HOW TO ACCESS YOUR OWN PORT-A-CATH

[@kimberlygarrison4580]

I am an infusion nurse and you are an expert! You are an inspiration! I plan on sharing your video with my staff. xoxo

[@garybowling8446]

Kimberly Garrison to

[@jessicajarsak7812]

I can’t even get an infusion nurse to teach me. How is it a liability when it’s in my body so I have to depend on a medical professional to do it correctly and then not all do it correctly. I’m the one that one have to endure the consequences. I have yet to find someone to teach me and teach proper sterile protocol. Home health either says insurance won’t cover it, which they do with a doctors order, or they refuse completely. If it’s in my body, I’m pretty sure, I will make sure it’s done correctly each time to prevent infection. And I won’t have to worry about a nurse missing a step and causing me to have to come back for a redo like forgetting heparin, the most important part to keep from clotting around the port inside the veins.

[@lunadavis6871]

my cousin had cf and she could not gain the courage to stab a needle into her chest as she said it sadly she passed away at the age of 18 on December 3rd 2015 i think she would have lasted longer if she did as much as you did if she would have found your channel before passing away i think it would have helped. thank you so much for putting yourself out there to help others have a better time understanding how cf works (I LOVE YOU GUYS thank you so much)

[@Saba.2a]

Luna Davis god bless

[@lunadavis6871]

thank you

[@jessicajarsak7812]

My cousin has CF, diagnosed as a baby. I’m sorry, your family member passed so young. It’s so sad and so hard on everyone. My cousin actually had a baby and he’s doing good. And she is too on the newest CF drug, trikafta. I think that’s how it’s spelled. She’s in her 20’s. And got married to the baby’s daddy. She still has to get checkups, still gets sick and has to take antibiotics but her health improved a lot since the new drug. It’s too bad, they didn’t have the drug for a lot of people like your 18 year old family member that passed too young. But, the newer drugs are miracles for CF patients now and live a little longer than they used to. I just wish they weren’t so expensive. Even my MS infusion medication is so expensive without insurance. I have Medicare and Medicaid, so I don’t pay anything out of pocket but it’s a lot for insurance to pay as well. At least mine is once every 6 months. Twice a year. I got a power port for blood draws, infusions, MRI contrast since my veins are hard to access but my port is just as squirrelly. But still works. medical advances these days are amazing though.

[@sophiebradshaw9815]

I don't know why but when she said, "My husband" it made me feel all warm & cosy inside. I guess it's because I know their both happy❤️ Love you Mary!

[@meganmayback6103]

Mn

[@Tahoe832]

Yesterday 4•17•2017, I accessed my port for the first time from start to finish with the help of my nurse. Two of the major problems I had were 1) wearing the sterile gloves and 2) accessing the port. I do have elbow and shoulder problems (limited movement) which made it harder. After coming up with ideas and using mirror (which was difficult Because the nurse and I had different angles that we were seeing. I thought i was going in straight and at the right spot and she said I was not in the correct spot. It was difficult because my hand kept getting in the way. She finally said to do it my way so I can practice. I got it in but she had to adjust the angle of the needle a little bit when I was in. Hopefully next week it will be smoother.

[@DrinaCarl]

AMAZING job! I'm a nurse, and WISH patients were as conscientious as you are about taking care of themselves!

[@thefreylife]

+Drina Carl My body deals with enough infection, I try my best to keep my port as safe as possible :) Thanks for your encouragement!

[@sonjafulbright5451]

Drina Carl

[@morgancalvi6675]

Give me a break! With how weird the US is about money...they would NEVER encourage anyone to do this their selves. Why not pay a nurse? Nurses today are all about money.

[@jessicajarsak7812]

I can’t find a nurse to teach me to take care of my own port. It’s so frustrating.

[@jessicajarsak7812]

I can’t find a nurse to teach me and I’ve asked my infusion nurses and they got upset with me wanting to learn. Like, really?

