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StephN · 06-24-2007, 10:54 PM

Hi Andi -
At my cancer center they WILL NOT use my port for contrast - no exceptions. The reason they give is that the contrast is given under pressure and they don't want to damage the port. I get a lot of scans with contrast due to frequent brain MRIs. OK if I got one of those Power Ports, but my onc does not recommend one of those for me as they are larger and protrude more from our body. She thinks I have too thin a profile to be a good candidate for one of those.

I have only my left arm for needle sticks, blood draws etc. and I try to preserve my veins there in the best condition possible. Been frustrated by having to get my blood checked every week since I have been on this anticoagulant therapy as it is usually in the lab area and they are not chemo nurses trained for port access. My poor vein in my elbow area bleeds afterwards due to my thinned blood. This week I will have them do it when I go for Vitamin H and my port is used.

Will be thinking and send you all the best blessings for a good report after your scans. It is funny how we get less anxious about these things the longer we are NED - at least in my case. More like a nuisance to get yet another scan! Have had 2 PET/CTs and 3 brain MRI's, plus two other scans to figure out this clot problem - all in SIX months!

06-24-2007, 10:54 PM	#7
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Ports and contrast Hi Andi - At my cancer center they WILL NOT use my port for contrast - no exceptions. The reason they give is that the contrast is given under pressure and they don't want to damage the port. I get a lot of scans with contrast due to frequent brain MRIs. OK if I got one of those Power Ports, but my onc does not recommend one of those for me as they are larger and protrude more from our body. She thinks I have too thin a profile to be a good candidate for one of those. I have only my left arm for needle sticks, blood draws etc. and I try to preserve my veins there in the best condition possible. Been frustrated by having to get my blood checked every week since I have been on this anticoagulant therapy as it is usually in the lab area and they are not chemo nurses trained for port access. My poor vein in my elbow area bleeds afterwards due to my thinned blood. This week I will have them do it when I go for Vitamin H and my port is used. Will be thinking and send you all the best blessings for a good report after your scans. It is funny how we get less anxious about these things the longer we are NED - at least in my case. More like a nuisance to get yet another scan! Have had 2 PET/CTs and 3 brain MRI's, plus two other scans to figure out this clot problem - all in SIX months! __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.