The list of things to do before starting chemo includes the seemingly ordinary task of getting a “port” or “medi-port.” Get your blood work, pick up groceries, wash the car, get a port… But port placement is actually surgery and being unprepared for the procedure can result in some pretty unpleasant surprises and unexpected pain.
Interventional Radiologist Dr. Aaron Fritts explains the procedure and answers our questions about ports, including a step-by-step walk through of the surgery, the options for sedation, and what you can and can’t do with a port.
Before you get a port, you’ll want to hear Dr. Fritts’ advice for advocating for yourself, preventing infection and how to avoid the complications he has seen when things go wrong.
Links
Away from patient care, Dr. Fritts leads BackTable, a medical education podcast network for doctors covering interventional radiology, vascular surgery, technology & innovation, and more.
BackTable
https://www.backtable.com/
Find Dr. Fritts at Texas Radiology Associates
https://texasradiology.com/doctors/aaron-fritts-m-d/
If this episode helped you in any way or taught you something, please support our show: https://bit.ly/3RNYlg7
Win your own Kyte bamboo pajamas when you SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3zk1wop
For more BCS content, follow us on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breastcancerstoriespodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breastcancerstories
