Port time...Hope I'm ready

So one thing that came highly recommended to me from a friend of mine who also went through this was to get a port put in.  Basically, I would either have to get an IV and blood work done the day of chemo (2 needle sticks) or I could have a port implanted and only need 1 stick.  This will help for many reasons both short term and long term.  For starters, since I had 2 lymph nodes removed from my right side, I'm technically supposed to avoid needle sticks and blood pressure cuffs on that side.  So we would be primarily be using my left every time (16 chemo treatments x 2 to include the blood work).  In the short term, this would also save me time on the day of chemo so that I wouldn't have to go to a lab and wait in line with every other patient there to get blood work done and then have the results read.  Rather, I could stay in my clinic and and they could draw the blood from the port.

In terms of long term benefits, chemo also messes up your arms if you don't have a port I'm told.  It can cause extensive scar tissue and lead to complications the further you go along in terms of finding a vein to work.  So I guess really it's no guarantee that it would only be two sticks if I didn't get the port.  Finally, technically with me being HER2+ I will be receiving treatment for a little over a year to specifically target this aspect.  Chemo though will only be 5 months.  Herceptin (medication to treat HER2+ aspect) will begin at month 3 of chemo and will continue for 1 year.  All in all, this port will become part of me for a little over 1 year. 

The port I'm told is about the size of a quarter and there is a tube attached to go into my vein.  It will be implanted just below my collar bone and will be completely under the skin but noticeable that I will have it.  From everyone I've talked to who would be familiar with it or have knowledge in the area, it seems to be a pretty standard procedure to have put in and the best part is that for me, I just go take a nap and wake up with it already done.

So...tomorrow will be a busy day.  First we're off to another doctor appointment and then it's port time.  Wish me luck & say a prayer!