Getting My Port
Wednesday I am having my port in and the nurse said they are only giving me a local - does this sound right? This is a brand new hospital that has only been open for 2-3 weeks and I think their scheduling department might not know what happens when they install a port. At least I hope so. I have to be there 1 1/2 hours early so that suggests to me they are doing something more than a local. Any thoughts anyone?
Kim
Comments
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Port
Kim... usually they give you the "conscious sedation", like what you get for colonoscopies. I have to admit, the stuff doesn't work for me so I'm wide awake for any procedure that uses it. Others say that one minute they are awake, next thing they are waking up and the procedure is finished. I think, what it does, even for those of us who don't go into la-la-land is relaxes us so much we really aren't aware that under normal conditions we might be a little bit tense.
As for the local... they'll give that to you too. They'll freeze the whole area around where they put in the port, so you really won't feel anything the surgeon is doing. When you go to have it taken out... at that time you don't get the "conscious sedation"... just the local. And it is fine... taking it out is a very simple procedure.
So, don't worry about the port. Ya, it'll be a little sore afterwards. Depending on your pain threshold, it may feel a lot more sore than you were led to believe, but if you have a few painkillers on hand, that will help big time. And the soreness will only last a couple of days.
Good luck and don't worry!
Cheryl0 -
Hi Kim!CherylHutch said:Port
Kim... usually they give you the "conscious sedation", like what you get for colonoscopies. I have to admit, the stuff doesn't work for me so I'm wide awake for any procedure that uses it. Others say that one minute they are awake, next thing they are waking up and the procedure is finished. I think, what it does, even for those of us who don't go into la-la-land is relaxes us so much we really aren't aware that under normal conditions we might be a little bit tense.
As for the local... they'll give that to you too. They'll freeze the whole area around where they put in the port, so you really won't feel anything the surgeon is doing. When you go to have it taken out... at that time you don't get the "conscious sedation"... just the local. And it is fine... taking it out is a very simple procedure.
So, don't worry about the port. Ya, it'll be a little sore afterwards. Depending on your pain threshold, it may feel a lot more sore than you were led to believe, but if you have a few painkillers on hand, that will help big time. And the soreness will only last a couple of days.
Good luck and don't worry!
Cheryl
I was put under that "Twilight Anesthesia" where they don't put you totally out, but that stuff puts me asleep! I remember then prepping me for it, but I don't remember the surgery, I woke up in recovery, and felt fine! A little soreness, but I really am glad I got it, saves me veins, that's for sure! You'll do fine, it only took them 20 minutes to do my surgery!
Good luck with it, you'll do great!
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
Pampamness said:I am confused
If you are having a port installed - they generally use twilight anesthesia - similar to the colonoscopy type. When it is removed, a local is fine.
I don't understand a port installation for an exam?
Pam
Pam I am going to the surgeon on Tuesday for a different matter and then Wednesday I have my port installed. I was confused when the nurse said that they would only use a local but she admitted she was new to scheduling and didn't know everything.0 -
PamShayenne said:Hi Kim!
I was put under that "Twilight Anesthesia" where they don't put you totally out, but that stuff puts me asleep! I remember then prepping me for it, but I don't remember the surgery, I woke up in recovery, and felt fine! A little soreness, but I really am glad I got it, saves me veins, that's for sure! You'll do fine, it only took them 20 minutes to do my surgery!
Good luck with it, you'll do great!
Hugsss!
~Donna
I wish good thoughts to you .
michelle0 -
Ideas
Kim, I am not a rectal ca person, had colon, but I am wondering if maybe
the uncomfortable feeling is scar tissue issues? maybe a small thing in
the installation of equipment that needs to be corrected? Just trying to
give a little positive twist to that issue.
As far as the port installation.....I also had a local twilight anesthesia..
I could feel the pressure of the doc when he was installing the port and
I think he must have been having a problem.....I had to ask for more twilight...
it was bearable but I could still feel some discomfort.....for colonoscopies,
they give me the twilight stuff and it knocks me out until the procedure is
over....don't feel a thing....so there is twilight and there is twilight....
just tell them if you have discomfort while they are putting it in....
Barbara0 -
Portdixchi said:Ideas
Kim, I am not a rectal ca person, had colon, but I am wondering if maybe
the uncomfortable feeling is scar tissue issues? maybe a small thing in
the installation of equipment that needs to be corrected? Just trying to
give a little positive twist to that issue.
As far as the port installation.....I also had a local twilight anesthesia..