[@ErinBthankful]

Tremendous respect for you and other people who take care of their ports. You have a very calming and reassuring manner. Very detailed and thorough instructions!! I enjoy "how to" videos with you Mary!!

[@thefreylife]

+ErinBthankful Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Anna_Beth_]

I’m going tomorrow for my consultation and to schedule my port procedure In Sept.! I’m so glad I’ve watched your videos for almost 6-7 years but never dreamed I would ever need one. So I’m scared but I’m also relieved knowing you two have done so many advocating videos and information about the before I ever realized I would have to use this information for myself. Big sigh! TY Peter and Mary.. also Elijah ❤️🥰

[@JandJFan]

Hi Mary, I work for a specialty infusion company (verifying insurance behind the scenes) and I have to say that I have learned more by watching this video than I realized I didn't know... if that makes sense lol. Thank you for sharing this tutorial. You are very brave and I sincerely appreciate your courage and your desire to empower others. You've given me a great understanding of what infusion actually "is" and how it works as opposed to my only being familiar with the HCPC, CPT, and IDC-10's codes of it all. 🎉

[@thefreylife]

+Sadie Ferguson That means a lot that you are researching fuller behind the patients you work with! Thanks for what you do!

[@shirleyjeanpilger5000]

You are so aware of the people that watch you, making us all feel comfortable with what ever we are challenged. You make living with a other abled body seem like such a natural thing. Taking away all the uncomfortable feelings we have about our bodies. You are so much old souls. Thank you for comforting us every day. Peace, Love and Light!

[@macdizzie9379]

you are the bravest ray of sunshine. Honestly i have no idea how i stumbled onto your videos but i have been binge watching your vlogs for 3 days now. You and your family are seriously so inspirational!

[@danielled7873]

You're so amazing Mary! I'm an RN and part of my job is going to patients homes to access ports and had always wondered if there were people who were able to access their own. Praying for you and your husband that 2017 will be a great year for you both.

[@braidyjones2329]

I don't have CF or a port but I found this very interesting Mary!

[@mamallamadramarama]

This was SO helpful! I'm getting a port placed soon and have to get myself daily medication, so this is SO helpful!

[@debbielee7645]

Nice video. I don't have CF but I had a PICC line for seven weeks to treat a staph infection. Although I wasn't inserting a needle, the rest of the process was essentially the same. It's a good thing for anyone to watch because you never know when you might have to do something like this.

[@ardiskazanjian6347]

Mary, you are an excellent teacher, but more then that you are so sweet and kind.

[@Happening54Child]

Mary, thank you so much for sharing this! I am getting a port placed tomorrow and I’m looking forward to no longer destroying the veins in my arms. I’ll be using the port for IV ketamine infusions, which I get for chronic migraine. It’s 5 days of infusions and until now they have had to try to get an IV everyday during the week, which typically amounts to like 20-25 sticks. I will also be able to use the port for IV Zofran at home, which means a) I will be able to take less medicine less often than I do now because the IV Zofran works so much better at a much smaller dose than the oral Zofran, and b) I’ll be accessing my own port! I’m just really excited about how this port is going to improve my life! Can’t make the chronic illness go away, but adding new tools to the toolbox for treating and dealing with it is definitely worth it! Thanks again!

[@lagomaster111]

Hello my friends! I have to say that seeing you both do port care has been extremely helpful for me. I have done my port care on my own for almost five months with no problems. Thanks to you both and my Home Health Nurse for the awesome training. I would do a port care video, but mine is located near my right hip. It was either my hip or liver because my very first port didn't work out in my left arm because of complications and recent diagnosis of a blood clotting disorder. I haven't watched your videos in quite sometime because I have been so busy, but I am so happy to be able to watch a few videos before bed. Hope all is well and you both have a great weekend! Hugs to your adorable dog as well. Keep up with the positive attitude and live life to the fullest. Take care!

[@jwhiteduck]

I'm glad to see as a nurse how concerned and educated you are about your health! So nice to see! One suggestion that might make this easier is to place the sterile gloves on the sterile field in the beginning and then after you glove, just double glove. That way you can put one hand to the port and one on the unsterile flush and after, just take off the top pair of gloves. Thanks for helping to educate people how to properly take care of themselves!!!

