Before I could start chemo, I had to get a port placed. At first, I dreaded this thought – some foreign object protruding out of my chest, preventing me from moving and even sleeping right? NO THANKS.

Luckily, my doctor talked me into it, letting me know that we could potentially do it all without a port, but the chemo might drip out and burn my skin. Ok, even more NO THANKS.

Surprisingly, the port has been a huge benefit, with none of the bad parts. I can sleep just fine, and you really can’t see it unless you look. The only thing it prevents me from doing is that very memorable across-the-body-straight-arm stretch from gym class. I can live with it.

So, what is a port you ask? It’s essentially a semi-permanent access to a vein. It means that any time I have to get chemo, a blood draw, contrast for a scan, or anything else that typically requires me to have my arm or hand pricked, they’ll use the port instead.

Exhibit A: Why port access is better. The tiny prick on the right was from an oncology nurse (the best people on earth) and the right was by an ER Nurse (still amazing, but don’t have time to be as careful, cause, ER.)

The port tube is stitched to a large artery a few inches from my heart, so it’s also more efficient than typical access points.

I got a Power Port, which is just a brand, but does more than old school ports, which is nice. It has three dots on the silicone area, which helps the nurse find the right placement. Mine are hardly noticeable for some reason, but others protrude a bit more.