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SuzBene Offline OP
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My husband just got a port inserted into his upper chest so that he can start chemo. How does he keep it dry in the shower -- any suggestions?

Thanks!
Suzanne
Caregiver


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Suzanne,

I think because Bill had both a PEG and his port placed at the same time that he did spritz baths for a couple days until we got the all clear and then I would tape saran wrap over his wounds so he could shower. It won't be long and he will be able to shower without covering it..just needs to wait for some healing.


Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
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SuzBene Offline OP
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Thanks, Deb, they didn't say anything in the hospital about after-care -- I guess they expect you to figure it out and you helped us do that!


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A port should be under the skin. After a couple days, it should be ok to shower with that. I had one for over a year and took showers just fine. Could you be referring to a Picc line? Ive had one of those also. For that it would be ok to shower if you wrap the area in glad press and seal.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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SuzBene Offline OP
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Thanks, Christine,
Do you mean Saran Wrap or is this a specific product (Glad press and seal -- does it actually seal against the skin)?
Suzanne


Support/former wife of patient.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
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You need the kind that Glad makes. Its called Press and Seal. Its different than saran wrap or any other cling wrap.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8
SuzBene Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8
Thanks so much for the reply. We will look for it at the market (in Los Angeles).
Suzanne


Support/former wife of patient.

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