I’m being Deported!

        Ok, now that I have your complete attention, LOL, I will explain. I have had fun telling people I am being ‘deported’ and watching their reactions. My pain management doctor (who is from India) almost threw his neck out when I said it, he turned his head so fast! He said “OMG, where are you really from and why/where are they deporting you to?” I said “They are sending me back to the land of Rebecca”. J ((( yes, a place as unique as me )))

            I am having my Groshong Power Port surgically removed next Monday, December 17, 2012. For those that don’t know what this is, it’s an implanted chest port that I have now had in me for the past 20 months. It was placed after I had to go back on chemo in April of 2011, as all my veins had gone to hell from chemo and were the size of uncooked angel hair pasta. (my veins are still crappy, but better than they were) The Power Port is used for taking blood, delivering meds, chemo etc. It needs to be flushed with saline very 6 weeks, so it doesn’t clog or clot. Mine has started to become difficult to access for blood. It is implanted in my left upper chest and the catheter runs over my collarbone, up my neck and into my jugular vein. Not a very comfy thing when I am trying to sleep or turn my head, as it tends to pull on my neck. I have threatened to use an xacto blade and remove it myself, which also freaks out the doctors, but I have finally gotten the official ok to have it removed professionally.

This is what it looks like:

From the outside, you can feel the 3 bumps that the nurse use to guide where they should jab that needle in your chest, you can also see the cath that snakes up my neck and feel the shape of the port beneath my skin. It’s like having an alien inside you, very weird, but very helpful when you need it. I also learned recently that when I am xrayed or scanned, I have a tracking number on the port that is visible on the tests. I have a card that I carry that identifies my numbers as well.

            I had my most recent Pet Scan a few weeks ago and this led to the decision to have the port removed. While the docs are continuing to watch some lymph nodes, I do not need chemo right now, which is a happy thing! So I remain on Chemopause and have chosen to be deported! I will be scanned again in 4 months, as this is the new normal for me.

            I look forward to starting the new year without my port.

Oh and one more thing (but shhh, don’t tell my surgeon) I’m making a tee shirt to wear on my surgery day that says: I’M BEING DEPORTED TODAY!  I hope to get a picture of my surgeon with me before he takes it out.

Wishing everyone a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Great New Year!

With love

Rebecca