This morning at 8:30 we had a consult with Dr. Lancaster, the general surgeon who is tasked with installing a "port" (more rightly called a portacath) which will be used for Lisa's chemotherapy.
A chemotherapy port is a simpler and (reportedly) almost painless way to deliver chemotherapy medicines into the body by either injection or intervenous drip than by doing it each time in the patient's arm or back of the hand. The port is also used to draw blood, which they will do a lot over the coming weeks.
The chemotherapy port is a small medical device installed beneath the skin during an outpatient procedure with local anesthetic and sedation. The skin incision, which will be about an inch long, is where the actual port will be placed. Just under it another slightly larger incision is made, which is used to thread the tube (catheter) into a major vein in the chest or neck. The catheter is then inserted into the back of the port and the port is fitted into a small space which is made under the skin. The incisions are closed up and also covered with a temporary surgical dressing to help protect the area and avoid infection as it heals. Otherwise, once the port and catheter have been inserted and checked with simple xray or fluoroscope to confirm placement, it is ready to use and provides easy access to the veins.
Consistent with our "fast track" schedule, the implantation surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning (Tuesday). We're to arrive at the hospital outpatient center at 10:30am. Were actually juggling that with an earlier 8:45am appointment elsewhere to do pre-admit bloodwork they need for next week's Laser Bronchoscopy surgery.
Later today at 2pm we have our "big" meeting with the Oncologist to talk about results of Friday's MRI and the course of treatment. Lisa's mom is also on her way down here and will arrive late this afternoon or early evening.
Michael
