Port

Next up on the checklist before starting chemotherapy was getting a port placed. A port is placed so the chemotherapy is infused into a larger vein and is distributed faster. If they use a smaller vein in the arm, the chemotherapy will ruin the veins and the infusion is at a way slower rate. The port is a small reservoir, a plastic or metal cylinder usually placed just below the collar bone, connected to a catheter that enters the jugular vein in the neck. Usually you would get a port placed about a week before you start chemo, however since everything is centered around insurance authorization in this country (rant to come on that later) I had my port placed the day before chemo started. This wasn’t a huge issue at the time, however it doesn’t allow your port incision to heal up before injecting poison into your body that doesn’t allow you to heal well at all (more to come on that later as well).

The actual port placement procedure was an experience. I had mine placed at Valley Hospital. They put you under light sedation (you are awake but very drowsy) and can hear/ feel everything going on. They don’t put you all the way under because they have you move and adjust as they place the port. They put a big sheet over your head and numb the area. You can hear the sound of medical instruments clacking away and the voices of nurses and the doctor “pass me this, cut open here, place here…” and I couldn’t feel much except for a deep pressure where they placed the port.

I came out of the procedure room a little drowsy and sore. I was placed on restrictions for my left arm since the port was placed in my left upper chest- no reaching overhead, no pushing or pulling and no lifting anything over 5 lbs for 10-14 days. (Again, my worst nightmare).