Among Friends

[just bee]

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

@just bee  Well, it's sounds like they have a plan in place, I'm sure you asked all the right questions. 

If you get tired of the view, you can communicate with US.  We're here for you!  Always.

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@Lucky Charm 

No definitive plan yet.  Just options.  Tumor Board still needs to review my case.

I can't wrap my head around the logistics.  I still want to work but will I be able to?

A port is a better choice but might not be doable.  I can't afford to have a patient hit me in the chest.

The view is nice.  But for four hours straight?  I may need alternative entertainment.

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Maybe ask if you think that you'd be able to work or at least part time.  I'm sure your hospital will take you whenever they can get you!

If you have a port installed, maybe they can assign you to somewhere that you won't be subjected to out of control patients?  You don't need that now.

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@Lucky Charm 

I'm insured if I work full-time.

There's nowhere in psych where you're not subjected to out-of-control patients.

I need to figure all this out.

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Do they have that option where co-workers can donate their vacation time, sick leave, personal time to you/for you?  I've heard of that working out for people in need of time off.

I'm throwing pasta at the wall here!

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@Lucky Charm 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Don't waste the pasta!!!

I'm having linguine and clams right now, coincidentally.

Yes, there is that option.  I've donated in the past.  But it's a last resort.

[just bee]

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@River Song wrote:

Me again, butting in with more advice.  This time about a port.  My late DH had a port in the chest (this involves a surgical procedure for those that don't know).  Shortly after, he developed a staph infection in his spine.  Port tested positive for staph.  Port was removed pronto-burger, another surgical procedure.  He had a PICC line inserted in his arm and I had to give him daily antibiotic infusions for 30 days at home.   Good thing I worked as a vet tech in my younger days and was used to giving injections and taking blood.  Still, pretty stressful for both of us and he was in excruciating pain from the staph infection.  Unintended consequences of a port.  Fair warning.

Also, ports need to be flushed.  Ports need to be kept dry. They are not maintenance-free.  Amazon sells all kinds of waterproof adhesive port covers for showering.  And since the adhesive doesn't really stick that well while you're moving around in the shower, you might need to put tape on all the edges.  So, more money spent on supplies.  This stuff adds up after a while.

Chemo infusions weaken the veins.

Also, you need to find out if your insurance covers the chemo pills and if you need to order them through a specialty pharmacy.  We had to order his chemo pills through a specialty pharmacy in another state and were FedExed to us but we had to be home to sign for them.  So, just a head's up that the logistics can get complicated real fast when it comes to chemo and doctors/nurses don't tell you any of this stuff because they don't know what the patient and caregiver go through at home.

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@River Song 

I do appreciate all the information.

I suspect they advocate for the port because it may make things easier for the RNs when your veins disapppear.

[just bee]

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

I'm sure @just bee  appreciates your relaying what you experienced and your insight to the different obstacles @River Song 

These are all good things to know.

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@Lucky Charm 

Absolutely!

[just bee]

Winding down...

Going to have some gelato before I nod off.

[bikerbabe]

Aside from side effects, I would want to know, efficacy for infusion versus oral. 💕

Saved up PTO, donated time, medical leave are there exactly for situations like this when they are needed. During treatment you may feel good and be able to work at least part of the time and use some PTO. You may come to a point where you want it take some leave. Not everyone reacts to chemo the same way. Radiation usually starts wearing you down over time even though the treatment itself is brief every day.

Something to discuss with your colleagues who have experience and your nurse navigator who will have your specific treatment plan info.

Don’t hesitate to ask details on all your work benefit options. I took medical leave twice, the first time for my knee surgery.

If it’s suggested that a port is best for your treatment, please do it.

It’s a lot to take in and consider. 💕

[CandieGirl]

@justbee: A real bee in the mens room urinal? which you never would’ve seen. No coincidences. If that wasn’t a sign from above, you can call ME Shirley. You’re going to be A-ok♥️

[just bee]

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@CandieGirl wrote:
@justbee: A real bee in the mens room urinal? which you never would’ve seen. No coincidences. If that wasn’t a sign from above, you can call ME Shirley. You’re going to be A-ok♥️

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@CandieGirl 

I do believe in signs, but that was just an online photo.  The only bee in the urinal yesterday was the decal.

If there had been an actual bee in the urinal I would have had to capture it and release it outdoors.

And I can only imagine how weird that would have been.

Thanks for the support.

[just bee]

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@bikerbabe wrote:
Aside from side effects, I would want to know, efficacy for infusion versus oral. 💕

Saved up PTO, donated time, medical leave are there exactly for situations like this when they are needed. During treatment you may feel good and be able to work at least part of the time and use some PTO. You may come to a point where you want it take some leave. Not everyone reacts to chemo the same way. Radiation usually starts wearing you down over time even though the treatment itself is brief every day.

Something to discuss with your colleagues who have experience and your nurse navigator who will have your specific treatment plan info.

Don’t hesitate to ask details on all your work benefit options. I took medical leave twice, the first time for my knee surgery.

If it’s suggested that a port is best for your treatment, please do it.

It’s a lot to take in and consider. 💕

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@bikerbabe 

Almost too much at this point.

[River Song]

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@just bee wrote:

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@River Song 

I do appreciate all the information.

I suspect they advocate for the port because it may make things easier for the RNs when your veins disapppear.

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Of course they are going to suggest whatever makes things easier for them.  You need to decide what is best for you and BH.  Like it or not, you are both in this together and he will be integral to your recovery.

This will be hard on BH.  He'll feel helpless and terrified. It is not easy bearing witness to the suffering of a loved one.  Be gentle with him but keep him informed about what is happening to you so he is not blindsided.  Cancer treatment is all about the patient and their caregiver at home is forgotten.

[just bee]

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@River Song wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@River Song 

I do appreciate all the information.

I suspect they advocate for the port because it may make things easier for the RNs when your veins disapppear.

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Of course they are going to suggest whatever makes things easier for them.  You need to decide what is best for you and BH.  Like it or not, you are both in this together and he will be integral to your recovery.

This will be hard on BH.  He'll feel helpless and terrified. It is not easy bearing witness to the suffering of a loved one.  Be gentle with him but keep him informed about what is happening to you so he is not blindsided.  Cancer treatment is all about the patient and their caregiver at home is forgotten.

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@River Song 

He's already reminding me daily (hourly) that I have to communicate every little thing because he needs to know what's going on.

I barely know what's going on!