Last time I was in "the chair" I was chatting with the infusion nurse about ports and how long they usually last. I remarked that I loved my port and had never had a problem with it, knock on wood. Well, apparently some malign spirit was listening because all of a sudden he couldn't get a blood return. He repositioned me this way and that, had me turn and cough this way and that, raise arms, lower arms, breathe, don't breathe. Finally a decent blood return appeared, and we went on with the infusion. But when it was done and he went to flush the line...no return. He used 3 or 4 saline syringes. At first, I did briefly experience that characteristic taste at the top of my mouth, so we figured something must have gone in.
I should explain the I usually, as I did that time, come in the day before for my blood draw so that they have plenty of time to do the labs. It worked fine that day.
So, to make a long story short, the word is that they may have to address this problem with some kind of clot-busting procedure next time. Anyone have any experience with this?
Another point, around the time my cancer center formally associated with Dana Farber they stopped using a heparin block, just double saline instead, which supposedly worked just as well. Hmmm...maybe not on me?