Port Placement

Well, the day started out okay.. I got up at 5:30 a.m., made breakfast and was back in bed by 6:15 a.m. I picked up BDHA around 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton downtown at the point and since it didn't take as long as I thought to get there, we took a trip to the south side to get a luggage strap for his flight bag. My appointment was at 12:45 and I was supposed to be there 15 minutes early. We were there in plenty of time. However, after sitting waiting until 1:00 p.m., we were told they were behind by about an hour. I didn't go into the back until around 2:30 p.m. and didn't go into the "operating room" until close to 3.

If I had known prior what the procedure actually entailed, I might not have gone through with it. The doctor told me he was going to puncture my jugular (OUCH) to put some wire in and then would make another incision in my chest where the port was to be placed. I can't wear turtlenecks or tight necklaces cause I can't stand anything touching my neck so you can imagine my horror at that.

They started an IV (sigh) and gave me sedation. It was to relieve my anxiety but I was awake the entire time. They covered my face (apparently so they wouldn't see me grimacing in pain) and started. The needle pricks with the novacaine were pretty painful. That area is very sensitive. I can't decide which was worse, the pain of the pressure of pushing the wire into my neck or when they had to dig down deep to tether the port. It started hurting again halfway through so he gave me more sedation and more novacaine.

After it was over, I was in the dressing area and the nurse kindly brought me apple juice and crackers since it was now close to 12 hours since I had eaten anything. I walked out (shakily) to meet BDHA at 4:40 p.m. (Rush hour). He asked where I wanted to eat and I said I didn't care as long as they served mashed potatoes (MFD's comfort food when she isn't feeling well). We ended up at the 1902 Tavern in Market Square. The service was extremely slow, they ran out of bread but the mashed potatoes were worth it. Both BHDA and I had the pork chop. We also ran into some of the flight crew there and talked to them until I started feeling bad. The novocaine was wearing off. All I could take was extra strength Tylenol.

We got to the Hilton and had the car valet parked ($26!). The room was really nice and looked out over the river and the christmas tree at the point (I tried taking a picture with my cell phone. It's posted below). I just wished I felt better and could have enjoyed it more. I had to sleep on my back all night and any movement at all was painful. The tylenol wore off around 3am and I had to take some more. BDHA had to be in the lobby at 5:30 a.m. to take the van to the airport so I decided to leave at the same time. I wasn't supposed to drive for 24 hours and if I was heading home, I wanted to do it with the least amount of traffic around.


I called work at 7:00 a.m. and told them that I was not going to be able to make it in, that I was in too much pain. I slept until around 10:30 a.m. and am now trying to convince myself to get dressed and go to Kmart. I have to turn in a prescription for an anti-nausea drug for Monday. The nurse at Dr. L's office said sometimes it takes a few days to get authorization depending on your insurance. I took some more tylenol and the pain is down to a dull ache. I should probably go while the pain is at it's lowest.

I am going to try my damndest to make it in to work tomorrow especially since I'll be off on Monday (1st chemo) and who knows how many days after that.

As I lay on the table looking up at the ceiling waiting for them to start (before they covered my face) I said to myself "I really have changed my mind. I don't want to do this!" Good thing I didn't listen to myself. It's now over and just a matter of getting through the pain. It sure as hell better be worth it come Monday.