MONTHLY PORT-A-CATH FLUSH | TIPS & TRICKS!

[@thefreylife]

Do you have any tips or tricks to help distract yourself whenever you have to get stuck by a needle? I share a little trick in today’s video I’ve been trying lately:)

[@jonki1980]

Good vlog for anyone who needs help with needles - I ALWAYS look to make sure it's happening and ALWAYS ask does that look normal to you? Also... Today's vlog in emoji form 📽️🌲🎵✉️⚕️💉🐾👋

[@disneymad1993]

Listen to music or think of a happy place

[@thefreylife]

@@jonki1980 the vlog reacp in emoji's you've been commenting are amazing!

[@Rexaurus]

I get a a really painful intramuscular shot of a very syrup-like 4ml that has to last atleast 2 minutes. The only thing that helps the muscle spasms is wiggling my toes haha

[@sxcredjones4034]

What I do is breath in and out and don’t look at the needle hold on to my parents hand and say I’m ready port flushes are so much better when I do that

[@sarahseedtostem]

"don't run from your story"... dang. I feel like this is the message that God has been trying to tell me over the past month, but I've had a hard time listening to it. Thanks for your wisdom you guys. You both mean so much to me!

[@hannahbanana32]

“Don’t run from your story” -Peter Frey 2020 You guys need to get that on some merch!! ❤️

[@theannechann642]

Hannah Sandmire for sure. I would so buy that. It’s a good saying.

[@hannahbanana32]

The Anne Chann yeah I would definitely buy some too!

[@lucyeaton94]

yes!! I would buy!

[@healingandhappy9262]

I'm late, I would as well!! My son had DMD, and that truly hits home 💚💚💚!!

[@emiliakwiatkowska5154]

You actually taught me it better than nursing school, I had only a few words about it “you need special needle and stay sterile”, what? How should I do it right? Then I checked your account and there it is! Ready for my the first ever rotations in January on chemotherapy ward where we will learning on patients how to access ports

[@mirabilem7377]

Thank you so much for sharing your daily life with the world! I've been in a hospital for four weeks now and every night I watch your latest video before going to sleep. You are guys are so encouraging and positive, it always makes my day. And of course Oliver and Harry are the best at being cute.💕

[@thefreylife]

mirabilem so sorry you're in the hospital but glad we can be with you there via the vlogs :) Keep on pressing on friend!

[@Glory2Jesus]

mirabilem I’m not in a hospital, but I also watch The Frey Life before going to sleep. It’s my nighttime ritual. I’m saying a prayer for you tonight. God bless you and heal you.

[@marshatomkins7989]

“Don’t run from your story.” That’s. Brilliant, Peter. Good for a t-shirt. Good for everyone. 💖

[@danic4721]

This broke my heart! Prayers for Mary!

[@enneki929]

i am not religious but i love listening to peter and you. your positivity, realness and faith is inspiring and brings me much peace. thanks guys!

[@rondarosier148]

I just came across your page. I've had a port since I was 19. I'm 45 now, whew!! But I got up this morning and began having trouble flushing then getting a return. My is also in my upper chest clavicle. Over the years I've had several ports and many sites. It's nice to have some one tell the authentic truth about ports and all that comes with it

[@stephaniebrown1938]

"Don't run from your story." Great advice. .. I need to remember that. I get my piccline out and port put in tomorrow. I really appreciate your videos. Much Love! 🤘🏻❤

[@camcam794]

I never thought i would need this video, but now I do. My mom has cancer, and will need a port. Thank you for posting

[@karendeakin9628]

Very eloquent peter don’t run from your story ! Like it!

[@IreneDaQueen]

I was a caretaker for a woman with cystic fibrosis. Terrible disease, you both are doing awesome!!!

[@amylamy01]

I have been wanting to write a memoir of my journey in foster care my whole life. I have been putting it off but Peter said don't run from your story. I think that was a sign from God that its time to write that book!! 😊😊😊

[@barbgedling6279]

Hay Mary have you ever done a painting of a hummingbird? I would love one in remembrance of my mom.

