portacath

[NieceLynn]

Hi-I am new to this site, but very thankful it is available. I have already learned a lot. I have recently found out that I am HER positive. I'm trying to find others like me that have started herceptin. I have had lumpectomy, A/C and am currently doing radiation. I am 36 years old. It was Stage I breast cancer. Just found lump in March 2005 and doctors want me to start herceptin for a year, every week. My question is, how many women are doing this as a preventative measure in the beginning? My nurse said that they would put a portacath in me. That sounds scary to me for a whole year. Has anyone else had to use a portacath for herceptin treatments for a whole year???? Thanks!!!!!!!!

[Lisa]

First of all, welcome. You'll find this site full of support and information.

Herceptin has just begun to be used for those women who are Her2+, but have no mets as yet. Everyone is very hopeful that this new treatment will help prevent mets. The clinical trial that tested the drug in this way was actually stopped before it was finished because the results were so good. Most of us use Herceptin with chemo to treat metastasis, but women are joining all the time who are in your shoes.

Most of us here have ports and couldn't do without them. If you're having weekly Herceptin, it beats the heck out of having weekly IV punctures. Very, very few people have trouble with the ports and will leave them in for a long time. I've had ports twice; this time for 2 years. I never even think about it any longer. At first, it will feel and look obvious to you, but you will quickly get used to it, and only a small scar should show.

Keep us posted!

Love and light,

Lisa

[Rhonda4]

Welcome. I also was dx w/ Stage 1, Grade 3, no nodes, ER/PR-, Her2Neu+ in 2/1/05. I had a port put in prior to my 6 rounds of TEC and have done fine w/ it. I was supposed to have it out this past Mon as my onc was originally not going to do Herceptin but, when I saw him the Mon before, he proposed it and while I am doing the 3 week regimen, it's still easier than getting poked every time.

[karen w]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with stage 1, node negative, grade 3 and of course, Her2Neu+, Jan 2005. I completed, dose dense, AC and T, June 29th. At first, my onc did not feel that I needed Herceptin, but I pushed (2nd and 3rd opinions) and I just completed my 3rd Herceptin yesterday (once every 3 weeks). I receive my Herceptin through my port.

The other day when I saw my onc, he said he was glad I pushed for the Herceptin.

Hope this helps.

Karen

[triciak]

Welcome to the website! This is not a club anyone chooses to join, but there is so much here that will help, inspire and encourage you! I love my port and am so grateful for it! I first heard about "ports" while I was in the hospital the whole month of July 2004, for a heart attack, BC mets and pnuemonia. I have invisable, run-and-hide veins, and I was black and blue from head to foot. When they suggested putting in a port, it scared me too, but I am so grateful for it every two weeks when they draw blood one day and do the herceptin the next. I have found a port to be a god-send, so much easier and less painful than poking and hunting for non-existant blood vessels. I know it sounds scary on top of all the other scary new stuff going on, but I hope you will find it the blessing so many of us have. And another blessing is that herceptin is available to you so early on in your cancer fight., and that you had the courage to insist on it. Keep on fighting, hopefully you will win many rounds in the battle and grow tremendously in the learning process. We all wish you well. Hugs, Tricia

[mts]

Hi-
At first, the port seemed disgusting to me. Almost like I was really a "cancer patient". Me? Cancer?

I finished chemo in March 05 and began Herceptin as a preventative in July. Although I have super-highway veins for superb access, I am so happy I have my port. I have a pediatric port -much smalller, less bumpy and overall less visible. I thought pediatric ports were only for skinny girls. I am 5'9'' and 165lbs. Not the waif one would expect with a small port. But it works great, no nurse has ever had difficulty accessing it.

I can't say I am thrilled to have one; but at this point it is MUCH better than being poked all the time. I don't even notice it anymore!

MARIA

[*_tami_*]

I just finished my final herceptin today! I had it for 1.5 years for AC, taxotere and herceptin. I got herceptin every 3 weeks and am glad I had the port. I have hard to access veins. I was dx'd at 44, 1.4 cm her 2+++, er/pr-, 1 micromet to the sentinal node, all other nodes-.

I am looking forward to having the port removed in the next couple of weeks and cannot believe I am saying this - but the year and half has really passed quickly...life marches on.

Best of luck and I am glad you are looking at the AC in the rear view mirror! Herceptin is a breeze in comparison.

Tami

[Pam]

The port was the best decision that could have been made. Through all my treatments 4 rounds AC, 12 weeks Taxol/Herceptin and then Herceptin once every three weeks for 9 months. I am so glad the nurses don't have to find a vein.

I certainly didn't want the port at first, but I am glad I did. Once you put the LMX cream on it, you don't feel anything as they are inserting the needle.

I know all this is scary, but just take it a day at a time. I was diagnosed Oct 04 with Stage 3, Her2 3+, positive nodes. I am so thankful that there is herceptin. What scares me is, after I stop receiving herceptin, what next?

Good Luck
Pam

[NieceLynn]

I can't thank you enough for your responses-you made me feel so much better-thanks for taking the time to help me out! Much continued strength and success to you all!

[sassy]

Portcath is much better. I have one,and they pop it in no trouble. Then I see them trying to access someone else's veins and I hurt for them. After a week or two you don't even know the port is there.

Sassy

[Gina]

First WELCOME!!! that is the good news, the bad news is that I don't recommend a port if Herceptin is all you are going to get...for REAL chemo it is fine..I have had one before...hated the thing and had it yanked out as soon as I could. Have used Herceptin off and on since 1999, have never needed a port again. Herceptin has not damaged my veins in any way. It is a very personal choice. One reason I don't like ports in folks like you who sound relatively young and healthy and new to all this is that it just opens you up for potential infection and trouble down the road. Any foreign object in your body can give rise to rejection by the immune system or will cause, at best, a slight disruption of the immune system. When using Herceptin, because of the way it is designed to work, you want to be certain your immune system is in tip-top shape. That is just my opinion. Sorry that it is so different from the others. Best of luck to you. Be thankful you are getting the Herceptin, though, in a way, you are REALLY blessed. Gina