hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9478
posted
Sound like a nice place to visit???
No, this is just a whine about our port adventure. Murphy's Law is alive and well.
Advice # 1 Never plan an LLMD appt on the eve of a holiday weekend....after surgery.
Port was received July 3. Arrived at the hospital at 1:00 pm, discharged at 6:30 pm. Was told we'd be there about 2 hours.
More medication than expected was required; longer recovery was required, then the LLMD's office closed.
Advice # 2 If your LLMD's office tells you to give the surgeon a message, tell them to do it themselves if it's important.
I was told to be sure the surgeon accesssed the port before being discharged from the hospital. We were to go straight to the LLMD's for the first infusion. What do you think happened when it was 6:30 pm the eve of a holiday weekend?
No one at the hospital knew what I was talking about when asked to access the port..."We NEVER do that." When I got very concerned, they promised to find an answer. About an hour later, they realized they'd been throwing them away because they never use them. The Huber needles are in the pack with the port.
Advice # 2a If it's after hours when you're discharged, ask the surgeon to infuse the first dose of IV antibiotic so you'll know if you're going to have a reaction to the medication.
Advice # 3 Never leave town without your supplies.
Advice # 4 When you receive your supplies, conduct your own inventory. One needle for 3 weeks is insufficient. You need at least one needle per week, plus a couple extra in case you waste one. You'll also need one prep pack per week.
Advice # 4a Never mix your medication until you've located ALL of your supplies, AND you are able to access the port...unless you want to find out what one dose of medication costs because you must replace it.
Advice # 5 If your LLMD's office promises to send you the extra supplies overnight, call them before they close to be sure they did it.
Advice #5a Call your LLMD's office the next morning to see if they followed through on their promise. Vent a little when they admit someone didn't do their job and you'll have to wait an additional 3 days before you get back on your dose schedule....now you're off schedule a full week.
Advice # 5b Always have a back-up plan in case things don't go right. And, have an additional back-up plan just in case.
Advice # 6 Breathe deeply, take a chill pill, and remember, one day you'll laugh about this experience.
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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I so hope you can laugh at it someday....but for now...that's a pretty awful experience...
Breathing is good.....two chill pills is better... mtree
-------------------- worrying about tomorrow takes its strength away from today Posts: 970 | From Point PLeasant , NJ | Registered: Jan 2008
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![[bonk]](graemlins/bonk.gif)
sounds horrible.....![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
mtree![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
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