The Port of Rebecca

A week before chemo began, I received surgery to implant a Porto-Catheter device that sits in my upper chest and connects a large tube through the main vein into the top of my heart. This left me with both an incision in my chest and on my neck where the tube was threaded, and would still be bruised and healing when accessed for Chemotherapy. Of course the surgery made me sore, light-headed, and unable to turn over in bed, but that didn't compare to the discomfort of having a semi-rigid plastic tube sticking into the side of my neck.

This has been my least favorite of all my procedures, but the benefit is undeniable: this port will ensure the caustic chemicals go straight into the plastic tube and into my circulatory system. Using a typical I.V. runs the risk of veins collapsing or leaking, and if the chemo leaks into surrounding muscle and tissue it will destroy them. Another permanent I.V. implant exists for the arm, but the tubes are exterior. With my chest portocatheter it's access is through the skin, so I can go swimming without water entering my body and can go to work without people asking me why I have a tube sticking out of my arm.

I think it's worth it- maybe I'll even keep it after it's all over. I think 'cyborg' is a good look for me.
Click here to learn about Breast Cancer: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-cancer-awareness/BR00003