I have gotten to where I can swallow water. I couldn't do that the last week of treatments or the first week after they were over.
I know body piercings are popular now, but I'm ready to get rid of some of mine. I'm starting to get an idea of when that's going to happen.
The feeding tube comes out 3 - 4 weeks after I'm eating comfortably. That could be a while. I don't like the removal method. It's basically grab the tube and pull. I was told to expect some pain. That thing is in there pretty good. I forgot I was hooked up once and went to answer the phone. The tube is implanted tight enough that I can pull over an IV stand (the thing they use for IV's in hospitals) without budging the tube. That's going to be one pretty hefty "pull".
The tracheotomy tube comes out after all the swelling in my throat is gone. I hope that means the swelling from the radiation and doesn't include the swelling from forcing a tube down my throat and doing the tracheotomy. Neither would be considered short-term, but the swelling in my neck from the surgery is going to be around for quite a while. What my body would normally use to get rid of that swelling isn't there any more. I know I'm going to have a tracheotomy tube long enough that I'm getting this one changed out for another one that's more comfortable. That happens Wednesday. This is really minor. Just pull the tube out (that's a daily routine any way) and then drop in a few stitches to close the hole.
Then there's the portacath - Per Wikipedia:
In medicine, a port (or portacath) is a small medical appliance that is installed beneath the skin. A catheter connects the port to a vein. Under the skin, the port has a septum through which drugs can be injected and blood samples can be drawn many times, usually with less discomfort for the patient than a more typical "needle stick".I imagine that can come out about any time. At least there's SOMETHING I can get rid of in the near future.
The portacath removal has been described as an office visit, a small incision (about 3/4") and then just pull it out. Since that thing is connected to my aorta I'm a bit concerned about, "just pull it out". I'll be glad when that one's out of the way.
3 comments:
Connected to your aorta? For real?
Is that treating your heart directly (very directly)?
After your more mild description of it, that one sure threw me for a loop.
Well, I hope you can get rid of your pierced status soon too, Merlin.
Hang in there.
One end of the portacath is a small reservoir about 3/4" across and 1/8" thick. The reservoir has a permeable membrane directly under the skin.
The other end is on a 3" or 4" long tube and attaches into the aorta.
When the portacath is used, a needle is inserted through the skin and into the permeable membrane, which gives access to the blood stream.
The purpose of the portacath is to remove the necessity of properly inserting an IV for a blood-based treatment.
Wow! That sounds awful. I guess it's all on the road to recovery. But it still sounds like it sucks really bad.
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