Porta-cath question

nanuk
nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
last time I had a Groshong placed with a local anesthetic, and it was fine. This time I'm having a
porta-cath implanted.. is there anyone who has done the porta-cath without anesthesia? Bud

Comments

  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #2
    Hey Bud...

    When I had my port put in, I had some anesthetic, however, I wasn't totally knocked out. I remember talking to the doctor while he was putting it in, and him saying something along the lines of I was freaking him out, and perhaps I should have been given more to knock me out and pipe me down! I am not sure what they gave me, but the effects were similar to that of a colonoscopy. Did that help? Hope so...

    Stacy
  • bryancarson
    bryancarson Member Posts: 47
    #3
    I don't think they put them in without anathesia. They had me under conscious sedation. It was no big deal at all. I was sore for a couple days, but it was so worth it. It's not a major surgery, but they are accessing a artery that goes directly into your aorta, so I think they have to have an anastheologist there the entire time. At least they did for me.
  • pattieb
    pattieb Member Posts: 168
    #4
    Hey Bud
    I was knocked out for my port and I was a little sore for a couple of days. Once in a while it bothers me alittle but I am sooo glad I have it.
    I didn't have one for my first round of chemo and I sure wish I did.
    Pattie
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #5
    the Dr says he will let me do it w/o anesthesia; I'm just wondering if the porta-cath is more surgery than the Groshong..they both go into the aorta,but one sticks out, and one is under the skin. If I have a local anesthetic, I can drive myself.if I have the conscious medication, I have to have somebody there to drive me home, and my dog doesn't have her license yet.. Bud
  • Cully
    Cully Member Posts: 8
    #6
    I can't imagine them placing it without some serious anesthesia. You're much tougher than I am! They had to cut through some muscle, and I wouldn't want to be awake for that. Not sure what a Groshong is, but if its not under the skin, I would think there would be issues with showering, and possibly clothes irritating. After I woke up from the anesthesia, I felt like I could drive...I didn't, but the type they gave me wore off quickly.
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #7
    Cully said:

    I can't imagine them placing it without some serious anesthesia. You're much tougher than I am! They had to cut through some muscle, and I wouldn't want to be awake for that. Not sure what a Groshong is, but if its not under the skin, I would think there would be issues with showering, and possibly clothes irritating. After I woke up from the anesthesia, I felt like I could drive...I didn't, but the type they gave me wore off quickly.

    Groshong-Hickman..same-same I think..I guess I'll bite the bullet and opt for some drugs.. I think they use Versed-(Midazolam)
  • andreae
    andreae Member Posts: 236
    #8
    Hi Bud!

    Well, I guess they are trying to cut corners in Quebec because I received absolutely nothing for the porta-cath implant. No drugs, relaxants, sedatives, nothing. It was okay though. Well, I guess I could probably name a thousand places I would have preferred to be, but it wasn't that bad. They used local anesthesia to freeze the skin, and just shoved it in. They had my head under a blanket so I didn't get to watch. Honestly, the most uncomfortable part was when they took off the top part of the gown and had to lay there topless with all these male doctors around (I asked them to tip me for the show on the way out, he, he... They didn't think I was very funny). The pain was minimal but it was sort of freaky when they had to really push down on my chest to get the Port between my ribs. Anyways, all in all, it wasn't so bad. I certainly prefer that to a colostomy operation! At least this time, the rest of my colon got to stay in my stomach and they didn't sew anything up!

    Sincerely,
    Andrea
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #9
    andreae said:

    Hi Bud!

    Well, I guess they are trying to cut corners in Quebec because I received absolutely nothing for the porta-cath implant. No drugs, relaxants, sedatives, nothing. It was okay though. Well, I guess I could probably name a thousand places I would have preferred to be, but it wasn't that bad. They used local anesthesia to freeze the skin, and just shoved it in. They had my head under a blanket so I didn't get to watch. Honestly, the most uncomfortable part was when they took off the top part of the gown and had to lay there topless with all these male doctors around (I asked them to tip me for the show on the way out, he, he... They didn't think I was very funny). The pain was minimal but it was sort of freaky when they had to really push down on my chest to get the Port between my ribs. Anyways, all in all, it wasn't so bad. I certainly prefer that to a colostomy operation! At least this time, the rest of my colon got to stay in my stomach and they didn't sew anything up!

    Sincerely,
    Andrea

    ..you mean it's stuck between your ribs? Which side?
    I guess it could be in a different location on me because of anatomical differences..? Bud
  • andreae
    andreae Member Posts: 236
    #10
    Well, I think that's where they stuck it. It's so of on my right side, maybe an inch down from the collarbone. I think they may use the tiny ribs up there to stabilize it and then they snake the rubbery tube into your aorta. It protrudes quite a bit (my friends call it the bottlecap in my chest cause that's what it sort of looks like). But apparently to have it stick out prominently is a good thing because it's easy to access. Anyways, it's a fabulous contraption! I did the piqq line thing when I had the fanny pack 5fu and then had nothing for the 4 rounds of 5fu injections, but when they found the mets., I said enough is enough, give me the Port! For some reason, they are not as highly recommended here as they are in the States. Good luck and you are in my thoughts.

    Lots of love,
    Andrea
  • Lisa Rose
    Lisa Rose Member Posts: 598 Member
    #11
    Hi Bud, I live in NB,Canada. I had my porta-cath put in under local anaethetic. Best thing I ever did! Lisa

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