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port-a-cath

P

proverbs3

New member
Ok, I was a nervous nellie when Faith came home with a PICC line, but now she's coming home on Friday with a port in her chest. They put it on her sternum so we can do hand pt and she can do the vest. But it looks so vulnerable just sticking out like that. She still goes to school and has after school activities. Any ideas, suggestions you can give me to make her life normal and my life less stressful.
Thanks.
Carol
 
P

proverbs3

New member
Ok, I was a nervous nellie when Faith came home with a PICC line, but now she's coming home on Friday with a port in her chest. They put it on her sternum so we can do hand pt and she can do the vest. But it looks so vulnerable just sticking out like that. She still goes to school and has after school activities. Any ideas, suggestions you can give me to make her life normal and my life less stressful.
Thanks.
Carol
 
P

proverbs3

New member
Ok, I was a nervous nellie when Faith came home with a PICC line, but now she's coming home on Friday with a port in her chest. They put it on her sternum so we can do hand pt and she can do the vest. But it looks so vulnerable just sticking out like that. She still goes to school and has after school activities. Any ideas, suggestions you can give me to make her life normal and my life less stressful.
Thanks.
Carol
 
J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Hi Carol,

Is Faith still on IVs? My son went to school with his port accessed from Sept until almost Nov this year. His biggest problem was that he wears mostly t-shirts and it sticks out. His port is down next to his nipple. We went shopping to buy some shirts with pockets or raised logos so it was more disguised. He was pretty happy with the new clothes. After it healed it didn't bother him at all.

What part concerns you the most? It wasn't as scary for me as the PICCs have been. Less to deal with. PM me if there is anything I can answer for you.
 
J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Hi Carol,

Is Faith still on IVs? My son went to school with his port accessed from Sept until almost Nov this year. His biggest problem was that he wears mostly t-shirts and it sticks out. His port is down next to his nipple. We went shopping to buy some shirts with pockets or raised logos so it was more disguised. He was pretty happy with the new clothes. After it healed it didn't bother him at all.

What part concerns you the most? It wasn't as scary for me as the PICCs have been. Less to deal with. PM me if there is anything I can answer for you.
 
J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Hi Carol,

Is Faith still on IVs? My son went to school with his port accessed from Sept until almost Nov this year. His biggest problem was that he wears mostly t-shirts and it sticks out. His port is down next to his nipple. We went shopping to buy some shirts with pockets or raised logos so it was more disguised. He was pretty happy with the new clothes. After it healed it didn't bother him at all.

What part concerns you the most? It wasn't as scary for me as the PICCs have been. Less to deal with. PM me if there is anything I can answer for you.
 
F

fourkidsmom

New member
Carol,

I think the ports are GREAT! My son got his first at 2 months old after several picc lines and a failed central line. He got that port replaced in April of 05 and it still works good. We flush it ourselves monthly and he knows to protect it at school, etc., I could not imagine him NOT having a port, it helps when he is in the hospital because they only have to access him once a week and can take blood from it. His port is located on his upper left hand chest. It sticks out alot right now because he is so thin, he is to get a g-tube soon so hopefully that will help. PM me is you have any questions.

Fourkidsmom
 
F

fourkidsmom

New member
Carol,

I think the ports are GREAT! My son got his first at 2 months old after several picc lines and a failed central line. He got that port replaced in April of 05 and it still works good. We flush it ourselves monthly and he knows to protect it at school, etc., I could not imagine him NOT having a port, it helps when he is in the hospital because they only have to access him once a week and can take blood from it. His port is located on his upper left hand chest. It sticks out alot right now because he is so thin, he is to get a g-tube soon so hopefully that will help. PM me is you have any questions.

Fourkidsmom
 
F

fourkidsmom

New member
Carol,

I think the ports are GREAT! My son got his first at 2 months old after several picc lines and a failed central line. He got that port replaced in April of 05 and it still works good. We flush it ourselves monthly and he knows to protect it at school, etc., I could not imagine him NOT having a port, it helps when he is in the hospital because they only have to access him once a week and can take blood from it. His port is located on his upper left hand chest. It sticks out alot right now because he is so thin, he is to get a g-tube soon so hopefully that will help. PM me is you have any questions.

Fourkidsmom
 
P

proverbs3

New member
It doesn't seem to bother Faith that it sticks out. She had a PICC line since June. She contracted the mycobacteria in June and yes we are still on IV's. She's only in the hospital this time to have the port in place. They kept her a week just to go ahead and tune her up since her PFT's were slightly down.

