want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

I'm about to get a port. Anyone have an arm powerport or a chest powerport?

How does it feel? placement?
any side effects?
Any recommendations or advice you provide will be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

dbenz,
I had my 1st port in my upper left arm...although it was not a power port. A bart port I believe. Really small one. As far as ports go...and placements of...I loved it on my upper arm. Easy to access and cover it up. But after having it in my arm over a yr it left some scarring the doctors and I did not like. They said they were seeing that alot. So at my center they say they will no longer put them in the arms. (But that might just be my place?)

When I recurred I had to have a new one put in so this time it is in my upper left side of my chest and it is a "Power Port". It handles chemo's, labs & contrast dyes which make it nice. Don't have to get poked this way. I've had no problems at all with the power port other then I think it's awful big...but I'm use to it now. I don't even notice it's there anymore.

The placement is important. Make sure you draw a line on your body where your bra strap sits so that it won't be sitting or rubbing the top of your port all the time! That can get painful. Make sure they move it over a bit. Other then that no problems at all I can think of. A little soreness when first placed...but it goes away soon enough. Wishing you well.

Chelee

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

Dbenz,
I have one of the smaller ports and it was place on my upper right chest. After all my treatments, let's just say...I love my port.

Interesting that Chelee likes hers moved away from the bra strap....my surgeon placed mine exactly under my bra strap. (How she knew where to put it is beyond me)
I know it is vanity, but I like the fact that it is hidden. I have to be thoughtful about the type of bras I buy, as Chelee is right...if I get a small narrow strap it rubs. So, I select bras with a wider strap and am OK.

Just a different perspective.

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

I am actually getting my port tomorrow - upper right chest area - not sure what to expect- a little scared and nervous as I know that I will have mine for at least a year - hopefully no longer! Will post after I know more -- thanks for the information - it gives me alittle insight of what to expect!!

Bev

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

Lori,
Since this was going to be my 1st port in my chest I asked the ladies if they had any problems with their ports in their upper chest? All the replies I recieved said the same thing....to make sure it wasn't placed where my bra strap sits because it will rub on top of it and can be irritating and get sore. That's how I found out about having the marks drawn on me for placement. The women told me if I wasn't careful my surgeon, or in my case the interventional radiology would put it right under my strap and I wouldn't like it.

You are the first one I've heard from that likes it under the strap. However I'm sure there has to be others that like it that way too. Maybe with the smaller ports it's not a issue...mine is so big you can probably see it from where your sitting. lol :) I don't think they make straps wide enough to cover my port. lol (Just kidding.) I was just spoiled with my first one which I loved.

Chelee

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

I had a bard chest port rather than a power one, however as much as I disliked having it, it was a Godsend and I grew to love it:)
I had no maintenance and could shower and swim or whatever....
very easy to look after and I'd have one again:) I just wish I had it inserted before chemo rather than on my fourth a/c!!:(

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

I have had a port in my chest for a year and find it not uncomfortable. I hardly notice it's there except for Chemo day.

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

Good luck tomorrow. I have a power port, upper right chest. No issues and I'm so glad I have it. I finished my last Herceptin a few months ago and have decided to keep my port in for now as I am a very hard stick so they can still do my blood draws from my port. I don't even notice it anymore...it's just a part of me. You'll do fine!

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

My bard port is right under my bra strap and it has been uncomfortable since the beginning. Maybe it's because I am heavy breasted and small boned and thin, so the port sticks out. At first I rolled up a small washcloth and put it under my bra strap on my shoulder to get the weight off the port. Also, the seat belt in the car was uncomfortable in the summer when I was wearing light clothes. Now that it's winter and I have a thick jacket on the seatbelt isn't a problem. I know this port is a minor inconvenience compared to having to use my arm veins. No arguments, but if you have a change to move it away from the bra strap area - that's what I recommend!

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

Got my powerport yesterday - little sore today but I think that the placement, not under my bra strap, is going to be a blessing. I don't start my chemo until mid January so hopefully all the soreness will to totally gone! And the journey begins --

Bev
Stage 1, ER+/her2+
Lumpectomey 11/10 - clear margins, not in my lymph nodes
PET Scan Clear - 11/10
radiation - first week in Jan 2011
chemo - mid Jan 2011

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

Bev,
It will be sore for a touch over a wk if I remember right, then it should start feeling better. You won't even notice it's there by mid January. :) I'm glad you didn't get it under your bra strap because like JaneO said it really can be uncomfortable.

As someone else here mentioned they don't like their seat belt rubbing on it either. I can relate to that too. I told my chemo nurse one day that my seat belt sits right on top of my port and drives me crazy! So next time I saw her she gave me a gift...it was a little padded seat belt cover that wraps around the seat belt-- has velcro to place it where you want it. I love it and it really works great! Bev enjoy your Holidays and when you come back you can kick cancers butt and move on...and you will. :)

Chelee

Re: want info on arm powerport or chest powerport
 

You can ask for a 'numbing cream' if it hurts too much after it's been 'poked' several times.