I could feel the pressure of the doc when he was installing the port and
I think he must have been having a problem.....I had to ask for more twilight...
it was bearable but I could still feel some discomfort.....for colonoscopies,
they give me the twilight stuff and it knocks me out until the procedure is
over....don't feel a thing....so there is twilight and there is twilight....
just tell them if you have discomfort while they are putting it in....
Barbara
Hi Kim,
I don't have the experience of having gone through surgery yet, but I did have the Brad port put in and is in use. Twilight was used which worked well as I had no discomfort, but I was able to speak and joke throughout the procedure. (I was trying to get them to shave the other side of my chest to achieve balance, ha!)
Anyway, I was asked about my tolerance for pain, and to err on the safe side (with some truth to it as well) I mentioned that I am truly a "woos" so they added a bit more, and I was still awake, albeit numb.
Fernando0 -
Twilight
I was wondering about the twilight and it didn't work for me at all when I was having my colonoscopy. I felt and saw everything. The doctor kept saying give her more, and she responded I just did but it's not working, well then give her a bit more - still nothing. I think my nerves just counteract any of that stuff because I burn it all up with anxiety. I will tell them that the twilight medicine didn't work before when I go in. I just don't want to be fully awake for this.
Thanks for your responses!
Kim0 -
Hmmmm
Hey, Sweetie,
I don't know about the local when getting the port put in. Yes when you're getting it out, but not in. Usually they use Versed or some other twilight sleep drug. It's a lot harder to put in than take out. You MAY NOT drive yourself there. I'd double check with the hospital. I had to do the whole pre-op thing before port insertion, so please check so they don't have to delay the insertion. Also, no eating or drinking after midnight just in case.
Hugs,
Kirsten0 -
same for mekmygil said:Hmmmm
Hey, Sweetie,
I don't know about the local when getting the port put in. Yes when you're getting it out, but not in. Usually they use Versed or some other twilight sleep drug. It's a lot harder to put in than take out. You MAY NOT drive yourself there. I'd double check with the hospital. I had to do the whole pre-op thing before port insertion, so please check so they don't have to delay the insertion. Also, no eating or drinking after midnight just in case.
Hugs,
Kirsten
I also did the whole pre-op thing. NPO after midnight and twilight just like colonoscopy. They will take a chest xray post procedure to check placement before you go home. Compared to crc surgery it is a walk in the park so to speak. Just a little soreness after and I think I had shower restrictions for a few days until the incision healed. All in all not a big deal.
Smiles,
Dawn0 -
port
Hi Kim,
From ****'s experience, it is very important to communicate with the surgeon. The twilight did not work for him so he felt a lot. We talked to a friend who is an anesthiologist (sp?) and she said you should not feel anything, they should have kept working with him until he felt nothing. Don't be shy, tell them you want no or very, very little pain... that's their job.
Good luck my dear. You'll be fine.
Aloha,
kathleen0 -
Kim
Hi Kim. They can make sure you are out. I was clear out till it was over. Just be firm about it with them, there is no sense in feeling any of it, they can do it! Good luck with your appointment, hope everything is OK down there, or a quick fix, and that your port insertion goes smoothly.
Pam0 -
Thanks
Well I ended up contacting my oncologist and tried to get someone to answer my questions. My oncologist's nurse did call me back and you all were right. They do give you a twilight sleep. She said make sure they know that you didn't go out before because they can and will do what it takes to make you comfortable. The nurse that originally scheduled this did not know what she was talking about.
She also told me nothing to eat after midnight and I should be there about 1/2 hour before surgery. The original nurse told me 1 1/2 hours and that seemed very long prep time since my procedure is at 9:00. Well see she didn't know that either. I can't blame the new nurse as I said this hospital just opened and they obviously are new to the areas too.
I'll let you know how tomorrow goes at the surgeons. I just hope that all is ok, which I'm sure it will be.
Just hope the person putting the port in knows what they are doing
Hugs! Kim0 -
same thing
Hi Kim,
I have the same experience with the twilight sleep- I need to ask for more. I asked for more during my colonoscopy & cried out for more of "something" during my port installation surgery. I didn't actually feel the pain itself, but I felt lots of pressure, like they were pounding my chest with a sledge hammer. It was not a fun experience, so I'm sure hoping it will be a breeze for you, since it seems like lots of other people have had it go pretty smoothly. Some have said theirs was sore only for a couple of days. I had pain up my neck, down shoulder/arm, and down my back for a couple of weeks. I think some people are just more sensitive. It took a couple of months of putting the seatbelt under my arm when driving also. That's something to think about- It seems from what I've noticed in the chemo office, most people have their port on the right side. Mine is on the left. I really don't know why they pick one side over another & neither did my oncologist. Sounds like you already are prepared to tell them you may need "more" of the twilight and/or something else up front when you go in for the port. Hope all goes well for you, and that you are able to get answers/help with the rectum problem, as well. Hopefully there's just swelling there from the surgery, but best to get it checked out.
