6.16.2010

Milestone

It's been a whirlwind of work, friends and family since we returned from our wonderful trip to Nashville. We felt very blessed to have been invited to such a terrific event. We met lots of amazing people and really enjoyed Nashville.

Tomorrow, I am reaching a milestone-for many cancer survivors, that is. Awhile ago I wrote a post about my port. Well, tomorrow is the big day that we will be parting ways. Even though I still go to the doctor every 3 months, I have decided after 7 years together, we are going to break up. You've been a good sport, Port.

Before the craziness of grad school starts, I figured I would have the time to rest after getting it out and can muster up the strength to get stuck in my arm every 3 months...

Pros of getting it out:
-No more plastic device in my body
-It's a step in healing
-I could (if I wanted to) play high impact sports
-Do not have to worry about it getting infected
-Forced rest

Cons:
-I've had to stop one of my medicines for a few days and it has left me with horrible headaches and soreness...ugh.
-It's surgery with an incision, soreness and possible complications (low chance)
-I will have to get IVs in the arms again
-If I ever need to get a port again, my places to put a new one will be limited (I have had 2 external central lines and I think 3 internal ports over the years).

Today, I am thankful for a wonderful summer, hope, friends, family, and God.

Rach

8 comments:

Dee said...

Hi Rach
Removing your port is a milestone. I will have mine for 5 years come August and have been thinking of having it removed.
Still hesitant a bit since I am only a year our from my recurrence. 7 years sounds like a good time for me too.
Take care
Dee

Obsessedwithlife said...

Dee-I'd definitely recommend getting it out when you are comfortable...that is what my doctor suggested :).

Good luck!!

Rachel

Thuy said...

Rachel, I hope you are feeling better! What a momentous day indeed. You have such a powerful story, and I love being able to keep up with it. Hope you are doing well! (And where are you going to grad school? - Congrats!)

Brandy said...

Yay! Congrats Rach!! Let the high impact sports begin ha!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the milestone of removing your port. I will be praying that all goes smoothly and there will be no complications. Rest and take it easy...grad school is just around the corner. Wow! That gave me chills and and watery eyes just to type that to you Rachel! Tell Gabe hi and hope the rest of the summer is great for the two of you.

Love,
Debbie Nagy

adventure grrl said...

Hi Doll! I found a sweet comment you left for me on my blog 100 Days in Bed and I wanted you to know I'm back to writing there! Hope ur great and will stop by sooooon.

And about having your port removed - that is amazing. CELEBRATE! xoxoxo

Bethany said...

Yay!!!! I'm so excited for you. I remember thinking that you were so patient to keep yours in. It really is a good idea to do so, but I could never wait. As soon as my counts were up and I was sure I didn't need chemo for a while I wanted it out. LOL probally why I have had 2 already. Awesome! So happy for your milestone!

Melissa Durant said...

CONGRATS!! I had to get mine out years ago because it was causing pain (otherwise I wouldn't put it past my doc keeping it in!). Don't sweat the arm pokes, I still go every 4 months too and surprisingly it doesn't bother me anymore! AND was at work the next day. Out of all of those surgeries this one is a piece of cake! The best part, I threw a Port Party when mine was removed - I'm always looking for a reason to celebrate life!