Port Is Placed...Finally!

Psalm 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.

Thursday was a day filled with a lot of waiting, a day filled with much prayer, a day filled with refreshing laughter, and the day the Port was finally placed.

Kellie met us at the house to head to the hospital. Jim originally thought he would work and then changed his mind a day before. We now know if I'm going to be going through any procedure he must be there. I'm so thankful they both were.

We started the day at the Infusion Center in the hospital for my transfusion. I thought I was doing really good until I sat down in the chair. I instantly started to tear up. I guess what happened the week before came back like a flood. Jim was right there holding my hand. The nurse attempted to put an IV in. I never look. I could tell she was having a difficult time. I could hear Jim praying as she attempted the second time. I don't think she misses very much so she was relieved when it finally went in. She told me to give Jim a kiss because I would soon be asleep when she administered the meds to hopefully prevent any reaction occurring.

The first med was a large dose of Benedryl. I could feel it go through out my body but I was wide awake 5 minutes later. She then administered Demarol (used for pain). She only gave me half the dose at first because she wanted to see how quickly my body would respond. We laughed because my tongue felt really big and I was talking strangely. Jim had Kellie come sit with me just to get a good laugh. When Kellie was sitting with me I got a visit from my Physical Therapist Kim. We were all talking and laughing. My nurse decided I needed the remaining does of Demarol. She was waiting for the meds to take effect before beginning the transfusion. I remember feeling a little strange but never did I feel sleepy...maybe just a little happy. The nurse couldn't believe I was still awake. Both Jim and Kellie were able to come sit with me and I swear they were acting more out of it than I was.

My transfusion went very well. My nurse called it a text book transfusion. We became aware I have a high tolerance for medications. We would become more aware of this later on in the afternoon.

Our next stop was radiology. We decided to check-in to see when my procedure would start. We were told I was to be back at 12:30. I wasn't allowed to eat but I told Jim and Kellie they needed to get something. We headed out of the hospital primarily to warm up. They got something at Taco Bell and then Kellie wanted to stop at Henry's. As we were leaving Kel decided we each needed a plant called a "Money Tree." I'm not sure why they are called that but they look really neat. We put the trees in the car and were off to the hospital.

My scheduled procedure...within 45 minutes...had been pushed back now to 1:30. Kel and I could have done some more shopping. Now we were back to waiting and freezing again. It felt like every 15 minutes they called me up to the main counter. One of the times I met the doctor's assistant. I wanted to ask the doctor some questions and I guess he was there to screen them. I was told that if they couldn't put the port in the chest they wouldn't be able to put a port any where else. I was really concerned. I went back to sit down. As I was sitting there I decided I better send some texts out. I wasn't getting good cell coverage, plus I decided I needed to take a walk. I went outside and called Jean at church. I knew my situation needed specific prayer.

I got back inside when only a few minutes later I was called back (they would only let Jim come with me). I guess my questions brought up some red flags so the doctor wanted to met with me. We were told they were going to use the ultra-sound machine to see if putting in a port was possible. Once the doctor came in and visually looked at the area he said he wouldn't be able to know anything until he began the procedure. Having a previous port complicated matters because even if there were an area in the muscle for the port the vein required to use may be damaged by scaring. He explained also that my procedure would be delayed another 45 minutes.

Typically, I don't do well if I sit and wait. This time I was really calm - probably a mixture of prayer and medication from the transfusion. When my time finally came I grabbed my warm socks, gave Jim a kiss and went into a very cold room. It was strange because I felt like I was walking into a surgery room. Before they began to prepare me for the procedure they made sure my left arm was elevated and comfortable. I was so thankful because normally my arm is so much pain. Once that was done they went into getting everything ready pretty quickly.

