Sorry I can't help you with that but I thought I would just say good luck with that. Hope it all goes well!!! Let us know.....hugs!!!!

Don't worry about it. I've had lots of IVs. Just make sure they don't stick it someplace that will make life difficult for you if it's staying in for a while (like in your dominant hand or something). It's no worse than getting stuck for a blood test other than that.

What kind of port a central line in your chest or a picline in your arm. They will give you medcal support to help with procedure. After that ur live will be easier. The can use the port for meds and draws. The importany thing is to follow all instructions on how they want you to take care of it! Infections are not our friends. Best wishes ! Kathy

My husband had a picc line inserted into his arm that went directly to his heart. They used a sonagram to watch exactly where the line was going and he said it didn't hurt at all. It saved him being stabbed with needles every time he needed the IV antibiotics which at that time was 3 times a day. Once a week they had a nurse come in to draw blood and change the line. Not to worry, it's not that bad at all.
Blessings,
Kim

I wasn't thinking you meant a PICC line (is that how you spell that?). I've had that, too, and yes, wonderful not to get stabbed all the time, but that's usually for blood draws as well as medication when you had tiny veins (like me) and they have trouble with you. The IV port is just for meds. And neither one is a big deal.

When I had them (in hospital or for IvIG) I asked that they'd be installed on my left arm (I'm righthanded) and some way up the arm (between the wrist and the elbow), not on the hand or in the crook of the arm) because it interferes with movement.
Ask for experienced people to do it. I've had rookies miss the connection a few times and that's no fun.

Hope things went well for you today. Let us know.

I was diagnosed with DM about 4 years ago. During that time I've always had vein infusions at least once a week and my veins started to rebel (hard to find). I had a port put in about 3 months ago and I love it! No more being stuck 3 or more times to find a vein in my arms. Good luck I hope it goes as well for you as it has for me.

I have a port in the right side of my chest for my monthly IVIG treatments. It's a right internal jugular port with the access in my right chest. I have had it for over two years and never had a problem with it. LOVE IT, as I have terrible venous access, have only one decent vein and if that one was flat I was in trouble, til I got the port. As long as they flush it as least monthly with Heparin to keep it from clotting, should be fine.

They just gave me some Versed for a light general anesthetic and put the port in as an outpatient procedure. I had a choice of OP Surgery department or Radiology Specials suite, and as I work for X-ray (transcription), I chose Radiology where my crazy friends put it in.

Anyway, I went home and we used the port within a few DAYS for an IVIG infusion with no problems, other than some post-surgical bruising.

Good luck!

deb g

What Still Deb said...

Thank you everyone for the advice and well wishes. They generally have a hard time finding a good vein on me. So I'm definetly excited about not having to go through that! It went quite well today. Everyone put me at ease and explained everything. Barnes is great! Unfortunately, sore from the procedure but I guess that's to be expected. The incision by my neck seems to be the most uncomfortable.