Tools of the Trade

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." ~Mary Engelbreit

If you were to tell me three years ago that I needed to get a port, I would have cried like a little baby. Today, I am actually excited that a port will be on the menu and I'm going to be fist-pumping all the way to surgery. I've decided to name the port Penelope and rock it out with pride! It is time to put on my big-girl panties and get it done!

After years of numerous PICC lines for intravenous antibiotics, my right-side vein that goes to my heart has been scarred. This has led to a narrowing of the vein that leads to the heart, which in turn makes the catheter hard to thread and eventually gets kinked around the armpit area. Also, when it comes to my left side, the main vein that leads to the heart is very small, which makes it difficult for the PICC line team or radiologist to deal with. Basically, no good veins = time for a port.

Also, I have become allergic to a lot of the surgical material used in the prepping of intravenous antibiotics. I am allergic to tegaderm, chloroprep, betadine (under dressing), and surgical sticky tape. The only I.V. dressings that work for me are the I.V. 3000 dressing and Opsite dressing, and then rubbing alcohol to clean the area. I know that PICC lines are already hard for radiologists to do, but to prevent allergic reactions on top of the surgical procedure can become a little much at times. Keep in mind I'm not getting the port for them, but for me. I think the port will reduce the tedium of getting intravenous antibiotics - it simplifies the whole process. All I have to do is access the port when needed and flush once a month when I am not using it. Easy as pie!

I have decided to make the decision to move forward and reach for higher health goals. I'm hoping the port is going to make my life easier and make my lung function better as a result. I've been thinking about my port, not as a negative stepping stone, but as an accomplishment in my CF life that I have come this far.

My port will be used as another tool in my arsenal. After reading and educating myself on ports, I found that I can either get an arm port or a chest port. I'm leaning towards getting a Navilyst Xcela chest port. Almost like a car, I want it to be a long-lasting and reliable addition to my life. I also have an option to get a Groshong port, but I've heard some complications have been seen with blood return. I loved my Groshong PICC lines, but I am thinking I want an open ended catheter for my port instead of the side slits that are displayed in a Groshong type of catheter. I want a port that won't clot, won't cause complications, get infected, or float. Seems like simple requests to me. ;)

This is the Navilyst Xcela chest port that has an open end (which requires Heparin flushes) and I liked the fact that it can be sewn down in the pocket stitch that the radiologist makes. This one is pretty! This port is the one that I'm currently leaning towards getting. :)



And this is the Groshong chest port that does not require Heparin:

And PURPLE! Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I'm finally ready for this adventure. :)