Sorry about the hideous photo.
Yesterday I had the “Smart Port” inserted after my beloved PICC Line gave me a blood clot along with a huge allergy to all the dressings used to secure it.
From reading other ladies experiences with their ports, I had only the slightest trepidation about the procedure. From all the accounts, including my sister, who lives in Los Angeles and hates medical procedures of any kind, I was counting on sedation, such as the kind one is offered for an endoscopy, so that the experience would be simple and easy for me.
Much to my surprise the doctor informed me that sedation was not an option. She described what would happen to me, including the two incisions, the stitching, the application of multiple local anaesthetic injections, the insertion of the catheter and the creation of a pocket under the skin of my chest for the port.
The procedure lasted for an hour in which I lay on my back with my head turned as far to the left as possible, which is very difficult for me because of arthritis at the back of my skull. I was kept in that position while the doctor injected me 20 times (2 separate locations) with the local anaesthetic (ouch!) and poked and pounded and cut me, wiping away the blood I could feel dripping down my neck.
It was like being at the dentist forever, only no sound of the drill.
I felt awful and when it was finished my neck was killing me. There was no recovery room or recovery time. I could hardly dress myself after and definitely could not put on my bra.
I managed to meet my husband in the waiting room and began to cry.
After all the procedures I have suffered, from the drains, the biopsy, the operation, I have never cried.
I felt totally traumatised. I am going to speak to my CNS tomorrow and let her know how unfair it is to undergo such a procedure without sedation, when we are already suffering so much.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Also, is this photo what yours looked like afterwards?
Sorry to winge,
Laura
🥵
Winger away Laura , that was unacceptable that you had to go through that without sedation . We suffer enough trauma , without adding more .hope your feeling better now .
Love Sheila xx
Thank you Sheila,
Stay well!
Happy Holidays,
Laura