A Different Sort of Body Piercing

[sue35]

That was one of the most helpful things I have seen on here, thank you so much for sharing. When you are not using the port do you just put a band-aid over it or nothing? When I looked at the picture of you in the pretty dress I couldn't see anything there.

Also, does the needle hurt going in? It looks like it would!

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>melleemac</b></i>



Question is, what made you or your Dr decide on getting the port a cath. Brandy also wants to know if you have to be put under to have it inserted.

Thanks

Mel</end quote></div>

I also had a Broviac-Hickman as an infant. I actually have a little "knot" of cartilage or something approximately 6 inches from my port site, on my left. They are similar, but not exactly the same. The difference is, a port-a-cath threads through the superior vena cava, which goes directly to the heart. On X-rays I can see the tubing, and it's sort of cool.

The doctor decided I needed a port because I was no longer a candidate for the PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines, because my veins were so lousy, and were becoming schlerosed (meaning there was too much scar tissue at the access point). I was getting to the point where I was needing more frequent tuneups, and also requiring some TPN (total periph. nutrition) to get my weight up, and all of that would have been too much for a PICC to handle in the longer term.

I had to be put under general anesthesia for the insertion of the port. At the time I was already inpatient (for the TPN and a tune-up). The procedure can be done out-patient however. In fact, I just got off the phone with my CF clinic, and it looks like I may be having a new port placed next week.

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>melleemac</b></i>



Question is, what made you or your Dr decide on getting the port a cath. Brandy also wants to know if you have to be put under to have it inserted.

Thanks

Mel</end quote></div>

I also had a Broviac-Hickman as an infant. I actually have a little "knot" of cartilage or something approximately 6 inches from my port site, on my left. They are similar, but not exactly the same. The difference is, a port-a-cath threads through the superior vena cava, which goes directly to the heart. On X-rays I can see the tubing, and it's sort of cool.

The doctor decided I needed a port because I was no longer a candidate for the PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines, because my veins were so lousy, and were becoming schlerosed (meaning there was too much scar tissue at the access point). I was getting to the point where I was needing more frequent tuneups, and also requiring some TPN (total periph. nutrition) to get my weight up, and all of that would have been too much for a PICC to handle in the longer term.

I had to be put under general anesthesia for the insertion of the port. At the time I was already inpatient (for the TPN and a tune-up). The procedure can be done out-patient however. In fact, I just got off the phone with my CF clinic, and it looks like I may be having a new port placed next week.

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>melleemac</b></i>



Question is, what made you or your Dr decide on getting the port a cath. Brandy also wants to know if you have to be put under to have it inserted.

Thanks

Mel</end quote></div>

I also had a Broviac-Hickman as an infant. I actually have a little "knot" of cartilage or something approximately 6 inches from my port site, on my left. They are similar, but not exactly the same. The difference is, a port-a-cath threads through the superior vena cava, which goes directly to the heart. On X-rays I can see the tubing, and it's sort of cool.

The doctor decided I needed a port because I was no longer a candidate for the PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines, because my veins were so lousy, and were becoming schlerosed (meaning there was too much scar tissue at the access point). I was getting to the point where I was needing more frequent tuneups, and also requiring some TPN (total periph. nutrition) to get my weight up, and all of that would have been too much for a PICC to handle in the longer term.

I had to be put under general anesthesia for the insertion of the port. At the time I was already inpatient (for the TPN and a tune-up). The procedure can be done out-patient however. In fact, I just got off the phone with my CF clinic, and it looks like I may be having a new port placed next week.

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sue35</b></i>

That was one of the most helpful things I have seen on here, thank you so much for sharing. When you are not using the port do you just put a band-aid over it or nothing? When I looked at the picture of you in the pretty dress I couldn't see anything there.



Also, does the needle hurt going in? It looks like it would!</end quote></div>

It doesn't need a bandaid, except for the first day or two when the puncture wound is healing after I remove the needle (I have sensitive skin).

In the picture of me in the dress, I do have the port accessed! I'm just a pro at making sure I place the tagaderm in the right place so that I can hid it all under my clothes. Also, the tubing tucks quite nicely into my bra!

