Port & Perm-Cath

Recently I had to be admitted again to have a port & perm-cath inserted.  This was my third anaesthetic for this year, & that thought alone terrified me as having MG is a huge risk when being put under.  We had to be at the hospital before 6am & I was second on the list to go through - so at least I didn't have to wait too long with a grumbling tummy!

I have never had a port inserted, although I know about them & have often had discussions with my doctors about having one inserted - especially recently when my veins have just been giving up on me!  The surgeon I went to has inserted all my other perm-caths & knows me well, so I knew that I could trust him completely.  He saw me before I went under, squeezed my hand & told me that everything was going to be ok.  I really appreciated it, as I was stressing whilst I was lying waiting to be wheeled into theatre (in my super sexy one-size-fits-all paper panties & hospital gown - please can someone design something that doesn't look so dreadful?).

The pics above show how the port is inserted, & what it looks like under the skin.  It takes away the horror of them having to dig for a vein as they simply insert the needle into the spongy centre part of the port.  Currently you can see the shape of the port in my chest, but as time goes on this should settle more & you won't even know that it is there!

I had my perm-cath inserted at the same time as I am still having to go in for plasmapheresis & they cannot continually insert temporary lines as my veins are filled with scar tissue & the pain is unreal when they try to break through this.  I didn't want to have to go under again, & also I don't think my medical aid would like me having to book in again!

About 3 hours after my operation I was finally wide awake enough to message friends & family to let them know that I was fine - and I took the beautiful photo above.  Can you tell I am still a bit high on the medication & very unimpressed with the pain?  Gee whiz - the pain.  It was unreal.  I felt like I had been hit by a train in my chest & was completely miserable.  I don't usually ask for pain killers, but this time I had to.  I just couldn't cope with it.  For such a small operation it sure did have a huge impact on my body!

A couple of hours after this my doctor came & said they were happy with how I had recovered so I could go home - that same day!!!  I have NEVER had such a quick hospital stay & I was so excited to go home to my own bed to recover.  I kept a cushion on my chest at all times to protect everything from my dogs as they love to give kisses & cuddles, & we couldn't risk anything being pulled out/scratched.

Since then things have got better day by day.   I am still quite tired & sore, but I am able to move around a lot more & at least I could take off some of my plasters - I react so badly to these & sometimes think that the itching may have been worse than the actual pain.

Three Days Post-Op

Tomorrow I am getting my stitches taken out & the perm-cath dressing changed with one of my favourite nurses - Jenny.  I haven't seen her since my last line at the beginning of the year & she is such a vital part of the team that takes care of me.  I can't wait!

We will be starting chemo (through my port - eeek!) in about 3 weeks time.  I am almost finished with my antibiotics for the PCP pneumonia, & once that is done I will have more blood tests & then the new treatment begins.  I am excited, but also very nervous.  Chemo is no fun, but I am hopeful this will make a difference in the quality of my life - and at least I have the pipes in for any plasma that I may need.

Onwards & upwards!