Blessings,
Lisa0 -
One other thinglisa42 said:same thing
Hi Kim,
I have the same experience with the twilight sleep- I need to ask for more. I asked for more during my colonoscopy & cried out for more of "something" during my port installation surgery. I didn't actually feel the pain itself, but I felt lots of pressure, like they were pounding my chest with a sledge hammer. It was not a fun experience, so I'm sure hoping it will be a breeze for you, since it seems like lots of other people have had it go pretty smoothly. Some have said theirs was sore only for a couple of days. I had pain up my neck, down shoulder/arm, and down my back for a couple of weeks. I think some people are just more sensitive. It took a couple of months of putting the seatbelt under my arm when driving also. That's something to think about- It seems from what I've noticed in the chemo office, most people have their port on the right side. Mine is on the left. I really don't know why they pick one side over another & neither did my oncologist. Sounds like you already are prepared to tell them you may need "more" of the twilight and/or something else up front when you go in for the port. Hope all goes well for you, and that you are able to get answers/help with the rectum problem, as well. Hopefully there's just swelling there from the surgery, but best to get it checked out.
Blessings,
Lisa
Right after the port was installed, I felt as if the cath attached to the Brad port had been pulled too tight within without enough slack. This worried me and I thought the doctor that installed it might have messed up. He is doing his fellowship being supervised by one of the doctors that typically does the procedure. (His name is Osama, I swear, I thought that was funny under twilight sedation).
The tightness was actually due to the dressing that was completed by the nurse. The feeling was not good and immediately alleviated once another nurse in recovery reset the tape of the dressing.
Just a heads up.0 -
My Port is on the leftlisa42 said:same thing
Hi Kim,
I have the same experience with the twilight sleep- I need to ask for more. I asked for more during my colonoscopy & cried out for more of "something" during my port installation surgery. I didn't actually feel the pain itself, but I felt lots of pressure, like they were pounding my chest with a sledge hammer. It was not a fun experience, so I'm sure hoping it will be a breeze for you, since it seems like lots of other people have had it go pretty smoothly. Some have said theirs was sore only for a couple of days. I had pain up my neck, down shoulder/arm, and down my back for a couple of weeks. I think some people are just more sensitive. It took a couple of months of putting the seatbelt under my arm when driving also. That's something to think about- It seems from what I've noticed in the chemo office, most people have their port on the right side. Mine is on the left. I really don't know why they pick one side over another & neither did my oncologist. Sounds like you already are prepared to tell them you may need "more" of the twilight and/or something else up front when you go in for the port. Hope all goes well for you, and that you are able to get answers/help with the rectum problem, as well. Hopefully there's just swelling there from the surgery, but best to get it checked out.
Blessings,
Lisa
Mine is on the left, as are a lot of folks in my chemo room. It must vary by doctor. My surgeon said they prefer to use the left side and run the line across the chest to hook into the vein, or is it artery? I get that all confused. Anyway, he didn't say why and I didn't ask. I don't even notice it's there. Once in a while I will feel it if I reach my left arm across my chest, but it doesn't hurt.
Yes, go for more twilight. I am the opposite..a real lightweight. It always takes me a long time to wake up from these 'minor procedures'.
Hugs, Vicki0 -
OsamaFernando H said:One other thing
Right after the port was installed, I felt as if the cath attached to the Brad port had been pulled too tight within without enough slack. This worried me and I thought the doctor that installed it might have messed up. He is doing his fellowship being supervised by one of the doctors that typically does the procedure. (His name is Osama, I swear, I thought that was funny under twilight sedation).
The tightness was actually due to the dressing that was completed by the nurse. The feeling was not good and immediately alleviated once another nurse in recovery reset the tape of the dressing.
Just a heads up.
I take it he wasn't too impressed with your finding his name funny?! I imagine most of his patients since 9/11 find that name funny if they hear it for the first time under anesthesia! I can't imagine what comes out of MY mouth when i'm under the influence! My doctors are pretty nice about it though, they don't seem to listen to me
mary0 -
Port
My doctor gave me a general anesthesia for my port, but the nurse in Pre-op said she just came from another hospital and they always placed the port with conscious sedation. (Verced)
I'm glad I was put to sleep because it hurt where the port was placed and my left arm like the devil for two weeks after getting it in.
Verced (I think that is how it is spelled) always makes me go to sleep so I probably could have gone that way and not cared.
bdee0
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