HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Problems with my Port--any one else had this experience?

Cal-Gal · 10-24-2009, 11:28 AM

Has anyone else had this or a similar issue with their port?

I had my port placed about 3 and a half weeks ago-yesterday was to be my 4th Herceptin treatment through the port--the previous 3 rounds of H went fine--

However they could not get a blood flow-they pumped me with several flushes of heparin--and then something else--when that didnt work they gave me a shot-through the port of a blood thinner--starts with an "A" forgot--as I didnt write it down--that took 30min--after my H which was given in the vein---they were able to flush it(the Port)--they said if they had not been able to, I would of had to go to the Hospital for a dye test??

They said they will try again next week and see what happens--but for now it is flushed---

I just finished #20 of #52 treatments and have a quite lengthy appointment schedule in front of me---

Also was just not in the mood for dealing with something else.....

I have some weird swelling-looks like maybe fluid in the center of my chest along the scar line and below it-and above-- (bilat mastectomy) always had a bit of tissue about the size of a quarter-between where my breasts used to be--this is now same area but larger and swollen-ish--

Onco checked and did not palpatate a lump-(either did I)
already have appt w/Dr (surgeon) for that next week--

Anyone had that either???

Thanks so much---

10-24-2009, 11:28 AM	#1
Cal-Gal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 309	Problems with my Port--any one else had this experience? Has anyone else had this or a similar issue with their port? I had my port placed about 3 and a half weeks ago-yesterday was to be my 4th Herceptin treatment through the port--the previous 3 rounds of H went fine-- However they could not get a blood flow-they pumped me with several flushes of heparin--and then something else--when that didnt work they gave me a shot-through the port of a blood thinner--starts with an "A" forgot--as I didnt write it down--that took 30min--after my H which was given in the vein---they were able to flush it(the Port)--they said if they had not been able to, I would of had to go to the Hospital for a dye test?? They said they will try again next week and see what happens--but for now it is flushed--- I just finished #20 of #52 treatments and have a quite lengthy appointment schedule in front of me--- Also was just not in the mood for dealing with something else..... I have some weird swelling-looks like maybe fluid in the center of my chest along the scar line and below it-and above-- (bilat mastectomy) always had a bit of tissue about the size of a quarter-between where my breasts used to be--this is now same area but larger and swollen-ish-- Onco checked and did not palpatate a lump-(either did I) already have appt w/Dr (surgeon) for that next week-- Anyone had that either??? Thanks so much--- __________________ DX: 11/08 Age: 53 Surgery: 1/09 Bilat Mastectomy, no reconstruction ILC-4 tumors-1.7 cm,1.5 cm (2).8 cm DCIS-11 cm All tumors Grade 3 All tumors ER-0%/PR-0% All tumors HER2+ IHC-all tumors Overexpression/borderline FISH 2 tumors Her2-Negative FISH 2 tumors Her2+ Equivocal Stage I, 0/1 nodes LVI-Indeterminate(treated as positive) SPR Score 8/9 Ki-67 20% BRCA genetic test 1/2=negative Chemo: 6 rounds TAC Feb-June 2009 w/Neulasta Herceptin: 6/12/09-6/4/10 52weeks HNPCC genetic test: negative Port Placement-9/23/09 Port Removal 6/25/10 Echo's every 3 months-All normal 2/09 Staging PET/CT showed 0.2 micronodule upper R lobe-lung-Onc does not think this is mets-- 6/5/09 AND 10/09 CT scan 0.2 micronodule unchanged 1/10-PET/CT-uptake in nasopharynx- 1/10-MRI All normal 6/10-Bone Scan-clear 12/10-PET/CT-All Clear-NED 12/11-PET-All Clear-NED 12/12-PET-All Clear-NED 12/13-CT w/contrast Head, Torso-All Clear 12/14-CT w/contrast Head-All Clear 2/15-Core needle biopsy-R scar line