Port

Had my port installed on Friday … it was easy. I wasn’t even nervous. I think the mastectomy was such a BIG deal and I was SO ramped up for that surgery that getting this tiny surgery feels like barely a blip on my radar.

Although the 5am wake up time to get to the hospital for 6am was not cool. Fergus was not amused.

I was so happy when I saw I had the same nurse I had for my mastectomy. She was the one who told me that “God knows where the veins are…” when she gave me my IV and I have to give her props because her IV is the only one I’ve had that didn’t bruise. 🙂

She was even more lovely the 2nd time around and took wonderful care of me. It’s not often you get a second chance to see the same nurse so I told her how good I thought she was at her job (and it wasn’t just the morphine talking) and how much I appreciated her care. 🙂

While we were waiting for me to go into surgery Gerry saw this sign he said “I sure hope they’re better at cutting then they are at spelling…” ha ha ha.

Right before surgery they put you in a holding area. This one was different then the last. There was a bank of computers in front of me but they were all turned off so I used them the do some “square breathing”.

One breath in for 4
Hold breath for 4
Breath out for 4
Hold breath for 4
Repeat

I was SO BORED. It took forever and there was nothing to look at … so I decided to talk to my body again.

“Body. I know we’ve had a rough couple of weeks. The chemo has been really hard and we have just started but you’re doing great. I’m so thankful for your resilience. It’s a good thing that we are doing this surgery now instead of later because you’re still so strong. Even though you might feel tired and slightly compromised from that first round of chemo you are still healthier than the average body. You don’t drink, smoke or do drugs. You eat healthy. You rest. You exercise. You are awesome. So let’s get through this surgery and heal up quickly so we can rest and get ready for your upcoming chemo.”

And then they wheeled me into the operating room.

My surgeon was cool. We had a long talk about how he could insert my port without ruining my chest tattoo. I suggested he cut along the outline of my tattoo and from what I can see through my bandage – I think that’s what he did. You gotta love a doctor who respects your tattoos.  🙂

I woke up to someone in the recovery room screaming for help. I said to the nurse “How come every-time I wake up from surgery someone is freaking out? It’s very upsetting.” He laughed and said “Does this happen often?” I said “Every time I come here…I’m sick of it.”

Thank goodness it was just day surgery and I didn’t have to spend the night. Gerry bought me a purple Popsicle for the car ride home and I’ve been laying around recovering ever since. Not a lot of pain just a little uncomfortable.

My Power Port comes with a key-fob and an ID card that I have to carry with me in my wallet. The port sits just under my skin and they can access it for chemo/blood/etc …

If you want to read more about the port go HERE. It’s kind of amazing. I’m like the BORG.

I especially love that the port is purple. You all know how much of a fan I am of diminutive purple things. 😉