Placement of ports
 

Thanks to all that responded to my original port post. Now the question, what is done to place the port in the body? Is it some type of surgery where they knock you out or just a local anesthetic?Snufi

Snufi
Mine was done in surgery under twighlight sleep...don't remember it and didn't feel a thing. Mine took about an hour, depends which vein they use.

Mine was also a surgical proceedure. Admitted to the outpatient surgery unit. General anesthesia. Removal was in surgeon's office with local. (which was suprisingly fine!)

A knock me out surgery. Short & sweet and I was asleep!
Loved it! It's worked super well for 2 & 3/4 years! ma

Mine was done in the hospital, under a twilight sleep.

I was home in about 3 hours.

I had it done in April 2005, and still have my port. I have had no problems at all with mine.

ports
 

Hi Vicki,

Thanks for the reply, but I am a little confused. Read your info and it doesnt appear as if you had a reoccurence hence more chemo after the first time. Why would you still have a port in? Can you exercise with it or swim and sit in hot tubs? I run, do you think it would be hard to do that with a port? sorry so many questions.

Take care and Merry Christmas!

Snufi

Snufi, I can't speak for Vicki but can respond to part of your question.I believe you can do anything you normally would when you have a port once it has healed from the surgery. In my case, it was badly placed (the surgeon said I was so thin that she did not have any choice. It needs some "meat" to be imbedded into) and alot of my clothes irritated it. I was always aware of it. So for that reason I was pleased to have it removed when finished Herceptin. I think some people keep them because it makes blood drawing easier for one thing.
You mentioned a hot tub. I will say that because I developed a mild case of lymphedema on one side as a result of the SNB I have been told I cannot immerse in any hot water because it could aggrivate the condition. So that is something to be aware of in the future. Lymphedema does not like heat.
My surgeon had a little video I watched that described the port. Perhaps your doc has one you could watch. Bring popcorn! lol

Hi Snufi,

I have chose to keep my port because for me it's like a security blanket. I have no trouble at all with it, I have it flused every 6 weeks. I have been able to do just about every thing with it still in.
However as for the Hot Tub that is not advisable IF you have Lymph Nodes removed as it can cause problems.

Mine was done in the hospital in outpatient procedures under a local anesthetic with a sedative. It didn't hurt at all. My port was in my lower arm and I had no problems with it.