Throughout their treatment phase, cancer patients might have to witness several infusions, blood draws, and injections. The needle sticks might become uncomfortable and can lead to vein damage. Fortunately, the medical world today has an innovative solution, like Bard PowerPort.
It is a port catheter that can access the patient’s vascular system and infuse drugs into the bloodstream. However, over the years, patients who have used this chemo port have faced injuries and complications because of device failure or fracture. Since this port catheter remains implanted for weeks, months, and even years, they find it challenging to sleep because it protrudes beneath the skin.
In this article, we will shed light on the probable complications of Bard PowerPort. Also, we will share useful ways in which cancer patients can sleep peacefully with this device.
The Health Hazards of Bard PowerPort
In August 2023, a Drugwatch report shared about Brandie Songy, a Texas woman who used a Bard PowerPort device to treat her breast cancer. She was upset to discover that the chemo port was fractured and stuck in her heart.
She filed a lawsuit and complained that the device failed in less than one year. It made her undergo emergency surgery to retrieve the broken port. Apart from this, the device is also known for several other complications:
- Severe blood clots
- Pericardial or cardiac tamponade
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Hemothorax
- Hemorrhage or hematoma
- Pulmonary pseudoaneurysm
- Myocardial infarction or heart attack
- Pulmonary embolism
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- Tachycardia
- Blood vessel damage
The Legal Route
TorHoerman Law states that a port catheter is made of Chronoflex AL, a polyurethane material. It also has barium sulfate in it. This material might make the catheter migrate or be susceptible to fracture.
Patients often have to undergo surgery or any other line of treatment to correct these complications. Every case is unique, and not every patient needs the same treatment modality to rectify their health issues.
Therefore, if anyone faces this consequence, it is necessary to consult a lawyer and file a port catheter lawsuit against the manufacturers. The lawyer will study the case and ensure that every plaintiff gets fair compensation to cover all the suffering and losses they endured. The victims might be eligible for payouts between USD 10,000 and USD 250,000.
Sleeping Well With the Chemo Port: The Essential Tactics
Cancer patients are likely to face sleep fluctuations and disturbances because of chemotherapy. It’s mostly because of stress, fatigue, and pain. That aside, when there is a chemo port placed, it can affect a patient’s sleep to a vast extent.
But with a few adjustments, this problem can be tackled. Some useful hacks that can work are:
Choose the Right Pillows
Patients should keep themselves surrounded by pillows to make it easier for them to sleep. When they toss and turn, the muscles and tissues around the chemo port can get irritated. It will automatically disturb sleep.
Therefore, choose the correct combination, such as maternity, body, or standard pillow to get the support needed. It will take a couple of weeks to get adjusted to sleeping when someone has a chemo port implanted in their body.
But if they cannot adjust or the device placement feels uncomfortable, they must update the doctor. The healthcare professional will then suggest other treatment methods or provide a solution for them to sleep better.
Sleeping on The Back
Chemo ports create a slight bump beneath a patient’s skin that can make it difficult to sleep face down. The best option here is to sleep on their back to avert any pressure on the Bard PowerPort device.
It might also help to sleep on their left side, as that helps to release the pressure from the affected area of the chest.
Wearing Comfortable Sleep Clothes
Tight clothing against the skin can irritate the port site. Hence, patients must wear soft sleep and loose-fitting clothes.
It is also necessary to ensure that they don’t feel excessively warm because that can affect sleep quality. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the correct night temperature, bedding, and sleep clothes to arrive at the correct mix.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cancer patients often use a chemo port as a part of their treatment, which might interfere with their daily slumber. In such a situation, it is necessary to speak with a doctor or nurse about it.
They can also choose any of the tactics mentioned above to resolve the problem. That aside, if cancer patients face any health hazards with the Bard PowerPort device, it is essential to seek both medical and legal aid.
