To Port or Not to Port? That is the Question...
 

It's late, and I'm a little punchy...sorry for the not-so-witty thread title...couldn't resist :-)

Anyway, I read Steph's post about getting her port replaced and it made me wonder...how many of you had a port installed for your chemo and/or post-treament Herceptin? I have no reason to ask this other that my own curiosity. I did not want a port, so I didn't get one. I had a line run each week for my six months of chemo and then, for the last year, every three weeks for Herceptin.

I had a friend with breast cancer one year before I was diagnosed and she complained about her port (but had wicked chemo meds so had no choice), so I was opposed to receiving a port from the start. Fortunately I have big and cooperative veins and it's been going fine.

But I am so interested to hear if the rest of you were offered a choice, and if so, if you were happy with your decision. Or if you had no choice, how did it go for you?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Val

To Port or not to Port
 

I don't recall that I really made a conscious decision to have the port. I think it was more like recommended and scheduled and I just did it. I am sure I would have had a choice had I thought about it.

I had the port put in and have been glad to have it. When I first started my chemo it was difficult to get the port working sometimes. Not sure if it was a placement problem or clots or what but it added about 1/2 hour to my treatments in the beginning when I was on A/C every three weeks. Then when I went to weekly Taxol and Herceptin it straightened out and I have had no problems since then. I am again on every three weeks for Herceptin but it works every time.

I really appreciate the port and sometimes get irritated when I need blood work or anesthesia and they can't or won't use the port. Why get stuck when I have the port. Of course, my veins are not very easy to access so the port is a good thing for me. I like it.

Take care Kool

Val, the port saved my arm and my sanity. With the use of only one arm for this kind of thing, I wanted to save my veins for other times I might need them--like when I am 90 years old. I won't even let them use the automatic blood pressure cuff as it can cause numbness in my arm for several days. My port is quite prominent so I am deciding now, after my one year of Herceptin, when to take it out. I may wait until I am two years past diagnois which would be the end of this year.
Janet

I couldn't have handled treatment without a port. My veins are too difficult to access. I had a port put in 98 for the initial treatment and then I had to get another when I had my recurrence two years ago.
Barbara H.

Val

I was never even told about a port. I didn't even know what they were. I always used my veins. There were a few problems with the AC treatments but there are only 4 of them. I only have 3 more Herceptin treatments and I will be at 2 yrs post diagnosis so we will stop then.

I think if anything else happens, I would get a port since I would be on Herceptin for life and on/off chemo.

I am glad not to have it though.

Becky

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.

good post
 

Val,
Interesting post - My one onc. in NY at Cornell did not even ask me about port just told me as he made appt. for the surgery. When I went to Hackensack Cancer Ctr (this is where I ended up having my chemo) they did not even consider port first. They approached the situation with "we will try without port first attitude" I loved it since I did not want a port (much like you) heard some varied stories and I was very concerned. I have very small veins and was not very postive that it would work - but I was hopeful...I have been doing just great and they are wonderful at the cancer center. They do prepare me for treatment with warm compressses for 15 min. prior to starting treatment. I must say I never even have a mark on me after treatment. The nurses are the best. They always get the needle in on the first attempt. So far so good and I am very happy they at least attempted treatment this way. I will have my 5th chemo on 8/21...then, only one more to go - then a yr. of herceptin. I would guess the type of chemo maybe and treatment plan would effect this decsion... I am having TCH....


Jean

Port Or Not
 

Val - I have had several ports now over the years. The first two were placed low by my first surgeon and that was harder to access. The last one I had is up higher and much easier.

I am very happy to have it as it does save the veins. With a mastectomy I can only use the one arm so that does wear out the veins when they are used so much. I do use my good little vein when I go in to just draw blood or something fast like that. But the port comes in very handy if you ever end up in the hospital (which I have several times ) in all of these years. They can do everything from there and not have to use a IV in your arm, which I hate.

I don't even remember I have one in half the times.

I was also never really "given an option" but I guess you could choose your veins if you want to, as you did. There are some chemos which do require to be administered through the port only. In that case, you would have to have one.

Hopefully, you won't have to make that decision anytime soon.

