Don’t Believe the Hype aka Me and My Port (Part 2)
Recently, I wrote about my port and how much easier it made my life. Well, like so much in a cancer journey, things change. You can count on it. As I explained, I have to use my port for my monthly blood draws. Well, for the past 3 months, it’s been getting a bit challenging to get any blood flow from my port. I’ve had to use all the tricks to get it working. Stand up, sit down, deep breaths, flap my arm. And of late, the tried-and-true tricks haven’t worked.
I went to my local oncologist and we did a tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) port flush to try and break up any clots or clogs. The process takes about a half-hour. That had no effect. So tomorrow, I go in for a radiology consult and we’ll take an x-ray to see if the port is out of position. I’m guessing we’ll have to replace it. I’ve had this port for about 9 years, and it’s been great.
I’m ok with replacing it. Hopefully, we can put it on my left side. I don’t know if that’s possible. I suppose I’ll find out. But it’d be nice to free up my right side. I’m right-handed and I’ve jokingly suggested I’m going to take up the shot put and join a masters level league, and for this, I need my right side free of obstructions. We’ll see. Stay tuned.
Cruise control
Also recently I wrote about being on cruise control. That’s been the goal since diagnosis. And for the past few years, I’ve basically been on cruise control. My stepfather hated when I used “basically” in any conversation. I get it, but I think, in this case, it’s accurate to say that I’ve basically been on cruise control.
My labs have been normal and good for a while now. However, in the spirit of transparency, I should add that even on cruise control, things pop up that serve as a reminder that I have multiple myeloma. For example, my skin is a mess. I bruise and bleed very easily. I’ve bought a number of long sleeve t-shirts to cover my arms. It’s both a vanity thing and protects may arms. I get skin cancers. Yesterday I saw my dermatologist to have a mole removed. It’s changing shape and color as of late. We removed it before it turns into something worrying. It was on my back and I now have several stitches for the next 14 days.
I feel pretty good
Today is supposed to be monthly lab work. The involves a blood draw in addition to a 24-hour urine test. Since my port is out of commission, I’ll have to do a blood draw from my left arm for my monthly labs. Recall, my right arm's veins no longer give blood. My left arm is barely viable. It’ll likely take a couple of pokes to get a good flow and it’ll leave my arm very bruised and ugly. Good thing I have my long-sleeve t-shirts.
Lastly, next week is my monthly infusion. Nothing like a five-hour infusion to remind me that I have an incurable cancer.
Nonetheless, other than all of the above, I’m doing well. I feel pretty good. Even knowing I’m doing well, if I have any change in how I feel or a minor ache or pain, I can’t help but worry. And that’s a big challenge of living with myeloma. Mental health is important to remember. I say this as a reminder to myself.
Stay safe and stay well everyone. I appreciate being able to share my experience and journey.
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