If I have port removed...
 

where will they draw my blood for labs? I've been done with herceptin since 3-07 and my mammo and ultrasound showed two masses in axilla area consistent with lymph nodes, which my surgeon said was *probably* due to my port. (Irritation) He suggested I get my port removed and those masses will go away.

I also went for a 2nd opinion on something else and that onc said to have my port removed. My port is in my upper arm. Not long ago I have two surgeries and they could find NO veins to access. So I had them call Mark in Port-a-Cath to come access my port or I might not of gotten the sugeries? All the nurses stuck and poked me and not one of them could find a vein.

So IF I get my port removed in hopes it will relieve the pain in my axilla...how will anyone get blood from me? I am really tired of the pain in that axilla. Plus I want to know if its REALLY the port that caused the masses in my axilla? (One lasts thing...is removal of a port easier then when they put it in?) I would think so?

Chelee

Chelee,

I had my port removed 3 weeks after my last Herceptin treatment. It was done in my surgeon's office and all she did was give me a shot or two of novacaine and then removed the port. I felt nothing. As for blood draws with no port they would have to use your veins. Even if your veins are bad remember you won't be having blood draws as often nad if they have a problem the nurse can always use a pediatric needle.

Chelee And Her Port
 

Hi Chelee,

Honey, have they been FLUSHING your port monthly? When I kept my port (from '95 for a yr after finishing chemo) I had to go in once a mnth for a flush. Very important. I'm hoping you've been told to do that.

Taking the port out can be done in surgeon's office. I looked the other way and asked if *I* could wait in the waiting room, but it was no biggie.

I too have horrible veins. They poke and prod and dig! and dig! saying "I'm in, but..." The veins collapse, roll over, *blow out*. I have little wounds up and down my one good arm. The rule in some places is -- two sticks and you get some one NEW. I like this rule.

I have learned that though my veins look juicy and good, in the middle of my arm -- they always fail to comply. I inform nurses of this. I explain that they must go in at an angle, and that those who've had success (and been therefore interrogated by me thoroughly) report that my veins *appear* deeper than they actually are, so DON'T JAB. My veins are *skinny* (by luck that's what part of me is skinny!) and delicate.

The nurses always want to go in to my hand (top). This is extrememly painful and unsuccessful, for me. I point to one vein in my wrist that is THE ONE. They all wince and say OOOhhh that's gotta hurt. Not as much as going in on my hand, I inform them.

I love my port! And there are some interesting posts on this board re that issue. I have been getting scans (ev 8 wks, then ev 3 mnths, then ev 4 mnths, NOW ev 6 mnths) and the Pavillion I love to get my scans at, small, friendly, highly trained, professional, accomodating has been accessing my port (by a nurse) for contrast for yrs I JUST FOUND OUT AT THE CHEMO ROOM AT MY CANCER CENTER THAT YOU SHOULD *NEVER* USE YOUR PORT FOR CONTRAST. It's too thick and could clog the port. They do use saline before and two salines after, plus heplock. I check that they are doing all this every single time (since forever). See my signature below for the nasty details of my professional patient career. They always wear gloves (from a package), use a mask, betadine carefully to clean the area.

My Cancer Center is associated w/the Pavillion both of which are now run by the Boca Community Hospital. They have very strict guidelines. Yet the Pavillion is not aware that at the Cancer Center the policy is NEVER to access a port for contrast! I will call tmrrw to speak to the head of Radiology. That is insane. No one should ever have such a problem.

My onc on Long Island does finger sticks for CBC bld tests. I always thought it rather "primitive". Now I am revising my opinion. The less you access your port the happier, cleaner and safer it will be for future use. It must be flushed monthly if unused!

I used to insist that I have a port so why not use it. Now I'm rethinking the situation. They always cover the port with a bandaid after chemo, which I keep on till I shower.

Also, the numbing spray I used to get I have been told by two chemo nurses -- that any onc -- that they are uncomfortable using it as it is a potential introduction of bacteria into the port. So interesting. They had attended a briefing by the company that makes the spray. So -- FOR THE LAST YEAR, NO SPRAY FOR ME. I tough it out. Not really painful, especially if you have a good nurse. Then, you feel nothing. And if you feel any thing it is over in a sec.

