Today I learned that the port/cathetar I was having placed is actually named after a real doctor who invented the device and who also practiced this procedure in the room I was being worked on. His name is Dr. Hickman and he placed many of these devices in many patients up until he retired at 83 two years ago. That said, I had my Hickman placed in today and all went well. The doctor was fantastic and my nurse, PJ, explained everything in detail so there would be no surprises. She was unlike any nurse I had experienced here before and also she's a two time cancer survivor. Like the bone marrow biopsy received previously, I was sedated and went home and slept for several hours. They have me minimally covered in gauze and tape so I can't actually see the incisions. I can't feel where the port comes out, but I can feel where a small incision was made on my neck near my jugular vein. They use this area to make the turn to get the tube down where it needs to go. Because there is a large major muscle there that they usually have to mess with, it's a little tender, but expected. Just feels a little tight and like I slept on my neck crooked. All in all, I'm feeling good and expect to sleep well tonight.
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