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Today was a long day, I had my port-a-catheter implanted on my right hand side, underneath my collarbone. It was a little surreal, especially in the procedure room, it was larger than I had thought, the wording threw me off, procedure room for me meant a smallish room, not a large room filled with so many huge machines and computers screens, it made it seem even more serious.
As usual, the nurses were all wonderful and nurturing, I was in excellent hands and they made the wait-time less stressful. There had been a miscommunication between the secretary and myself as to the fasting part, I wasn’t given any instructions to fast so I didn’t, oops. However all was not lost, I was able to be accommodated later on in the afternoon and thankfully everything went very well. I just had to hang out and wait for my turn, my nurses took care to keep me entertained. Lol
The procedure itself was fairly straight forward, something about threading or tunneling through the jungular vein, by the way I have a nice fat jungular, and then feeding it into the port inserted under my skin. In order to do this, my doctor did an ultrasound and then took X-rays, it was very detailed, to make sure that everything was laid out perfectly.
So now I am back home, I am ready for chemotherapy. When I was wheeled out of the hospital by my nurse, such a kind man, he helped me in the car and wished me the best of luck with my treatments, when my car door closed, I felt overwhelmed with emotion and I started to cry. I think I broke down a little because this made it all seem so much more real. I cried very quietly and briefly, my husband wasn’t aware, I was able to wipe away my tears and felt better because they had made their way out of my system.
I promised everyone at the hospital that I would not twiddle with the port or pick at the skin glue, it’s going to be so hard not to give in to my worst inclinations. I am a horrid scab picker and scratcher, it is such a failing on my part. I am going to work very hard to keep my promise, it is going to be torture, I’m sure.
I hope that the port helps make the process a little easier. I sat in while my best friend got a port for chemo five years ago. She did find it easier than when they were finding her vein each time. Good luck with your chemo.
Thank you so very much. π I see the logic of the port, I’m hoping it will work as advertised lol.
It sounds like you got some good care there. It’s nice thy could accommodate the little fasting miscommunication. I’d be in trouble not fussing with the thing. I’m glad it all went well. It can be emotional…it doesn’t have to be logical…its just that way. Cheers!
My emotions have been very manageable for the most part but it was a little too much today. Cancer is funny that way, I suppose.
I know someone who had a port put in. He said it made things so much easier during treatments. I think you’ll be happy with it once you’re in the chemo room.
and hands off the port! π
I am going to do my best lol Thanks for the support Andrew!!!
Sending you lots of love and the knowledge that all the strength you need is inside of you! xxxooo
Thanks sweetie!!! I’m trying to stay strong. One day at a time π
If I had a port like that put in, Cricket would be trying to remove it, constantly. She likes to dig. You may need to carry around a dog-deflecting pillow for the first few days.
Funny you said that, I was worried about Stanley because he loves to hug me with his huge paws rather violently. Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time explaining to him, “gently Stanley gently” Jack was a big help too, he sat on my lap and told his little brother “hands off Maman!! You big goof!” LOL
Such a good boy!
π
You’re allowed to cry and have your emotions all over the place. I think you’re incredible, actually, to write so honestly for us all.
Thanks Tilly dearest xxxxx
Oh Laurie – my heart goes out to you with love and hope and confidence.
Thanks Jules! Hugs xxooo
Glad you are getting good care. I hope you have managed not to pick!
I am proud to announce that I haven’t fiddled or picked. There are times where it has taken Herculean determination but I stood fast and the temptation passed. Hooray for me. π
Well done π
π