BTW, yes, I have gotten braver about speaking up since bc. One (male) nurse, nothing against men intended, was rough. My chemo mate, Myrna, commented she doesn't like him to access her. ME NEITHER!, I said. We decided to bite the bullet, if he approached us, we said, NO, THANK YOU. I'LL WAIT. He nodded and looked fine with our choice. In a few months he moved on...

Sending loving energy to all my sweet Soul Sisters, as always...ANDI

removing port
 

I had my port removed in the Doctor's office...it was not a big deal. It was also in my upper arm...actually I've had two, the other was in my chest. Neither was a problem to remove. They numbed the area, waited a few minutes and took it out. The nurse actually did the procedure.

About veins...I've had them use my wrist, my hand, and my foot...none of which are great options...I have no idea where they go after the foot...

Peggy

It's always amazing to me how much USEFUL info I find out here. I just realized it's been 8 weeks since my port was accessed (am on 'hiatus' from Herceptin due to low LVEF). So I just phoned my onc nurse to ask 'shouldn't I have my port flushed?'.

If I had PLANNED to go off for an extended period, I'm sure they would have said something. But I've just been getting 3 week delays time after time (well, since May 1), so they probably never thought of telling me. Anyway, am asking. Thanks for bringing that up, Andi.

We've Just Got To Be Proactive
 

Janet,

It makes my heart smile knowing we have each other's backs! It is stupefying to me how much trouble one can get in to just DOING AS TOLD, OR NOT...

Once a friend, Myrna, was taken off Taxol for a while, as she was having such a tough time. I said to her, But you still get the Herceptin, right? Uh. No. He didn't say anything. Well, my onc says NO MATTER WHAT YOU STILL GET YOUR HERCEPTIN. Maybe you should check w/your onc. Myrna thought about it over the weekend and called first thing Mon. AM and asked. Oh, no! That's a mistake. Yes, you should definitely come in for your Herceptin.

Another friend, Dorothy, told me she as on estrogen. I said, With progesterone, right? No. Do you still have your uterus? Yes. Well, it's my understanding that if you have your uterus and go on estrogen you must also take progesterone, for safety's sake. I have full confidence in my doc. I'm sure she's right. A week later Dorothy called me to say she thought about what I said and, after having taken estrogen for 6 mnths, she called her wonderful doc she trusted so to check. Sure enough -- oh, no. That's a mistake. You should definitely be taking progesterone too. I will call it in. Dorothy called to thank me.

I KNOW I am not a medical professional, but I listen to the experts on MSNBC, the Today Show, PBS, Larry King. I read. I do the best I can. I can only hope when a doc messes up I catch it -- or one of YOU WONDERFUL, WELL-INFORMED WARRIOR WOMEN will tell me!

I JUST LOVE THIS SITE! And all of you, my sweet Sister Souls... ANDI

Chelee

I have never had a port even with over 2 years of IV treatments but they will find a vein if they need one - I assure you. Get rid of that port and get your body back. The cancer gods have taken enough as it is my dear girl.

Hugs and kisses to you

Little Friend
 

Hi Chelee! I have a little friend who is 3 1/2 who has been on chemo for the past 3 years - never knew life without it. She does finish up soon with the major stuff. But anyway, I think she is so brave and I just love her to pieces. Her sister, 5, asked me a couple of times ago when they came to visit their grandma, "where's your button"! Then she told me that Arden didn't cry anymore when they poked her button! What an inspiration those little ones were. Well, my last "poking" was so much easier for me because I know how very brave Arden is! I know none of this matters to your situation, but my port sticks out a "country mile" but I'm attached to it and it makes my every three weeks trip for Herceptin so very much easier. I don't know what's right for you, but I surely do understand how you must feel. Feelings impact our thinking so much. I drove the 3 hours to San Antonio yesterday and back today to take a couple of my grandkids to Sea World, just to have the experience there be a good one (plug in new feelings) of going to San Antonio. It really helped! Good luck on your decision and know you'll do just the right thing for you, whatever that is! I haven't a clue most of the time what I should do, but I just ask, study and wait for the "right" answer to come to me. Best wishes, mary anne

Feelings Impact Our Thoughts & Vice Versa