We’ve Arrived At Port!

That sentence is so much better when you are on a boat!  Oh well…..

Here’s the promised update on the port surgery.  WOW!  This is getting real!  What a day Friday was! 

I had to start fasting Thursday night so that I had an empty stomach for the anesthesia.  Friday morning, I got to Huntsman and they really quickly took me back and started prepping me for the port surgery.  I was given an IV, and then they took me back.  Once in the surgery room, they pulled my hair back, but on a cap, oxygen in my nose, a mask on my face and then built a tent over my face and body, so that they only place that was visible was my neck and chest. 

Then they had me turn my head as far to the left as I could.  I had to be awake to hold my breath at times.  But, I was heavily sedated.  I remember holding my breath, but I was kind of in la la land.  I know they used ultra-sound and x-ray to place the port.  It is in my chest on the right side.  My port was placed deeper inside so that the skin will actually heal over the top.  Then, I will be able to shower, etc.   When they infuse the chemo, they will just find the port access under the skin and then poke a needle through and into the port.  Voila….easy peesy!

I have two incisions.  I’m not 100% sure where everything is, but the port access is on my chest, then there is a tube that goes up into my neck and another that goes into an artery right near my heart.  They told us that blood flow near the heart is 16x stronger than in your arm, so they place it there to get the meds through your body quickly.

Right now, my incisions are quite sore.  But, worst of all, all the medical tape is pulling on my skin and really bugging!  I’m actually excited for Tuesday so I can get all of the tape removed!!!  I also cannot slouch.  If I don’t have my shoulders back, then my incisions hurt worse and it is hard to breath.  So, that may be a blessing, cancer may improve my posture immensely! 

Back to Friday, after I got the port and into recovery, I was doing OK, UNTIL…I had to start drinking the contrast for my CT scan.  I had to drink two bottles (I’m guessing 24 ounces each) of that junk!   I think the combination of anesthesia, an empty stomach, and then the nasty berry flavored metal chalk drink played havoc!

I was supposed to drink 1/3 of the bottle every 15 minutes.  I downed the first portion and almost immediately felt extremely nauseous, my blood pressure dropped, I got really sweaty and clammy, and my blood oxygen dropped.  I had to keep the stuff down, so it was really miserable!  They gave me oxygen,  IV fluids, anti-nausea meds, and some more sedative.  I managed to drink it all, keep it down, and have the full body CT scans.

Then, back to recovery.  I had an absolute migraine, a really upset stomach, and a throbbing chest.  I was ready to go home!  I pretty much stayed on the couch all night.  Yesterday, aside from a quick trip to find rain gear for the boys for the Utah football game, I laid on the couch again.

Here’s the deal….I think I will like having the port after I heal, but right now, I’m still in recovery mode, so I’m not super loving it yet.  To add insult to injury, there was an older lady in recovery right across from me.  She was from Elko, NV, was sooooo loud,  and was Troy’s entertainment.  She and her husband (friend?) discussed getting the medical marijuana prescription so she could then give it to for her daughter, the difference between Lady Gaga and Katy Perry (Conclusion: they are both punk rockers, but Katy is prettier and wears shorter skirts, the guy can’t stand that Gaga Lady), and SHE DID GREAT!!  She didn’t have to do a CT, just the port, but she was up talking loudly, the anesthesia apparently didn’t affect her at all, and she couldn’t wait to get her clothes on and leave.  I…on the other hand….was pathetic and couldn’t even sit up!  It was really ticking me off!! 

Alas, I’m home now and feeling better all the time.  I’m really excited to get the bandaging off.  I think it will feel a lot better then.

One other thing…check out all the meds I have to start taking!  This is insane!  They actually printed me out a calendar to keep it all straight.  Whew!  No wonder my stomach is upset!

Thank you to everyone for their prayers and kind words!  I’m sore, but in good spirits.  This is going to all be worth it here very soon!  Also, my family has been great.  They are taking good care of me!  I’m also being spoiled.  My aunt brought me some beautiful flowers and my step-mother made me the most amazing quilt!  Geez Louise, everyone, thanks!  You are all too kind and I’m feeling very loved!