[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Hi Chelee,

Honey, have they been FLUSHING your port monthly? When I kept my port (from '95 for a yr after finishing chemo) I had to go in once a mnth for a flush. Very important. I'm hoping you've been told to do that.

Taking the port out can be done in surgeon's office. I looked the other way and asked if *I* could wait in the waiting room, but it was no biggie.

I too have horrible veins. They poke and prod and dig! and dig! saying "I'm in, but..." The veins collapse, roll over, *blow out*. I have little wounds up and down my one good arm. The rule in some places is -- two sticks and you get some one NEW. I like this rule.

I have learned that though my veins look juicy and good, in the middle of my arm -- they always fail to comply. I inform nurses of this. I explain that they must go in at an angle, and that those who've had success (and been therefore interrogated by me thoroughly) report that my veins *appear* deeper than they actually are, so DON'T JAB. My veins are *skinny* (by luck that's what part of me is skinny!) and delicate.

The nurses always want to go in to my hand (top). This is extrememly painful and unsuccessful, for me. I point to one vein in my wrist that is THE ONE. They all wince and say OOOhhh that's gotta hurt. Not as much as going in on my hand, I inform them.

I love my port! And there are some interesting posts on this board re that issue. I have been getting scans (ev 8 wks, then ev 3 mnths, then ev 4 mnths, NOW ev 6 mnths) and the Pavillion I love to get my scans at, small, friendly, highly trained, professional, accomodating has been accessing my port (by a nurse) for contrast for yrs I JUST FOUND OUT AT THE CHEMO ROOM AT MY CANCER CENTER THAT YOU SHOULD *NEVER* USE YOUR PORT FOR CONTRAST. It's too thick and could clog the port. They do use saline before and two salines after, plus heplock. I check that they are doing all this every single time (since forever). See my signature below for the nasty details of my professional patient career. They always wear gloves (from a package), use a mask, betadine carefully to clean the area.

My Cancer Center is associated w/the Pavillion both of which are now run by the Boca Community Hospital. They have very strict guidelines. Yet the Pavillion is not aware that at the Cancer Center the policy is NEVER to access a port for contrast! I will call tmrrw to speak to the head of Radiology. That is insane. No one should ever have such a problem.

My onc on Long Island does finger sticks for CBC bld tests. I always thought it rather "primitive". Now I am revising my opinion. The less you access your port the happier, cleaner and safer it will be for future use. It must be flushed monthly if unused!

I used to insist that I have a port so why not use it. Now I'm rethinking the situation. They always cover the port with a bandaid after chemo, which I keep on till I shower.

Also, the numbing spray I used to get I have been told by two chemo nurses -- that any onc -- that they are uncomfortable using it as it is a potential introduction of bacteria into the port. So interesting. They had attended a briefing by the company that makes the spray. So -- FOR THE LAST YEAR, NO SPRAY FOR ME. I tough it out. Not really painful, especially if you have a good nurse. Then, you feel nothing. And if you feel any thing it is over in a sec.

BTW, yes, I have gotten braver about speaking up since bc. One (male) nurse, nothing against men intended, was rough. My chemo mate, Myrna, commented she doesn't like him to access her. ME NEITHER!, I said. We decided to bite the bullet, if he approached us, we said, NO, THANK YOU. I'LL WAIT. He nodded and looked fine with our choice. In a few months he moved on...

Sending loving energy to all my sweet Soul Sisters, as always...ANDI