I went in early AM expecting to get an arm port and came out with a chest port instead. After discussing why my last chest port was removed because my arm was swelling, the Dr was not comfortable putting in a arm port. He said it would most likley block again and I would be coming back to have it removed and inputting a chest port anyway. After hearing that and going over all the plus and minus of the surgery, we decided it was best to go ahead and do the chest port. I was not thrilled about him having to put the port tube through the jugular vein in the neck and being awake through the whole surgery. They said it was safer for me to be awake through the surgery, I tend to agree but it was kinda weird to say the least. All went well and for the most part I was only in pain for about 3 days, then the pain started to decrease dramatically once they removed the access line after my treatment on Tuesday 2/28/12. I forgot how fast the treatments go when they run it through a port. When they run it through an IV, the drip has to be super slow so they don't blow the veins and I am usually in there for at least 3 hours. With the port, I can be in and out in half that time.
So I have 5 more treatments (3 weeks apart) and then I will be done. June 11th is my last treatment and I plan to have them remove the chest port that very same week. I want it out asap so the scar has time to heal before we leave on our cruise July 15th. Yahoooooo ! It's going to be very special to have my mom there with us and one of my best friends and her family. That's going to be one fabulous vacation, can't wait !
Sandy