Take care Val

I started getting my Herceptin and Zometa treatments in May of '05 thru an IV in my veins - after only 5 treatments I could no longer use my left arm - the veins didn't collapse (the drugs are not that caustic) but I scarred up so badly that the needle couldn't go through - I started using my right arm but I knew I only had a few treatments to go on that one. I got a port in November '05.

I hate the constant reminder that I have cancer BUT the treatments go faster with the port.

It's not a bad thing to have - I just hate the darn bump on my chest

Hi Val

I was adament I did'nt want a port as I had never had any problems with my veins.I lasted up to tx 3 of a/c and I would literaly be sitting with my arm in hot water for an hour and still bruised from the attempts to get a vein.I gave in then and I'm so glad I did.I hate it poking out of my chest but it has saved me alot of anguish and hassle.Last week I had an oopherectomy and there was no one available to access the port so having tried every vein in my body with no success the anesthetist finally had to give me the anesthetic in my neck which was not pleasant.She said she did'nt want to access the port for fear of infection!!i wish now I'd had the port before the a/c began and hope someday my veins will recover.
Tricia

Hey, this is a sup-PORT group, after all!
 

So Val, don't feel bad about slap-happy message titles!
I started chemo without a port, had problems after my first chemo (clots in vein) and was offered a port at that time. I for whatever reason didn't want a port and so took 6 months of weekly chemo and now over a year with every 3 weeks herceptin in my veins. My veins started to get uncooperative near the end of chemo, but for the most part are still behaving now with the every 3 weeks. After hearing so many people here rave about their port, I think I might go for the port and save my veins - there were a few times it took multiple attempts to feed the line which was very stressful for me AND the chemo nurses!
Interesting thread, I look forward to reading more input from those who did have one...

Val, At my first chemo my infusion nurse checked out the veins which were so, so. She did my infusion the first time through a vein, but then I heard from my onc doc that my nurse said I need to get a port. My veins would never make it with the chemo and weekly herceptin. I was totally against a port...just didn't want any thing else to worry about.

But I did end up with a port. Mine is in my upper left arm right where you would put a blood pressure cuff. Its been in since The end of Feb. 2006 and so far its been great. The doctor that put it in even said "Opps" while he did it. Scared me to death! But it worked from the first time they tried it till date. (Knock on wood.)

As much as I was against it...I am glad I have it. Saves me SO MUCH time and makes life easier for me and the nurses. The only thing I WISH I had thought of BEFORE they did it...is the placement. Now I CAN'T have my blood pressure read anymore. They can't use my right arm either due to the SNB I had. So they take my blood pressure in my leg and believe me...its NOT accurate. Ha!

Chelee

I wish I had gotten a port; my onc never thought it was necessary as I only had 4 A/C and at that point, I was thankful for no more procedures; however, I'm now over 5 years out and have horrible veins. Labwork can only be done with a butterfly and an experienced phlebotomist and it is very painful when the needle is withdrawn. I never had any issues with my veins prior to chemo - always big and accommodating and I guess that's why my onc suggested no port.

love my port
 

My Dr. recommended that I get the port. I'm glad I did. I have had it in for a little over 2 years. Anyone that accesses it comments on how great it works and what a great job the surgeon did. I barely have a scar. It doesn't stick out either. I am totally used to it. I hate having my veins accessed. I almost passed out at my last mugga scan because the nurse kept moving the IV. I also have very small veins. Some nurses use a childrens IV which is great. I would definitely get a port if ant lenght of time is involved for your treatment. Sally

My doc didn't really give me a choice. He said I had to have a port for this kind of chemo (dose dense AC/T). I am really happy that I had the port during chemo and Herceptin. To me, it just made my treatment a lot easier.

Karen

I was not offered a port-- I think the cancer center that I went to only does that on an 'as-needed' basis. I really didn't want another reminder of the cancer nor another surgery-- have the sense that the port is done for the ease of the treatment center sometimes, not the patient's.

