<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>kbsonner</b></i>
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<br />What type of port and how does it work? We talk to the docs in the morning and on Monday about home care. If a port will work and let him have a normal life I want it. He loves to swim and use his trampoline which he wont be able to do with the PICC and is scared of shots so...</end quote>
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<br />The type of port everyone is referring to is called a mediport or a portacath:
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-a-Cath
">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-a-Cath
</a><br />
<br />Check out that information, and watch the video at the bottom of the page.
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<br />Basically it is a small metal disc that is placed under the skin and has a little spot in the center that is "accessed." You use a special type of needle called a Huber needle to access the port, and the needle stays in while the port is accessed. The port is right under the skin though, so after the initial accessing, you can't feel the needle. It is very "stable" and you can do just about anything, even with the port accessed. There is virutally no risk of bumping it and dislodging it or anything like that, unless you trip over your IV cord like I have. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">
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<br />When the port is "deaccessed" you are free to do whatever you like regarding swimming, playing, showering, etc. It is not even usually visible, and can only be detected by poking the area.
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<br />The upkeep of a port is fairly simple. When you are receiving medications, it must have the needle changed once per week, along with a dressing change. This is a perfect time to take a "free" shower without being accessed. Or go swimming between doses of medication. When you are finished with IV's the port must also be accessed once a month, just to flush it and make sure it does not clot. This only takes a few minutes. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
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<br />If you have any other questions, feel free to ask, a LOT of us on here have ports. Generally they are reserved for people that have fairly frequent hospitalizations (4+ times a year) but since he is going to be on meds for potentially an entire year straight, it might be worth asking about. Oh and the surgery to put it in is fairly routine, and only results in a tiny 2" scar. It aches for a few days afterwards.
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