Well deep veins. One of the things that came up during my recent hospital stay is that I have very deep veins. This makes administering intravenous drugs and taking blood samples rather fraught.
So today, I went back into St Vincent's for a few hours to have a mediport fitted. This basically is an interface implanted under the skin and connected to a suitable vein. The IV drugs for my chemotherapy can simply be connected to this without any faffing around. Likewise blood can be taken easily.
I was supposed to be sedated for the procedure but I was awake for most of it. I felt absolutely no pain, however. I feel some stiffness now, but then as the surgeon said: "You've just been stabbed."
my porto-cath (chest instead of vein) was the business, the best thing for my thin veins ever. It meant I could read while undergoing chemo - which was a blessing.
Posted by: Deirdre | January 24, 2006 at 04:43 PM
Sorry to hear about your cancer. Can they replace the esophagus?
Posted by: Victoria | January 24, 2006 at 07:25 PM
The doctors referred to what they put into me as a mediport but I've also heard it called a porto-cath.
Posted by: David Stewart | January 25, 2006 at 02:38 PM
Mine aren't deep, but they run away and hide. So the nurse thinks she's got one and it vanishes as soon as the needle goes in. When they do find them, they gush in a very satisfactory manner, but I come out with several holes in each elbow. It only needs doing every few months, otherwise I think I'd ask for one of your miracle devices. Blood? Certainly madam, just turn this little tap ...
All sounds very promising. Chin up.
Posted by: Fran Dowd | January 26, 2006 at 12:46 AM
Hang in there David. The City of the Tribes is rooting for you.
Posted by: brendan | January 27, 2006 at 03:43 PM