Port Questions

Angela · 12-28-2006, 08:35 PM

They have scheduled me to receive a port next Thursday. What should I expect? Will I be able to return to work on Friday? Will I need pain meds? Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Angela

tousled1 · 12-28-2006, 11:05 PM

Angela,

Getting your port in is a breeze. I had mine done without a general anesthesia -- sort of in a twighlight zone. You should not require any pain medication meds and should be able to go to work the following day. When I had my port put in I went to my surgeon's surgery center had the port put in and then went to the oncologist's office for my first round of chemo.

Chelee · 12-29-2006, 01:06 AM

Angela, I had no problems with mine either as Kate already mentioned. I really dreaded it and didn't want to do it but it was a piece of cake. I was wide awake and they just numb that area. (Mine is in my upper arm.) I just layed there while he put in it. I did NOT feel a thing.

As to what to expect...we are all different. But for me...I did have a little soreness in mine for a few days. It wasn't too bad though....just uncomfortable. But its done pretty quickly and I have had no problems with it since it was put in back in March o6. (Knock wood.)

I know I was told to keep mine clean and dry for a week I believe it was? But again...my port is in my arm unlike others that get theirs in the chest area.

Good luck...but don't worry about this...it really is no problem.

Chelee

tricia keegan · 12-29-2006, 04:04 AM

Angela my port was in my chest and I had it put in with "Twilight" sedation although it completly knocked me out so I don't remember much.

I did have some soreness for 7-10 days but nothing too bad that would have kept me off work.
I just had mine removed after my last herceptin with a local and it was fine.
Good luck.
Tricia

janet/FL · 12-29-2006, 06:06 AM

I was shoveling rocks the day after I had my port put in. Later I read the insturctions and they said no heavy lifting for 48 hours! No problems at all.

KRISS · 12-29-2006, 06:41 AM

I have a question following this line. I am assuming I will get a port. How do you keep it clean and dry. I am a zoo keeper and am around flying crap and hay and dust all day. I'm starting to worry with the heavy lifitng and poop I may have some problems.

LAURIE · 12-30-2006, 11:51 AM

I have a port installed above my breast and before hand thought I can't stand the thought of having this thing inside of me. I was even concerned about the little scar. I rememeber asking my surgeon about the scar and I could see the look on his face like "you just wait till your surgery" That was in last August. So if your feeling this way it's normal to me. I guess I am okay with it now. It only midly hurt for a few days afterwards and it is really easier for surgery, nurses and easier for us too. Trust me I am really a wimp when it comes to pain and it is not that bad. I told my surgeon that if I can take something for pain I always will. I took a couple vicodin for a couple days later. After my chemo treatments I complained of my collar bone (and lower, in the port area) hurting (I even thought it was swollen) and they did an x-ray. It was fine. I am just real sensitive to any pain and just geting stick in my port was enough for me to complain about. Even now I am so aware of every ache and pain in my body. I think I am getting better about what is normal and not as much of a complainer anymore (I am sure my husband would agree with that). What I am trying to say is that if you read all these posts and you still don't like the idea of having a port it's okay. Why would anyone want it, if they don't have to. But the fact is we have to, and we do it because it is the best thing for us to do. So if you have any pain after your port placement and think your a wimp because you do, who cares. Let yourself feel that way.

KellyA · 12-30-2006, 12:05 PM

Hi there. My port is also on the inside of my upper arm (they called it a passport (sp?)). I was scared to death when I went to get it put in- and needles don't usually bother me. I was completely awake for it and other than the IV, and a little numbing medicine at the site, I didn't feel a thing. It went in pretty quickly also. Afterwards, it was a little sore, only if I touched it. As a matter of fact, I kept forgetting that it was there and was using my arm to shut doors and all and would quickly remember when the pain hit!! The tenderness went away after a few days and it did bruise a little, but not too bad.

Love, Kelly

tousled1 · 12-30-2006, 12:36 PM

Laurie,

If it bothers you when they stick you for chemo you can ask your oncologist for a prescription for "Lidocaine Cream." I have it and I just put a blob of it on the port and cover it with a small piece of plastic wrap about 1/2 hour before chemo. Alas, no pain when they stick you!

Adriana Mangus · 12-31-2006, 12:54 PM

I had a port put on 3 years ago, mine got infected and it had to be removed. I would stay home, what's the rush? We're not indispensable, believe me. Take care of yourself, once you get better then you can go back to your normal life.

