|
Hi Bonnie,
I just had a port "installed" 8 days ago (Wednesday) and followed with my third chemo on Friday. Apparently, they can be used right away..., but that didn't sound like a good idea to me. The surgery is a breeze: at COH they only do chest ports and under general anethesia. The procedure took less than an hour, but you must consider pre-op prep and time to wake up from the anesthesia.
The surgeon placed my port low above my non-effected breast so the little scar will be hidden by a bra or swimsuit. The catheter that actually connects the port to the vein goes up above the clavicle. What I didn't realize is the lower the port, the more the surgeon has to tunnel under the skin. (I love all of this stuff learned through "experience.") It's probably better to have the port placed high on the chest, close to the clavicle so that there is less tunneling; thus, less soreness, less swelling.
Nonetheless, I was sore only the day after and then pretty much okay. The catheter irritates my clavicle and I think I was so tense and trying to protect my chest that I was a little hunched over and having a hard time breathing. Of course, I panic about sensations like that. Now, 8 days later, the chemo effects are wearing off and I'm feeling more "normal."
They pushed me to have a port because they said that the drugs can really damage one's veins. Worse, if there is any leakage, the drugs can damage the tissue around the veins.
I, too, am already sick of surgeries and didn't want any more poking or scars.
Alas.... I now have a port.
All the best,
Cristina
|