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Mary Jo · 07-14-2008, 07:55 PM

Hi Kathy,

I'm happy your port is gone. Infection isn't good so having it removed was best.

You'd be amazed at how those "chemo nurses" can access veins. I was a stubborn patient and was adamant that I did not want a port at all. My first onc. (who I only met with twice) didn't give me a choice. It was "port" whether you wanted one or not. The onc. I switched to was fine with me not wanting a port. She said that the chemo nurses were awesome in accessing veins and IF there was ever a problem and they felt they couldn't then I could get a port. Well, only being able to use my left arm, I did 4 dose dense A/C and 4 dose dense taxol AND 1 year of herceptin. The "pickings" were getting a bit slim near the end of the herceptin but rarely did I need more than 1 prick. Sometimes 2 and only once 3 but they always found a vein. So, I'm confident that you will be fine and a vein will be found each time.

Hang in there Kathy....you'll do fine.

Thanks for the update.

Mary Jo

07-14-2008, 07:55 PM	#44
Mary Jo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 2,582	Hi Kathy, I'm happy your port is gone. Infection isn't good so having it removed was best. You'd be amazed at how those "chemo nurses" can access veins. I was a stubborn patient and was adamant that I did not want a port at all. My first onc. (who I only met with twice) didn't give me a choice. It was "port" whether you wanted one or not. The onc. I switched to was fine with me not wanting a port. She said that the chemo nurses were awesome in accessing veins and IF there was ever a problem and they felt they couldn't then I could get a port. Well, only being able to use my left arm, I did 4 dose dense A/C and 4 dose dense taxol AND 1 year of herceptin. The "pickings" were getting a bit slim near the end of the herceptin but rarely did I need more than 1 prick. Sometimes 2 and only once 3 but they always found a vein. So, I'm confident that you will be fine and a vein will be found each time. Hang in there Kathy....you'll do fine. Thanks for the update. Mary Jo __________________ "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06 17 Years NED <>< Romans 8:28