[@finngreenwood7448]

My name is trinity Greenwood. I am 12 years old. I have cystic fibrosis. and I have a feeding tube. soon to get port. THANK you so much for showing me how to access a port. I am soon getting sugary. you guys make me believe I can be strong.. I love you so much. thanks.

[@armywife4life78]

My port for my pump sits just below my right ribs more towards the side so I definitely can't get to it on my own so my medical team does all that. She uses a 18 gauge needle every time to both remove and replace my medications. I find the numbing cream to just make everything take too much longer. I'm also fortunate that my port only usually needs to be used every three weeks unless something goes wrong. U did great girlie!

[@melzlayre9972]

Hi Mary, I got my first port today and watching your video has really calmed down my anxiety. Thank you sooooooo much

[@gloopyglorpy]

My mom had one of these ports so she could administer a week long chemotherapy treatment at home. I used to do this all the time for her and I found it interesting and it really inspired me to go into the medical field 😊

[@mikaelacash3791]

I got my first port placed a few weeks ago for my mitochondrial disease and lyme disease. I love having a port so much! It makes everything so much easier!

[@srrieck]

@ChronicallyCatholic Where do you get your supplies & what kind of needle do you use if you're going to leave it in for a while ? Thank you for any suggestions & help!

[@mikaelacash3791]

@@srrieck Um, I'm not sure where my supplies come from. My parents handle that. If you have a supplies company or a pharmacy that handles the supplies, they usually just send everything to you without having to deal with different companies. For ports, you access them with a type of needle called a huber needle. Always. It's a special needle designed specifically for ports.

[@Taytay_71]

Thank you so much for sharing. Though I am not apart of the CF world, nor do I know anyone, I love learning more about it.

[@ktagudin]

Thank you SOOO much for making this video. Watching YOU access your own port gave me confidence that I could access mine. Today was my second time...so now I know it's not just a fluke. ;) Even re-watched how you grabbed the non-sterile saline today before going in, as last time I had a nurse friend to do that part for me. Thanks again for documenting your journey. Hope today's a good day for you.

[@BC-lo7lj]

Thank you SO much for taking the time to explain this in such detail. I don't have CF but do have other conditions which require a port and access. I just for the first time accessed myself and honestly, I got the courage from you!! Thank you thank you!

[@alanaalexander7131]

I just got a port today and this will be really helpful when I am able to start learning to access myself! Thank you Mary!!!

[@pristinepowers2641]

Thank you so much. You made me feel so much better/less afraid about getting a port. You even made it fun.

[@zennmomma2801]

Oh my heavens that does look tricky to do on your own! I always get twisted around when I look in the mirror and would probably just end up poking my finger. Thanks for the informative video!

[@StikFigureChik74]

Hi Freys- I’ve watched your channel fairly often over the years, but I somehow missed this video until today. As it turns out, it was just what I needed to see. I recently started TPN after being on a J-button for years. It’s been just over a week and I really want to switch from the PICC to a port. (Having tubing become caught in my crutches or wheelchair each time I move my arm is a tad annoying 😉) I’ve found plenty of info about using a PICC, but there’s not nearly as much info available online about ports. Mommy is a retired RN, but has never actually seen a port; her patients were preemies who only used lines. Despite both Mommy and I having medical backgrounds, we both have quite a few concerns/questions about home TPN and all that it entails. Whilst I appreciate all of my parents’ care over this past year, I hope to be back in my apartment soon and will have to be able to handle all things medical. Your video regarding using a port at home and taking care of it yourself was very helpful as it proved it can be done! Like I said, we have quite a few questions. Would you be willing to talk about your experience with the port - either message, phone, or F2F over a free meal at the restaurant of your choice? I’m in W-S so we’re not that far away and would be happy to drive to D. We totally understand if you’re not comfortable with meeting. Also, I had some questions about Ollie’s training. My SD Kima is approaching retirement; she’s a 12 y/o Karelian Bear Dog who has many tasks. I trained her, but I’m not sure I can physically do it again. I am also considering using a Std Poodle because of the size needed to brace. I would like to talk with another Std Poodle handler. Anyhow, thanks for sharing so much of your lives. You’ve touched more people than you’ll ever know. 😊 Charlotte

