Power Port Drama-9/10/09

Hi All,

I am all done with the scan at the hospital this AM. It was all kind of ridiculous that I had to register as an inpatient to have a scan. But, whatever!! It's done. It's was all crazy too. Last May I had my picc line removed and a Power Port put in. The picc line in my arm got a rash around the surrounding skin. It would not go away. So we decided to put a port in my chest instead. They installed a new device called a Power Port that can handle stronger flushes of fluid unlike your ordinary everyday port. So I'm all "new and improved" and "high tech" in the world of ports. The problem is that not all the nurses are familiar with this "new technology" and they don't want to use it. The only other option is to try to find a vein in one of my arms. Which often takes many pokes and digs and is painful and frustrating for everyone involved. So today they find a doctor who has been practicing for 40 years who says he'll use the port. It hurts as usual but it's just one poke so no big deal. They tape it up. Then they send me in the machine to start the contrast infusion and it's starts to hurt and burn and spray out all over my neck. So I am hollering for them to stop. And they do. It's really hurting and I'm tearing up and they are looking for the doctor who put the needle in. He comes and takes it out. They start to massage the area to break up all the contrast that is in my tissue instead of my vein. That was why it was burning. And that helps the pain to dissipate. The doctor seems obviously annoyed that it failed and didn't work. He kept saying it should have worked. Since he took it out he wanted to retry so he could flush it to see if it was blocked or what. The second time he tried it didn't hurt as much. He flushed it with saline and it didn't feel like anything. So they decided since the line was clear to try again. And, Thank-You Jesus, all went just fine. They flushed it before they removed the needle, apologized and sent me on my way. I think with all the excitement and uncertainty with the new port they just plum forgot to flush the port first. They always flush it before and after they do anything. I will need to be more proactive about all that in the future.

Sorry about the play by play with it all. Now I wait to hear back from Dr. Rigberg to see what they (Dr. Rigberg and Dr. Hayward) think I should do right now regarding my Superior Vena Cava. Apparently it is a risky procedure to stent that vein. God knows and God is in control. My next appointment with Dr. Rigberg is next Tues. I'm hoping I do not need a stent. I am hoping the radiation is shrinking the tumors.

I have been battling a lot of nausea and vomiting these past few days. Prayer to get that under control who be awesome. I have 6 days done out of 20. Still a long way to go with all this everyday stuff. It wears you down pretty good.

Love and Blessings to all!!

Peggy