Port question

[Gerri]

Bonnie,

A port is the way to go if the nurses are having trouble accessing your veins. I didn't have mine put in until I was through with Adriamycin (this chemo is really hard on the veins) and was started on Taxol. The veins in my "good" arm are practically non-existent. My port is out now since my treatment is done. Today I had a colonoscopy and the nurse had to use a vein on the inside of my wrist because she just couldn't find another one in that arm or hand. While many have been okay through their entire treatment without a port, I never would have made it.

Christina: I also had a port low on my unaffected breast and the catheter was up higher. The nurses sometimes had a little trouble 'finding' it but when I told my surgeon he said the reason he spaces them out that way is because it cuts down on the risk of infection. I never had a problem with my port except for sensitivity up by the clavicle that went away as time went by. BTW, Chris is the BEST nurse on the chemo floor and can work wonders if someone is having trouble accessing your port.

All my best,

[tousled1]

Bonnie,

I had my first port put in the left side upper chest as my breast cancer was in my right breast. I had a double mastectomy. I had the port removed after finishing my year of Herceptin and then developed mets. First thing was to get another port put in. This port in also in my upper chest but on the right side. I also have lymppedema in my right arm. I am having absolutely no problems related with my port being on the right side. My veins are so bad - every time I have to have a scan with contrast I end up getting poked 2-3 times. Good advise -- drink lots of fluids. As to recovery - you're back to normal the same day. I had my port put in and the next day received my chemo.

[BonnieR]

Update. Port installed today. Still tender of course, but we already used it to draw blood prior to Procrit.
My IV during the implant proceedure infiltrated, underlining the need for the port!!
Thanks everyone for your encouragement.

[BonnieR]

First day post-op. Port site terribly swollen, red, hot, inflamed. But no fever. Saw the surgeon and am now on antibiotics, ice packs, pain killers. Looks like I had reconstruction on one side! Nuts!

[Joanne S]

Whew! I'm sorry to hear your having problems with the port site. I truly believe that since it had to be used so soon before allowing the site to heal made it more suseptable to problems/infection. Hopefully you won't have to use the port again until it completely heals.

Well wishes,

[tousled1]

Bonnie,

Hang in there. The problem you're having with the port will soon be resolved. I had chemo the day I had my first port put in and with my second port I had chemo the following day. Follow doctor's orders and take it easy for a few days.