Chelee · 12-31-2006, 04:57 PM

Kriss, As to keeping your port clean...I am not sure about the ports that are placed in the chest, but mine was put in the upper arm where you would put a blood pressure cuff. For me...they put these BIG CLEAR square patches that had adhesive on the backs of them and boy do they stick! Totally sealed off from moisture, dirt, etc. It wrapped all the way around my arm. They told me to keep it clean. And believe me...with these big sheets of adhesive patches it was easy to keep clean.

They gave me extras to take home so I could put news ones on it when needed. I am not sure if they use something like this for the ones that go in the chest? But I am sure someone here can tell you how they deal with the ones in the chest area.

Chelee

Soccermom · 12-31-2006, 08:11 PM

Dear Kris,
I believe the patch that Chelee is referring to is called Tegaderm.I had an external port originally (subclavian catheter) and had to keep it "dressed" 24/7. The coverings for that were sold to me by the medical supply dept. at MDAnderson (who implanted cath w only alocal anesthetic). When I ran short my local pharmacy sold me the Tegaderm which was trickier to work with (like saran wrap w glue!) but did thejob as afr as keeping cath dry and clean.
I had that removed in June 0f 2005 and replaced with an implanted port (BARD) which I still have (hopefullythey will give me the go ahead in June to remove!). I FORGET that its there, REALLY! I have been fortunate to not have had one single problem (knock wood) and have never had to cover itto protect it. I am just sorry I didnt know to ask about a pediatric sized port as I have no extra "meat" on my chest to pad it.
I hope your experience w a port is as noneventful as mine!

Marcia

sdhaem · 09-24-2007, 12:52 PM

I have had two chest ports ,,, completely under the skin.. and you just care for it like your skin... my first one from day one was uncomfortable and I ran a low grade temp then it started looking red around it.. and Doc said it had to come out it was infected,, they said it was no fault of mine, sometimes that just happens.. the second one (Bard) put on the other side of my chest ,,I have had no trouble with... don't know its there... I wish to they could use it for more uses, like blood tests... and for the IV's when they do Muga and CT's but I guess those people aren't trained to use them ...

Brenda_D · 09-24-2007, 01:13 PM

I had my chest port put in last January. They used Twilight sleep, and I don't remember anything after the anesthesiologist said "and now you will get some nice happy juice". Lol
My port area was sore for awhile. Mostly because I kept laying on that side during sleep, and pushing against it.
I don't know if my port is getting closed off or what, but they haven't been able to draw blood from it, and last time I got Herceptin, the nurse had a hard time "pushing" the first flush in.
Otherwise, I'm happy to have it and not have them dig around to find a vein every time I get a treatment.

Joanne S · 09-24-2007, 10:20 PM

Joanne S · 09-24-2007, 10:27 PM

I have an implanted port in my chest just as shown on my previous post.

I hope you find this information helpful. Best to you.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Central-Venous-Catheters-Topic-Overviewfficeffice"

What is a central venous catheter?>>
A central venous catheter, or vascular access device (VAD), is a long, thin, flexible tube used to give medications, fluids, nutrients, or blood products over a long period of time, usually several weeks or more. The catheter is inserted through the skin into a vein often in the neck or chest. It is threaded through the vein until it reaches a large vein near the heart.>>
>>
>>
What types of central venous catheters are there?>>
There are several types of central venous catheters.>>

· A PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line is a central venous catheter inserted into a vein in the arm rather than a vein in the neck or chest. >>

· A tunneled catheter is surgically inserted into a vein in the neck or chest and passed under the skin. Only the end of the catheter is brought through the skin through which medications can be given. Passing the catheter under the skin helps keep it in place better, makes it less restrictive of activities, and makes it less visible. >>

· An implanted port is similar to a tunneled catheter but is left entirely under the skin. Medications are injected through the skin into the catheter. Some implanted ports contain a small reservoir that can be refilled in the same way. Once filled, the reservoir slowly releases the medication into the bloodstream. An implanted port is less obvious than a tunneled catheter and requires very little daily care. It has less impact on a person's activities than a PICC or tunneled catheter. >>
>>

weezie1053 · 09-24-2007, 08:14 PM

Hard to believe, but I have had my ports for over a year now. Accessing the port will come second nature as brushing your teeth after while. I remember using the numbing cream, then I graduated to ice. Now, the nurses and I count "1,2,3" and pop the sucker in. Voila!

It will save your veins, and you will wonder what all the fuss was about a year later.

Louise