[@sixmercer2504]

Thank you guys for showing so much instruction and quirks that come up and how you deal with them. I got my first port about 5 or 6 months ago and have had a home health nurse taking care of my weekly dressing changes and needle changes. Unfortunately due to my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome I get random very high fevers from time to time and I got one that was 104.6 one night, rigors, super painful skin and awful chills. I had zero symptoms of infection otherwise so the fever broke in only a few hours and I was fine but got another one 103.9 four days later. I went to the ER and the admitted me for a week and decided to remove the port, to do a PICC line and then when I was healed I got a new port. This one is in the same spot but is very deep because they had to put it under scar tissue and it moves around like crazy so my nurse can't get a grip on it. We are also having trouble with needle length. A 1" is just barely too short and my infusion pharmacy only carries a longer 1.5" so I have about 0.3" or so sticking out of my chest. It looks terrible and the dressing is ridiculous with gauze over the top under the tegaderm to pad the sharp edges of the butterfly top. Ugh. I am dying to start doing my own port dressings and changing the needles myself (I have daily infusions so I stay accessed indefinitely) but this has been a nightmare. I always tell them "this sucks, I know of a girl who had the same port for 11 years with zero issues". And my first one was fantastic. It had no problems and when they tested my port after they removed it it wasn't the source of my infection but due to one contaminated blood culture (out of 6, five clear ones) with a strange bacteria that never could have gotten in there, they put in my medical file I had sepsis from my port. Really upsetting and there's no changing it. The last thing I want is for my doctor to say this is too much and go back to PICC lines. Anyway, you didn't need all of that but I know Mary likes all this medical stuff so I figured I'd put that in, the reason why 6 months hasn't been long enough for me to do my own port changes. I was a nurse for 12 years but didn't work with ports and my doctors and surgeon didn't even show me how to run my infusions or look for infection or literally one word about my port care. I was thrown right into the fire. They had no way of knowing I was ever in the medical field. My healthcare experience has been less than ideal to say the least. Having an invisible illness that's so complex and is considered a rare genetic disease, they never know what it is or how to deal with it. I learned everything I needed to know from you guys and your port videos. You might not realize some things are so important because with this new port it's been really painful getting used to being accessed again because it moves around and we are poking into a different spot all the time. The part about scratching your leg is going to be the trick I try next time. So phew....sorry, I always comment these long winded things and I just wanted to tell you thank you because you have no idea how much these videos have helped me going down this rocky road with these two ports. It would have been so worrying that I was the cause of it all or I wouldn't have known how to care for my port etc. I wouldn't have known I needed to time it while cleaning my microclave tip before I attached the IV tubing. It means so much to have your help.

[@63angel]

My port a cath is in the same location as yours and man it is the worst area since it would always shift and it's temperamental. When they had to replace the one I had for 7 or 8 years, which was also in a muscle they ended up putting the new one just below the old one and it is again in a different area of the muscle. Since I have a different port, I don't have the needles that have the wings. I should have said that when I have extra supplies with my port change and fluids, I donate them to our vet as long as the items aren't opened.

[@e.1766]

I'm alone & have port insertion scheduled for next week. I'm a little worried abt managing it myself, but hopefully I'll get the hang of it quick. Thanks for the helpful vid guys!! ❤️👍🏼

[@GopherwoodExpress]

And this video shows that not only is Ollie a highly trained service dog, but also just a normal poodle that runs and barks when the doorbell rings ☺

[@thefreylife]

😂😂😂

[@green_willowtree]

Will you get a new port in sooner than the old one, or before this new one goes bad because this port is uncomfortable?

[@monicauyeno7368]

Yeah, there was a mass shortage in my area too. At least at the Walmart and a couple of the drug stores I checked. I even looked at grocery stores. Luckily, I have plent y because I have my own medical closet. Lol!

[@thelittlesucculent8335]

Perfect timing I just about to stick a needle in my own chest. Unfortunately I either stick a needle in my chest 3 times per week or once a week and stay accessed. All year round. That’s not my favorite part of it, but I am thankful I have the ability to access my own port and I have all the medical supplies I need because lots of people don’t have that privilege.

[@thefreylife]

Sad Feet so glad you're able to access it yourself! Keep up the good work! :)

[@GreyGoblinnn]

I had a port back in 2020 but I ended up getting a huge blood clot in it. I’m getting a new one Monday and I’m a little nervous. Thanks for the tips!

