Port or No Port?
 

I don't have a port. I was going to get one when I was first diagnosed, then I decided against it. I wanted to see how things went. Then, five years later, I was scheduled to get one. Something came up, I don't remember what, and I didn't get it.

Downsides to not having a port: Every time I go in, I get stuck twice, once for the blood test and once for the infusion. And almost every time, at least one person asks me if I have a port, which seems like something they could all learn about me eventually. I also usually have blood leakage under the skin around the IV. Not pretty.

Upsides--not sure, since I've never had one. No odd looking bumpy thing in my chest. Don't have to have it flushed. Not risking infection or device failure.

Neutral--I have good veins. Most nurses/phlebotomists can get a vein on the first try. So unless and until I'm on a medication that can't be administered without a port (Vinorelbine is one) I'll probably hold off.

The other day I estimated that this Wednesday I'll be getting my 100th dose of Herceptin (or Kadcyla).

I bring this up because newbies may not know they have a choice about getting a port. I'm sure it's great for many. I'm not "anti-port." But maybe you didn't realize it's not universal. You can decide.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I'm on about my 64th treatment & no port.
Never been mentioned here in Scotland & I'm in a teaching hospital. Never seen one in use either. IV's seem to be the preference.
I reckon it won't be mentioned until veins no longer suitable!

Re: Port or No Port?
 

Here in the US it's routine to put in a port, even for early stage treatment.

Another advantage I thought of (though not for me) is it helps the clinicians keep up their IV-starting skills.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I hate my port. HATE, HATE, HATE it. I couldn't wait to get it out of me at early stage Dx. However, I am a near impossible stick. Usually takes four or more tries, multiple people and finally they might get it in my hand. No problem with blood draws though. I need my port. I'm glad it never gives me any issues. I can feel it at all times, it can be easily seen through my clothing unless I am wearing a sweater. My seatbelt bothers it. It gets smashed during hugs. I am grateful to have it on infusion days.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

Yes- some of the clinicians need the practise!
I had one Doctor who had numerous attempts to get an IV in. He couldn't do it! He was scarlet & anxious and had to stop. Left the room saying he would give me a rest and come back ! This was for an antibiotic IV last year. My Daughter was with me and had to turn away after the 4 th attempt. My Daughter could not understand why I was so calm & allowing him to keep trying. Actually don't know why either! I think I felt sorry for him. Me -a pin cushion! LOL

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I’ve had my port since last April, and I have no problems with it. Only once did the nurse have a problem getting flow back when she was trying to hook me up to the IV, but, after flushing it, it worked. I’m glad I have my port as I can’t take blood from my left arm, and my right arm was getting really beaten up with all of the blood work I have had to give over the last year, as well as the IV infusions for CT Scans, bone scans, MRI’s, etc. When they did my last echo test a few weeks ago, they had to inject a dye into my arm, and, because there was scar tissue there, my arm ended up being black and blue afterward. When I showed my doctor the following Tuesday, she made a note in my file for the nurses to start taking blood from my port going forward, instead of the technician taking it from my arm. I’m glad she did that because my arm is finally starting to look normal again. I also prefer having my IV hooked up to my port while getting treatment, as it means I can move my arm around when getting treatment. The last time they hooked my IV to my arm, the machine would beep every time I moved my arm, and going to the bathroom while hooked up was difficult. In terms of how it looks, yes, it protrudes a little bit, but it doesn’t really bother me, and, I’ve never really had people ask me about it. I’ve had more people comment on my arm sleeve for Lymphedema than my port. Most people at my clinic have a port, although a few opt out of getting one. For me, it was a good choice, and one that I don’t regret.


¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s post surgical. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, with high levels of estrogen and progesterone and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for 18 months).
04/16 – Have port put in.
04/16 – Get second dose of chemo, but Docetaxal is left out due to liver enzymes being high. I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my scar. I am told that I have a “local recurrence” and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery. Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments. Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6
11/16 – Second CA-15-30 bloot test – Tumour markers are still normal at 19
11/16 – Develop lymphedema and have to wear a sleeve
12/16 – CT Scan shows that the tumors on my lungs and the lymph node in the middle of my chest are shrinking, and that some have resolved. Also, the small masses along my scar line are no longer visible. This means the medication is working!
12/16 – Small “pimple” shows up where old tumour on chest wall was located. Doctor is going to monitor it for now.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

For me the port was great - freaky looking but great. My veins are terrible. My last blood draw took 2 people and 2 tries each. And sometimes when they are "looking" around with the needle, it hurts. The last IV took using an ultrasound to guide them and they used a piece of thin metal or whatever to hold the vein open or some such disgusting thing. I will admit that I had the port removed as soon as I was told I could. I never needed the port flushed as it was used often enough not to need a flushing. If you have "bad" veins then a port is very useful.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I got a port when I first went on Navelbine, back in 2103. The port stayed until it got infected and I ended up in hospital to treat the infection and have it removed. I have not replaced it. Also, the nurses at UCLA insert and IV for chemo, but also use it in the beginning to get blood samples. So, if the nurse is good, 1 stick only.

Good luck with your decision.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

It never occurred to me that I could get an infection from my port. I’m glad to know that it’s possible. How did you know you had an infection waterdreamer? Did the area get red or sore, etc.? On another note, I’m glad you got granted compassionate use of Neratanib, and I hope it works for you.


¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s post surgical. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, with high levels of estrogen and progesterone and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for 18 months).
04/16 – Have port put in.
04/16 – Get second dose of chemo, but Docetaxal is left out due to liver enzymes being high. I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my scar. I am told that I have a “local recurrence” and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery. Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments. Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6
11/16 – Second CA-15-30 bloot test – Tumour markers are still normal at 19
11/16 – Develop lymphedema and have to wear a sleeve
12/16 – CT Scan shows that the tumors on my lungs and the lymph node in the middle of my chest are shrinking, and that some have resolved. Also, the small masses along my scar line are no longer visible. This means the medication is working!
12/16 – Small “pimple” shows up where old tumour on chest wall was located. Doctor is going to monitor it for now.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I know this sounds strange, but I loved my port. I could only use one arm for blood/infusion and didn't want to blow out the veins on the "good" arm with chemo. I had a low profile port that didn't protrude too much and made chemo and blood draws so much easier. There are quite a few ladies who had ports in their upper arms. Mine was below my collarbone.

Funny thing is that the port failed on my very last herceptin infusion and I just had them use my arm. The scar from the removal isn't bad. Just add it to the rest of the scars on my chest...

Janis

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I knew I had an infection, because I had a fever, a rash and generalized edema. I felt terrible.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I had no choice about getting a port as my first drug was slated to be Adriamycin/Red Devil. Then got Navelbine for mets that occurred early. I also had the "one arm" issue due to lower axilla excision.

Really wanted to save my good arm for emergencies, and "the rest of my life."

During the nine years I had my port, I did not wear low cut clothes. Button down blouses or shirts worked well so that my port was not exposed. Not that I cared about people seeing it or not, I did not want it bumped or the skin on top scraped by accident. The "seating in" period was a little uncomfortable, but not very long. Port was on my left, where I still had a whole breast, and not too high up.

Tomorrow I am gettng Zometa in my arm. I have a good vein, but the nurses have tended to bruise me the last couple of times accessed. Last time I bled after I left from my CT scan. Blood running out my coat sleeve!

Re: Port or No Port?
 

Does anyone know for how long you can have your port? Steph N. I noticed you had yours for nine years. I expect to have mine for the rest of my life, however long that may be. Does the port need to be removed or changed after a certain amount of time?

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s post surgical. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, with high levels of estrogen and progesterone and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for 18 months).
04/16 – Have port put in.
04/16 – Get second dose of chemo, but Docetaxal is left out due to liver enzymes being high. I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my scar. I am told that I have a “local recurrence” and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery. Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments. Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6
11/16 – Second CA-15-30 bloot test – Tumour markers are still normal at 19
11/16 – Develop lymphedema and have to wear a sleeve
12/16 – CT Scan shows that the tumors on my lungs and the lymph node in the middle of my chest are shrinking, and that some have resolved. Also, the small masses along my scar line are no longer visible. This means the medication is working!
12/16 – Small “pimple” shows up where old tumour on chest wall was located. Doctor is going to monitor it for now.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

Hi Tiffany,

For my nine years plus with a port there were two. I had to have the first one replaced after a few years due to it becoming clotted up. Could flush but not get blood return. The second one was an improved model, but after close to 6 years it was becoming "finicky."

Since I was going to take a Herceptin "holiday" the decision was made to remove it.

So, if your port is working and you have no side effects from it, no need to change anything.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

Thanks Steph. I’m sure I’ll have to change my port at some point, as I will be getting treatment for the rest of my life, however, as I haven’t had my port for a year yet, I’m sure it will be a while before it needs to be changed.

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s post surgical. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, with high levels of estrogen and progesterone and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for 18 months).
04/16 – Have port put in.
04/16 – Get second dose of chemo, but Docetaxal is left out due to liver enzymes being high. I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my scar. I am told that I have a local recurrence and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery. Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM-1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments. Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6
11/16 – Second CA-15-30 bloot test – Tumour markers are still normal at 19
11/16 – Develop lymphedema and have to wear a sleeve
12/16 – CT Scan shows that the tumors on my lungs and the lymph node in the middle of my chest are shrinking, and that some have resolved. Also, the small masses along my scar line are no longer visible. This means the medication is working!
12/16 – Small “pimple” shows up where old tumour on chest wall was located. Doctor is going to monitor it for now.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT PORT.

It's so easy to draw blood and get my treatment. NO pain or discomfort.
Had it with my original treatment then removed. The cancer came back
and had another put in. I am so glad to have it.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I refused a port but my fourth a/c treatment I requested one, I was so stressed at the nurses trying to find a vein (so were they!)..

My port became my best friend and at the time I was quite thin so the only downside was that I wore chunky jumpers or shirts rather than skin tight tops. To this day my veins are hard to find almost twelve years on so I'd urge anyone starting out to get the port before beginning treatments. It really did make it all so much easier, faster and less stressful for me.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I'm loving this conversation! Thank you, everyone!!

Amy

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I'm with Tracy - I HATE my port! I managed 4 years without it, despite having veins that run away at the sight of a needle. It is an ugly constant reminder of cancer - easily seen through almost everything I wear, frequently bumped and has made hugs rather more intimate than I would like!!?!! However, it has made the actual treatment far less traumatic and now I am even able to have it at home.
Pam.

Re: Port or No Port?
 

I had a port put in in 2004 and still have it. My veins are a problem and since I had chemo every week for 6 months that was bad enough having blood taken by vein every week. I had Herceptin for 6 years by my port, no problems and since I'm metastic, I decided to keep it in to be ready anytime. I haven't had a problem with it. I had a lot of problems from radiation. and I have lymphedema because they decided to take out lots of lymphs even though it turned out that my lymphs were clean at that time. So I'm pro- port, much easier. and mine's the old fashioned kind, quite big. Does my husband mind? or me? no. Just happy to be here 17 years later.
Do whatever makes you happy and is easy for you. It's your body and your cancer. Enjoy life, it's a great gift.
health and happiness
love sarah