Port-O-Cath Procedure (June 25, 2024)

Today we had an appointment to have a "port-o-cath" placed under Ali's skin by her clavicle which allows for the delivery of chemotherapy drugs and other IV treatments directly into a vein, without the need for needles. This will stay in place for the duration of her battle against cancer.

The appointment was scheduled for 8:30 AM and they called her in right on time. After some preparation that they had to do before the actual procedure took place, they began the procedure. All went well and by 11:30 AM she was in the recovery room waiting for the pain medication to wear off.

Doctors told us that there shouldn't be any long term pain associated with this but she may experience some mild soreness or tenderness around the incision site. She also can't lift anything over 10 pounds for two weeks.

Before being discharged, her blood pressure was pretty elevated so they kept an eye on her for a while to ensure it went back down to normal levels. Once her heart rate dropped down to normal levels, she was discharged within an hour.

It was a long day for Ali but this procedure sets her up nicely to handle the many upcoming chemotherapy treatments.

Thanks for following along on our journey. At this time, we simply ask for continued prayers for Ali as we aggressively fight against the cancer. Feel free to post a comment of encouragment below to share with Ali.