[@ER_GUY]

Great video! I'm a nurse with the IV team and deal mostly with PICC lines. I had to do a teach for a client on how to access their chest PORT and your video was a fantastic help. I instructed my client to go view it as a resource if they should have a question when they are home.

[@jessicajarsak7812]

I can’t even find a nurse to train me like to take care of my own port.

[@silverbroom02]

Thanks for doing this! It looks like I'm getting a port soon for IV hydration and I've been freaked out about it. This helps. And it also helps me know what sterile technique looks like so I know when it's been done right or wrong... It's hard to put your trust in someone else's hands when you don't know what's correct!

[@kkedziora]

WOW amazing job I am a future nurse and I like how you explained the steps !!

[@wadof4]

Thank you for the demo. It's exactly what I needed.

[@snap2ohh]

Honestly I rarely comment on videos but I must say it seems like a tough situation to live with.(I also have health issues) I feel you are doing a great job with it and you seem blessed in other ways. I think you are a strong person.

[@cassieblankenship2404]

I don't have a port but I think you did a wonderful job and I'm only 8 years old I think that you are very optimistic about very thing and I love. And it your so serious about taking care of your self and I know how important that is for you. I hope 6ou have a great day and thank you for putting joy in your day stay well.🙂

[@sharpma]

I so admire you Mary. You are a very strong young woman. I guess your faith in god and Peter's love and support help give you the strength to do the things you need to. I have a life long disability but, I am not sure I'd have the strength to fight like you do. I really enjoy watching your channel. Thank you for allowing me to share in your adventures.

[@Luciana-kj1xl]

Watching this makes me realize how much of a blessing it is to be healthy! I wouldn’t be able to live like that at all!

[@rutht1992]

I found this so interesting. I went to university with a girl that had cf but her port was more on the side of her chest, even slightly under her arm, she had to have her husband taught how to do it as she just couldn't manage. A port like yours would have been so much better for her but her team didn't allow it

[@thefreylife]

Oh that's interesting!

[@epseltigth568]

ye i wish mine was more in the center but its under my arm. not the easiest place to access XD

[@jessicajarsak7812]

@@epseltigth568was it placed there on purpose or did it just sort of move there? It’s odd. But an infusion nurse said they can move out of place like under the arm. Mine is not under the arm lol. That would be very hard to take care of in that place. How do you do it?

[@epseltigth568]

@@jessicajarsak7812 I actually just recently got it taken out! but yes it was intentionally placed there as I was a teen girl and my parents felt it was a good spot as it would be hidden by bikini straps/bra strap, I didnt have much of a say as I saw about 12 yrs old. But it was an EXTREME hassle to access/deaccess. there was no way I could do it myself as I couldnt reach it. 0/10 would not reccoment under the arm.

[@zennmomma2801]

Mary!!! Thank you so so so much for this video! I just watched and took notes and am feeling prepared to tackle the job of accessing my own port. I go in for access and teaching to my clinic today and they are sending me home with supplies to continue to change my needle weekly on my own. It's really nice to have your video here to reference as I get into the routine myself. Genuinely appreciate the time you took to prepare this to empower others, like me ☺️

[@thefreylife]

You've totally got this!!!

[@ginagreenwell4057]

This is so helpful, thanks for sharing! I just had a port put in 2 weeks ago (I get saline and potassium a few times a week) and am hoping to learn to access it myself so I can have a little more independence.

[@donnacostarella4241]

Thank You so much I really needed to know this my nurse was so fast i dont feel comfortable it was shown to me too fast I can’t learn quickly this is important and I’m happy one of my fellow Ehlers Danlos Syndrome ers sent this to me btw Thank You Gillian. Thank You for this pray o get it right when I need to do this next week.

