Port Access

A lot of people ask how my port works so I decided to film it getting accessed and a blood draw. It doesn't hurt and is extremely simple and helpful. For anyone considering getting one, do it! Definitely one of the best decisions of my cancer fight that is for sure!

Link to YouTube video

Just another ER visit

Yesterday was spent at the ER, again.
I have been having a sharp pain in my upper abdomen that just kept getting more and more intense. After I started looking into why it would be hurting where it was, I realized it had to be my gallbladder. It got so bad that I decided to go in.

I had to go to the U of U ER since Huntsman doesn't have any options for evening and weekend urgent care. I was there forever... They did an ultrasound of my gallbladder and found multiple stones and one giant one. It had a freaking shadow on the ultrasound! Then the problem was to decided if it was infected or blocked. Luckily it wasn't either of them, but that also means that I couldn't have it removed while I was there cause it isn't deemed an "emergency." I was sent home (and finally was able to eat and drink a little something) and will talk with my oncologist and get a plan. I will definitely need it removed so I hope to have it sooner rather than later as the pain is pretty consistent and not comfortable in the slightest.

It has been a month that's all I have to say.

Sexy lady!

oh and they couldn't access my port so after 6 pokes they got an IV started... 

Port O Cath and Day One of New Treatment

I am writing from my infusion room. Today is day one of my new treatment. I also got my port placed on Tuesday. Lets just say that was a terrible no good rotten day. Followed by another rotten day. For the port placement they give you "moderate" or "conscious" sedation. Long story short and to spare you the details, my body doesn't respond to the drugs they give you for this so I was much more conscious then anyone should ever be for such a procedure. It was awful. And then yesterday I was so sore from being so tense during the procedure, every muscle in my upper body was sore. I slept well finally last night and woke up feeling much better.

Before coming up to treatment I met my sweet friends Ali and Cynthia (and Elisa) at The Baking Hive. Ali's daughter is Ruby who I have written about before. She has stage 4 melanoma so I feel extra connected with her. I just hate knowing that she has to go through the same thing as me in her little 3 year old body. If you didn't know she was sick then you'd have no idea, she is still just a sweet little girl - carefree and happy. Her and her sister Jane decorated cupcakes and then Cynthias boys joined them and decorated their own. It was pretty dang cute to watch. 

My port was accessed for the first time today. They weren't able to put numbing cream on it or ice it before so I was a bit worried about how it would feel being used for the first time. I literally barely felt the needle go in - well worth the two days of pain for the ease of accessing it. 

Right now I am waiting for the pharmacy to mix up my first drug, Ipilimumab/Yervoy and then we will get started. After I'm done with that (90minutes) I will get my Nivolumab/Opdivo and I believe that is a 60minute infusion. I have planned on being here until 6ish so we'll see how close to that it actually is. 

Here's hoping I don't get sick from these treatments and everything goes well going forward and that I respond well. Positive thoughts out there for me please! 

xoxox

Infusion started

All hooked up

Getting accessed for the first time - a breeze!

Warning: Hazardous (but also freeeeee)