My concerns are just normal everyday stuff. I'm so afraid someone is going to run into her. Our school and teachers are great. I sub alot, so I know almost all of them on a personal basis and they love Faith to death. She's in 5th grade. Can she still go the PE. I can't imagine playing with a ball. What if she misses and it hits her chest! That's what I mean about vulnerable. It's just out there!!! I am a little concerned about where it had to be placed and an IV tube coming out of her shirt, but again I really don't think this bothers her.

I guess I just don't know what she can and cannot do. If it does get hit, then what? Does the needle fall out? I'm sure it's going to hurt.

We've only know about her CF since last November and boy have we got throw into so much that sometimes it's overwhelming. I suppose we'll just have to wait until she gets home and take it one day at a time.

Thanks for the uplifting comments.

Carol
 
P

proverbs3

New member
It doesn't seem to bother Faith that it sticks out. She had a PICC line since June. She contracted the mycobacteria in June and yes we are still on IV's. She's only in the hospital this time to have the port in place. They kept her a week just to go ahead and tune her up since her PFT's were slightly down.

My concerns are just normal everyday stuff. I'm so afraid someone is going to run into her. Our school and teachers are great. I sub alot, so I know almost all of them on a personal basis and they love Faith to death. She's in 5th grade. Can she still go the PE. I can't imagine playing with a ball. What if she misses and it hits her chest! That's what I mean about vulnerable. It's just out there!!! I am a little concerned about where it had to be placed and an IV tube coming out of her shirt, but again I really don't think this bothers her.

I guess I just don't know what she can and cannot do. If it does get hit, then what? Does the needle fall out? I'm sure it's going to hurt.

We've only know about her CF since last November and boy have we got throw into so much that sometimes it's overwhelming. I suppose we'll just have to wait until she gets home and take it one day at a time.

Thanks for the uplifting comments.

Carol
 
P

proverbs3

New member
It doesn't seem to bother Faith that it sticks out. She had a PICC line since June. She contracted the mycobacteria in June and yes we are still on IV's. She's only in the hospital this time to have the port in place. They kept her a week just to go ahead and tune her up since her PFT's were slightly down.

My concerns are just normal everyday stuff. I'm so afraid someone is going to run into her. Our school and teachers are great. I sub alot, so I know almost all of them on a personal basis and they love Faith to death. She's in 5th grade. Can she still go the PE. I can't imagine playing with a ball. What if she misses and it hits her chest! That's what I mean about vulnerable. It's just out there!!! I am a little concerned about where it had to be placed and an IV tube coming out of her shirt, but again I really don't think this bothers her.

I guess I just don't know what she can and cannot do. If it does get hit, then what? Does the needle fall out? I'm sure it's going to hurt.

We've only know about her CF since last November and boy have we got throw into so much that sometimes it's overwhelming. I suppose we'll just have to wait until she gets home and take it one day at a time.

Thanks for the uplifting comments.

Carol
 
M

mum2kj

New member
Hi Carol

My daughter has had hers for 7 years with no trouble.

Hers is on her right side under her breast. her bra covers it and she can wear bikini's (which she is glad of LOL)

Kayla has never had trouble with it being bumped or anything as her arm would normally protect it.
the main thing to make sure of is that when its accessed that the nurses follow all of the correct procedures (hygiene)

Soemtimes when kj had to do sports and KJ was in the hossie, they just padded it over to make it safer, but Kj hated it and would take it off anyway. The padding made it stick out more. Ports are hardy things and your daughter should be alright with it.

Ports are a real Blessing <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

mum2kj

New member
Hi Carol

My daughter has had hers for 7 years with no trouble.

Hers is on her right side under her breast. her bra covers it and she can wear bikini's (which she is glad of LOL)

Kayla has never had trouble with it being bumped or anything as her arm would normally protect it.
the main thing to make sure of is that when its accessed that the nurses follow all of the correct procedures (hygiene)

Soemtimes when kj had to do sports and KJ was in the hossie, they just padded it over to make it safer, but Kj hated it and would take it off anyway. The padding made it stick out more. Ports are hardy things and your daughter should be alright with it.

Ports are a real Blessing <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

mum2kj

New member
Hi Carol

My daughter has had hers for 7 years with no trouble.

Hers is on her right side under her breast. her bra covers it and she can wear bikini's (which she is glad of LOL)

Kayla has never had trouble with it being bumped or anything as her arm would normally protect it.
the main thing to make sure of is that when its accessed that the nurses follow all of the correct procedures (hygiene)

Soemtimes when kj had to do sports and KJ was in the hossie, they just padded it over to make it safer, but Kj hated it and would take it off anyway. The padding made it stick out more. Ports are hardy things and your daughter should be alright with it.

Ports are a real Blessing <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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