Port

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer my Doctor told me I would need a port placed before we started treatment. Luckily, we live in a country where I could schedule to have this inserted the very next week so I could start chemo as quickly as possible.

Here's a little background on the port I had:
PowerPort - "The powerport device is implanted, which means it is placed completely beneath your skin, and the catheter is inserted inside one of the large central veins that deliver blood to your heart."

Yes, it really is purple! They showed me before they put it in. I couldn't find a picture that showed my port well. I was fortunate that the hospital had ONE of the smaller sizes on hand so I didn't have to get a regular one. I can't imagine how far the regular size one would have stuck out! I felt weird putting a stranger's picture on here so if you're curious, look at google images for a better idea.

The reason I needed the port was because I was going to have 5 months of very strong chemo plus a year total of another maintenance drug that was given through an infusion. This would simply be too much for my veins to handle without collapsing. Plus I had to get blood drawn all the time and receive fluids... I have to say I LOVED my port! When it was first inserted it really hurt and was uncomfortable. I remember thinking there was no way I could deal with having this thing in for over a year. However, over time it didn't bother me at all and eventually I didn't even notice and would forget it was there. It was odd, because you could see this triangular thing on my chest with three little bumps then the catheter running under my skin. At first I was self conscious about it but, like everything, I didn't care after awhile.

The special needle that was used to access my port was huge! Seriously, like a nail. Luckily, I had lidocaine cream. I would put a big glob on about an hour or two before, covered with none other than saran wrap, and that would numb the area. The few times I forgot, didn't put the cream on long enough, or they had to access my port multiple times... was not a fun experience!

This is the huber needle which is used to access a port. Yep, actual size!

I'm very grateful I didn't have to have an IV all those times. I would definitely recommend getting a port. After my last scan my Doctor said it was time to take the port out. Yippee! While I loved it, I hope to never need it again. Taking it out was a bigger ordeal than I expected. They had to do some kidney and blood tests then wait for the results, then the Dr. was running behind, then the actual procedure, then wait some more to make sure I was okay. I was at the hospital for almost 6 hours. It was pretty sore after but I was so glad to have it out!

(Anyone else find it awkward how you always have to leave the hospital in a wheelchair? Whether surgery or after having a baby... I wish they'd just let you walk out!)