Dad and I
went to the hospital yesterday for the port placement. It went well, and was so
much easier than the last time. Probably had as much to do with the fact that I
knew what to expect as it did the hospital (I prefer the one I went to
yesterday to the one I had the port placed in originally).
We got there at about 1pm, and got registered (is it bad when the registration people start to recognize you?!?!). We got escorted to the prep area, and I put on the fashionable hospital gown (this one was a classic grey with a maroon pattern - chic!) and the sexy hospital socks. The nurse, who was wonderful, put the IV in (and I didn't scream once!) and did the blood work needed to perform the procedure. The really good news - my CBC (complete blood count) was within *normal* range, meaning that I had the same blood levels as someone NOT fighting cancer. Woo!
Once they get all the prep work done, the dr that is performing the procedure comes in to talk with me about risks, etc. He tells me that they are going to put a port in, and I asked if it was the same PowerPort that was in before. He kind of looked at my and asked if that's what I wanted. I told him that I didn't have a preference, but wanted to know the pros and cons of both. Apparently, there isn't much difference except that the PowerPort has three nodules on it that allow the nurses and doctors accessing the port to feel where the center is. The regular port doesn't have those guides, but isn't any more difficult to use. Hmph. The major difference? The regular port is about half the price of the PowerPort. Apparently, the PowerPort is utilized more in people that are going to have multiple MRIs or CAT Scans, b/c the PowerPort allows for the injection of those dyes and chemicals to perform those procedures. Since I don't have those things in my future (God willing), I made the call that they just put the regular port in. This worked out well because the hospital was out of the PowerPorts, and I would have had to reschedule the procedure. And, you know me - I already had a needle/IV in me. Gosh darn it, they were going to do this procedure come hell or high water.
So, the nurses call the drs office, and of course, my oncologist isn't there. Hmph. The nurses at the hospital talk with the nurses at the drs office, and they concur that there isn't any reason for me to have the PowerPort. SWEET! We are all on-board, and ready for transport to the procedure room. And, off I go.
Got in there, and supposedly, they were going to put me into a "twilight sleep." Well, let's just say that while this did relax me considerably, I wasn't sleeping. I was awake during the whole thing, which was okay b/c they injected the area with a pretty strong local anesthetic, so I didn't feel anything but tugging and pulling. They actually said that of all the ports they put in that day (isn't it sad that they have to put that many into people?!?), I was the only one who didn't snore on the table. LOL!
Overall, this procedure was a piece of cake. I was awake during and afterwards, and while I was tired, that's about it. I am super sore today, but nothing that a little Tylenol isn't helping. I don't remember being this sore with the last port, but then again, I was only a week and a half out of the colon surgery at the time, so I probably didn't notice the pain as much.
I go into the office on Tuesday for chemo, and an appt with the PA, Bill. As I said, I am sore and stiff, but I am feeling well.
Okay - the one thing that surprised me....when they were discharging me, the recommendation to keep the bandages clean? Glad Press 'N Seal. Yup, the stuff that you get in the store next to your wax paper and your tin foil. Apparently, this stuff sticks REALLY well to skin, and will help seal off the area to prevent water from getting at the incisions. Who knew? Not me, that's for sure. I will let you know if it works.
Oh - the other thing. Because I have started to have some scar tissue grow up in the area of my previous port, they moved this new port into an area just to the right of my other incision. So, Jen and Andy, when you are coming up with renderings for my tattoo, you will now have to include TWO 1 1/2" incisions, side by side. I will send you pictures, once the bandages are off. Now I will have two battle wounds (at least) from this war. Ha - what kind of official does that make me? I'm not up on my military rankings. Anyone?
We got there at about 1pm, and got registered (is it bad when the registration people start to recognize you?!?!). We got escorted to the prep area, and I put on the fashionable hospital gown (this one was a classic grey with a maroon pattern - chic!) and the sexy hospital socks. The nurse, who was wonderful, put the IV in (and I didn't scream once!) and did the blood work needed to perform the procedure. The really good news - my CBC (complete blood count) was within *normal* range, meaning that I had the same blood levels as someone NOT fighting cancer. Woo!
Once they get all the prep work done, the dr that is performing the procedure comes in to talk with me about risks, etc. He tells me that they are going to put a port in, and I asked if it was the same PowerPort that was in before. He kind of looked at my and asked if that's what I wanted. I told him that I didn't have a preference, but wanted to know the pros and cons of both. Apparently, there isn't much difference except that the PowerPort has three nodules on it that allow the nurses and doctors accessing the port to feel where the center is. The regular port doesn't have those guides, but isn't any more difficult to use. Hmph. The major difference? The regular port is about half the price of the PowerPort. Apparently, the PowerPort is utilized more in people that are going to have multiple MRIs or CAT Scans, b/c the PowerPort allows for the injection of those dyes and chemicals to perform those procedures. Since I don't have those things in my future (God willing), I made the call that they just put the regular port in. This worked out well because the hospital was out of the PowerPorts, and I would have had to reschedule the procedure. And, you know me - I already had a needle/IV in me. Gosh darn it, they were going to do this procedure come hell or high water.
So, the nurses call the drs office, and of course, my oncologist isn't there. Hmph. The nurses at the hospital talk with the nurses at the drs office, and they concur that there isn't any reason for me to have the PowerPort. SWEET! We are all on-board, and ready for transport to the procedure room. And, off I go.
Got in there, and supposedly, they were going to put me into a "twilight sleep." Well, let's just say that while this did relax me considerably, I wasn't sleeping. I was awake during the whole thing, which was okay b/c they injected the area with a pretty strong local anesthetic, so I didn't feel anything but tugging and pulling. They actually said that of all the ports they put in that day (isn't it sad that they have to put that many into people?!?), I was the only one who didn't snore on the table. LOL!
Overall, this procedure was a piece of cake. I was awake during and afterwards, and while I was tired, that's about it. I am super sore today, but nothing that a little Tylenol isn't helping. I don't remember being this sore with the last port, but then again, I was only a week and a half out of the colon surgery at the time, so I probably didn't notice the pain as much.
I go into the office on Tuesday for chemo, and an appt with the PA, Bill. As I said, I am sore and stiff, but I am feeling well.
Okay - the one thing that surprised me....when they were discharging me, the recommendation to keep the bandages clean? Glad Press 'N Seal. Yup, the stuff that you get in the store next to your wax paper and your tin foil. Apparently, this stuff sticks REALLY well to skin, and will help seal off the area to prevent water from getting at the incisions. Who knew? Not me, that's for sure. I will let you know if it works.
Oh - the other thing. Because I have started to have some scar tissue grow up in the area of my previous port, they moved this new port into an area just to the right of my other incision. So, Jen and Andy, when you are coming up with renderings for my tattoo, you will now have to include TWO 1 1/2" incisions, side by side. I will send you pictures, once the bandages are off. Now I will have two battle wounds (at least) from this war. Ha - what kind of official does that make me? I'm not up on my military rankings. Anyone?
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