I thought all I was going in for today was my port. However, I ended up with this instead. I know I dozed off once or twice during the procedure due to the drugs they gave me, but I’m pretty sure this is an actual vampire bite. There should only be one neck incision for a port insertion. ?
This procedure was somewhat painful at the start. The doctor had to stick freezing needles into my neck (ow!) and chest (meh) which wasn’t what I would call pleasant. I could also feel something being fished through my neck. The nurse injected fentanyl into my IV probably about 5 times during the procedure, which really helped block the pain. They also gave me a sedative so I would be in a state of ‘conscious sedation’. During the whole procedure, I was able to do things like take a deep breath and respond to questions no problem.
Everything that would affect my cognitive abilities wore off very quickly after the procedure, so that’s great. Of course, I was nervous about having fentanyl for a procedure because we all hear about fentanyl overdoses in drug addicts, but it’s measured and completely safe in a hospital setting.
Now that this is done, my chemo can be administered via the port just under the skin on my chest instead of through the veins on my hand, which aren’t big enough. Depending on the chemo I’m getting, trained staff might be able to use the port to do bloodwork too. They can even do enhanced CT scans using the port because it can handle 300 psi for the imaging dye. Fancy.
In terms of pain, it hurts a bit when I laugh, cough, or swallow. I’m sure it will be like that for a couple of days. After that, I shouldn’t feel a thing, except if I am in the passenger seat of a car and I forget to pad the seatbelt!
I also did my COVID-19 test today, which should really just be a formality. Next up, I visit with the Oncologist on Tuesday and do (more) bloodwork before my first chemo on Thursday. Shit’s gettin’ real, as the kids say.
It’s only Wednesday, and I have been at the hospital three out of the last four days. I’m glad I have a break until Tuesday.