Hi, When I first recieved Chemo in 1999 I started out without a port. The first treatment, It took quite a few attempts to start the IV in my one good arm, and it was very painful. I had a port before my second treatment. It was great and I never regretted having it. When I was diagnosed last fall with a tumor on my Liver, I never thought twice about getting the port put back in and it has been working great for my chemo and weekly Herceptin. The veins in my right arm are small and very uncooperative. It is hard to get blood work done with out the port.
Have a great day.
Debbie

Val-


I could not imagine not having a port - I had the 1st on placed in my upper arm, and didn't think I wanted it there (I gave them 3 requirements - I still had to be able to pick up my children, carry the groceries and play golf using that arm). It worked great - I had it taken out, and then unfortunately, just a very short time later, had my 1st reoccurrence - the one I have now is placed in my chest very low so it doesn't impact clothing, etc. The scar from the 1st one can hardly be noticed...

I even have them access it for my MRIs and echos every 6 weeks, which is all I use if for since, ironically, I am just on oral chemo now...

Shell

I did not have a prot
 

Hello,

I, like you, did not want a port and my oncologist was fine with it. She said it should go fine without but if the "chemo ladies" had trouble I could get one. I started my chemo Aug. 24, 2005 (dx stage 2A or B - er/pr neg. her2neu pos). I did the dose dense chemo AC/Taxol (every 2 weeks treatment) - for a total of 8 treatments. I started my herceptin when taxol started (mid Oct) and will finish with that on Oct. 11. YIPEE. (chemo finished on Nov. 30th) So far no trouble finding a vein ~ although it's not
QUITE as easy as before but still usually finds the vein the first time.

God Bless everyone,

marejo

port! my veins are definitely too small they had problems doing the weekly blood tests for the weekly injections - they tried needles for babies, in my hand, I'd put my arm in hot water for 30 minutes beforehand..... then 6 months of weekly injections and now H every 3 weeks!! I don't think it would have been posible. the port feels funny sometimes and it certainly wasn't put in by an artist but I don't mind it. One friend has the tiniest port that's really not visilbe unless she points it out - if that's the issue. What I love is the EMLA patch that makes the injection painless. i want to keep my port as long as possible just in case...
sarah

I am glad I got my port
 

With my first treatment last year, I had a picc line, which was great other than the can't get it wet thing and having to go get it flushed every week. I am a needlephobic. For this econd time, I got a port and I am very happy with it so far. I don't even feel the stick and it maked life easier. I have small, rolling veins (they used an infant needle for my last two surgeries) so this alleviates multiple sticks and digging. So far, I am really happy with it!

I really liked the port and had to fight to get one as my 2nd onc was against them. The A/C ruined my good veins and it just got harder and harder to draw blood. I must say though that in spite of good report I did have to have mine removed because of a mystery staph infection that came 8 months after installation. It was traumatic to me having it pulled but it really made me sick. I am just now healing up enough to have another put in. I would be very careful when others access it being sure correct proceedures are followed, and certainly will be more concerned about that with the new one. I have to have surgery for Oopharectomy so I will have a new one then while I am out! I am so sick of being cut-up and poked. Feel like a jerk for saying that when there are so many others with bigger longer ordeals! Hope this info helps...

I HATE needles
 

My onc did not ask me if I wanted the port, just scheduled the installation, but was glad because I too HATE needles. It was so nice they took my blood from the port, but now it only goes in and they can't draw blood out of it anymore so I still have to get stuck occasionally. I only seem to have one good vein that's handy. They also gave me some lidocane (? numbs it) cream to glob on the port & cover with that sticky plastic wrap about 2 hours before my herceptin and I don't even feel the stick. You can tell I still have chemo-brain because I can't remember what that plastic wrap is called or how to spell the numbing agent.

