Is it just the steri-strips?

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Patrusha
Patrusha Member Posts: 487
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I removed the over bandage on my newly-placed port last night and I was surprised to find it kinda "bumpy" like a wash board road after a heavy rain. I expected a bump, to be sure, but more like a smooth quarter under my skin. I haven't removed the steri-strips (been told to let those fall off naturally) so I am hoping that perhaps it is the strips that are bunching my skin into the wash board effect. What do you guys think?

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  • pepperdog
    pepperdog Member Posts: 96
    #2
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    I'd guess it's the steristrips that have your skin pulled. My husand's port looks like 1/2 of a marble under his skin. About dime sized with a rounded shape. The skin is smooth. The only other visible thing is a slight 'line' that runs north to south above the port, about 2 1/2 inches. It's the line that the drugs feed through after they are injected into the port. Don't worry; even if the skin isn't perfectly smooth, no one sees it much and you won't have this forever. You will be so glad you got it; it will make your treatments easier. Hang in there, I know you're going through lots of strange, scary new stuff just like we have. From your posts, I see that you've already learned you're much tougher than you thought.
    Thinking of you and wishing for good things....
    Pepperdog
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #3
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    pepperdog said:

    I'd guess it's the steristrips that have your skin pulled. My husand's port looks like 1/2 of a marble under his skin. About dime sized with a rounded shape. The skin is smooth. The only other visible thing is a slight 'line' that runs north to south above the port, about 2 1/2 inches. It's the line that the drugs feed through after they are injected into the port. Don't worry; even if the skin isn't perfectly smooth, no one sees it much and you won't have this forever. You will be so glad you got it; it will make your treatments easier. Hang in there, I know you're going through lots of strange, scary new stuff just like we have. From your posts, I see that you've already learned you're much tougher than you thought.
    Thinking of you and wishing for good things....
    Pepperdog

    Thanks Pepperdog. Now if the darn thing would just stop itching!!! I know, I know, it's healing. I can be so impatient! LOL!
  • betina61
    betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
    #4
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    Hi Patrusha, I looked at my port for the first time, this last thursday,I went on Wendsday to be disconected from the pump, but they left me like gauze with some tape, I was so scared because that day while I was waiting I saw this lady with this port so bumpy that you could notice it I think from long distance, maybe this lady was too thin, I don't know, but first thing I did was to call my daughter and tell her about the lady with the big bumpy port, well to my satisfaction I already saw mine and is no bumpy, the only thing that you could see now are two litle incisions, that I supose will fade with time, One thing I tell you I can not touch it,when I bath,I only let the water from the shower go there, but that is me I am a litle chiken for some things, O.K anyway the appearance of the port is no big problem at all, so relax. Lots of hugs, Betina Betina
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
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    Probably just that. I was/am allergic to steri-strips...so you can imagine the stress I went thru!!!!
    My port sticks out pretty far, 1/2 inch above the skin. But, I just have dressed differently for the last years, and I will NEVER regret having it there, thru both cancers.
    Itch...can you imagine???? Try cool, damp (not wet) washclothes....double duty...soothes, and keeps your hands off of it!!!
    Hugs, kathi
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #6
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    KathiM said:

    Probably just that. I was/am allergic to steri-strips...so you can imagine the stress I went thru!!!!
    My port sticks out pretty far, 1/2 inch above the skin. But, I just have dressed differently for the last years, and I will NEVER regret having it there, thru both cancers.
    Itch...can you imagine???? Try cool, damp (not wet) washclothes....double duty...soothes, and keeps your hands off of it!!!
    Hugs, kathi

    I know I am allergic to latex surgical tape... I wonder about the steri-strips. Two of the three came off this morning and man it was red as can be underneath them. It is fading, but I still have the main steri-strip intact over the main incision. We shall see. I just hope when it falls off that my skin will fall back into a more natural smoothness. It's not noticeable under my clothes even as it is, so no big deal. Hey, Betina, you can't be a chicken. You're a survivor! The two are incompatible. Hugs.
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #7
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    Hi Patrusha,

    I was allergic to the steri strips also. My skin was very red. It went away after a few days but was worrisome. Mine is smooth and sticks up more now since I lost some weight. Kids think is is gross now. LOL. Just don't pick at it. I had a problem with the internal stiches coming out of the incision. I actually thought one was a scab and tried to get it off. I got my hands slapped for pulling at it by my surgeon. LOL. Funny thing is after the second port it happened again. I asked the new surgeon why it happened and he said he didn't know that it must just be me. I'm soooo special. LOL. Maybe ask your onc if you can put something on it to help the redness/itching? HUGS and it is the best for the chemo.

    Lisa F.
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #8
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    lfondots63 said:

    Hi Patrusha,

    I was allergic to the steri strips also. My skin was very red. It went away after a few days but was worrisome. Mine is smooth and sticks up more now since I lost some weight. Kids think is is gross now. LOL. Just don't pick at it. I had a problem with the internal stiches coming out of the incision. I actually thought one was a scab and tried to get it off. I got my hands slapped for pulling at it by my surgeon. LOL. Funny thing is after the second port it happened again. I asked the new surgeon why it happened and he said he didn't know that it must just be me. I'm soooo special. LOL. Maybe ask your onc if you can put something on it to help the redness/itching? HUGS and it is the best for the chemo.

    Lisa F.

    Thanks, Lisa.... I love grossing out the kids. My daughter is especially squeamish! LOL! I can see something under the steri-strip so when it finally falls off I will make sure I don't pull it! Could be one of the stitches. Thanks for the info.

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