It looks worst than it is. But I would highly recommend it to anyone on a long term chemo therapy. Getting it(Smart Port) installed takes about an hour but with all the pre-op stuff 4-5 hrs before you can go home.
Its basically a nickel size drum that's right under the skin(they can place this in several location) with a tube that goes to a main vein closer to the heart. Because there's greater flow of blood. This helps by diluting the drugs to help tolerate the chemo treatments better; and it can stay in for ever if maintenance is followed.
They stick the needle in the top of a port (drum)
What good does it do? well now they can draw blood,give you meds directly through your veins and contrast for scans. Plus it doesn't hurt. Because we all know how it feels giving blood and the nurse rookie who can't find the vein.
Also the older we get the more rigid our veins become.
If I knew this port made this much difference I would have had it done sooner.
So talk with your Dr about it.
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