Post Treatment Milestone

I'm sorry that it was such a hassle to get in to see this doctor.  Something is seriously wrong there. 

I remember getting my port removed and was so sore and so happy

I hope you'll be celebrating soon

Janet

Ouch_Ouch_Ouch said:

Describe the procedure, please......

I'm glad that you are doing well, judyv3. Would you describe what happened and how they keep you from exsanguinating after they pulled the catheter from your superior vena cava? Was the vena cava sutured closed? Did you have a big pressure dressing applied to the area? Do you have to return for suture removal?

(Why are there consequences if we leave an MD waiting, but not when they leave us waiting?)

It was an office surgery.  Many injections of anesthetic.  Internal sutures.  External surgical superglue.  Layers of dressing.  Caution to not get it wet (maybe a dary or a week?  I don't remember for sure -hooray I'm forgetting parts of that past!)  Pain treated with Percocet.

judyv3 said:

Ignorance is bliss!

I was fearful of blood loss.  I had no idea what exsanguination meant while reading your post so I looked it up.  Thankfully, it was after the procedure!  I do not believe the vena cava was sutured closed.  Like Janet said, I was given several injections of local anesthesia (pinch and burn).  The stitches are internal and I have steri-strips over the area.  I went home with gauze taped over the area.  Instructions:  keep this on for a couple of days, don't get it wet, the steri-strips will fall off.  I removed the gauze last night.  The area looks good.  While doing the removal, the doc did cauterize a couple of places.  I tried my best not to pay too much attention.  As I said, ignorance is bliss.

I was told not to lift anything heavy for a couple of days.  I got a prescription for some pain medicine.  I don't like pain meds, they make me feel weird and sick.  Doc said I would probably hurt and I should fill it just in case.  I did not.  The first night (Wednesday) sleeping was uncomfortable.  Thursday and Friday were each better than the night before.  No pain, just a little uncomfortable.  

I think your nursing knowledge is both a blessing and a curse.  It's really helpful for us, but must be terrifying for you.  

I will not be seeing this doctor again.  When I left, there was a full waiting room of people and it was 4:30 p.m.  When he placed the port, he told me he would be the doctor who would follow me post treatment.  I knew that would not work for me.  I found a colo-rectal surgeon that I really like and he is following me.  I do not have any appointments till APRIL!  Ahhh.

Peace!

Judy

"I think your nursing knowledge is both a blessing and a curse.  It's really helpful for us, but must be terrifying for you."

Actually, I have next to no experience with oncology, so I'm a baby as a cancer person, too. I kind of wish that I was still working and could translate my experiences into some use for others. I think I would have switched to oncology nursing in some capacity.

The port has always been uncomfortable and downright painful at times. My kitty, Panda, has insisted on using it as a spring board ever since I got it. In the car passenger seat, the seat belt goes right over the top of it. The infusion center gave me a foam pad that attached to the seat belt to make it more comfortable......until Buddy have to slam on the brakes one day. That thin piece of foam was no more protective than a sheet of newsprint. I thought the port was going to be punched right through my chest wall! It was bruised for a while. I got a 2" thick piece of heavy packing foam and made a bridge for the seat belt so it would not come near the port.