Does anyone have any questions I should make sure to ask him???
I have to admit.....I've had 12 major surgeries in my life.....but this one has me a little queezy! I've never had one even similar to this one so not sure what all I should ask the surgeon tomorrow........

Hi Rox.

How are you doing? I'm sure others will come and tell you what to ask your doc, but I just wanted to wish you well.

You take care,

Melody

HI Mel!
Thank you!
Mike is going with me to the appt tomorrow.......and I'm very glad of that! I'm just very nervous about having this done.
How are you and Alan....guess you survived the holidaze! Loved all the videos y'all made!

Roxie,

Please tell me you saw the one where Alan sings the song Celebrate???

I never laughed so hard in all my life.

mel

Yep Mel, I sure saw it......and laughed and laughed and enjoyed it!

All the 'experiences' I've had to learn from were from cancer patients...and one CIDP'er....
I guess, I'd go down a menu of questions I've picked up from meeting and reading about others' experiences...
1- How long is it gonna really HURT? Days, weeks, what?
2- When can I USE this thing?
3- How will I know that nurses are infusing me correctly?
4- How long is this thing gonna last? And, if I've got to get a new one, what will that entail?
Last
5- How can I tell if there is a problem, of any kind? What should I look out for in the short and long run? Admit your'e immune compromised and that you want to know about all the possibles...not that you will have them, just that you and your Mike want to know and be alert for possible problems, so's to avoid them...
Honestly? I am kind of jealous! It seems like a humane way to deal with infusions and bad veins! OK I AM plain jealous! 's truly! - j

Thank you J!!
I wish you were here to go with me cause you know all the questions to ask! I'm copying all the questions you gave me so I can take them with me tomorrow. If you think of more I'll check here tomorrow! Thanks again J!!

HI All!
I saw my Cardio Vascular surgeon this morning and scheduled my Port surgery for this Friday morning. He said it's a 30 min surgery....barring any complications ie: having the lung punctured by the IV needle etc...
Here's some answers to the questions I asked him about it:
1. How long will it hurt?? He said he usually sends home 30 Vicadon with the patient and they tell him they usually don't need that many. It'll hurt for about 3 days.
2. How big is the incision? It's about 2 1/2 inches and the cut is right below the left clavical on the chest.
3. When can I have my next IVIG? Right away. He's leaving a needle in the Port for easy access for that afternoon!
4. How long will the port last? Depending on the person.....it can last for several years.
5. How to tell if there's a problem? If there's redness around the port....or if I run a temp. or if the nurse has trouble getting the infusion going.....could be a clot.....

So hopefully all will go well. We were impressed with this dr. He said he's been doing Ports and all other heart related surgeries for over 20 yrs. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

He went WHEW! Never got a 'grilling' like that before!
Really that is sooo super!
All the answers are totally in line with everything I've read about the things.
Honestly I am jealous...you gotta know that!
Soo soon, so fast tho...not enough time to asorb or process it all into your mind tho, is it?

Tho with all the discussions about other 'implants' in the body? This is one I would truly appreciate and welcome....if it were me?

Please keep us up to date about it all as you go thru it? On one hand that can sound morbid or voyeuristic...on another...just knowing a 'first hand' experience and the good and bad or indifferent experiences you have could help others about their decision [like my own-when that time comes?] Can help maybe save other's lives from 'needle misery'...

Go forth, be brave, it WILL BE UNEVENTFUL! By gosh! And you are going to be one very happy camper! GOT that? 's - j

Roxie,
Good luck! I'm thinking about you.

Billye