I did get her out of paying the fine, though. Something about hobbling up to the officer with those lines sticking out of the top of my shirt, and let's face it, I did look like four miles of very bad road. Anyway, the officer took pity and crossed out the 'fine' part.
Hey, you have to get your life victories wherever you find them, yes?
OK, CyBorD induction therapy doesn't require infusions; the "C" (cyclophosphamide) and "D" (dexamethasone) were pills, and the Velcade was given by injection, not IV. So there was nothing in the way of a central line.
This time, however, there is. I have a portacath. So when I go in to get the central line (and my oncologist made it clear that it was a 'central line,' not a 'Hickman' - aren't they the same thing?), I will already have a portacath. I've asked several people, and have been given several answers.
Some say no, they will have to remove the port to insert the central line. Some say yes, you can have both; the nurses can then use the port for some things and the central line for others.
I don't suppose it matters all that much in the long run, but I'll admit to an itchy curiosity bump:
Does the port come out in order for the central line to go in? I'll miss my port. It's not only a lot more convenient, and does save me something like $120 a month in lab co-pays. Given that I will probably have to do a lot more blood tests, etc., when I get home, keeping the port would be nice.
Not a deal breaker, of course, but nice.
So.
Can anybody give me the actual, factual, right answer to this one?
