Picc line vs Port

Kaiser is convenient but if you can't go outside the system for care. That's the downfall. My aunt was with Kaiser until she needed bilateral knee replacements and the docs there were just ortho docs. I was working for a surg that had pts from all over the country coming to him and his center (Center For Joint Replacement) here in Fremont. Dr. John Dearborn who now has a great partner in Dr. Alex Sah. My aunt dropped out of Kaiser and got on Medicare so she could have one of the best in this field. The man is like a rock star and is one of the best. Aunt didn't want to chance it because she had heard of bad stories of people who had joint replacements like the larger incision and also getting infected. The Center For Joint Replacement is only joint replacement pts. No sickies in there. And it's like a hotel, you should see the rooms. Very nice. Unlike the hospital which is ok. It's instances like this where I don't want to be restricted for convenience sake. All my docs are right here in a 3 block radius from the hospital and lucky for me, they are all very good. Only my ps isn't affiliated with WH itself though he has privileges there and he's in the same building as my pcp and bs. He's on the first floor across the hall from my pcp and my bs is upstairs. Barash my infection doc is across the street. So far everyone I have met and dealt with in the WH Healthcare System are excellent and best bed side manner too. And to boot, I'm only a mile away from them!

^^ ^^

Yep, that's what's most important. I have a large cheerleading squad of providers from docs to nurses to aides to techs. Polly, my nurse navigator, found out I was in the hospital with infection and came by first with flowers and second time with my favorite cookies and 3 free zip front bras! They were brand new too! I told her I need to wear a bra per ps to help absorb sweat/bacteria that builds up since I have infection and she surprised me with 3 that fit well! I never gave her my size so she has a good eye! She's going with me to all my appts both cuz she likes me and my personality and also to learn from me and the providers what bc pts go through. She does the before bc sx teach class and since she's never had bc before, she wants to feel/see/hear what it's like from someone who does so she can be a better teacher/person. Sweetest thing. We are fast becoming great friends! Through this dark journey to have such people is such a blessing.

And I agree with Stanford. Beautiful hospital. One of my bff's was in there with an artificial heart machine for 4 months. So I saw plenty of Stanford, plus the surg I used to work for started out doing sxs there at first as well. He dropped them 2 years after I started for poor post op care. The Syncardia machine is what my friend was on and only Stanford has the docs who are authorized to use it. But because her husband is high up she got great treatment. But for the rest of us including my grandparents who died there. poor service. El Camino is a good one near there and Washington Hospital is really good over here a mile from me.

Yes we are blessed to have providers and facilities that are comforting or this tough journey would be even tougher!

I agree with port if anyone is going between the two. SO MUCH BETTER. I've had labs drawn and iron infusions in mine and all I do is apply Emla cream an hour before and I don't feel anything. The picc you always felt it. I mean my skin is sensitive to tape so it was itchy on top of the occasional burning sensation I'd get at the hole site. It just looked gross too. That and drains eeked me out. If had the drains and the picc line at the same time, I'd have my Halloween costume naturally done for me!