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Need some advice about sensitive veins (IVs and blood draws)
I'm a 69 year old survivor of HGSOV 3C since early 2017. Recurrence in December 2018 and now on a clinical trial the past year and a half. Outside of the standard checks and balances with this disease, and the IVs associated with my first round of chemo, the trial requires monthly blood draws and semi-monthly scans. I've always been an easy "poke" when it comes to blood draws and even IVs even though, apparently, I'm considered a triple threat (veins are very narrow, very deep and they move out of the way of the needle). But I did notice toward the end of my chemo that it was beginning to become more difficult for them to get my IV inserted. I thought over time that would improve but I'm now at a place where the mere thought of a blood work or CT scan gives me major heart palpitations. The past six months it's taken multiple tries to find a vein and more recently, even when they do, the vein collapses mid draw or before scan dye can be infused. My last scan required 7 tries, ended up with 2 collapsed veins, and then finally the vein they thought would work ended up blowing as soon as the dye began infusing. That one left with 2ccs of dye in the soft tissues of my arm; fortunately not enough to cause any major pain or trauma but enough to make me want to run from my next CT next week!
I have tried all the tricks; over-hydrating for days before the scan, warm compresses on my arms, balled up fists. Nothing seems to make them pop. At my last blood draw this week it took 15 minutes to even find a vein worth trying! Yes, if I have to go back into chemo I will insist on a port. But for the sake of one blood draw a month and a scan every two to three months it doesn't seem reasonable to undertake that procedure.
Has anyone else had issues like this? What have you done to try to overcome the problem? Love to hear from you....at least to know I'm not alone.
Re: Recurrence
How did it go with doctor on Thursday? I imagine you were rather anxious about it. The question you asked about the CA 125 is a little tricky as it can mean different things depending on the circumstances. Do you have further clarity after seeing the doctor?
Re: recurrence

Exercise Routines?

How can friends and family help during treatment?
Often times we don’t know what we will need or what will help while going through cancer treatment. Friends and family want to “do” something, but I found that I didn’t always know what to ask for or what I would need. In hindsight I certainly can think of what helped (and at times, what didn’t) the most, but I thought it would be good to compile a list for those newly diagnosed of items and ways in which others helped. That way they can have an answer to give when those who care for them ask “what can I do to help”.
Physically, I found ready made food very helpful, but make
sure to give some requests or you may end up with 12 lasagna’s
Cooling pack and fan were also helpful with those nasty hot flashes.
Emotionally, having a peer person, someone who had gone through the experience of cancer and chemo was the biggest help.
What did you find the most helpful during your treatment?