Putting My Port To The Test

Well, I am grieving, but I am good. I had my port flushed yesterday. They had trouble tapping into my port. It hurt. Apparently, my numbing cream did not work yesterday. I rushed in putting it on, and I did not rub it in good enough. It’s not supposed to matter, but it always does for me. I don’t know why, but port problems freak me out. I think I can handle a lot, and I have a high tolerance for pain, but I have almost passed out several times when my port has given the nurses problems. Just thinking about it makes me feel sick, and I have no idea why! Luckily, the nurse who attempted the first try did not pry around too much to force it in and got another nurse to try. The second nurse had trouble but gently got it in, so that was a relief. I was so worried it wasn’t going to work because I’d gone so long without a port flush, but the nurses assured me that wasn’t the issue. It could’ve been because I was cold or dehydrated or a plethora of other reasons. I am always cold and never hydrated enough, so I went with it. My port’s blood return worked beautifully, and I was in and out in no time. As always, it takes longer setting up for a port flush than than the actual time it takes to flush the port. My port has been so trusty, and I have to give credit to the team at Walter Reed who placed it. My port always gets compliments from the nurses. It has really been a good one, so good that I will just keep it, even if my oncologist says again it can come out for the time being. So, I am good for another seven weeks now until my next appointment. Will update again after my next port flush or if I have something cancer-related on my mind. For now, I just plan to live life one day at a time, a lesson I have learned through cancer, a lesson I’m being reminded of again as I process my dad’s death. Stay safe and healthy, everyone.