I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OBSESSED WITH NAMING THINGS. IF I COULD NAME THEM, I COULD KNOW THEM. IF I COULD NAME THEM, I COULD TAME THEM. THEY COULD BE MY FRIENDS.
Eve Ensler "The Vagina Monologues"
Yesterday was a busy, but productive day. Spent 4 1/2 hours at the hospital, but came home with a brand, new port in my chest. The procedure was not difficult, just different. I swear that I was completely knocked out when I had the last one. That one was put in by my surgeon. But he has since retired. So, this time a Radiologist who specializes in procedures like this did it. I was supposed to be in a twilight state but I didn't drift off. I stayed completely in the moment, which was interesting because I could listen to the techs all chatting about silly things and feel the intense pushing and digging as the port was shoved in and put in place.. Oh, I was completely numb, so there was absolutely no pain.
The area didn't start hurting until later last night. I just took some pain killers and went to bed. The bandage is quite large and REALLY taped to the skin, which is kinda uncomfortable, but do-able. I can see where there is a lot of bruising way around the incision. The gauze and tape show above the neckline of my top, so I have decided that I if anyone asks me about what happened, I will simply answer, "Didn't you see it on the news? I got shot in the neck!!" and then watch their reaction. I texted Jenna this morning telling her what I planned to do, and she approved. I knew she would. :)
We will be leaving in a bit to go to the oncologist. As I mentioned before, I will be getting information about what kind of chemo I'm having this time around. It is very possible that they will start my first infusion today. The Radiologist said that I was ready to go and that the port could be used right away. ouch NOTE: I was wrong about the needle and port being magnetized so that the needle is maneuvered to the correct opening. (that is how fluid is inserted into the skin stretchers that you have in your breasts before reconstructive implants are put in). The port has three good-sized knobs on the top and the nurse feels through the skin with her finger. When she find the "triangle" of knobs, they manually insert the IV needle into the middle and then chemo juice flows correctly into the port which is connected to the vein above the heart. Voila!
Anyhoo, it is a beautiful day outside, and I already went for a walk. My legs are doing a bit better this morning, so I went down to the building to check on the darn little spot lights that I set around the yard. THEN, I realized that you have to pull out a little orange tab out of the dumb things in order for the sun to start charging the battery. Oh well, they're fixed now.
Oh . . . and about Roger. I have been bugging my family about the name Roger. When niece Holly got a new dog, I firmly suggested that she name it Roger. She politely declined and named him Lucah. When great-nephew and his wife had a baby boy, again I generously offered up the name Roger. They opted for "Owen William" which is truly a great name. When nephew Luke from Texas texted a picture of a creepy scorpion that he had trapped in a glass tube, I suggested he keep it for a pet and name it . . . you got it! . . . Roger. I think he threw the scorpion away.
Soooooo . . . I now have an "alien" type friend riding around below my collar bone who is here to help with all my chemo infusions. And, by golly, I have named him Roger.
NOTE: I am truly not as nuts as I sound when I write on this post. Truly. hehehe
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Eve Ensler "The Vagina Monologues"
Yesterday was a busy, but productive day. Spent 4 1/2 hours at the hospital, but came home with a brand, new port in my chest. The procedure was not difficult, just different. I swear that I was completely knocked out when I had the last one. That one was put in by my surgeon. But he has since retired. So, this time a Radiologist who specializes in procedures like this did it. I was supposed to be in a twilight state but I didn't drift off. I stayed completely in the moment, which was interesting because I could listen to the techs all chatting about silly things and feel the intense pushing and digging as the port was shoved in and put in place.. Oh, I was completely numb, so there was absolutely no pain.
The area didn't start hurting until later last night. I just took some pain killers and went to bed. The bandage is quite large and REALLY taped to the skin, which is kinda uncomfortable, but do-able. I can see where there is a lot of bruising way around the incision. The gauze and tape show above the neckline of my top, so I have decided that I if anyone asks me about what happened, I will simply answer, "Didn't you see it on the news? I got shot in the neck!!" and then watch their reaction. I texted Jenna this morning telling her what I planned to do, and she approved. I knew she would. :)
We will be leaving in a bit to go to the oncologist. As I mentioned before, I will be getting information about what kind of chemo I'm having this time around. It is very possible that they will start my first infusion today. The Radiologist said that I was ready to go and that the port could be used right away. ouch NOTE: I was wrong about the needle and port being magnetized so that the needle is maneuvered to the correct opening. (that is how fluid is inserted into the skin stretchers that you have in your breasts before reconstructive implants are put in). The port has three good-sized knobs on the top and the nurse feels through the skin with her finger. When she find the "triangle" of knobs, they manually insert the IV needle into the middle and then chemo juice flows correctly into the port which is connected to the vein above the heart. Voila!
Anyhoo, it is a beautiful day outside, and I already went for a walk. My legs are doing a bit better this morning, so I went down to the building to check on the darn little spot lights that I set around the yard. THEN, I realized that you have to pull out a little orange tab out of the dumb things in order for the sun to start charging the battery. Oh well, they're fixed now.
Oh . . . and about Roger. I have been bugging my family about the name Roger. When niece Holly got a new dog, I firmly suggested that she name it Roger. She politely declined and named him Lucah. When great-nephew and his wife had a baby boy, again I generously offered up the name Roger. They opted for "Owen William" which is truly a great name. When nephew Luke from Texas texted a picture of a creepy scorpion that he had trapped in a glass tube, I suggested he keep it for a pet and name it . . . you got it! . . . Roger. I think he threw the scorpion away.
Soooooo . . . I now have an "alien" type friend riding around below my collar bone who is here to help with all my chemo infusions. And, by golly, I have named him Roger.
NOTE: I am truly not as nuts as I sound when I write on this post. Truly. hehehe
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
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