countdown to a cure

We are back from our monthly clinic visit. Each month he is given a chemotherapy drug through a port in his chest. For those of you who don't know and/or are interested, this is what the port looks like essentially. They differ slightly in some cases.

What is a port?

A port is a device that allows an easy and reliable way to give medicine into the veins and take blood samples from the veins.

It is implanted under the chest skin. It is about a half inch thick and about the size of a quarter. You can feel its raised center under your skin. A flexible piece of tubing (catheter) is connected to it. This is tunneled under the skin to an area near the neck where it enters a vein.

The center of the port is made of a tough, self-sealing, rubber-like material that can be punctured through the chest skin with a special needle many times. Each time it will reseal instantly.

Here is a good illustration of where the port is placed inside the chest.


Why do I need a port?

Since you may need frequent intravenous (IV) medicines or blood draws, your healthcare provider has ordered a port for you. Patients who have ports often say that they are relieved that they do not have to be poked over and over to find a good vein.

Because the port is implanted under the skin it is not very noticeable. Once it has healed, it needs little care from you. People like the fact that they can go on with normal daily activities (including showering and swimming) without worrying

about the port.

Because of this port though, there is a risk of infection in there, so they are VERY cautious when he gets a fever because if he gets an infection in this port, it can be very dangerous!

It used to be a clean procedure, but now it is done using a sterile procedure.

The dolls on the ceiling watch over the procedure.

Notice the slight bend of the needle used to access the port.

Going in..."Don't count, just do it, please!"

The cleaner is hard to breath, so he guards his face.

Ready for the lab.

It appears that the chemo is having an effect on his liver, please pray for this. Nothing to worry about yet, but we will go in to get the enzymes rechecked next week and if they continue to rise, we may have to hold his chemo meds in order for his liver to recover. God knows if his little body needs a rest from these meds. He is holding B in His hands. We are so thankful!