That is me. I've done it. After eight or nine months with a PICC line, I gave up and asked for a Port-a-Cath. I found the dressing constantly itchy. We tried paper dressings and iodine, but still I scratched. The new PICC dressing became available, and it too caused itching. As much as I enjoyed the nurse's visits I was getting, I was done with the PICC.
I asked for it at my last oncology appointment, and within eight days I had the port in. Now it is the stitches that are itching! Is there no respite for me? A gripper, also known as mini-loc, is on place, with dressing over it for another week. It will come out after my Herceptin treatment next Friday.
I was not pleased to learn that the port can't be used for a CT scan, like a PICC can. So on Thursday I had an IV and a port put in and a PICC removed, only to have another IV put in on Friday for the CT. That plus the blood tests, makes for some bruising.
If you're keeping score, that is now three PICCs and two ports. Will this be the last? I told the doctor who inserted the port about the bruising and infection I had with the last port. He assured me those were unusual experiences and that it would be very unlikely for me to have trouble with the new port. Here's hoping it works for many years.
Hope hope hope!
ReplyDeleteIt sucks that you've had so much trouble with PICCs and ports. Here's hoping this one settles down and behaves for you.
ReplyDeleteoh Kate, dammit! I'm sorry for all the PICC/Port folderol. I'm sending you big hope that the new port is a real improvement sans pesky side effects.
ReplyDeletemuch love,
Karen xoxo
I hope that you have better luck with this port, and I'm sorry that you didn't get one which is CT compatible.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds super frustrating, Kate - I really hope the new solution improves things for you!! Sending positive thoughts!! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteYour title to this post is pretty clever. Hate that you need this stuff, but hope it makes things a bit easier. I certainly hope things are going well so far. Keep us posted.
Thank you, ladies! Although the dressing is still itching, I am recovering. Or so I thought till I went out shopping and my purse strap pressed on the gripper. Ouch! I hope I've done the right thing, getting the port-a-cath. My dear daughter is happy I will be able to take her swimming next chance we get. All the best to you all! ~Kate
ReplyDeleteHello. I am currently looking for someone with Cancer to share their medical reports with me. I am a phd student working on my thesis. I am willing to pay 300 dollars for medical reports. (patients name and identifiable information will be erased.) I hope you are interested. My email is krista7707 at Hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteNo thank you.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Hillary. While the power PICC is available here, unfortunately the power port isn't. I wish I'd known that earlier. -- Kate
DeleteLet's hope this is the end. For many, many, many years .
ReplyDeleteAmen!
Delete~ Kate
Oke fix
ReplyDelete