Jun 13th = Echocardiogram
On Jun 15th I met with my Oncologist and she talked about the role of chemotherapy and radiation.
On Jun 16th we met with my surgeon to discuss options after all of the testing came back.
Jun 17th I had my port placement.
- Implantable port or port-a-cath. A surgeon or radiologist puts in a port, usually with local anesthesia or conscious sedation. The catheter goes under the skin of your chest or upper arm.
A port is completely under your skin. You might see or feel a small bump on your chest or arm. But you will not see the tip of the catheter. To give treatment, your nurse may first numb the skin with a cream. Then, your nurse cleans the skin and puts a needle into the port. Treatment or blood samples go through the needle.
Benefits of catheters and ports
A catheter in the upper arm or neck can stay in place for weeks or months. Your team can use it to:
- Reduce the number of times a nurse or other team member sticks you with a needle. Health care team members call this a needle stick. This helps if you have small or damaged veins. These veins are often harder to take samples from. A catheter can also help if you need blood tests often or are anxious about needles.
- Give blood transfusions or more than 1 treatment at once.
- Reduce the risk of tissue and muscle damage. This can happen if medication leaks outside a vein. Leaking is more likely with an IV catheter.
- Avoid bruising or bleeding if you have bleeding problems, such as low platelet counts.
- Lets you have some chemotherapy at home instead of the hospital or clinic. Continuous infusion therapy is given this way.
Ports can remain in place for weeks, months, or years. Your team can use a port to:
- Reduce the number of needle sticks.
- Give treatments that last longer than 1 day. The needle can stay in the port for several days.
- Give more than 1 treatment or medication at a time. If this is done, the port has 2 openings.
- Do blood tests and chemotherapy the same day with 1 needle stick.
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