So I’m three months into a six months of scheduled treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphona and currently require an IV or blood test on average of slightly more than one time a week. To borrow some World of Warcraft jargon, all of my veins are now on cooldown and if they try to reuse any of them one of the following debuffs more than likely applies: collapsed, exploded, spasmed, sclerosis, retracted, or “we got the needle in the vein but for some reason no blood is coming out” because I’d apparently also be totally useless as a food source to a vampire at this point.
Occasionally, they can get a usable vein on the first try but just as often it’s taking three tries. Thus my doctor is strongly suggesting I get an IV port which would be installed in my chest or near my elbow and provide access to larger, deeper veins. In addition to having the benefit of not being poked with a needle so often, receiving my chemotherapy treatment would be less painful because the veins it would be going in to would be larger so the pain would be distributed more lightly over a larger area.
The major drawbacks are:
- this would be the only thing related to the cancer that would leave me with an external scar
- I’d have a hunk of plastic/metal in my skin as a constant reminder that I have cancer
- last week when I was at my check up, another patient went into cardiac arrest while having their port installed (granted, the average patient in that department is 2-3x my age)
But after 3 months of being poked with a needle (which I hate) two or three times a week, I’m finally leaning towards the port. The idea is made slightly more palatable by this recent XCKD comic which when it first came out I thought was amusing but now I think it’s really funny in that I’m laughing like a manic because it’s now so true that I don’t know what else to do sort of way.
I think a USB port would be way more useful in the long term too. I’d never have to worry about finding a place to plug in my iPhone again.
Related posts:
Today is my Last Day of Radiation
Done with Chemo
Bath Extravaganza: Me! Bath
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m trying to remember if I sent that comic to my mom. She had a port put in nearly a year ago and it’s been mostly awesome at doing what it’s supposed to do. No USB function, but she’s a lot less bruised now from failed needle sticks and when she was doing chemo by needle it was easier too (some of the stuff she’s done has been in pill form or sandostatin shots in her thighs/stomach).
*hugs* I hope it goes smoothly and works just as well as hers does!!
Carrie, I had an arm port put in back in 2008 when I started chemo and it was great. You don’t have to have the nurse search for a good vein and it’s much faster getting your meds and chemos. I asked and got a script for numbing cream which is wonderful. You just put a dab on an hour before and then you don’t even feel the needle when they access your port. Some people have a nurse give them a numbing shot which I never understood. If you don’t want to feel a needle, why not just use numbing cream. Best wishes to you on your port journey.
Cindy
I had a port installed in 2005 before my chemo started. I can’t imagine doing chemo without it. Chemo is bad enough, don’t want the extra suffering to go along with it.
It’s well worth any risk you might face.
My mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She chose to get the port, and she greatly preferred it to the alternative. Best wishes.
I know of several friends that went the port route and they all are glad they did. They used the numbing cream too which really helped.
Hey, I like the USB port idea.
Sending you best wishes and a big hug.
Grandma
Man. Tough call. I wish I knew more about the options but I don’t, so I’m going to say that I’m praying for you. I know you’ll make the right decision for you. *hugs*
I don’t have any personal experience with a port, but it looks like your benefits totally outweigh the costs… yeah its a permanent reminder – but its a positive reminder and one that should make your life much easier! Hugs for whatever decision you make though
Sounds like a tough decision–wishing you the best and hoping it turns out well. I love the layout of your blog and I’m glad you stopped by my place today. I just subscribed to your feed.
Funny comic.
From what others wrote a port sounds like the way to go. Your good sense of humor and positive attitude will serve you well…more than you can imagine:)
Best wishes Carrie!!!!
Hi Carrie,
Thanks for your openness and your willingness to share the humor you’re seeing in this situation. It all sounds very tough and yet, the “voice” I hear in your writing and posts is very confident, upbeat and not defined by your cancer even though it’s a huge thing happening in your life right now. I so enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing!
As a nurse who often has had to do needle sticks on veins that are on the cooldown, I would recommend the port. I always felt HORRIBLE for having to stick someone more than once, and I thought it just added to the trauma of their condition. But, I understand your hesitation. I will be praying for your decision and your recovery!
Visiting from FriendsDay!
Virginia