Scheduling Port

Wheezie

New member
I was put under for my port placement, but I also had a g-tube put in at the same time so maybe that's why. I was expecting the g-tube to hurt a lot and the port not-so-much, but for me, it was the opposite. My port hurt a LOT for a couple of days (but I'm a wimp, hehe). I agree with Sally that Wednesday is the best day. 4 days of recovery before going back to work should be more than enough.

One thing I was not told prior to getting my port was that it would have to be accessed every 4-6 weeks to be flushed with heparin to make sure it didn't clot (and thus, stop working). I was really upset to find out that I'd have to be stabbed every month, whether I was sick or not. Also, they put in a double-lumen port without my knowledge or consent, so that means I have to get stuck TWICE (one for each side of the stupid thing)! It sounds like I'm complaining, and I am to an extent, but having a double ended up saving my life so in retrospect, I'm glad they did what they did.

Lastly, I asked them to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible; being the vain person I was, I didn't want it to show. In retrospect, that too was a mistake. The more 'hidden' it is, the harder it is to access. So, while you can barely tell I have a port (aside from the sexy scar), they have to use a bigger, longer needle and there is a lot of scar tissue built up in the area between the surface of my skin and the top of the port, which makes it a little painful to access.

I love my port. I have said it a million times and I'll say it again: it was probably the best decision I've ever made with respect to my CF life. Aside from all the crap I just beotched about, the port has made my life so much easier. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Good luck!!
 

Wheezie

New member
I was put under for my port placement, but I also had a g-tube put in at the same time so maybe that's why. I was expecting the g-tube to hurt a lot and the port not-so-much, but for me, it was the opposite. My port hurt a LOT for a couple of days (but I'm a wimp, hehe). I agree with Sally that Wednesday is the best day. 4 days of recovery before going back to work should be more than enough.

One thing I was not told prior to getting my port was that it would have to be accessed every 4-6 weeks to be flushed with heparin to make sure it didn't clot (and thus, stop working). I was really upset to find out that I'd have to be stabbed every month, whether I was sick or not. Also, they put in a double-lumen port without my knowledge or consent, so that means I have to get stuck TWICE (one for each side of the stupid thing)! It sounds like I'm complaining, and I am to an extent, but having a double ended up saving my life so in retrospect, I'm glad they did what they did.

Lastly, I asked them to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible; being the vain person I was, I didn't want it to show. In retrospect, that too was a mistake. The more 'hidden' it is, the harder it is to access. So, while you can barely tell I have a port (aside from the sexy scar), they have to use a bigger, longer needle and there is a lot of scar tissue built up in the area between the surface of my skin and the top of the port, which makes it a little painful to access.

I love my port. I have said it a million times and I'll say it again: it was probably the best decision I've ever made with respect to my CF life. Aside from all the crap I just beotched about, the port has made my life so much easier. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Good luck!!
 

Wheezie

New member
I was put under for my port placement, but I also had a g-tube put in at the same time so maybe that's why. I was expecting the g-tube to hurt a lot and the port not-so-much, but for me, it was the opposite. My port hurt a LOT for a couple of days (but I'm a wimp, hehe). I agree with Sally that Wednesday is the best day. 4 days of recovery before going back to work should be more than enough.

One thing I was not told prior to getting my port was that it would have to be accessed every 4-6 weeks to be flushed with heparin to make sure it didn't clot (and thus, stop working). I was really upset to find out that I'd have to be stabbed every month, whether I was sick or not. Also, they put in a double-lumen port without my knowledge or consent, so that means I have to get stuck TWICE (one for each side of the stupid thing)! It sounds like I'm complaining, and I am to an extent, but having a double ended up saving my life so in retrospect, I'm glad they did what they did.

Lastly, I asked them to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible; being the vain person I was, I didn't want it to show. In retrospect, that too was a mistake. The more 'hidden' it is, the harder it is to access. So, while you can barely tell I have a port (aside from the sexy scar), they have to use a bigger, longer needle and there is a lot of scar tissue built up in the area between the surface of my skin and the top of the port, which makes it a little painful to access.

I love my port. I have said it a million times and I'll say it again: it was probably the best decision I've ever made with respect to my CF life. Aside from all the crap I just beotched about, the port has made my life so much easier. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Good luck!!
 

Wheezie

New member
I was put under for my port placement, but I also had a g-tube put in at the same time so maybe that's why. I was expecting the g-tube to hurt a lot and the port not-so-much, but for me, it was the opposite. My port hurt a LOT for a couple of days (but I'm a wimp, hehe). I agree with Sally that Wednesday is the best day. 4 days of recovery before going back to work should be more than enough.

One thing I was not told prior to getting my port was that it would have to be accessed every 4-6 weeks to be flushed with heparin to make sure it didn't clot (and thus, stop working). I was really upset to find out that I'd have to be stabbed every month, whether I was sick or not. Also, they put in a double-lumen port without my knowledge or consent, so that means I have to get stuck TWICE (one for each side of the stupid thing)! It sounds like I'm complaining, and I am to an extent, but having a double ended up saving my life so in retrospect, I'm glad they did what they did.

Lastly, I asked them to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible; being the vain person I was, I didn't want it to show. In retrospect, that too was a mistake. The more 'hidden' it is, the harder it is to access. So, while you can barely tell I have a port (aside from the sexy scar), they have to use a bigger, longer needle and there is a lot of scar tissue built up in the area between the surface of my skin and the top of the port, which makes it a little painful to access.

I love my port. I have said it a million times and I'll say it again: it was probably the best decision I've ever made with respect to my CF life. Aside from all the crap I just beotched about, the port has made my life so much easier. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Good luck!!
 

