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Posted 4/26/2013 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all,

I'm off today to get the VAP (permanent IV port) put in. Ultimately - I know it will be a great thing....!

My anxiety is just a bit high.... as I'm wondering what my the post-implantation pain will be like. I broke my own rule and read a bunch of stuff on the internet :) and, of course, 90% of the people say that it's pretty painful right afterwards.

That being said - I can handle just about anything..... I guess it's just thinking of more pain on top of my already high pain levels.

That all being said.... I'm trying to keep a very positive attitude.... be thankful that I have insurance that will cover this and make my future treatments easier.... just trying to look at the bright side :)

Hope you all have a good day and the best weekend possible! --Tina
Posted 4/26/2013 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely praying for you!!! I know how strong you are and hope that you can focus on the part that it should only be some extra pain for a short period of time and as you mentioned, will be a good thing in the long run to make things easier!

Hopefully you have in place with your PM Dr. to take some extra BT pain meds to help get over the first few days.

Sending hugs (( ))
Posted 4/26/2013 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hope things go good for you, keep positive, and that can be the hardest part...Keep us posted when you can and Prayers....
Posted 4/26/2013 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck. I have a Powerport. It was uncomfortable, I think mainly because it was accessed the next day.

I love my port. My son named it Spike cause it has 3 little bumps for needle guidance. It's so much better than getting stuck 15+times for an IV.

Let us know how it goes.
Posted 4/26/2013 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Tina, when I had mine put in, I did not have any pain afterwards. They are not cutting through any muscle, its pretty much under the skin. I don't think the surgeon offered anything for pain if I remember correctly. Having the port put in to me was the easiest surgery I have had & I have had a few, lol. I know you will love it, it makes life so much easier.

Good luck!!!!! Susie
Posted 4/26/2013 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hope all goes well Tina.
Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.

UA
Posted 4/26/2013 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tina, I hope everything went well for you today. When I worked on the Onco Unit, I and most all the other nurses on the unit loved it when a patient had central venous catheter, or implanted port. It made it so much easier for the patient, and for the nurse or care giver. The main, and most important, thing is, observing proper sterile technique, and procedures when accessing it and caring for it. Anyway I do hope it works out well for you!

White Beard
Posted 4/26/2013 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tina and hope your resting. Sending prayers your way and let us know how your doing when your up to it.
Posted 4/27/2013 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
tina, you are in my thoughts and prayers. hope you are in the recovery side of this.

will be checking back

david
Posted 4/27/2013 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hey my friends....

First and foremost - thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Trust me, I felt them today!

I got my "powerport" put in today...... Long story short, despite MASSIVE amounts of versed and fentanyl - they could not get me sedated. Nothing. I was laying there - completely awake and alert..... being cut open under a local...

They used ultrasound to look for the right vein.... started on one, made a small incision - and for whatever reason, chose another location. To get it in - they had to pull and tug like crazy.

Afterwards, they gave me a few IV doses of dilaudid.... it took the edge off...... I then went to the infusion center (they had left needle in) -- and I went to have my first infusion.

8:00pm Update: The local has worn off..... and that whole area is throbbing and painful. If I change positions.... it's absolutely throbbing at the various incisions. The needle is also left inside of it -- as I had another infusion Monday and Thursday. Don't know if that's adding to the extra pain or what.

Sorry to complain, lol...... I'm sure it will get better quickly.... and I KNOW this will be a huge blessing.... But, right now, i just want to rip off the bandages and tear it out!! It hurts!!

Love, Tina
Posted 4/27/2013 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry you a suffering. Sending prayers
Posted 4/27/2013 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Sherrie.... I appreciate them for sure :)
Posted 4/27/2013 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Tina,

Gentle hugs sweetie, I'm sorry you're hurting so bad. I'm gonna guess its because they did all that pulling. It will become less painful as the days pass.

I know about being awake for the procedure. My current port, which was put in 1 1/2 years ago, I was totally awake for the procedure only received the local to numb the area they were going into.

I would lay my heating pad over my port the night of the procedure. Make sure you don't get the port wet while it's accessed. Like WB said always make sure that whomever is accessing it uses sterile conditions. You don't want to get an infection in your line.

How did the infusion go? How often will you be getting infusions? Ports are a great thing and once your pain is gone you'll be so happy to have it. I received my 1st one in 2004 and it was used for 3 years until it got infected and the line had to be pulled. I've had a total of 5 ports put in since 2004. If I can be of any help just ask away.

You'll be in my prayers and I hope you wake up feeling A LOT better tomorrow. I hope the treatments make you well real soon.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 4/27/2013 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tina I'm happy to hear that the procedure went well. I'm sorry you're hurting so bad. Hopefully you will wake up feeling better tomorrow. Take care.

love and hugs
Loretta
Posted 4/28/2013 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Evening Tina:

Was thinking about you and wanted to see if you're feeling better this evening. How is your pain level now? How are you feeling too? Did your infusion yesterday seem to help any? Could you remind me what infusions they are giving you.

I know you said you have two set up for next week. I hope they go well and that you begin to feel better real soon. I hope you are resting comfortably tonight and feel even better tomorrow.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 4/30/2013 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
So very sorry your in so much pain, soft gentle hugz being sent your way, hope your doing better soon. Sure wish I knew what else to say to give you help and comfort. Many Prayers and healing wishes....Are you at home or still in the hospital? Hope your site heals up good...
Posted 4/30/2013 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers - they definitely helped. I was freaking out from the pain on Friday night and Saturday morning.... it was intense and not even the kind of pain that my pain meds helped with.... just deep incisional pain.

Today, though, it's down to just a bruised feeling.... I can definitely handle that :)

Barbara, I'm having mega-iron infusions, along w/ B12 and a couple of other things... my mind is blanking right now.... the blood transfusions only help for a really brief time -- my hematologist explained because those RBCs die off.... and I'm back to feeling cruddy. Hopefully these infusions will keep me "stable" for about 3 months, until my next series.

Thanks everyone... --Tina
Posted 5/1/2013 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry I somehow missed your thread. I want to tell you how sorry I am for your added pain.

You remind me of myself...apologizing for everything, when you are in horrible pain and should be receiving so much better care for the added pain.

I understand the issue with being sedated too. The versed and fent combo does virtually nothing for me anymore. The propofal (sp?) helps though and may be worth looking into if you have to have any additional "mini" procedures.

I'm sure the pulling and tugging are causing the extra pain and throbbing too. It was that way for me when they did the bi-lateral carpel tunnel surgery. The nerve blocks worked great, so there was no pain until the block wore off, then the throbbing and pain hit with a vengeance.

I know it is horrible right now, but you should find the pain subsides rather quickly (not like our cp issues) and that you have only soreness at the site after that.

Beware, however, that the site soreness may persist for a very long time. I know my hands are extremely sensitive to any touch at the incision site and it has been quite a long time since I had them done.
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