[@suzukibejby]

i love how you are so positive. I have no idea why this video was recommend for me, but it was every interesting! You are very brave to be doing this!

[@MadHatterDJ-]

Really great job, modesty preserved and very informative 👍🏻

[@thefreylife]

+MadHatterDJ :)

[@laurenrohrer2156]

I found this so interesting to watch, such good information. I have been binge watching your guys videos and they are so fun to watch and learn about CF and life with it. God bless you both, and stay strong!!!♡

[@lauranorwar]

I know you said you were nervous about accessing your own port (and I can see why!) but it really did not show...you presented a lot of technical and practical information in a way that was logical and easily understood. Consummate professional: that's you.

[@Zeleiah]

bless you for posting this. I got my port placed last week after years of picc lines. I don't want to have a nurse coming out every time I need fluids or something so I'm attempting to do it myself. thanks again and wish me luck!

[@jessicajarsak7812]

It’s been 6 years, but how did it go? Attempting to do it yourself? And how did you get the supplies to do it?

[@anngabriel5455]

It was a perfect demonstration Mary. It brings back memories of accessing my own port and doing ivs at home. PS. I always used a Huber needle. Well done!

[@Katie_Jo_21]

Elbow on the table is, I would take off gloves and wash hands to elbow, put on new gloves and begin again. Always good to remember to re wash hands when needed. You r great at the one glove memory. But if you are a person (like me) that forgets, or it is out of practice always a good tip to remember to go slow and can never have enough sterile gloves in the begining :-).

[@alauram.6416]

Mary you are a master at laying the clear tegadrem! everytime I do it by myself I always seem to get a few wrinkles and it drives me crazy. but anyway great video. -love from California

[@beckyfleig2308]

Thank you Mary! That made getting one a little less scary. 💉💉

[@olivedog1880]

it's really cool that u can access your own port, u have super powers :)

[@singingsam40]

I suffer from Brittle asthma and have been in and out of hospital regularly for years, so have no veins left, which is a problem when you need urgent, life- saving IVs. I keep asking for a portacath, but they keep refusing, instead putting in central lines. Having watched your fantastic video, I might start asking them again. Thanks for sharing & take care!

[@Fuzzybunny484]

I also have athsma

[@Zeleiah]

I've been dealing with that for almost 10 years, having PICC lines to the point where my veins are so scarred up they finally were forced to put in my port just last week. I had an internal jugular tunnelled picc on one side of my neck until that one failed, then they finally listened to my begging!! my vascular surgeon finally took into account my emotioal well being, with all those things combined and the fact that I'm not going to get better they finally put in the dang port! I hope you can get one, too. I hope you have good health and happiness as well. :)

[@melissagunn9267]

Great job Mary I'm so proud of you!!! I'm in the medical field so I loved this video. My only advise would be try to make sure you don't touch the part of the plunger that goes inside the syringe just touch the circle part on the end of it, if that makes any sense, when I do my injections I have to always try to remember that. And secondly, try not to reach over your sterile field. I know you didn't ask for my two cents but just thought I add that for whatever its worth, but of course always follow your nurse and healthcare teams instructions not anybody else's lol

[@Katie_Jo_21]

Good and informative video!! I was a cna and phlebotomist (blood draw girl). So I used to prep the sterile area for ports and regular i.v.. Only change from yourself that you did when you did it on your own..I used one pair of gloves to put the strerile dressing paper on table. Washed a second time up from hands to elbow. Then opened packages ... and continued prepping. But that (looking back) probably redundant. Also while doing the saline seringe prep if I accidently placed my wrist or ....

[@nadias862]

I just accessed myself for the first time after going two weeks without meds. Thank you so so much! I am so tired of being nurse dependent.