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sue35</b></i>

That was one of the most helpful things I have seen on here, thank you so much for sharing. When you are not using the port do you just put a band-aid over it or nothing? When I looked at the picture of you in the pretty dress I couldn't see anything there.



Also, does the needle hurt going in? It looks like it would!</end quote></div>

It doesn't need a bandaid, except for the first day or two when the puncture wound is healing after I remove the needle (I have sensitive skin).

In the picture of me in the dress, I do have the port accessed! I'm just a pro at making sure I place the tagaderm in the right place so that I can hid it all under my clothes. Also, the tubing tucks quite nicely into my bra!

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sue35</b></i>

That was one of the most helpful things I have seen on here, thank you so much for sharing. When you are not using the port do you just put a band-aid over it or nothing? When I looked at the picture of you in the pretty dress I couldn't see anything there.



Also, does the needle hurt going in? It looks like it would!</end quote></div>

It doesn't need a bandaid, except for the first day or two when the puncture wound is healing after I remove the needle (I have sensitive skin).

In the picture of me in the dress, I do have the port accessed! I'm just a pro at making sure I place the tagaderm in the right place so that I can hid it all under my clothes. Also, the tubing tucks quite nicely into my bra!

 

[nicolaj]

thank you lightNfire. your slideshow was very interesting to watch. i have had my port for about 8years now. its interesting to see how differently it is done from country to country if that makes sense.the different procedure, and different equipment to what i use.


nicola xx

 

[nicolaj]

thank you lightNfire. your slideshow was very interesting to watch. i have had my port for about 8years now. its interesting to see how differently it is done from country to country if that makes sense.the different procedure, and different equipment to what i use.


nicola xx

 

[nicolaj]

thank you lightNfire. your slideshow was very interesting to watch. i have had my port for about 8years now. its interesting to see how differently it is done from country to country if that makes sense.the different procedure, and different equipment to what i use.


nicola xx

 

[mum2kj]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>nicolaj</b></i>

thank you lightNfire. your slideshow was very interesting to watch. i have had my port for about 8years now. its interesting to see how differently it is done from country to country if that makes sense.the different procedure, and different equipment to what i use.





nicola xx</end quote></div>


Yes I was going to say that lol.

The needles and the way its done is different where I live too.

Thanks for the slide show <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> very interesting!!

 

[mum2kj]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>nicolaj</b></i>

thank you lightNfire. your slideshow was very interesting to watch. i have had my port for about 8years now. its interesting to see how differently it is done from country to country if that makes sense.the different procedure, and different equipment to what i use.





nicola xx</end quote></div>


Yes I was going to say that lol.

The needles and the way its done is different where I live too.

Thanks for the slide show <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> very interesting!!

 

[mum2kj]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>nicolaj</b></i>

thank you lightNfire. your slideshow was very interesting to watch. i have had my port for about 8years now. its interesting to see how differently it is done from country to country if that makes sense.the different procedure, and different equipment to what i use.





nicola xx</end quote></div>


Yes I was going to say that lol.

The needles and the way its done is different where I live too.

Thanks for the slide show <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> very interesting!!

 

[westonsmom]

Wow! Thanks so much for going through the trouble and posting this. I have to admit that I might be the one fainting if I have to insert it for me son!!! Atleast my husband used to be a nurse. I can't believe you do this to yourself. You are so brave! It doesn't look like it is too much of a nuisence though.

 

[westonsmom]

Wow! Thanks so much for going through the trouble and posting this. I have to admit that I might be the one fainting if I have to insert it for me son!!! Atleast my husband used to be a nurse. I can't believe you do this to yourself. You are so brave! It doesn't look like it is too much of a nuisence though.

 

[westonsmom]

Wow! Thanks so much for going through the trouble and posting this. I have to admit that I might be the one fainting if I have to insert it for me son!!! Atleast my husband used to be a nurse. I can't believe you do this to yourself. You are so brave! It doesn't look like it is too much of a nuisence though.