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WHen I had triple bypass heart surgery in May the surgery intake nurse didn't want to use the port--in fact acted shocked that I would suggest it---I said "Fine, Give me back my clothes and I'll go home." Then she really was shocked! (Actually I surprised myself, too!) Fortunately she checked with the cardiologist and he said "Absolutely use the port---that's why Tricia has one!" So they used the port for everything. I went for many years with angonizing blood draws before my port, almost as hard on the nurses as on me. Now I go to the chemo lab first for everything possible. For the yearly PET/CT scans they don't use the port but those nurses seem to be really adept at what they do. I do not have any blood drawn or any other procedure without the port, except for a couple of times I had to call EMT's. (I have one little vein in my right forearm I save just for them!) I have been off herceptin nearly a year now, but have the port flushed every month and do not intend to let it be taken out unless there is some serious problem with it. If a port is as much a blessing for you as it is for me, stand firm and insist it be used! Hugs, Tricia
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