[@luckyduckjanai8272]

My brother has Leukemia he is four. I hate the process of doing his stuff. :( You guys are a HUGE encouragement of this whole thing i am going through i wanna make a youtube channel of kaizler and hope he likes him being a super fighter! :) But i am still waiting on what my mom wants to do. Thanks for what you do Mary and your husband and ollie. (sorry i forgot your name sir. :)

[@elizabethemami5673]

LuckyDuckJanai How is your brother now?

[@luckyduckjanai8272]

Thank you for asking! :) He is doing good right now. He is in remission and I can't believe that eleven months ago I was 10 and wrote that :) time flies.

[@Luciana-kj1xl]

LuckyDuckJanai How is he now? Hope he’s healthy and living a wonderful life!

[@kaelynnmercier628]

LuckyDuckJanai how is he now?

[@luckyduckjanai8272]

@@kaelynnmercier628 He is cancer free! Thank you so much for caring! It means so much

[@hannah7351]

I do not have cf or any type of illness but I found this very interesting and educational. Thanks for sharing mary! :)

[@Dullcrayon]

Hey - the tape holding your shirt in place worked well! Haha!

[@marissahammett5391]

while I was doing chemotherapy, I had a port and the dressing they used made me itch. Then I found out I was allergic to Tegaderm. So they had to use something else on me. also my doctor gave me some numbing cream you put on your port area an hour b4 you acces it and I never felt the needle going in. Anyways I wish you best of luck.

[@magicalpatterns]

Thank you so much. I can’t wait for my nurses to teach me. I’m so tired of depending on them mostly when I’m so dehydrated. Also, I feel like I can make a better job since is my body and I’m so afraid of infection. Have you ever had infection?

[@tmielcarek]

Great great GREAT instruction! I just moved from picc to port and want to manage my own needle changes because the home nurses keep breaking the sterile field. I am accessed 7 days a week. Many thanks!

[@jessicajarsak7812]

Whoa 😳

[@trinityschmitz5359]

Thank you I'm no good at doing this on my own but you helped alot

[@cghynd]

aim and fire haha! wow, you are brave and an inspiration !

[@twistedterror6942]

its ok that i answer, agree, and comment out loud while i watch right? you did a great job explaining it all and your tips and tricks were great. good job mary! keep it up

[@thefreylife]

+twistedterror6942 Yes! Talking to us through your computer screen is totally acceptable behavior :)

[@BNHAalltheway]

Mary You''re such a wonderful person thanks foe informing us on the things You do for Your CF God Bless You guys

[@colleenamie8050]

Meant to add I have a port for a different reason... But procedure seems the same. (I have it cancer, but thank fully in remission) But I get blood transfusions at least twice a month, sometimes more & I'm also a bleeder and have hemophilia. So it's easier in the long run to keep the port. SORRY THIS IS SOOO LONG & I WISH YOU THE VERY VERY BEST!

[@feliciarenee6221]

Omg I have sickle cell and I use to have a port but I had to have it removed because I had a blood clot but I've NEVER accessed my own port and idk if I would be able to LOL but seeing you do yours and your husband on your other video I think I might would try whenever I get my port back and I also wanted to add I know what it's like to live with a chronic disease everyday I'll be 32 next month and I've been dealing with sickle cell ever since I was 3 months and by watching you guys videos has inspired me to talk about my illness more than I do right now because I was always afraid to let people know I had it but now it's just like idc anymore because I'm still just like everyone else HUMAN

[@HOODSSWEETIE]

God Bless your heart. You are very good at explaining that and making it seem like an easier process than I am sure it is. You took a lot of fear out for people who are wanting to learn to do that for themselves I am sure. You are in my prayers.