I met the nurse that would be sedating me. She seemed very upset about my cancer. I learned later that her 12 year old son had died from stomach cancer. I have prayed for her the last few days. I could feel her pain. She took very good care of me. Once the doctor came in she told me that my happy juice was on the way. The doctor began to work. I kept waiting to feel sleepy or something. I finally told the doctor I'm wasn't asleep. He said I would feel it soon and started asking me questions. I kept talking, told him I could feel some pain, he then gave me more numbing injections and then asked the nurse to give me more meds. I never once got sleepy. I decided I better not talk anymore or I would be given more medication.

I could feel him pulling, pushing, movement in my chest, but no pain. I had a tent around my face the whole time so I couldn't see what the doctor was doing. Once the procedure was completed and the nurse began removing everything and took off the tent she said, "You are awake." I replied, "I have been the whole time." She couldn't believe it. Even laughed when I got on to the other gurney by myself. She explained I would be in recovery for an hour and then released. She stopped and called Jim so he could see me before I was wheeled into the room. He was very relieved to see me and learn the port was placed in my chest.

When the nurse brought me in the recovery room, her and the other nurses were surprised I was awake. She started telling them what medications I was given. She also began telling them I wasn't to be released till 8:00 pm. I spoke up very loudly and asked "What?!" I expressed I did not want to stay that long. They called the doctor to confirm and shared that I was wide awake. The doctor shortly arrived, explained he didn't want me to leave for 4 hours so they could monitor that I wasn't internally bleeding. I told him I trusted him and would do as he asked.

I then asked the nurse if there was a way to get a hold of my husband because he thought I was only going to be here another hour and a half. I knew if I was in here for 4 hours he would believe something had happened. I didn't want him to worry. They were able to get him on a phone. He wasn't too happy I would be staying another 4 hours either, but glad I had told him what was happening. I told him they would transfer me to out-patient recovery so he should take Kellie home to get her car so she wouldn't have to wait all night too.

I was shortly moved to out-patient recovery and told them my husband would be coming back. What I didn't know was that Kellie wanted to stay so they were still at the hospital. I'm not sure how long it took for someone to connect us together. I thought if I closed my eyes the time would go by faster but it was the longest 4 hours of my life. I kept asking Kellie how could they tell if I was bleeding internally? She explained by my vitals. Which they took a lot.

We did get a slice of red velvet cake from a party the nurses were having. We also laughed a lot. Jim was goofing off and making us both crack up (even if we were a liitle slow getting hus jokes). I think he was trying to get us kicked out. He said he was so relieved I was doing good that he was just happy and very stir crazy. He kept complaining about some show about New Jersey house wives that was on in the waiting room that he had to endure while waiting.

Around 7:00 pm I told Kel I needed to use the bathroom. We decided maybe if I was dressed they would let me go. Kel wanted to unhook my IV but somehow the tape was around it and was hurting too much. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the nurses faces when we came around the corner and I was dressed. It was so funny (we hadn't told them Kel is a nurse). We tried to talk them into letting me go. The nurse called again to check but my doctor was already gone. The strange part was because out-patient recovery was closing I had to go back to the main recovery. At least I got to go in a chair instead of a gurney. I only had a half hour to go. I was finally released and in the car by 8:01 pm.

We were at the hospital for 11 hours. It took me another 11 hours plus to fall asleep. Whatever meds they gave me wouldn't allow me to sleep. By Saturday morning I was a zombie. The last two nights I've finally been able to sleep. The pain has lessened each day too. I can almost move my neck all the way from left to right.

Tomorrow I will see my oncologist. I'm anxious to learn about my liver situation and also see if they can draw blood from the port. If my liver counts are good I'm assuming it's chemo on Wednesday, if their not then I know I won't have chemo, but I don't know how long I will have to wait. I guess this promises another blog shortly.

When I think about last Thursday the four words that come to mind are - love, laughter, prayer, and miracle. I can finally say it was the best medical procedure experience. I have my port for years to come so I can tell others about the miracle I received, the prayers that made it happen, the love I felt through the air and from the two with me, and the laughter through out the VERY LONG day.

I can think back and smile. I believe it was a test as I've been learning about putting my trust and true confidence in God. I hope He is smiling too.