HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Port infection -what causes them? My lousey experience...

KathyA · 08-23-2006, 10:02 PM

Kimberly,

I’ve had two infected ports in the last year and 4 ports all together. Hope this is the last. It did not affect the lymphadema which I have had. You might be able to continue treatment using your veins. If you are only on Herceptin it does not have much effect on the veins, burning etc if you have it over an11/2 hrs or so in a drip. At least I was able to do it. The first time it took too long to heal, 6 months. This past April I went to a wound healing place and it was much faster 3 months. I guess I’m a slow healer. They gave me topical antibiotics continued to test for new or other infections I actually had two a yeast and a staff during this time. It was expensive but my insurance covered it. I have had ports on both sides, one on the left and 2 on the right no problem with lymphadema.

With this new port I changed doctors and asked him to be sure he washed his hands. Ha ha.

I don’t know why I got the infection and neither does the doctor.

I was interested in the post by Sarah about the staff. I had a rash on my arm also went to the dermatologist and he said fungus. Treated but nothing seemed to work both times after the port healed the rash also healed. Vveerryy interesting.

All in all it wasn’t such a bad thing just time and effort changing the dressing etc. Hopefully it built my level of patience it really was a drag. But if this is all I have to complain about luck for me.

Good luck, God bless and I hope everything goes well.

Prayers and thanksgiving that we have the strength to “Keep on paddling.”

Kathy

PS about the drawing of bloods I have to sometimes get up from the table walk around do a little shake, rattle and roll and then the “bloody thing” will give the blood.

08-23-2006, 10:02 PM	#12
KathyA Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 16	3ports in a year Kimberly, I’ve had two infected ports in the last year and 4 ports all together. Hope this is the last. It did not affect the lymphadema which I have had. You might be able to continue treatment using your veins. If you are only on Herceptin it does not have much effect on the veins, burning etc if you have it over an11/2 hrs or so in a drip. At least I was able to do it. The first time it took too long to heal, 6 months. This past April I went to a wound healing place and it was much faster 3 months. I guess I’m a slow healer. They gave me topical antibiotics continued to test for new or other infections I actually had two a yeast and a staff during this time. It was expensive but my insurance covered it. I have had ports on both sides, one on the left and 2 on the right no problem with lymphadema. With this new port I changed doctors and asked him to be sure he washed his hands. Ha ha. I don’t know why I got the infection and neither does the doctor. I was interested in the post by Sarah about the staff. I had a rash on my arm also went to the dermatologist and he said fungus. Treated but nothing seemed to work both times after the port healed the rash also healed. Vveerryy interesting. All in all it wasn’t such a bad thing just time and effort changing the dressing etc. Hopefully it built my level of patience it really was a drag. But if this is all I have to complain about luck for me. Good luck, God bless and I hope everything goes well. Prayers and thanksgiving that we have the strength to “Keep on paddling.” Kathy PS about the drawing of bloods I have to sometimes get up from the table walk around do a little shake, rattle and roll and then the “bloody thing” will give the blood.