[@roryborealis1221]

Thanks so much for sharing daily life, no matter what it may hold. You guys are so encouraging and uplifting.

[@adawilson1107]

I just got my port flushed the day this came out!

[@030397mcp]

If my doctor agrees to a port tomorrow I will always have it in my mind to tell the person who will place it that I want it to the left or right of my sternum. NOT anywhere close to my armpit. Thank you for giving me that advice for years that I never thought I’d need… lol

[@beverleypicard2116]

Don’t run from your story . I like that too peter ! I love watching you paint Mary .

[@haleyrain7379]

you posted this just in time i have cf and just got a port and it’s almost time for it to be flushed!

[@obviouslyme88]

Cavlon is exactly what that for! And as a nurse we use it to help dressing stick better.

[@altl888]

When I had for lymphoma in the 90s, I had to inject neupogen once a week into my thigh. They wanted me to do it myself. A nurse came to train me at home and I practiced on an orange for a week. I could never stick myself - she said it was part of our self protection programming to not hurt ourselves. She also told me the story that when she had to inject herself in the thigh, she passed out and woke up with the needle sticking out of her thigh. LOL I just had a new port put in last week for breast cancer chemo. I've just undergone reconstruction surgery and double mastectomy, so my port is placed just under the left collarbone a couple of inches higher than yours. I'm not sure that I could access it even if I could bring myself to do it mentally!

[@smeyer6960]

I'm scared to get my portacath placed as a (relatively!) young-ish person, but this video was immensely comforting and normalizing for me. "Don't run from your story" needs to be the title of your memoir! I will never forget that!! Thank you ❤

[@Nov1cegg]

How is everything? Comfortable to share your experience?

[@MiMithemortician]

I was so thankful my port got relocated this December out of my boob and up by my chest! Difference a female and a male surgeon made for me. I also found people love those tweezers if they have gardens to help plant seeds. A person use I started a trend once people saw!

[@Leslie_ann_h]

The surgeon who placed my port actually has a "find your optimal placement" kit of sorts with a trainer port and double sided sticky tape so that his patients who will be caring for it themselves to find the most optimal placement of the septum. I choose about 2 inches below my collar bone and 2 inches to the left of my sternum. I also opted to have him place it on top of the muscle in a pocket that he made by scraping at the tissue of said "pocket" so scar tissue will keep it in place. When I am accessed and need to drive I will often secure a folded towel (dish towel folded into quarters) with some tape if the seat belt is irritating the site.

[@niagcokley4387]

Hey I have cf also, and just got my port unblocked because I waited to long to go back ( never again) I learned my lesson... showing love from one cfer to another cfer

[@hannahbanana32]

I just ordered a sweatshirt from the Celebrate the Little Things collection and I am soo excited to get it!! ❤️❤️

[@thefreylife]

Hannah Sandmire YAY!

[@ninafelix2122]

I'm currently accessed and running an infusion! Great time to watch your video!♡

[@tarabrookecarroll1176]

Also there is such a sense of service and “washing your spouses feet” in a way

[@samkelly7024]

I love you so much thanks for showing your life to us and showing other cf people how it all works

[@hollyosgerby1901]

“Don’t run from your story”.........encouraging words. I think that you could conduct inservices on how to insert a port-a-cath needle, Peter. Goodnight Harry, wherever you are! 🤗❤️❤️😘🐕🐱

[@SAlex-tr4md]

What a SWEET HUBBY 🥰

[@maddieadams75]

Together you two do so much ❤️

[@johnsonfamilyvidsvlogs3745]

You'll have to tell us more about the storage unit. My Hubby had to pack a wound I had under my arm years ago. It was hard at first because it was so tender. But he did a good job.

[@keitherickson8404]

I'm a nurse and you guys are awesome. are you still ok Mary?

[@houghtonjeannie]

Hi I love all your videos you are a awesome couple.

[@thefreylife]

Awe thanks Jeannie Houghton!

[@MelodySharp.]

Perfect day to post this kind of video. I’m sitting in the waiting room to get my own port flushed. How did you convince your team to let you do your own port care? I feel like things could be 1000x easier if I didn’t have to spend 3 hours at the hospital every month just for a 5 minute port flush process...

