Melinda's Port Removed

Melinda's port was removed this morning.

We arrived at the hospital at 6:oo am. Her surgery was at 8:25 am. She was discharged at 9:45 am. She didn't have any problems, although she has a nice 2-inch incision on her left shoulder. She rested/slept most of the afternoon, before having turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie. Unfortunately, she ate too much celebration meal and made herself slightly sick. This usually passes in an hour or two.

It feels strange for her to not have a port. It was with us for 3 years and 2 months, so it became part of the family. It will take some adjusting to not have to make the 6-week runs to the hospital to have it flushed. It also feels like a lifeline has been removed. Her port seemed like an emergency hatch we could open if she ever had a recurrence. It was also used each time she had a CT scan, to inject the markers. It was also an easy way to take blood for her 3-month tests. All that is gone now. It's definitely good, a very happy day, and a milestone passed for her. But it also makes us both feel anxious about what if....?

We both hope and pray that many, many others get to experience these feelings of nervousness, as they move forward in their fights and reach the same milestone as Melinda.

Vaughn, caregiver to Melinda 

DX October 2009:  T3N1M0

November and December 2009:  chemo (Cisplatin and 5 FU) and radiation

February 2010:  Ivor Lewis surgery