Visual aids
I know this whole Mediport business can be confusing for those of you not so experienced in the world of cancer so I have some visual aids courtesy of my far-from-modest (and sometimes sedated) little guy.
This first picture is from November 2007 of Austin with his Broviac line, which always dangled down like that and needed to be kept under wraps (literally — under an ace bandage and a turtleneck) at all times so he wouldn’t tug on it. Which, of course, he did.
The next two pictures show his Mediport when it’s accessed, meaning that a needle has been inserted into it with an IV line hanging down (the “dangly thing”) ready for use. You can see that it sticks out pretty far and gets in the way when, say, you want to be picked up by your mom. (The purple marks are for radiation so they know where to line up the machine’s laser beams, as we call them in this house.)
This next one shows the Mediport when it’s not accessed. Well, the Mediport “button” is actually hiding under that top band-aid so you can’t really see it, but you at least get an idea of how much less cumbersome it is:
And this lovely shot is Austin last Friday, showing his distinct pleasure at being less encumbered:
His Mediport does, by the way, have a clot in it — somewhere in his internal jugular vein, confirmed today by ultrasound, which is why we haven’t been able to draw blood off it. Not sure exactly what that means or what we’re going to do about it but we’ll find out tomorrow when we visit the clinic after (his second-to-last!) radiation.
His blood counts have bounced back up so we’re done with the Neupogen shots, which Mark gave beautifully (and quickly) over the weekend — no trauma to either father or son (or mother, whose only job was to hold child tightly in her lap). Well done, Daddy, well done.
Just wanted to say hello and let you know I visit your blog every day to check on this adorable little guy. Thanks for keeping us (even far away strangers with well wishes) posted on how your family is doing. I don’t think any mom could lead a family through tough times with a better outlook than you have. When this has passed and your son is grown and looks back on this through adult eyes, he’ll too see how well you have handled this. I always remember your posting about how nobody cares more than our parents do. Lots of things you’ve written have stuck with me and I use these things to keep focused in my own life. Keep on keeping on!
I hope you don’t mind if I ask a question. Our daughter was just diagnosed. I came across your blog as I was researching mediport vs. broviac. Our hospital is going to use a double lumin broviac. Should we fight for a mediport or do you think either is just as fine? Thank you for your time. I hope your son is well!
luanddavid@comcast.net
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