REDDICKD

Dear Alex, Yes, this has been my experience also. I am looking into an online program at the University of Derby in the UK for that reason.

I am so happy you are in remission. And you are absolutely correct about the love/hate relationship with so many circumstances with this patient.

I value your comments because you have a power port. Who could refute your actual experience? The pain is comparable to a peripheral stick as long as it is "done correctly". She is and has been a needle phobic and "procedure phobic" even before having cancer. It has been >10 yrs., painful, and arduous. I am so happy to read you are in remission. I'm with you, if my oncologist (who you obviously trust) said to leave the port in 5 yrs., 2mos. and 1 hr. I'd go with it.

I knew you meant a butterfly for a peripheral stick!! She has had multiple years of peripheral sticks, chemo etc.

Thank you blondy for the advice. I will definitely try the techniques you have suggested. The situation is unusual without getting into specifics as you can probably tell from my comments above.

As I mentioned above the patient is terminal. As the situation becomes more and more out of her control the issue of control over things like EMLA cream, time, etc. becomes more and more important. Believe me if you said stand on your head prior to accessing the port I would. Thank you for your input.

The pt. is in her late 50's. I called Bard about "the bumps" or lack of. The rep. said they are not always so prominent....go figure. That seems to be the case with this pt. Fortunately I use it solely for drawing blood (4+ vials of blood). Thank you for the information.

Thank you so much. Truthfully I am use to those big old ports. The pt. is terminal. As strange as it may seem "simple things" is all she has control over for e.g. EMLA, icing, arriving on time etc. Yes, the spouse who is an RN did apply the EMLA cream and tegaderm at least an hour before I came. No yeah or nay just a refusal to use it again. Both the spouse and I have learned "no" is no. I will definitely ask about changing position, that may be a go. Yes, this port feels bouncy. I do secure it well but I will pay particular attention to this. Once again I appreciate your advice.

Thank you for your reply. The port was placed about 3 mos. ago. No bruises, edema or any signs of infection. Another nurse accessed it once and thought the port "felt new". I will ask the pt. about icing the area.

My patient recently had a Bard Power Port placed. I access/de-access the port weekly. She had never had a port before. She continues to complain about pain when I access and de-acess the port. She admits to being a needle phobic. We used emla cream once and she has refused it since then. She did not mention if it was effective (it was placed at least 1 hr. before I arrived). I have also used the diversion techniques recommended. Taking a deep breath while accessing and de-accessing which seemed to work in the beginning. I had never worked with this particular VAD (Power Port Advantage )before. I will admit when accessing the port it does not "feel the same" as other ports I have accessed. It is not that nice, quick sharp stick, yet there is no problem with flushing or blood drawing. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks I have contacted the Bard Rep. (without much luck)

Dear Baymar, I graduated from nursing school in 1973 at 19 years old. Guess what, at this time with a varied nursing background I am running into similar problems. Is it depressing, you bet it is. As others have said just get in the door some where and pray a whole lot. I am probably going to get bashed for saying this, but I believe the HR department is going to be the end of us all. I also fax resumes...no reply. I leave messages no return phone calls. Not only is this rude it is unprofessional. Please hang in there, you do care and you are exactly the type of nurse's we need. Lizzy

Lateral violence in nursing is a real documented problem. I personally have experienced it over the course of forty years. At this point in my life if I can view the current situation as, "their problem not mine" I will ignore "them" and continue. When "them" becomes too significant in my life, it is time to move on. Unfortunately, this lesson came at a very expensive price in my life.