43) The ports make the cyborg

cyborg (ˈsʌɪbɔːɡ), n. a person whose physiological functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device.

Since E has a port implanted in his body, and this port is used to administer chemotherapy drugs, I guess you can technically say that he is by definition, a cyborg. Under different circumstances, it might be cool, or interesting, but given that he needs it so that toxic drugs can be administered in a less harmful way to his body, it's just a part of the process of him getting better.

The first week of E's treatment after his diagnosis was hell. He didn't yet have a port, and all blood and medications had to be drawn/injected through an IV in his arm. It's extremely difficult to get a 15 month old to keep their IV in, and it had to be redone a number of times. I just checked one of my earlier entries, and the number was 5. He had to have his IV redone 5 times in a week, and because he was so little, they always had such difficulty finding a vein. The morning we were to be discharged, there was finally a spot for E in the OR, and he had his port surgically inserted near his upper right shoulder.

Here's a picture of a Bard PowerPort. I'm not 100% sure this is the exact model that E has installed, but his is similar. It is slightly triangular in shape, and it also has the three palpation bumps, similar to the ones seen in the picture. E's nurses use these palpation bumps to find the specific location on the port where the needle is to be inserted through the skin.

A Bard PowerPort, similar to the one that E has implanted under his skin.
Taken from http://www.bardaccess.com/products/ports/powerport

Another picture of the Bard PowerPort with a human hand for size reference.
Taken from http://www.bardaccess.com/products/ports/powerport

When port access is required, we apply an EMLA patch at least one hour before his port is accessed. EMLA patches contain lidocaine, and prilocaine, which are topical anesthetics. The EMLA patch makes it less painful for E when he is poked with the port access needle.

E's port site, unaccessed.

The following is a picture of E with his port accessed. Looking at this photo, I know that it was done at our satellite hospital. The satellite uses button style port access needles, while SickKids uses a slightly different butterfly style clip.

E's port site, accessed by button-style port access needle.

Similar to the button-style port access needle used by our satellite hospital.
Taken from http://www.bardaccess.com/products/infusion/powerloc-max

Similar to the butterfly-style port access needle used by SickKids.
Taken from http://www.bardaccess.com/products/infusion/powerloc

E is incredibly brave when his port accesses happen. I feel so badly that such a little guy has to get so many pokes all of the time. On the days where he's a little cranky or crusty, letting him watch a bit of Paw Patrol is enough to distract him while he is accessed.

At some point in the future, when the maintenance phase is done, E will return to SickKids for another surgical procedure where they will remove his port. I look forward to that day.