Out with the Picc, in with the port

Jeff2159
Jeff2159 Member Posts: 108
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Finally got a port after 2 years of on and off with the picc line. Yea no more weekly change of dressings and I can swim and take a normal shower and bath. Gave the doctors a bit of a scare when they put it in. I was mostly awake when they put it in but was wide awake midstream as the doctor had the wire they insert touch my heart. Guess that is a no no and I went into A fib for 20 minutes and all I could do was start to tear up and then just laugh considering all I have gone through, I just thought damn, what next. My heart calmed down but I did get to see an echogram of my heart-- quite interesting seeing the ticker beat and pump blood. Just waiting for next PET scan which should be end of next week

Jeff

Comments

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #2
    What a scare......

    Bet that scared the doctor as well. Sometimes all we can do is laugh to get through this. Glad you still can. The port will be so much better for you i'm glad you finely got it. The echogram is neet to see and very strange if you get to hear it as well. Have a Better tomorrow Jeff.

    Bill

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    WOW Jeff...that is SO scary!!!

    Did they mean to knock you out before putting it in, or was that an accident, too?  Sh*t happens tho, even doing something as common as getting a port (they punctured my lung when they put mine in.....I was in the hospital for a week getting over that).

    Anyway....Merry early Chirstmas present!!!  Ports are where it's at, that's for sure!

    p

  • Jeff2159
    Jeff2159 Member Posts: 108
    #4
    phrannie51 said:

    WOW Jeff...that is SO scary!!!

    Did they mean to knock you out before putting it in, or was that an accident, too?  Sh*t happens tho, even doing something as common as getting a port (they punctured my lung when they put mine in.....I was in the hospital for a week getting over that).

    Anyway....Merry early Chirstmas present!!!  Ports are where it's at, that's for sure!

    p

    Port broken in

    Other than the initial prick, the port was much easier and from what I was told the initial pain is worse the first time but gets better. Yes they meant to just give me a twilight sedation. Found out I start again on erbitux, carboplatin and 5-fu this tuesday. After being off all these poisons for five weeks, my face, arms and back are finally free of acne and my face muscles are not so tight as they once were. Will give this stuff till the end of the year as I have my next pet scan on monday the 17th. Trying to schedule so I can enjoy thanksgiving and Christmas dinners

    Jeff

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #5
    wow, jeff, how scary

    wow, jeff, how scary especially after all you've been through.  glad you finally got the port and i hope it makes tx easier for you.  i'm so glad it all turned out well with your heart and you were able to laugh.  i would have not been able to stop crying....good luck with the pet scan.  i keep you in my prayers friend.

    God bless you,

    dj

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