For those of you who’ve been around since at least Post 1000, you know I have a port used for dialysis. I also have a dialysis fistula, a surgically joined artery and vein that serve the same purpose. It’s on my left arm, over the bicep muscle.
The port was installed when it became apparent last January that I had end term kidney failure. The fistula came later, and the intent was the port would come out as soon as the fistula proved its worth. That time has arrived! Tuesday morning, I go to the local hospital to have the port surgically removed, leaving me with just the fistula for dialysis.
Red for arterial blood supply; blue for venous. Two catheters hang on my chest till Tuesday.
I won’t miss the port. It frequently caused me problems. One notorious week, I got only a two hour partial session on Saturday. The port was replaced the next session (on Monday) when the dialysis technicians were unable to get it to work once again. The next day, the port didn’t work yet again and I had to have it replaced. The next day, it didn’t work yet again (!!) and they had to straighten out a twist in a catheter. And so on.
I ended up returning to have the port fixed or replaced EVERY DAY the whole week. Finally, after a week of having no dialysis but a partial one the previous Saturday, I got a two hour session on Friday.
What happens when you go a week without dialysis? You find it harder and harder to think straight. You feel weak. You hurt. You are being poisoned with your body’s own waste!
No, I won’t miss that dang port!
Good luck today, Doug!
Thanks! It went very well. I went in at 7:00, waited till 10:15. By 10:30, I was out of surgery, and they kept me till 11:30 or so to assure I was colming out of it OK, which I was. The friend who took me there and I went to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch (and a marguerita, I confess!), and then she took me home. I conked out long enough to miss the first part of the vice presidential debate (too bad I saw the rest….!). It was a full day.
Very good information
Thanks! I look forward to have nothing left but a small scar to remind me of the port.
Easy, it’s dialyses. 🙂
Actually!
A not so fond farewell to the pesky port, and long live the fistula. You’ll feel so darn much better when you can have reliable dialysis. (I wanted to make that a plural, but have to check to see what in heck the plural of dialysis is!)
I had to do that at one point, too! Anyway, one less hassle to deal with and, AND I will be able to take a proper shower for the first time since January! (You have to keep the port dry, and that’s more problematic than you might imagine.)
Prayers for you – and POTP to your handsome boys !
We all thank you!
My thoughts and prayers are with you for a really good outcome with this change you are preparing to undergo.
It is a routine procedure I’ve been through enough times (about 10…!) so I should handle it with no complications. Anyway, thanks for the support!
That is good news.
For sure! I’ll be glad to be done with it.
Best wishes for your procedure, be well. 👍🏻
Thanks! I’m pleased I go in really early because I should be done with it by mid-morning or shortly after.
That sounds like a positive step forward. Good luck with the procedure. Our little family will be sending you healing purrs & prayers.
It will be for sure. One less hassle to deal with….
Support and love for you – I do hope kitties comfort you during these hard days 🙂
Thanks! It will be an out patient procedure.
My thoughts, best wishes, and love dear WB, nia
Thanks! I’ll go in for the procedure in the early morning, and be out before noon.
Sailors used to have a girl in every port. Does the hospital’s dialysis unit have a port in every girl?
LOL! I hope not!
My mother had a port so I understand some of your frustration. May next week be better.
Love and hugs. x
Thanks! It is high maintenance and a nuisance I won’t miss. The surgery is fast and simple (for me!), and I won’t have any discomfort from it, if my many experiences with it in past are any clue.