Leaving My Port Accessed

So a few weeks ago when I was getting my port accessed for hydration therapy, my nurse let me know that everytime your port is accessed there is an increased chance of infection. Yikes! Because of my vasovagal response to needles I had to wrap my head around the idea of keeping a needle in my chest. When the opportunity presented itself the day of my colonoscopy/endoscopy, I asked them to leave the port in so I could get an idea of what it would be like to leave it in for at least 24hrs since I had hydration therapy the next day. I learned two very important things:

                       1. That sleeping with a bra on is a necessity when you are a female. It keeps the port     from being accidentally tugged if you are someone who moves in your sleep.

                       2. My skin has a sensitivity to tagaderm bandages. Only 24hrs of wearing it and I was developing blisters and was itching the area like crazy.

(Below are pictures of the accessed port, if you are squeamish  don't scroll down)

The following week I left the port (called a gripper needle) in from Tuesday to Friday. It was a bit bulky (as shown below) and could been seen through whatever shirt I was wearing. I definitely felt uncomfortable when someone would take a double take. Since the tagaderm was causing a reaction the nurse used an IV3000 bandage instead. It's still itchy, but there were no blisters forming (Whew!). I also had to use paper tape to keep the port line in place because of my sensitive skin. It kept falling off so I had to replace it a few times.

It was a good thing that my mom had the week off from work. She helped keep my mind off of how uncomfortable I felt both physically and mentally with port accessed.

After the first week a younger nurse came and brought with her a lifeguard needle. It's not as bulky and is a bit more comfortable than the gripper. She was saying that younger people like them better because they don't show as much and they are a bit more comfortable with the gauze thats placed under the black plastic (as shown in the picture below). The lifeguard still shows through my shirt, but not as bad.

The pink tape is something that I had found when trying to search for a medical tape that was latex free and easy on sensitive skin. HY-pink medical tape was something that I found and absolutely love! It's doesn't itch at all and holds the tube in place. If you have sensitive skin, this is so the medical tape for you!

So right now each week for four days I have a needle in my chest and a tube hanging out. I'm getting better at dealing with it. Trust me, I have my moments. My brother has nick named me Iron Man since the day I had the port put in. So when I start to feel a little squeamish I close my eyes and try to think, What Would Iron Man Do? Be chill, make a sarcastic comment, and go create a kickass Iron Man suit. Okay, two outta three ain't bad.