Power Port Time!

Back to the Cross Cancer Institute to have Amanda's Power Port put in.  Because of concerns with infection, Dr. Taparia insisted on a full blood workup, especially since we were now 7 days post-chemo.  After a few vials of blood, off to get her port put in (guess numbers were OK!)

Nurse came out to the waiting area to discuss the port, complications, after surgery care, etc.  Basically the surgery is done with a local (crazy!) anesthetic.  A small incision is cut in the neck and a guide wire is run through the vein that is being used for the catheter.  A larger incision (about 1.5 inches) is then cut on the right-side chest and the device is placed.  Surgeon then pushes the catheter under the skin to the first incision.  The guide wire is then used to position the catheter the rest of the way.  

Anyhow, upon the advice of the nurses in the Chemo Ward, Amanda requested the slim model.  The surgeon came out and said that they don't use them often (most patients he sees are not as young and slight as Amanda), but that he would look.  Came back with good news that they had one for her!  Also offered to stitch up the larger incision rather than use the staples that he typically uses...Amanda totally jumped on that offer!!

Amanda actually did really well.  Spent an hour in the dayward to recover.  Was one of the last patients there and actually had an interesting time with the nurse assigned to look after her.  Turns out the nurse was a young cancer patient and she had a lot of great advice for her.  Once again, the experience at the Cross was AMAZING!!  Amanda had a relatively good evening, only experiencing some minor pain that evening.