Local Woman Shares Candid Experience of Port-a-Cath Placement for Lymphoma Treatment

Philadelphia, PA – Casey, a local resident, recently shared her personal journey with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, offering insights into a critical aspect of her treatment: the placement of a port-a-cath. Diagnosed while an inpatient, Casey quickly transitioned to outpatient care, necessitating the surgical insertion of the device. "I had this port placed a few weeks ago," Casey stated, explaining its purpose. "It gave them a place to not only draw my labs from so they weren't sticking me 24/7, but a safe route for the chemo in the interim." She described the procedure, noting that while she received fentanyl and midazolam, she remained conscious and conversed with the medical team. "I was aware of what was going on," she recounted. Casey also addressed the post-procedure recovery, showing the visible bruising and the port's subtle protrusion under her skin. She emphasized that such bruising is normal and that the initial discomfort, described as feeling like a "mass on my chest," subsided within a week and a half. "It actually wasn't painful, it mostly was just like I could feel it, I was aware of it," she clarified. Casey concluded by offering encouragement, stating, "It doesn't have to be as scary as you probably think it is," hoping her experience provides comfort to others.