My port removal, while necessary, was painful and complicated

I’ve been anxious since the removal of my beloved port-a-cath.

Living with cystic fibrosis has frequently necessitated the use of intravenous antibiotics. A few years prior to my double-lung transplant in 2017, I needed IVs every few weeks. But my veins grew tired, so I had a port-a-cath placed in my chest. After nearly 10 years, I recently had it surgically removed due to complications.

It all started last fall. After five weeks on IV medications, I began having pain and swelling in my upper chest. Prior to this, I’d never experienced puffiness around my port area, so I was concerned. Since infections are common due to my suppressed immune system, I was cautious and closely monitored my symptoms.

When the symptoms worsened, I went to the emergency department, where the interventional radiology doctor examined my port. He was also concerned, given my unique health circumstances, and recommended that I have my port removed.

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I wanted to pretend that my port situation would somehow resolve, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the luxury of waiting to see if this would happen. If there were an infection, my risk of developing sepsis would have been very high. Thankfully, the doctor got me in quickly to have it removed.

The removal process was agonizing. Even though my chest was numb, I would’ve preferred to be under anesthesia for the procedure. My team wanted my port removed immediately, which wasn’t conducive to coordinating with the anesthesiology department. I begrudgingly agreed to undergo the procedure while awake.

Let me preface this by saying that the doctor and nurses were phenomenal. They talked with me the whole time while cracking jokes, which definitely made the process more bearable. I don’t want to give the idea that it was a fun time, though. I was not partying in that surgical room.

For two painstaking hours, the surgeon cut through all the skin, scar tissue, and fibers that had grown around my port. After nearly 10 years, it had essentially become a part of my body. The surgeon took his time dissecting the area to loosen everything around the port and catheter so he could pull them out. The white-lightning pain that accompanied the five-second removal nearly made me pass out. Holy moly, that was brutal!

Post-port removal

Now that I’m port-less, things are more complicated. My vasculature has long been compromised by my extensive need for IV antibiotics, and I have few options due to past blood clots. I got the port to relieve my tired veins and scar-tissue-covered arms.

Removing it left me with many questions: How will I have venous access now? What if they can’t get an IV into my arm? Will I have any options if I need IV antibiotics?

My most recent hospitalization answered some of these questions. I needed IV antibiotics for the specific bacterial growth in my sinus passages. When several IVs failed after only one or two infusions, the nurses found an alternative, minimally invasive option, which was a huge relief.

Living with chronic illness involves much tension and anxiety. I hope this is just another bump in the road.

Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.