| | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8 | 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
Support/former wife of patient.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 | 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
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8 | 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!
Support/former wife of patient.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | 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.
ChristineSCC 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  | | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8 | 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 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | You need the kind that Glad makes. Its called Press and Seal. Its different than saran wrap or any other cling wrap.
ChristineSCC 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 | | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
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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