[@terryrobinson9503]

Thank you for the encouragement, I have ALS I have a feeding tube and hope to get a Mic-Key button soon I also have a "power port" where I get my infusions I will have this port the rest of my life so having the confidence to flush my port myself would be most convenient. again thank you

[@jesswolf7]

You should be an art teacher. You can teach online. You are an amazing artist

[@joyinallthechaos]

This was so helpful to watch. I wondered what all went with a port. I have Lyme Disease. I have had it for almost 2 years and just now able to see a Lyme Dr. I can't tolerate pills they hurt my stomach so I was thinking a port would be better for me. This was very insightful. Thank You

[@DharmaDogs40]

+MomofMini Hills I have Lyme and have a port. Note that with Lyme you absolutely need to be independant with the accessing of your port on your own the way Mary does in this video because, most VNAs will outright refuse to access your port or do your IVs for you. Get used to sticking yourself with the huber needle...and be well-versed with sterile technique. Get used to doing your own IVs etc. The VNAs will find excuses to refuse to administer your anti-biotics. The more you know how to do on your own, the safer you will be. Advice: get extra sterile kits, huber needles and, sterile gloves, and claves as you will mess up the first few times and someone can glove up to lend a hand or, if you accidently contaminate your field you can start over. If you don't get your huber needle placement correct on try one, you have another chance and need to prep another needle and, will be more calm. Get numbing cream as a script if your scared to poke yourself. I found port to be easier and safer than a picc line. I am single, and Lyme leaves me in a wheelchair. I do all my own IVs and, port care and, the other advice keep up with strong pro-biotics and, be awesome about getting your labs (liver?) checked every two weeks. I love my port. It has been a huge help in my fight for life. God Bless

[@mcg267]

Wow! I'm highly impressed.

[@kmarie9526]

You explained this very thoroughly. The only thing id say to add is where a mask! Breathing on or near your port can cause very serious reprocussions.

[@InsaneAng]

I am subscribed to y'all so when I saw this in the suggested videos I had to giggle a little. It popped up as a "Fashion" video. Love you guys!

[@thefreylife]

+InsaneAng Hahahahaha, fashion?! or rather...the opposite of fashion. that's pretty funny!

[@rhondabaker7611]

You did a great job on this video, will use to teach some of my patients. As a long time IV nurse I would like to offer a couple of suggestions. The Chloraprep manufacturer recomends swabbing back and forth, up and down for 30 sec to create friction which activates the solution, versus doing the circles and letting it dry for a full minute. It is not a good idea to place a 2x2 under the tegaderm dressing. It creates a medium for bacteria to grow and can hold mositure from the skin.

[@VulcanOnWheels]

Like Braidy, I don't have CF or a port, but found this interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@debbieschlemmer2746]

Good job Mary!!!! So pound of you :-) this video will help so many people, and at the same time not be afraid since you make it look so easy and not stressful. :-) Way to go! Love and hugs as always.

[@ucacheer2213]

So excited about this video!!!

[@thereseernest2589]

Thanks, Mary for the Tutorial...I HAD a port but not a power port so it couldn't be accessed at home. I surprisingly had it for 5 YEARS! BUT, after I got Aspiration Pneaumonia from my feeding tube, I had to get it removed because my WBC was continuing to go UP?? I MISS it though because I still need to go in regularly for hydration due to my GP...I am thankful I have my feeding tube so it's not that often unless I have been vomiting.

[@eej1983able]

Watching you from a bed in the ER after a bad IBS C flare up that has lasted 6 hours. Ugh. Needed Mary. I can watch needles going in me now so this wasn't hard for me lol. Thank goodness I don't need a port a cath! I just have IBS C and GAD but I love medical stuff (both of my parents are/were nurses...my mom switched to social work.)

[@NinjaJoanie]

I have a power port and want to be able to do my monthly flush myself. Still working with my infusion nurses to see if that's possible. I spend so much time in doctors offices and already have to give myself injections for medications. Anyways, thank you for making this video!!