[@thefreylife]

Jessica Beggs haha that's so fun we both just flushed our ports! Did you ask the hospital if it's possible to be trained to do it at home?

[@MelodySharp.]

The Frey Life: I tried, but they just told me insurance won’t pay for it unless I’m having infusions every week or something.

[@ScoundrelDaysSon]

@@MelodySharp. It is odd hearing that. I'm from the UK and have a Central Line (so almost the same deal, just more hangs out) for TPN. Apart from really different standards to line care in the US which I can only assume is down to money (sterile gloves are for accessing the line, as well as - but separate to - gloves for accessing the site, dressing trolley sent home as standard, checking placement requires an empty syringe to pull back upto 5 ml, etc.). Here they encourage patient line care for any long term patient, with training for friends/family, and IV teams for those that can't/won't self-care. I first learned central line care for TPN back when I was a teen, infact. Good luck getting them to change their minds though. I'll be rooting for you.

[@Leslie_ann_h]

I'm on a Medicare advantage plan and my Dr's told my insurance that it is cheaper to have a home health nurse train me and the specialty/infusion pharmacy send out my needed supplies as opposed to going to the drs every time I need to access/flush my port.

[@karenkane3220]

Don’t run from your story! Love that!

[@victoriachamberlain9159]

Hi. I'm from the uk and work in a care home and we use cavilon constantly. It's very good for sore butts😂, but it's very good for sore areas or areas that are always moist like under dressings. Deffinatly worth having Mary xx ( I always forget you guys in the USA dont put this xx on the end of your messages arnt we Brits strange haha

[@penelopepolinsneemeyer4757]

Shabbat Shalom Guys! Have a lovely weekend xxxxxxx

[@jvmiller1995]

Thank you so much for showing us that. I am a newbie to a port. I just had it put in a few weeks ago will be going next week for my first flush. I asked the doc about doing my self and he was against it. I don't know why? I going to ask again if they ever teach people when I go in next week because I go to the doctors enough as is and one more time a month to the hospital is going to be a pain. my family doctor sends people to the hospital when they need one flushed and wont do it in office and it just is going to suck t have to make a trip and wait inline for something anyone should be able to do. Mine is about a inch or less below my color bone and I was surprised it does not bother me at all. your looks like it would be more uncomfortable that low where your muscle is. Mine will be in for life. I have no veins left They are done and wont take or hold a IV and it takes them as many as 20 sticks to get a IV when I get sick if no one is there that can use a ultra sound to start one. even then they have to do a mid line or pick line because a IV wont hold up. Even drawing blood was next to impossible and took 4 or 5 pokes with a butterfly needle most the time. Then way day I went in The ER sick and throwing up my guts every 2 minutes and could not get one so they did a IO instead because the could not even get it in my neck. That's when they have no IV access and drill a needle into your bone with what looks like a cordless drill, I was very awake when they did it and a screamed so loud everyone else in the hospital was awake too .LOL Then he said damn sorry to say but it was a dry hole we have to do it again. And they did then they draw out a bunch of bone marrow to make space for the fluids to come in. No numbing meds no sedation they just drill and its like a 15 gauge needle. Bigger than a 16th of a inch in dia by a bit. The fluids going in hurt as bad as the drilling almost, Right into the shin bone. That's why I got my port. Never again!! All because the Podunk hospital did not have anyone working that night that could use a ultra sound to put a IV in. Sorry to write a essay. Thanks for the upload you have a real good man I am sure you know that though.

[@Leslie_ann_h]

I had mine placed because I told my neurologist that if I needed a third central line placed, then he was going first. I still remember that look he got...... best memory ever.

[@marn9739]

Good morning😊thank you for the tip you use to distract while Peter inserting port🤗

[@tristanbarnes7318]

I wondered if you'd ever done it yourself. I'm a total control freak and have to access once a week. The last time I let someone else access me I ended up in septic shock. That was in 2015 and I've done it myself ever since!

[@drewharris7785]

Mary, I've probably asked you this at least once, but when you flush your port, can you taste the saline? Whenever I'm in the hospital and they flush my IVs I can taste it. Sorry if I've asked this a million times; my memory is horrific and it would take FOREVER to go back through all your videos to find out.

