Port's In

This morning I had the port placed.


We were to be at the hospital at 9:30, I was brought back almost immediately. Normally, they would have allowed Ron to come back with me (since there is always a waiting period before you are actually brought back for the procedure). This nurse didn't offer the opportunity for Ron to come back, and I didn't think to insist. He needed to pick up an Rx at the discharge pharmacy, so I figured he could go do that instead. 


Walking down that hall without him next to me was absolute torture. It made me realize how much I rely on him for strength. By the time I was in my room, the tears were silently flowing...I couldn't stop them for anything.


The crying wasn't from fear of the procedure. It was the act of the port being placed making this whole nightmare real in my head. There's no more denying it. No more fronts. I have cancer. 


The nurses were very comforting. One nurse told me of her daughter being diagnosed a year ago, at the age of 21, with lymphoma. She had been through chemo and radiation, and was now doing very well.


Twenty-one.


The biggest thing on a 21-year-old's plate is supposed to be
college/boyfriend/job. NOT cancer.


I seemed to calm down a bit, and they inserted an IV in my arm (last one!). Antibiotics first, then sedative.


Ron was brought back shortly after. I still hadn't managed to stop the tears. It had been an hour and a half.


He listened and comforted and told me it was going to be ok. I could hear those words from anyone else, and it wouldn't mean shit. Coming from his mouth, it means everything. He is my rock. He gave me the strength to stop the tears and focus on what needed to get done. 


They wheeled me back just after 11. The nurses in the OR were great. They made a nice little tent over my face so I couldn't see what they were doing (yet I was able to see the nurse if I needed anything). I was given a sedative/pain killer combo that allowed me to be awake but comfortable. 


The procedure was supposed to take an hour, but it took two (not sure why). At the end of the procedure, I was left with two incisions: one about 3" below my collarbone where the port was put under the skin, and one on the base of my neck where they accessed my vein. 

This is what is under my skin. For those who know me well, please note the color :-)! As of right now, it has produced a bump under my skin about 1/4" high, and maybe one inch in diameter. To use the port, I apply a numbing cream to my skin, and a needle is stuck through my skin and into the center of the port (which is a silicone type substance). One poke, and they can do blood draws, CT contrast, chemo. Very convenient, less risk for infection, no collapsed veins. I will NOT miss IV's.

It was emotional, but worth it. It will allow a safer delivery of the meds that will make me better.

Hi, my name is Ronda, and I have cancer. 

Wanna see my port?