Question about a change in lymph nodes 3 months post RC

16 years 1 month ago #13627 by Julie
Mike, my husband and I both have fried veins and he is very happy with the PICC line they put in to treat his MRSA. They can use it to draw blood and he has to have a blood draw every week because of his anemia.
When I left the hospital after they took out my sigmoid colon I said if I ever had to have another IV I would ask for a PICC line. I had 8 IV's in 7 days one in my foot and one in the side of my thumb which hurt like the dickens.

I wish they would find other reliable sites besides the crook of the elbow and the back of the hand but the foot is not it.


Julie

Volunteer Coordinator
ABLSC

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16 years 1 month ago #13612 by Patricia
Mike...i understand about the fried viens....last CT i had a marvelous tech who was a whiz at using a "butterfly needle"...very tiny ..goes into the veins that are still viable in the hand. Ask for a great technician that can do that. I remember after my major surgery and i had a DVT i had to go get blood checked every week and also i found a nurse who was very good with the butterfly. Just a thought.......
And have a great trip....Pat

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16 years 1 month ago #13598 by fearandfight
Mike I am never saying anything about doing ok with this disease again. Here I think I'm doing fine and then I start running a fever got to 103.8 and off to the ER with the wife. I thought and so did my wife who is a nurse that it was another UTI. Well this time I had infection in my blood MRSA and I was in the hospital 10 days and then was able to come home. I was getting 2 doses of vancomicyn through an IV setup here at my home now it is one dose (thank God they put a PICC line in). I have Penn's infusion team for my blood work and my wife does the IV. Have a nice vacation I forgot what they are haven't been away for awhile. Take Care, Joe ;)

***Speaking of veins just like you getting a simple IV is like a major operation for me. My veins are beyond fried and every time I have to go through this once again I am a human pin cushion. I get the 2 stickers, then the one who will try more, and then the one that goes for the prize if she gets it in.

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16 years 1 month ago #13587 by Gene Beane
Mike and Eileen,
Have a wonderful vacation. We just returned from one ourselves. It makes one cautios about being given the all clear after ones r/c. We had all clear as well, with this development for you I am anxious for Gene's tests next month. I guess never say never comes to mind, but still quite surprising and I am sure shocking for you. You will prevail, and all will be well. I too am the optimist. Always.
Ginger

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16 years 1 month ago #13586 by mikeg
Hi Harleygirl,

As I understand it (for what it's worth...not much), Lymph nodes get enlarged mainly for 2 reasons: Infection or cancer. Sounds like your dad has several infections, so I'd expect that to be a likely cause. At least I hope so.
Mike

Michael
Age 58
Stage T2-T3, muscle invasive
Married to Eileen
2 sons, ages 20 and 23

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16 years 1 month ago #13585 by mikeg
Thanks everyone for your help and wishes. We finally did contact Dr. Schoenberg, the local urologist, and another friend who is an Oncologist. They all confirmed that waiting is the best course of action...but it's hard to do!

They all said that the nodes are in unusual spot for mets. Schoenberg is actually looking at the scan tomorrow. Eileen and I are going on business/vacation in March and I will have the scan the next day. What a way to end a vacation. Meanwhile, all my veins are cooked from Chemo and 6 days in the hospital and after 4 sticks, the nurses were unable to take blood Tuesday. And you need an IV for the CT scan...yikes!

It's a good but sobering lesson that we were overconfident about my recovery. Eileen especially was convinced that we were done with the whole thing. Being more the pessimist, I'm naturally more wary of what may come, but the node thing still set me back.

The response here has been very helpful and calming. Thanks to all my friends on the board!

Mike

Michael
Age 58
Stage T2-T3, muscle invasive
Married to Eileen
2 sons, ages 20 and 23

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