Question about Ports

Melissa,

I went through the first thirteen visits to chemo without a port I really did not want one. Finally the day came that my Oncologist said enough he was worried about blood clots. Was I bummed or what I had only seven more to go and didn’t really want to do it but what else is there to do when they say it’s what you got to do? So into interventional radiation I went and got it installed. They gave me funny juice and there was no pain and then it was in. We still laugh about my escaping the nurse whose job it was to make sure that she turned me over to someone to take home (hospital rules). You see I was staying at a hotel about a block from the hospital and my husband had to travel on business. So my best friend was going to be with me but on my way to Boston she had called and was coming down with the flu. So here I was all alone now I don’t usually lie but I hate being in a hospital any longer than I have to, I am famous for the ways I find to stay out of them. So when asked going in I told them my friend was with me but had gone to the bathroom. When I got done we walked out to the waiting room and my goodness she must have gone to get a drink. I told the nurse I would sit and wait for her and she said she would check on me in a bit. The minute she walked through the door you have never seen me move so fast. In other words getting it in could have not been that bad if I could move that fast and think that fast to escape the evil jail nurse.

I went into chemo the next day and to tell you the truth I was scared to death of them tapping it the day after it was installed and the incision was so fresh. And guess what it wasn’t bad at all and it got better every time after that. It made me wonder why I hadn’t done it sooner it was so much easier than having them search for a vein over and over at times. Tell your Dad this is not a bad thing it will be a lot less painful than them doing the drilling for oil routine it will be easier on him and the infusion nurse and get him out of infusion quicker. I am sorry your father has to go through this I am sure he is just tired of being sick and being messed with at this point and this is just one more thing. I hope this helps a bit.

Cynthia