Let me add my vote in favor of ports! I have had impossible rolling inaccessable veins all my life, and my port is such a blessing I hope I never have to take it out. It is small, in my left chest just below the clavicle, hardly visible. It was put in in July of 2004 after a couple of weeks in the hospital from a heart attack and cancer mets to the lungs. By the time it was put in I was black and blue all over from nurses trying to draw blood. I have blood work once a month now that I am NED and only on zometa, but had triple bypass heart surgery in May and was so thankful for my port. The nurses at the heart hospital didn't want to use the port, but I told them to give me back my clothes and I would go home if they didn't, so they found someone to access it and used it all the time I was in the hospital, even during surgery. It always works, I rarely feel anything. I do have one vein on my right upper wrist that the EMT's found and it is usable for tests like CTs ,PETs and MUGAs when they have to use a vein. Otherwise I go to the chemo lab for all other blood tests through the port, no matter what doctor prescribes them. I highly recommend a port to save the veins from chemo damage, even if you have good veins. Good luck and hugs! Tricia

I don't remember ever being asked about a port. I had all of my chemos and herceptins (except 2 remaining) in my right arm. I have my arm warmed each time before my infusions and several times it took more than one try. The blood draws were equally as challenging. I don't have a problem with needles, but can sure see the value of a port.

I wrote a very long reply to this and was logged on but it kicked it out when I was trying to post it and all was lost. So this is a test message so to speak.

Here goes.....I had a hard time adjusting to my port it was probably six months until it didn't bother me anymore. I had it put in before my second AC and then by the third it was infected at the incision and couldn't be used for the third treatment. But used it the fourth and all the taxotere treatments and now all the herceptin infusions.

This is much shorter than what I had written before.

But everyone is different and I don't think there is a right or wrong choice. Some at my oncs office have ports and some do not. It seems like most of the breast cancer patients have ports and of course I don't see or know all of them since I usually only go on Tuesdays. I am speaking of the ones that I see which would be about 7 of them and all have ports.
Even though mine has given me trouble and isn't placed exactly perfectly I am still happy to have it.

Sheepskin - a Godsend!
 

Wow, Val! See what you started. Lots of opinions.

I was fussing about the placement of my new port to be right where the seatbelts cross my chest if I am driving.
So - had a FLASHBACK to when I got the first port put in about 6 years ago. Funny how these ideas just roost somewhere in the back of your mind.

I recalled telling myself if I ever had a surgery on the left side again I would get one of those sheepskin seatbelt covers.
So, found one on eBay not too expensive and it arrived today. Put it right on the seatbelt (it comes apart with a velcro strip so it is easy), went out to the local farmers market and it was just great. I did not have to drive with the seatbelt pulled down under my arm.
The cover is thick enough and soft enough - now I am OK to drive again.

Just thought I would pass this on as this idea may help others.

Love my port
 

Had it put in, at my request, for my two years of herceptin 18 mths down the track. Highly recommend.
Christine

My oncologist didn't offer me the choice of port or no port. She sent me to the surgeon and I had the port put in on the upper left chest and the next day started my chemo. When I had my surgery the nurses were having trouble accessing my veins so I told them I had a port that they could probably use. They had to get an oncology nurse to access the port. After that everything went fine. The only thing I don't like about the port is when you touch it it gives me a weird feeling - lets you know that there really is a foreign object in your chest.

When I had cancer 15 year ago they had a difficult time using my veins. I would sometimes get poked 3-4 times. Having a port has been great. It can even be used to push the contrast for my CT scans. I have to go to the treatment center where I get chemo first (just across the hall) to have the oncology nurse access my port. The CT techs are not alloud to push anything through the port so the radiologist has to come in and push 6 large syringes filled with the thick contrast. It also makes things easier for me as I have a hard enough time positioning my arms over my head without having to worry about pulling the needle out of my arm or hand. Blessings, Lu Ann.

I was given the option but my veins held out good. There were a few times I wished I had a port when it came to the MUGA - As to the question of do your veins change. My chemo nurses said the A/C & Taxol can damage them but they said the Herceptin is more mild.

I have very small and very superficial veins that collapse so easily. For my first chemo treatment the onc nurse tried twice to access a vein and failed and they have a two time rule at the office so another nurse tried and was able to get it. For my second treatment they were unable to keep a vein open long enough to administer my chemo drugs so that day I only had the premeds, what a waste. They scheduled a port for the next day, which I had warned them from the beginning that I would need but they wanted to try without first. I had the port placed without a problem on the underside of my lower arm just below the bend in my elbow and then had my 2nd treatment the same day. I have had no problems with the port at all and I am thrilled not to be a pin cushion. I will keep the port throughout my herceptin tx which just began last Thursday. Hopefully I will continue to not have any problems with it.