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Joanne S · 10-18-2007, 08:20 PM

I, too, have a Mediport in my upper chest on the non-bc side. It was implanted under the skin by my breast surgeon---a quick outpatient surgery. I'm thinking it was probably a hour or less. The scar is only an inch long. It was a little uncomfortable for approximately one week, but no pain.

I don't have easy to access veins so the mediport has been a major convenience for me with chemo and Herceptin infusions and blood draws. I put some numbing cream on the skin site of the mediport one hour before chemo. This lessens the ouch when the chemo nurse sinks the huber needle into it. Although that's the worst part, it only lasts 2 seconds.

I plan to keep the port for as long as I can even after I complete Herceptin in case I may need future treatment. I heard some woman had their port removed too soon and had to have it implanted again.

Best treatment wishes,

10-18-2007, 08:20 PM	#20
Joanne S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan Posts: 592	Port I, too, have a Mediport in my upper chest on the non-bc side. It was implanted under the skin by my breast surgeon---a quick outpatient surgery. I'm thinking it was probably a hour or less. The scar is only an inch long. It was a little uncomfortable for approximately one week, but no pain. I don't have easy to access veins so the mediport has been a major convenience for me with chemo and Herceptin infusions and blood draws. I put some numbing cream on the skin site of the mediport one hour before chemo. This lessens the ouch when the chemo nurse sinks the huber needle into it. Although that's the worst part, it only lasts 2 seconds. I plan to keep the port for as long as I can even after I complete Herceptin in case I may need future treatment. I heard some woman had their port removed too soon and had to have it implanted again. Best treatment wishes, __________________ Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+ Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4 Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp Jun07...Start Tamoxifen Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25 Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly. Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :( Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex. Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!! Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+). Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin. Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin. Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin. Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston. Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable. May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up. May14...PET scan = uterine progression :( May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.