Tuesday will be 4 weeks since I had my Port inserted. You might be thinking, “What is a port?” Well, you’re not alone there because I didn’t know what a port was either until I had my first chat with my oncologist back at the very beginning of November! A port or “Port-a-cath” is a small plastic disc that sits under the skin of your chest that attaches to a catheter which goes into a main vein at the base of your throat. It makes giving chemotherapy drugs intravenously easier (especially for long treatment plans— it helps avoid bruising and damaging the veins in your hands!) A special thick needle is punctured into your port each time you do chemo and once finished a special drug that helps you avoid blood clots finishes the chemo session off.

It was a bit shocking— I always just assumed chemotherapy was done through the vein in your hand or arm. I am certainly learning a lot of new things while on this journey!

Excuse the unattractive selfie below, but I wanted to capture how it looks being hooked up and using the Port during chemo.

After my oncologist chatted with me for the first time, a nurse came in to explain that due to the length of my treatment plan a port was recommended for me. She brought in a little headless dummy to show me what it all looked like, how it worked, and why they suggest I go for it.

I decided to book the day surgery to have it inserted right away. My first round of chemo would be done through my hand, but by the second round onward I would use my port.

On Tuesday November 19th, 2019 (my mom’s birthday!) after working a few hours, I got ready for my port surgery. Mom came with me— a bloody fun birthday for her (I felt so bad!)

We waited to be signed in, which always takes about half an hour between waiting in the general sign-in area with other people, filling out any paperwork, waiting for nurses to prep, and listening to instructions on next steps. Once that was over, a couple of nurses came by to get me ready.

First off, I was put behind a curtain to strip down and get into a smock. Then I hopped into a hospital bed and was tucked into some blankets while a nurse handed me some literature on the port and explained the procedure I would be going through today. I got to ask her any questions I had and so did Mom.

I wasn’t nervous until she mentioned I would be conscious for the entire surgery (sedated, sure, but conscious). I was told I would feel pressure in my chest and that some people find it uncomfortable. I was also told it was quick— all said and done I’d be out within the hour.

The surgeon swung by to introduce himself and he was pretty upbeat and full of jokes, which I always appreciate since it takes your mind off of things.

The next nurse to come around wheeled me into the surgery room— “Warning—”, she told me, “it’s bloody freezing in there!” She asked me why I needed the port and upon telling her I had breast cancer, explained that she was a breast cancer survivor herself and that over the last 25 years of being a nurse, the medicine is only getting better. She was shocked that I was so young. But she was upbeat and encouraging as well and did as much as she could to make me comfortable and not nervous at all!

Now, remember how I said I was supposed to be conscious during all of this? Well, this nurse must’ve given me some extra hardcore sedatives because next thing I knew I was out like a light. That or I’m super sensitive haha, but I’ll take it! I got to avoid feeling any pressure or discomfort or paranoia during the surgery because I wasn’t conscious at all!

I think when I was coming to, I asked, “Is it over?” as the nurse wheeled me back out to the main room where my mom was. I hope I didn’t ask any other questions or say anything else because I don’t remember! I suppose it’s like going under for getting your wisdom teeth out. Hopefully I didn’t blab on about something nutty and embarrassing!

I hung around in the hospital room while I became more aware of my surroundings and I was given a little lunch to eat since I had to fast for this surgery and hadn’t eaten in nearly 22 hours (apple sauce, turkey sandwich, yogurt, juice and milk). Mom asked me a few questions and kept me company and that was that! We headed home and I believe I just took some Tylenol (reminder to always check your temperature first as a cancer patient before taking Tylenol!) and went to sleep.

The first week was terribly uncomfortable. I didn’t move around too much. Every time I went to sit up or lie back down in bed, I tensed my core and held my breath. I only took 2 Tylenol a day, one in the morning after waking up, and one in the evening just before bed (I hate taking too many pills!)

I hated not being able to sleep in any position except flat on my back for a week. I am one for tossing and turning! I couldn’t lift anything heavy (including my giant cat), or lift my hands above my head (so even putting away dishes in our top cabinets was a no go). I was pretty useless for a few days.

Post surgery. The bandages stayed on for 3 days.

A few days post-surgery I got a little upset that I didn’t feel like I could do anything. I didn’t want to work out, I didn’t want to do chores, I didn’t want to work, I didn’t want to sleep either. I was nervous the stitches wouldn’t heal over. I was nervous to move too much. I was upset that it stuck out from my chest so much (I’m pretty thin in my chest area so I felt like I could feel every movement and see everything too intensely). But I was told by many women or friends of friends passing along their stories, that the port was well worth it and so I didn’t let these days get the best of me for too long.

Another up close & personal shot. Sorry. My first shower after getting my port. The red flaky stuff was just the cleanser and the gunky stuff is glue/stitches. The rest is just my bad skin haha.

One week after getting the port inserted I had my second round of chemo. Which was fine! Apart from getting the needle put in— it was just an intense sharp pinch. It wasn’t pleasant, but luckily I’ve had plenty of needles and piercings in my day (hell, I’ve had collar bone surface piercings so I told myself I could do this every 3 weeks no problem!)

It has taken quite some time to get used to my port but I think I’m finally back to my normal self. I did some push-ups today for the first time since before having it inserted and I can now sleep however I want, thank Gosh, so I’m feeling good! #smallwin

I would love to hear your stories and feelings about your port! Leave a comment below for others to see.