist is going to be *****ed!!!

xxx

Hi

I had terrible trouble with my arms / hands and the drugs CAN burn - although I never had that specific problem I was warned about it. You need to ask your consultant or at the very least a pharmacist what you can use on this. Don't just shove any old cream on it as I suppose it would be like a chemical burn? Putting the wrong type of cream could maybe react and make the burn worse?

Take Care

Ails xx

hey, thanks. I'm going to pop in to the hospital on my way to class tomorrow morning just to have it checked. did yours heal okay? how are you?

xxx

Chemo can burn if it leaks out. I had an awful time with my wrists and even my hand at one time. And the marks are still there. I'm not sure if they will ever go away.

I was also told to stay out of the sun because your body is more sensitive to the UV rays.

I would have it checked though because it could be something else. :confused:

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

thanks i will. the mark didnt appear until the day after treatment and i dont think it was sore at the time. i'll let you know tomorrow
xxx

:wave: Hi Amanada

i must apolagise I am such a bad friend!!, I thought it was this Tuesday that your 5th treatment starts (or something to that effect:confused: )

I get confused really easily, it doesn't take me much any more :dizzy:

I am sure i will be worn out just walking into the gym let alone being let loose on anything, I told my husband that i was going to look at the gorgeous men working out, (lol).

My 4yr old daughter takes ballet and tap dancing lessons, she has her first competition this Saturday, she has to wear a blue leotard and a blue skirt and she loves it.

I was never any good when i was little, every time the class went left I went right, and when they went forwards I went backwards and so forth!!:D

I have always told my children it's the participating that's important, and if they enjoy it so what:confused:

Good for you hon, I hope you tap your way to success, and who cares what the neighbours think!!

I am sorry you are in discomfort as you have been doing really well, I hope that they sort you out sharpish.

You go girl, you can do and achieve anything you wish in life, you just have to believe :angel: and I my friend believe in you. xxxx

Awww thanks.
Well i went to the hospital on my way to class this morning and the doctor had a look and says its not a burn and my vein is fine so not to worry. She prescribed me with antihistamines to hopefully stop the itching and my beloved dihydrocodeine is keeping the pain at bay. Hopefully it'll be fine by next week. I'm running out of places they can put the IV in though.
xxx

Poor you, no one can ever get blood from me, it always takes everyone a few goes each, or to put the IV in, I get left with huge bruises, I seem to bruise easily:confused:

I'm glad that it's not what you thought, i hope the itching stops soon, I know how nasty that can be, especially when it leaves you feeling so uncomfortable.

xx

Jen & Amanda,
I'm assuming you both didn't have ports put in, correct?
I was "riding the fence" about having one, but now I'm certain I did the right thing. I, too, bruise easily and my veins are hard to find. It's not the blood that bothers me, it's the "poking" ---and sometimes MORE poking. A good nurse is worth her weight in gold.
Anyway, having a port is kind of strange---it's like a new, weird part of me that keeps reminding me "I'm sick." I'm going to have all kinds of battle scars, when this is said & done....nothing a little makeup can't cover-up, right? :)

Hiya

My scar from the port doesn't bother me - it's kinda cute in a way - especially when I've got a bit of a tan and it remains white!!

I't such an odd experience, isn't it? I felt like the offpsring of a VERY odd pairing between a human and a drip stand!!

Ails xx

Ails,

You NEVER fail to crack me up! Human being and drip stand. I got the visual when I read your post. Keep em comin'. You be the best comedian!!! :p

Deb

Hey that's good to hear that it's not a chemo burn. Just take the anithistamines and hopefully it will clear up for you. :angel:

Yes Singer I did have a port. But sometimes when they where switching the drugs some of it dripped on my skin. I can't tell you how much it burned after a while. And yes Alis, mine is white and always will be. I've tried the fake tan things and it's still white. :D

I just got back from shopping---forgot to cover my scar..
I can't believe how many people ogled it---for Heaven sakes---it's only about 2 inches wide on my collarbone (node incision scar on my right---port's on my left). From now on, I'll use makeup cover.

I bought a wig! A place that specializes in chemo wigs. It's almost like my hair now---same color, but more full. I have kind of fine/thin hair anyway...so this is going to be fun, in a weird kind of way. I also bought a "night cap" to sleep in, cause my ears stick out & get cold. All in all, it was a productive shopping trip. Yesterday, if you would've told me I'd be out shopping & feeling good...I would've said, "NO WAY!" :nono:
This chemo "thing" is really a trip. What a way to spend my summer/1st part of fall---Oh well. I'm happy I'm alive & looking forward to good health & lots of living!!!!!!!!!! --You all, too! :)

p.s. Jen & Ails: About ports: When they take them out, is it as big an operation, as putting it in???? I'm told to expect to keep mine for "awhile".....(sigh).....