[@colleenamie8050]

That's amazing yall do it all at home. I'm sure I could do it myself, considering I've had to show 10+ nurses how to do it. (The last nurse kept trying to stick me 6inches away from where the port actually was, tons of bruises followed that mess!) My main concern is finding the products!! 🤔

[@samaramitchell22]

If you have a port and your doctor allows you to do infusions from home, they will set you up with home health and home health will set you up with a nurse to teach you how to access and administer medications and the company will send all the supplies you need

[@jessicajarsak7812]

So I got supplies sent to my home. To continue I have to show my doctor I can safely do it myself and send the company a drs order saying I safely can do it myself. ​@@samaramitchell22 have a power port and I can’t find any home health agency that allows their nurses to teach me to take care of my own port. How would you go about that situation? Home health would only come and flush it for me so I got supplies

[@jessicajarsak7812]

Sorry, it gets messed up when I reply lol. Sometimes I can’t see what I’m writing. Hopefully you understand my reply 😂. If not, sorry about that.

[@Dance74Him]

Thanks for sharing this! I am training to access my port so I can do it myself when I go back to the dorm. My nurse put the saline on the sterile field and instructed me to do so! But I have the same ones you have and they say that they aren't sterile. I'm going to have to double check on that one. 😬😳 I'm fairly new to the Frey Life and I love your videos! Thanks for being such an encouragement.

[@thefreylife]

+Dance74Him Way to go! You can totally do this! Yea, thankfully the salines that are not sterile say it right on the package-so good thinking on checking into that :)

[@jackandgabbyfanloveyall2835]

Hi are you ok

[@jessicajarsak7812]

@@thefreylifeI have some that say non sterile and some that say sterile with individual flushes that aren’t in the kit, so the ones that do say sterile, can be placed on the sterile field? What do you use the non sterile ones for?

[@rachelliz4786]

You can also ask your home care company to send sterile saline when they send your access kits

[@jessicajarsak7812]

My supply company sends me sterile and unsterile. It’s awesome! So I can have sterile saline for the flushing and accessing and unsterile when I need labs or an infusion.

[@phil2003ashleigh]

I am an SPQ specialist nurse and I knew more about the procedure before watching the video. And, I’ve only been qualified for 8 months

[@ambernicolev]

Good video :) I'll never forget when I accessed my port by myself! (kinda had no choice though. My needle stopped working, & I was on continous iv meds, & it was 3am & couldn't call home health nurse.. Do I sucked it up, & did it myself. Talk about adrenaline!! Haha.

[@thefreylife]

+AmbersRoses GOOD JOB!!!!

[@flutteringazure]

Thanks for such an interesting film! I was just wondering how the gloves are still sterile after you touched the syringe for flushing if you use the non-sterile syringes (or in this vid when the sterile syringe bumped into the table). Would you need another pair of gloves after that to put the dressing and gauze under and over the needle?

[@jbalpal64]

Thank you for your kindness. God bless.

[@morganleigh8646]

Hey girl! I’m getting set up for home access finally for my POTS infusions after three years of having a port. I’m so nervous that I’ll end up getting an infection or something. Have you had the same port since this video? Thanks for this, so informative. I’ll definitely be having my fiancé learn to help!

[@debyschroeder3294]

Great job Mary! You are amazing! ❤

[@abipowell1]

I have had a port for 10 years and my mom accesses it as it's in my arm. A doctor at my hospital was surprised that I've never had an infection in my line. My mom does everything sterile even my IV's, lots of the nurses in the hospital don't do sterile procedure instead they use alcohol wipes to touch anything that will be coming into contact with the line.

[@tbjorn7374]

I wish my port flush nurse was this good! She can never get blood return, the only nurse that has ever had a problem with it!

[@FloatAwhile]

So helpful! I'm getting a port in around February. Is there anything you can do to keep your tubing from always just be hanging about?x

[@raynaldorusi]

I'm thinking of getting one for monthly blood transfusions. Thank you for all the info mary.

[@rachcutiepie]

your so brave! I used to have one when I was 6 I still have a scar. I had to have a nurse come over.

[@gloribyrd9259]

Thank you for doing this video. It was so very helpful. ❤

[@doggydog1817]

Mary, will you always have a port? Thanks for the video!

[@Kim_ChooseHappy]

Mary you are truly amazing. Good Job!!!!!

[@shessupersalty]

God bless!i love watching your videos!!!