The device was surgically placed just below my collarbone back in November, prior to the start of chemotherapy. Chemo drugs are so corrosive they would burn through the smaller veins in the arm; the port allows these drugs to be infused directly onto a major artery. Here's what the port looked like while it was still in me:
And although it did allow me to communicate with the Starship Enterprise, I was nevertheless happy to be rid of the port. Its removal has symbolic importance. Some people choose to keep their ports in case they need them again in the future, but that doesn't seem like much of a vote of confidence in the immune system. Anyway, my port was sore much of the time, especially when I used my arm. Maybe it's just me, but I enjoy having pain-free use of my arm.
Rick documented today's surgery. Don't be squeamish, now!