Singer you have such a positive attitude and that's so important in going through chemo. I remember going shopping for my wig and bawled like a little baby the whole time. Good thing you thought of a night cap too because once you're totally bald you have no idea how cold your head gets, especially with the AC on. ;)

Regarding the port, mine is still in. My doc said he likes to wait for 6 months cancer free before it's taken out. It doesn't bother me much at all, it's like a part of my body now. :) But when it comes out for good then I'll be shouting yipeeeee. :D

Hi Jen,
Yeah, the wig shopping had it's ups & downs. I'd laugh at how ridiculous I looked in some of them (I reminded myself of my older sister)..then, I'd tear up a little. I had a wonderful, older lady that felt this was "her mission" in life--to help chemo patients find wonderful hats/wigs/etc...
She was wonderful for me to talk to. She has a sister going through cancer and was very compassionate and called me "Honey" a lot. It was what I needed yesterday, I guess---PLUS, I really do love my wig. I wish 'my' hair looked like that.
So, your port's still in? I guess this 'is' becoming part of us, now, isn't it?
I'm really glad I have it in, though--because like I've said eariler---my veins are very hard to find & I SO dislike being pricked and probed.
In late 2006, I had an IV that was improperly implaced, and developed either phlebitis or cellulitis (?). It was never truly diagnosed, because I was out of town when it was peaking---Long story short: The vein that became inflamed STILL hurts. So, I won't EVEN think of letting them poke that arm. I'm still wondering if that didn't have something to help speed up my diagnosis. Whatever. I have to stop & deal with the present. My husband keeps telling me that. He always says, "One day at a time..." :)
Sorry--I'm rambling again.
Hope you're having a great day! We have beautiful sunshine--hopefully, I can get out and enjoy some!
:) :) :) :)

Hey,

I have to say when I am down and out and I am talking to someone who calls me "honey" or something else nice it feels so comforting!

Deb

Wow, i HATE my wig. I only wear it to college. None of my classmates know and i dont want to be treated like I'm about to drop down dead at any second. I don't wear it to work or in the street. But then my hair is growing back a lot. It started falling out so i shaved it and it's grown back ever since. It always falls out a bit a week after chemo though. I've had a few people shout 'britney' at me in the street and it's so much fun to watch the look of horror when you tell them that you have cancer and they are uneducated c****. I barred one guy from my work for laughing at me when i told him.

The mark on my wrist was looking a lot better this morning, not as red and itchy but now it's seems to have blistered. It does look just like a burn. And theres a lump in the middle which seems to be getting bigger. :confused:

Pinkmada,

Wow, people are just ***holes! How rude of people to laugh. I am glad you banned that jerk from your work! Boy, this makes me mad! :blob_fire

Deb :)

Hi,..At my Oncologist's office, there's usually young ladies in there, with shaved heads. I notice the older women (over 45 or so) prefer to just let their hair "thin" or wear a scarf/hat/wig. I bought a headband to secure my wig with today. I was thinking, if a strong wind happened by --WHOOSH>>
I don't want that to happen!
Any of you going through chemo, have a seemingly wonderful day---and then, out of the clear blue DEBILITATING fatigue? I was shopping again (had to take something back, actually) and out of nowhere--BAM. I thought I was gonna faint. But, then again it was hot in there. I don't think their air conditioning was working. Anyway, it just amazes me, all the bizarre symptoms, that just seem to "pop" out of nowhere.
I need some energy to clean the house.
Any tips? My stomach can't take coffee anymore. I know what they talk about now, when people mention "fatigue." :yawn:
S.

Unfortunately Singer I went through the same thing. One minute I was fine and the next I couldn't keep my eyes open. I used to IM with friends and would fall asleep and they'd be typing away and I'd be zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. :yawn:

I know..
That "chemo"---weird stuff.
:eek:

Well the redness on my wrist is almost gone but the blister/lump thing is getting bigger. It's in the same place as the mark i was left with after i was admitted to hospital a few weeks ago. The doctor didn't hit a vein when she put in the IV and after a couple of days of fluids and antibiotics my hand swelled(is that a word) up and this funny white lump appeared in my wrist and it was really really sore and tender. The mark on my wrist now is the same place so i don't know if it's tissue damage or something? I'm going to go back to the ward tomorrow. They told me to go back if it gets worse.

xx

Good luck to you. I may have told you before, but in late 2006, I had an IV administered improperly by a nurse---I think I developed phlebitis, or cellulitis (?). I didn't have it properly diagnosed, because I was out of town, and it would come & go. It is STILL bothering me. I won't let them use my left arm for an IV now (although I've got a port put in) because I'm petrified it will return. These "vein" things are touchy & can really be painful.
S.