My Chemo ally
One of the steps involved in the chemo treatment is the insertion of a port-a-cath.
Accepting and getting comfortable with this little foreign body was actually a journey for me.
What is a Port-a-cath?
The port-a-catheter is a small device used to draw blood and give treatments, including intravenous fluids, drugs such as chemo or pre-chemo drugs, or blood transfusions. It is quite often placed via surgery on the right top part of the chest.
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From foreign body….
Accepting the idea of carrying a foreign body can be a challenge. Not only, it generates discomfort when carrying a bag, fastening a car seat belt but it can be quite visible.
None of this can’t be addressed with healing time, using port-a-cath pillows, nice shawls, cotton wraps, ponchos or head scarves to cover it, if we keep focusing on it. In reality, in our daily activities and interactions, very few people would notice our port. Actually, only other port users will pay attention: somehow, it is a rallying symbol!
…to chemo ally
Personally, the thought of keeping the port-a-cath for few months after the end of treatment during the follow up phase, felt like a Damocles sword representing the risk of reoccurrence at first. Giving it some time and thoughts, sharing feelings and experience with others, the port-a-cath ended up being my best ally for the treatment. My chemo ally. At the beginning, I would focus on the benefits of the port to keep quiet the inner little scared voice in me. Eventually, I asked the medical team to use it for all required drug administration and blood collection during the hospital admissions.
The port is your chemo treatment best friend: easing the IV, protecting veins, allowing better mobility during the chemo session.
Basically, even if it involves another scar and some precaution to prevent infections or other complications, chemo would be more difficult without a port-a-cath.
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