[@meemawsyarntrolley]

I was just wondering because of your CF are you overly concerned about the Coronavirus? I am praying for you and everyone else to be safe from this virus. Btw I just love y'alls videos! So refreshing to watch good clean, Christian content! Thank you for sharing y'alls life with us!

[@pinkham4corgis]

As an adult I still get nervous about shots, but a nurse recommended that I tear apart a cotton ball into as many pieces as possible during the shot. It helps me a lot!!!

[@kittyamour5933]

Does doing the needle in the same place into the port hurt worse, just the same, or less then getting an iv in.? I'm considering this port idea, but I'm just slightly afraid of it.

[@gwenielongviewtravels9219]

How often do you change huber needle . I was told every 7 days I have to access mine everyday.

[@sunnyflyer7708]

If your port is already uncomfortable you should try EMLA to numb it when you access it.

[@moonflower9566]

Hair man just wants to paint too! Lol 😂

[@thefreylife]

😂 That would be cute, but messy! 😂

[@davidcolbert6309]

The procedure could have been demonstrated in 2 minutes. The rest is just adorable. Thank you! :)

[@LaceTiger]

"Let's get this party started!" "What kinda party you goin' to?" I watched that part 3 times, omgosh y'all are so funny!

[@monabadr]

I have a port I have JIA autoimmune disease I get my port flushed each month at the hospital it hurts but I got a Rx for emla cream it’s perfect

[@yasminrivas9808]

My port is my left side also but like basically in my breast hate the dressing bc it covers the most sensitive stop of your breast , I feel you Mary when u said don’t recommend port in that muscle

[@kimpossible7505]

That’s funny! I dig a fingernail into my thumb when the nurse is sticking the needle in. Part of me wants to learn how to access my own; the other part is nervous about doing it myself and is content to have a nurse come do it

[@Flo-cy4xc]

It's funny how rules change from one state to anotherr... In France there is nothing like a monthly flush, apparently frenchies blood doesn't work the same way Americans do 😅

[@Ragt0p]

Amy Gn In Norway it’s «we aim for once a month, but no worries if it is longer between». It really is interesting how these recommendations are different 😃

[@ServiceDogRosie]

The purple sterile gloves are by the company Haylard!!

[@thefreylife]

Service Dog Rosie thanks for sharing! :)

[@therileyzoo]

I've done all my port care for 7 years and stil forget a biopatch or something when I set up my sterile field. My husband has done it once but is so afraid of hurting me. Weirdest place I have accessed was at a state park a couple hours from Grand Tenton. It stopped flushing and the needle was out of place. I had to access it by flashlight, in a tent at 25 degrees. I got it but it was hard lol

[@hannahdoris9356]

Do you still use your feeding tube for feedings? If not what do you use it for?

[@betterwiththeirish]

I have to do this to myself. My bf can’t get sterile technique down 😂. I’m so picky about it too, which I should be 😊. I have to stay accessed so he flushes it every day for me 😋

[@sherryeverhart2294]

Yea I have a port in same spot but on right side and yea when the nurses accidentally miss the center it hurts and it is a big needle 20 gauge

[@sherryeverhart2294]

The nurse at cancer center always says take deep in breath and as I do she sticks the needle through also they make me also wear a mask while she sticking in the needles

[@thefreylife]

Sherry Everhart ouch!!

[@emmabower7101]

Post notifications on and always and cute couple

[@melodyhumphrey7373]

Does the port hurt? I am in the process of finding a doctor to place a port for me. I have Achalasia and esophagitus which both make it hard to eat and drink and I've been regurgitating food and water a lot.. even with the help of meds to prevent that. I think it's time for a port so I can stay hydrated & so that they won't struggle to find my veins every time they need to do an IV/take blood/etc...

[@chele8367]

What would you do if you didn't have anyone to access you? My daughter (27) was taught but now refuses. I had a stroke so I can't feel my left hand & I failed 4x trying this morning. I'm in SC. Thanks

[@Hanni49er]

I have chronic anemia, so im getting iron infusions, blood transfusions, or plain saline alot. My veins are so deep and small. How do I convince my hemo Dr to let me have a port or picc line?

