Port flush merry-go-round

The port will stay in my body for a while because I'll need labs and scans.  I trace the bump beneath my skin, and think about how much easier these past months were because of it.  But, I'm starting to view my port with a startling animosity.

Once you're done with chemotherapy, you still need a monthly appointment to get it flushed.  My oncologist's office suggested I have it done where I went for radiation therapy (an hour away).  I was hoping for something closer because of how busy my summers are and how much chronic pain I endure.

So, I called the local hospital.  They don't do it.

I called my Nurse Practitioner.  Her office don't have the supplies, and she can't write an order for me (even if I can get it done locally).

I called the clinic here... no dice.

But wait, there's a cancer center here!  They do port flushes.  I had my oncologist's office fax them the order, but I didn't hear anything from anyone for a week or two.  I decided to call the cancer center today.  They never received an order!  I emailed my oncologist with a new fax number.  Later, it was confirmed the cancer center had everything they needed.  I made the appointment.

Hallelujah!

Except...

I need a local doctor to co-sign the order.  Since my Nurse Practitioner can't do it, I'd have to establish myself as a patient of another doctor here so they'll do it.  As it is now, none of the doctors feel "comfortable" doing it for me.  You'd think I needed a prescription for Dilaudid for as reluctant as they are!

So, I have to go to the place I received radiation.  We're back to where it began:  A two-hour round-trip just to get my port flushed.

I'm so tired of this.

Remission!

I'm in remission!  My next oncology appointment is in September.  I can breathe a bit.  I can plan.