Hi! I'm PT Dan and apparently I draw cartoons now! 🙂
It seems like almost everyone with a port-a-cath experiences pain around their shoulder/neck/chest. Given the enormity of their new cancer diagnosis and ALL of the changes that come with that, some stiffness, night pain, poor posture, and port-a-cath pain might seem like snow in the wind.
I'm grateful for the chances I have to talk with patients about this pain. I tend to think of this as an opportunity to teach something important. Early in their cancer treatment, I like to ask each child, teen, or young adult patient about pain in their chest/arm/shoulder near a port-a-cath. I like to do this for 2 reasons:
1. The simple PT moves in this video can pretty much fix this kind of pain
2. It helps a child to know that there is something they can control to help themselves to feel better
It's a good feeling to know that in both big and small ways we can do something good for our bodies when they are hurting. Thank you for sharing this video time with me! I look forward to seeing you in the next one.
For now, enjoy this almost-entirely PT Dan-drawn cartoon!
With gratitude for our time together and Undefeated Hope,
PT Dan ❤️