I had a rather rough day yesterday, but am feeling better today. I think a lot of how I feel is determined by how I sleep the night prior to chemo.
I thought I would mention a few more things that I know about PORTS. I am no expert...but I have learned a few things.
The port is placed under the skin, usually in the upper chest/shoulder area and hooks into an artery. There are some ports that are in the stomach area...but I don't have that kind. Mine is a POWER PORT, which means I can also have blood drawn or given through my port. But here is the clincher. When you get your port and you hear that, you think, oh good, no more needle pokes in my veins. In order for blood to be drawn, the nurse must be certified. Most labs do not have certified techs on staff to do this....so, honestly, my port is used mostly for chemo.
Blood can be drawn from the port prior to chemo, but not after. So that is why many times I still have to be poked.
I will admit that I had a LOT, and I mean a LOT of pain when I got my port. I was bruised from my earlobe, down to the middle of my breast. I could not stand to move for about 2 days. Every movement was excruciating. However, other people have said they had no problems...so I guess it depends on the patient. I always tell people to get some pain meds ahead of time, just in case.
The port is usually place under Twilight sleep!..that scared me, but I told the nurse, I don't want to feel this at all....and I didn't. Woke up in my room, no memory of it at all. So if you ever have to have it done...tell them!
I love my port. I prefer it to having the chemo straight in the veins, which can be rather hard on them. Yes, you can see it under my skin. It is small, but it is there. Sometimes, usually at night, I become AWARE of it. Like it is pulling or something. But generally, I don't know it is there.
I think personally the biggest problem with the port is the unknown. You are already in shock that you have cancer and have to have chemo. Then they tell you they are going to put this object in you and you just are in a fog....
So, that is what I know about PORTS! for any of you who wanted to know!
I posted my book on my other blog...thinkinofhome.blogspot.com if you want to see it!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
Thanks for the info on the port. I feel so bad that you have had to go through all of this and although you are still getting poked, at least you don't have to for the chemo.
xoxo
Jane
very interesting. i don't know much about chemo or how it's done, etc. thanks for sharing about the ports. what you wrote will no doubt help someone else and answer their questions.
Ceekay, Thank you for the port info. My mother and sister in law had a pacemaker which is similar to place under the skin. Your info gives a lot of insight in this procedure.
So glad you are getting poked less with the port.
You sure are a strong lady and your courage is an inspiration.
hugs, Celestina Marie
Hi Ceekay...My love had his port put in today...no problem...no pain. I'm sorry you had to go through the pain and all...not fair.
Praying for you my friend.
All you precious fighters deserve our love and admiration...you are our true heroes...
xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...
Hi Ceekay, I had the port put in and I was blessed as I had no pain at all, blood was drawn or given in one tube and the other was used for chemo. I didn't like having to flush it though, no pain just a nuisance. I had mine in for almost a year and was so glad when it was removed. Hope you are doing well, praying for you.......:-) Hugs
Oh my goodness, C, I will never forget the all night phone conversation we had after you got your port. I was wishing I was there to help your Hubby take care of you. And I also remember all of our phone conversations before and after it was my turn to get a port. You were a great source of information and encouragement to me. I just can't believe so many people don't suffer after getting a port. You and I had the same experience, but I think it must have something to do with the particular surgeon. I don't know about your surgeon, but I had Darth Vador. He swept in the room and proceeded with the surgery, never uttering as much as a hello or goodbye! Nice bedside manner. Well, we're both finished with that now, thank the Lord, and the port really does help with the bad veins and needle pokes. It's a good thing too, since we're both going to live another 30 years...we'll be gray haired ladies sitting in our rocking chairs talking about our blogs! You know, I think we'll be able to RULE Blogland in another 30 years! What do ya say we go for it anyway, girlfriend?
xoxo...Kathy
HI Ceekay
Both you and Kathy have great attitudes... and sense of humour.. I'm a little scared about you two ruling blogland.. hahaha... I better get in favour now.. haha... But seriously it's tremendous that you share this information with others.. sometimes the unknown can be the scariest aspect and you will surely help others with this information... Have a great day .. Julie
Ceekay, I know people who have had ports, and I think they are a good idea. Chemo can be the dickens on your veins like you said. I'm glad you got one. I'm sorry it was painful. It's funny how different things effect different people. My hubby can't take codiene (sp), and it barely phases me. I can't take penicillin, but he can.
I think of you often and am cheering you through your process.
XO,
Sheila
My Dear - my Mom's Doctor to us that the Port is "the Cadillac way to administer drugs" and that most men don't get them! She never, not ever had a problem with hers. But it was kinda big - I mean you could really see it, right by her collarbone. I would've passed out cold if I had watched anything regarding it, but she just never had any issues. I guess that was one of life's little blessing, huh?
Can't wait to see you later this month. Uhhhh . . . by the way . . . you do know that I have a habit of embarrassing people around their birthday . . . right? I think I inherited it from my kids (?) because every time we go out to dinner - I swear - NO LIE CEEKAY - it's pretty much always - always - my birthday. I've just learned to smile and nod and then throw daggars with my eyes when no one is looking cause Justin knows how much I HATE IT! And he doesn't do it every time, so I have no CLUE when it's going to happen. I can just cringe and smile . . .
What's that? Me? Do what? To you? Never . . . welll . . . (hehehe)
Everything sounds familiar, I think you know Joe also had the port. Since he continues to receive good reports, he had his port removed since it has to be flushed out often. We also ran into the problem of some offices not having the RNs to administer the port.
Interesting info, thanks for sharing.
Katherine
CEEKAY, READING YOUR PORT BLOG BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF 12 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER. I HAD A PORT FOR CHEMO AND IT REALLY DOES SAVE YOUR VIENS. MOST OF THE TIME IT WAS FINE, BUT I TOO FELT SOME DISCOMFORT AT NITE, NOT ALOT, BUT I WAS AWARE IT WAS THERE.
STAY POSITIVE GIRL, IT GOES A LONG WAY IN MANAGING YOUR TREATMENT.
HUGS, JUDY
Post a Comment