[@hollowleg911]

Crazy, I have the same hoodie but in a blue-ish color. And I get you on the port thing too. I used to have to do my own a few times a week. I NEVER got over it. Sometimes I’d sit there and say 1, 2,3 over and over for probably up to an hour 😱 That one got yanked though with one of the sepsis stays. The port I have now is sooooo crazy and difficult. This week I offered to go to IR and be a teaching tool so we can come up with a better plan. Speaking of that, I’d love some pointers on videoing it. Especially if I have to hold the phone. Wish I had a cool little camera like you 😉 You mentioned it being in the muscle, does yours pop on and out of your ribs or move all crazy? Makes me want to pass out at times. That looks like a super flat needle, what kind is it?

[@Joyce-dd3fm]

Lovely couple!

[@estelsil]

I wouldn’t mind a Harry paw painting 😸

[@nicolesmith786]

You are amazing, and your husband is so supportive. You both are truly beautiful people. God Bless you guys, and your fur babies. :-)

[@rainbowzebra260]

do you wash your hands before putting the gloves on?

[@Sky_Writer]

If you already did a video about this, please let me know the title. You had your port-a-cath placed twice? Why? And, why do you recommend it placed NOT in muscle?

[@evelynolive813]

I’m getting my first port on the 29th. I have absolutely no clue what kind of things I should get beforehand. What is the name of your jacket? I see it’s from LL Bean. Any other tips?

[@MrsGigi]

If the port is not feeling well.... do you have it in for x years or can you change it?

[@jenncort3127]

This reminds me. Did you guys ever get ivig sorted out? 💕

[@d.d.wulbee]

I wiggle my toes when any needles go in my body. I get the finger scratch thing!!

[@dinahakim7114]

Just a question when you guys do the port change or the needle change or the flush or whatever you wanna call it does it hurt you when he stabbes you like that Mary because it seems like it would hurt you which I hope not but I wouldn’t know anyways I hope you guys have a good day

[@brandyhagler874]

Mary there are lot of times i dont see when you post. I never see you with your feeding tube do you still wear it or just not a lot

[@celticphoenix2579]

O.O Thank you for the reminder Mary. * goes to take morning meds...at 11 pm *

[@bellasbassinet7745]

love your vids. i have an idea for your store, id love to see dog bandannas on their id totally get one.

[@le8289]

What, no Harry face time today? Missing his gorgeous eyes! Glad you are both doing well, stay safe and healthy, I worry about you two.

[@mrceo4266]

What is that used for??

[@Firefighter_Hogue]

I just got a port I know this is a old video but could you please tell me what that brand/model Tegadirm you use that has the gauze on it?

[@lynnrose7562]

It's always interesting seeing the procedure of accessing your port.

[@gwenielongviewtravels9219]

What is the name of your huber needle

[@Glory2Jesus]

Funny. We think alike, sort of. When I get a shot, I pinch myself, usually my forearm, really hard. I feel the pinch more than the shot.

[@bonnieletson3043]

VERY INTERESTING !!! It seems good not seeing you having to go back and fourth to the doctors... BECAUSE you have been SICK🙏 Until next time 💞

[@lizdowning6134]

Yeah my port is in the muscle almost in the same place yours is and I do not like it either. It functions just fine but accessing it is tricky sometimes because it can shift due to the muscle placement. Not my favorite

[@sonjamomberger556]

Beautiful couple,

[@marinakiell1069]

Hey Peter, when did you get your Apple Watch? Pretty sure there’s a vlog where Mary reveals hers

[@chellebelle4296]

Hi, so I am getting an Infusaport (once I get a date). Any tips?

[@MeaTWaD564]

In what situation are you allowed to do this for yourself? I have to go to the cancer center

[@Dreamer5211]

Hi Guys , thanks for the vlog update , you make sure you take precautions and save the masks. Up here people are very scared , I was at the grocery store and the teller was saying how she heard there was a fight at Home Depot over someone buying up all the masks. The media ?? there fault ??? , we need the news , but not the fear. Take care , Gary 

[@adawilson1107]

6:45 Nice Scottish accent, Mary!

[@thefreylife]

Haha thanks Ada!