Since the whole pregnancy/baby announcement, I haven't talked much more about just the cancer....which in a way is good. G isn't allowing us to focus on just the cancer. Maybe it's because we aren't really sleeping anymore and every day is a half-awake haze, but it feels like there is just more joy since he came into our lives. We are also busier while simultaneously doing so much less (I am sure other new parents can relate to this). We don't leave the house as much - George and I lack immune systems and any little bug would require hospitalization - but there is a lot in the house to do. Baby clothes are tiny, but still require a lot of folding time....
Anyway - this blog was supposed to be a cancer-focused blog. I think the lack of sleep is getting to me.
Six days after giving birth, on May 5, I had a port placement surgery. (Messed up, I know). What is a portacath or port? A port is a little device that plugs into a major vein that allows easy access for IV meds and blood draws. Port's subtitle could be the arm saver.
Remember when I used to be stuck 12x for every chemo treatment? And how sore my arm got (because the poison chemo stuff would burn the veins)? And because I can only use veins on my right side after the node dissection (due to lyphodema risk), I could have been causing long term damage to my only veins.
Upside, the port prevents the arm soreness. Downside, you need a surgery to place the port AND to have it removed. To insert the port, a doctor cuts a little hole under your clavicle and places the injection site. Then, they use a wire to put a little rubber pipe to plug it into a major vein. The procedure is done under constant x-ray, so they see exactly where they put the little bugger.
Here is a picture:
I know this makes me a giant baby, but the surgery hurts! My port hurt more than my lumpectomy (though I really hated the drain from the node dissection, so not sure I would pick either of these surgeries to have again). My port is on the right side. It needs to be on the opposite side from your cancer because of radiation risks with open wound. You can feel and see the little device and the "pipe" - feels like a plastic box and rubber tube under your skin. Though, it's been too sore to really touch it too much yet.
To use (or access) the port, they stab a 3/4" needle into the base (through your skin). Yes, this hurts. You can use ice or lidocaine cream to numb the skin to minimize pain. You can hear the insertion. It sounds like a little thud. They put a clear pipe outside, flush the line, and you can use it for blood draws and any IV meds you need.
Though it's painful, I'll admit, it's been really nice not having to spend an hour each session trying to find a good vein. Just one poke, and I'm good!
Next blog will be an update on my new chemos and associated side effects - carboplatin/ taxol blend.
Hope you and your family enjoyed Memorial Day! ❤️❤️
Anyway - this blog was supposed to be a cancer-focused blog. I think the lack of sleep is getting to me.
Port-a-cath ("Port") Placement Surgery
Six days after giving birth, on May 5, I had a port placement surgery. (Messed up, I know). What is a portacath or port? A port is a little device that plugs into a major vein that allows easy access for IV meds and blood draws. Port's subtitle could be the arm saver.
Remember when I used to be stuck 12x for every chemo treatment? And how sore my arm got (because the poison chemo stuff would burn the veins)? And because I can only use veins on my right side after the node dissection (due to lyphodema risk), I could have been causing long term damage to my only veins.
Upside, the port prevents the arm soreness. Downside, you need a surgery to place the port AND to have it removed. To insert the port, a doctor cuts a little hole under your clavicle and places the injection site. Then, they use a wire to put a little rubber pipe to plug it into a major vein. The procedure is done under constant x-ray, so they see exactly where they put the little bugger.
Here is a picture:
I know this makes me a giant baby, but the surgery hurts! My port hurt more than my lumpectomy (though I really hated the drain from the node dissection, so not sure I would pick either of these surgeries to have again). My port is on the right side. It needs to be on the opposite side from your cancer because of radiation risks with open wound. You can feel and see the little device and the "pipe" - feels like a plastic box and rubber tube under your skin. Though, it's been too sore to really touch it too much yet.
To use (or access) the port, they stab a 3/4" needle into the base (through your skin). Yes, this hurts. You can use ice or lidocaine cream to numb the skin to minimize pain. You can hear the insertion. It sounds like a little thud. They put a clear pipe outside, flush the line, and you can use it for blood draws and any IV meds you need.
Though it's painful, I'll admit, it's been really nice not having to spend an hour each session trying to find a good vein. Just one poke, and I'm good!
Next blog will be an update on my new chemos and associated side effects - carboplatin/ taxol blend.
Hope you and your family enjoyed Memorial Day! ❤️❤️
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