My port came out at around 2:30 this afternoon! The port removal was an in-office procedure which was good and bad. It was good that I did not have to be put under general anesthesia, even better that I did not have to go to the hospital, and really great that my surgeon was particularly chatty (for him) so that I was somewhat distracted during the procedure.
The bad is that I could see and feel (to an extent) what was going on, and that was pretty freaky. I was numbed with several shots lidocaine so nothing hurt, other than a stitch or two, but I could hear some cutting and feel some tugging. Yikes. Thankfully, the procedure was quick, and I was distracted enough.
Once the port came out, my doctor stitched me up with dissolvable stitches, put a few bandages on and sent me on my way. The bandages can come off on Wednesday, and the stitches will dissolve when they're good and ready I guess. I took a picture of the port but declined the option to take it home with me. I was pretty attached to it (both literally and figuratively), but I do not want it in my life anymore. I'll refrain from posting the picture but am happy to text or email it to any interested parties.
At one point, I was afraid to take my port out. This is pretty warped, but I thought that taking it out would be a bad omen. As in, if I took it out, I would need it again, but if I left it in, I would not need it. Kind of a strange way of thinking. I don't think that way anymore, though. I am glad that it is out.
I am pretty sore from the procedure and may take one of my prescription pain pills before bed. Getting that was such a huge milestone. I was so grateful to have the port because it saved my veins from getting trashed by chemo, and it made things relatively easy during my treatments. I am even more grateful to have it out. My surgeon reminded me that there are some who never get their ports removed and some who never stop chemo.
I am one of the lucky ones, and I never take that for granted.
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