Wheezie

New member
I was put under for my port placement, but I also had a g-tube put in at the same time so maybe that's why. I was expecting the g-tube to hurt a lot and the port not-so-much, but for me, it was the opposite. My port hurt a LOT for a couple of days (but I'm a wimp, hehe). I agree with Sally that Wednesday is the best day. 4 days of recovery before going back to work should be more than enough.
<br />
<br />One thing I was not told prior to getting my port was that it would have to be accessed every 4-6 weeks to be flushed with heparin to make sure it didn't clot (and thus, stop working). I was really upset to find out that I'd have to be stabbed every month, whether I was sick or not. Also, they put in a double-lumen port without my knowledge or consent, so that means I have to get stuck TWICE (one for each side of the stupid thing)! It sounds like I'm complaining, and I am to an extent, but having a double ended up saving my life so in retrospect, I'm glad they did what they did.
<br />
<br />Lastly, I asked them to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible; being the vain person I was, I didn't want it to show. In retrospect, that too was a mistake. The more 'hidden' it is, the harder it is to access. So, while you can barely tell I have a port (aside from the sexy scar), they have to use a bigger, longer needle and there is a lot of scar tissue built up in the area between the surface of my skin and the top of the port, which makes it a little painful to access.
<br />
<br />I love my port. I have said it a million times and I'll say it again: it was probably the best decision I've ever made with respect to my CF life. Aside from all the crap I just beotched about, the port has made my life so much easier. I only wish I'd done it sooner.
<br />
<br />Good luck!!
 

Kelli

New member
Mine was a piece of cake!! I had my old port removed (from my arm, inner arm below elbow) and a new port place in my chest.
The surgery was quick, we stopped at a restaurant on the way home for lunch. I had some discomfort but mine was seriously no big deal. The only thing that might have been difficult ( I don't remember) would be lifting my arm(s) to fix my hair. I'm sure it tugged on the incision.
As for me, I was totally fine.
I hope yours is as painless and easy!! A port is soooo worth it!!
Kelli
 

Kelli

New member
Mine was a piece of cake!! I had my old port removed (from my arm, inner arm below elbow) and a new port place in my chest.
The surgery was quick, we stopped at a restaurant on the way home for lunch. I had some discomfort but mine was seriously no big deal. The only thing that might have been difficult ( I don't remember) would be lifting my arm(s) to fix my hair. I'm sure it tugged on the incision.
As for me, I was totally fine.
I hope yours is as painless and easy!! A port is soooo worth it!!
Kelli
 

Kelli

New member
Mine was a piece of cake!! I had my old port removed (from my arm, inner arm below elbow) and a new port place in my chest.
The surgery was quick, we stopped at a restaurant on the way home for lunch. I had some discomfort but mine was seriously no big deal. The only thing that might have been difficult ( I don't remember) would be lifting my arm(s) to fix my hair. I'm sure it tugged on the incision.
As for me, I was totally fine.
I hope yours is as painless and easy!! A port is soooo worth it!!
Kelli
 

Kelli

New member
Mine was a piece of cake!! I had my old port removed (from my arm, inner arm below elbow) and a new port place in my chest.
The surgery was quick, we stopped at a restaurant on the way home for lunch. I had some discomfort but mine was seriously no big deal. The only thing that might have been difficult ( I don't remember) would be lifting my arm(s) to fix my hair. I'm sure it tugged on the incision.
As for me, I was totally fine.
I hope yours is as painless and easy!! A port is soooo worth it!!
Kelli
 

Kelli

New member
Mine was a piece of cake!! I had my old port removed (from my arm, inner arm below elbow) and a new port place in my chest.
<br />The surgery was quick, we stopped at a restaurant on the way home for lunch. I had some discomfort but mine was seriously no big deal. The only thing that might have been difficult ( I don't remember) would be lifting my arm(s) to fix my hair. I'm sure it tugged on the incision.
<br />As for me, I was totally fine.
<br />I hope yours is as painless and easy!! A port is soooo worth it!!
<br />Kelli
 

incognito

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





I'm not sure what incognito meant by the shower head?</end quote></div>

Oops. I meant that when your port is accessed, a shower pic is a great device to have! Contorting your body so you don't get your accessed port wet is quite the experience...
 

incognito

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





I'm not sure what incognito meant by the shower head?</end quote></div>

Oops. I meant that when your port is accessed, a shower pic is a great device to have! Contorting your body so you don't get your accessed port wet is quite the experience...
 

incognito

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





I'm not sure what incognito meant by the shower head?</end quote></div>

Oops. I meant that when your port is accessed, a shower pic is a great device to have! Contorting your body so you don't get your accessed port wet is quite the experience...
 

incognito

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





I'm not sure what incognito meant by the shower head?</end quote>

Oops. I meant that when your port is accessed, a shower pic is a great device to have! Contorting your body so you don't get your accessed port wet is quite the experience...
 

incognito

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>CaliSally</b></i>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />I'm not sure what incognito meant by the shower head?</end quote>
<br />
<br />Oops. I meant that when your port is accessed, a shower pic is a great device to have! Contorting your body so you don't get your accessed port wet is quite the experience...
 

CaliSally

New member
ahh! I thought you meant something like that, needed some clarification for the port-newbies <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

CaliSally

New member
ahh! I thought you meant something like that, needed some clarification for the port-newbies <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

CaliSally

New member
ahh! I thought you meant something like that, needed some clarification for the port-newbies <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

CaliSally

New member
ahh! I thought you meant something like that, needed some clarification for the port-newbies <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

CaliSally

New member
ahh! I thought you meant something like that, needed some clarification for the port-newbies <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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