Happy Graduation Day!

Yesterday I graduated from active cancer treatment. I had my arm port removed at 8:00am. I was quite nervous when I arrived at 7:40am for my appointment since putting the port in had been more traumatic than I anticipated. When I had the port put in I did not take any drugs and looking back on it that was a mistake. I told the nurse that I wanted something to help me relax but didn't want to be loopy. Apparently they give Valium when they remove the port so I asked for a 1/2 dose. This was perfect for me. Enough to relax me but not enough to make be fight it - control freaks don't do drugs well you know! After they got me on the table and draped me, the Dr. numbed me and then removed the port. I think it took all of 5 minutes. In fact, it took longer to sew me up than to remove the port. The tech assisting was a Philippino woman and she sewed me up with all the sutures on the inside unlike the first time. It will take 7-10 days to heal. I was done by 9:08am.

Who knew that the port was made of Titanium, I didn't. And the catheter portion is huge when you consider that this lays inside your vein. Our bodies are so amazing and treatment can be so hard on them. Be sure to check out the pic I posted.

I am well thanks to a little help from my friends. Last night I throbbed much but today the throbbing has dissipated. I must admit though that I am sore and tender. My poor arm - they used the same incision line so it now has to heal itself in the same place a second time. Of course this will slow me down again but I go back tomorrow to have the dressing changed and I am hoping to get the grren light for getting back on my Yoga mat.

So Happy Graduation to me! I did it. I journeyed into the unknown again, honored my feelings and my body and survived. It's a great day to be alive. Peace.