HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - To Port or Not to Port? That is the Question...

Val Pfeiffer · 08-13-2006, 06:42 AM

P.S. I have been very happy that I didn't get a port, (a) because my veins have been working fine, and (b) because I'm glad I won't have a big scar from the port. But Janet's post regarding saving her veins for later made me stop and think -- do your veins change if you use them a lot? Do you only get so many "pokes" in one lifetime before they stop cooperating? I've never heard that before. Given the fact that recurrence is so likely, maybe I didn't make the right decision about the port this time.

08-13-2006, 06:42 AM	#6
Val Pfeiffer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 159	P.S. I have been very happy that I didn't get a port, (a) because my veins have been working fine, and (b) because I'm glad I won't have a big scar from the port. But Janet's post regarding saving her veins for later made me stop and think -- do your veins change if you use them a lot? Do you only get so many "pokes" in one lifetime before they stop cooperating? I've never heard that before. Given the fact that recurrence is so likely, maybe I didn't make the right decision about the port this time. __________________ BLOG: http://valleygirlvnp.blogspot.com/ Dx 11/04, Age 42, ER-/PR-, HER2+++ 3 months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin Significant tumor shrinkage Mastectomy 3/05; Stage 3b, 9 cm tumor, 5/8+ nodes 3 more months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin 7/05 30 radiation treatments, IMRT planning approach Started 1 year of Herceptin 9/05 9/06 Began quarterly triple doses Herceptin. Brain & breast MRIs semi annually. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 6/08 Right breast, intraductal carcinoma, high nuclear grade associated with comedo necrosis; extensive diffusely involved the entire biopy specimen. ER+, PR-, Her2 unknown at this point, 07/08 mastectomy.