Port vs Picc
From my first surgery I got DVT in my left arm- deep vein thrombosis, aka blood clot. So my right arm only is available for blood draws.
I've been phobic of needles my whole life. I know most people don't like needles, but....my level is a little more extreme. I cry at the thought of an IV line, and while hospitalized for surgery had so much anxiety over every blood draw.
So it was suggested I get a port, a small disc with half a plastic rubber ball on top that is connected to my veins. This way they can infuse for chemo through it and also draw blood through it. Only thing is there is a bulge that you can see.
I wanted to get a picc line which is put in the upper arm and in my opinion way cuter. But my doctor said it wasn't an option for me given I'm already prone to blood clots, infections etc and the picc line requires daily care.
So about 10 days after my oophorectomies and hysterectomy, I had another surgery for my port.
They said they put me under lighter sedation, but that I'd still think I had been knocked out.
I did a lot of reading about people's experiences with the port and it seemed one of the biggest complaints was car seat belts rubbing against the port. So I went in my parents car, drew the outline of the seatbelt before surgery, and asked the doctor to not place it anywhere within the lines. Unfortunately he said it wasn't possible.
What I was surprised about was how much the port hurt. So they made a small incision near my neck to connect my vein to a tube, then a larger one to place the port. I'm not going to lie, my port really hurt. It was very sore and throbbed, I was very surprised by the pain.
Fortunately my doctor insists on waiting 10 days after getting the port before doing chemo. Some doctors have the port placed and then immediately begin chemo right after. I can't even imagine.
Everyday I was sore but sure enough on day 10 it stopped.
I use emla cream - this is such a must. I put a huge dollop on an hour before and cover it with saran wrap. I don't feel the prick.
The best thing is they can use the same line for blood draws and for chemo. If I need to get my blood drawn the day before they leave the line in and just place a large sticker to keep it in place.
We also use my port for contrast for the scans etc it's made my life so much easier.
I've been phobic of needles my whole life. I know most people don't like needles, but....my level is a little more extreme. I cry at the thought of an IV line, and while hospitalized for surgery had so much anxiety over every blood draw.
So it was suggested I get a port, a small disc with half a plastic rubber ball on top that is connected to my veins. This way they can infuse for chemo through it and also draw blood through it. Only thing is there is a bulge that you can see.
I wanted to get a picc line which is put in the upper arm and in my opinion way cuter. But my doctor said it wasn't an option for me given I'm already prone to blood clots, infections etc and the picc line requires daily care.
So about 10 days after my oophorectomies and hysterectomy, I had another surgery for my port.
They said they put me under lighter sedation, but that I'd still think I had been knocked out.
I did a lot of reading about people's experiences with the port and it seemed one of the biggest complaints was car seat belts rubbing against the port. So I went in my parents car, drew the outline of the seatbelt before surgery, and asked the doctor to not place it anywhere within the lines. Unfortunately he said it wasn't possible.
What I was surprised about was how much the port hurt. So they made a small incision near my neck to connect my vein to a tube, then a larger one to place the port. I'm not going to lie, my port really hurt. It was very sore and throbbed, I was very surprised by the pain.
Fortunately my doctor insists on waiting 10 days after getting the port before doing chemo. Some doctors have the port placed and then immediately begin chemo right after. I can't even imagine.
Everyday I was sore but sure enough on day 10 it stopped.
I use emla cream - this is such a must. I put a huge dollop on an hour before and cover it with saran wrap. I don't feel the prick.
The best thing is they can use the same line for blood draws and for chemo. If I need to get my blood drawn the day before they leave the line in and just place a large sticker to keep it in place.
We also use my port for contrast for the scans etc it's made my life so much easier.
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