Port Questions

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.

tousled1 · 12-29-2006, 06:44 AM

My port is in my upper chest and I was told to keep it clean and dry for a short period of time. Just enough time for it to heal over. After that no problem - I can go swimming, shower, etc without fear of getting it wet. I've had mine in for a year now and have basically gone on with my regular life style without any problems.

Mary Anne in TX · 12-29-2006, 08:32 AM

Hi Angela!
It is unnerving when they do anything to me! At least the thinking about it is! But I'm such a chicken until the time to do whatever comes. Once I see what will happen I do great!
But the port was easy. They did put me to sleep to put mine in my upper chest, left side. It's been there 9 months and it's worked great! I didn't need anything but Tylenol (once) afterwards. They tell you just to be careful a few days. And I did that! Soap and water when you shower is what they told me to do to keep the area clean from germs! I got my first chemo about 5 days later.
I'm so glad that I did the port. It has made chemo easier.
Best of luck and Happy New Year!

janet11 · 12-29-2006, 05:00 PM

Kriss,

A port is totally under the skin, so it's protested quite well from flying debris. Mine is in my chest just above the breast, in an area covered by my shirts and blouses. They used a general anesthetic for me when they put it in and after a couple weeks, it didn't bother me when I lay on my side to sleep. It's been wonderful!!!

Janet

Chelee · 12-29-2006, 10:52 PM

Sue, Your port must be new. My port and most that I know of can't be used for CT/contrast dyes, etc. I wish mine could be used for that...would make things much easier for all my scans. Sounds like you lucked out with this new type of port.

You mentioned being black and blue. I can relate...mine was placed in my upper arm and it was black & blue ALL the way AROUND my entire upper arm. It looked awful. Looked worse then it felt...but I had blood thinners in me at that time so I think that is what made mine worse. I know several nurses asked me what happened? lol No one wanted to touch mine for over a week. Thats how bruised and discolored it was. But thankfully its been working great...does the job.

Enjoy your power port...sounds pretty cool. You must of gotten to drive the latest model off the lot. lol

Thats going to come in handy! Wish I would of had one like that to start with.

Chelee

Lee · 09-25-2007, 06:58 AM

Kriss -
If you get a port in your chest, it is completely under the skin so no special care is needed. It just looks like a bump on your chest. When the port is accessed, they have to stick it with a short needle, but it really doesn't hurt much at all.

It is so much easier when getting chemo - I have never regretted having one put in.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-25-2007, 01:40 PM

My port was installed in '98 in my upper chest under twilight. I love my port. It is a tiny half a golf ball lump that is a bluish tinge.

I used to get a lidocaine spray, but nurses have told me that IT IS JUST ANOTHER INVITATION FOR GERMS AND AN INFECTION TO GET IN THERE. So, now, I just brave it out. A skilled nurse gets dead center and you basically feel nothing.

IF YOU ARE BETWEEN TX for a long period of time -- remember -- you must get your port FLUSHED monthly!

IF YOU HAVE DENTAL WORK (including cleaning) my onc says that if you have a port -- YOU MUST TAKE AMOXICYLINE (how in the world do you spell that??!) which is an antibiotic -- 1 hr prior to dental appt. 4 X 500 mg.

A PORT IS A DIRECT LINE INTO YOUR VEINS AND HEART. You must protect it at all times. I am most particular about who I allow to access it. (When I broke my ankle and required surgery in '01, they did not know how to access a port in anesthesia, or they preferred not to use it.) After surgery, I was receiving morphine through my port, when it came time to check out sev days later I kept calling the nurse to take out the morphine needle. Apparently, she didn't know how and kept leaving and coming back, then when she removed it/yanked it out, blood starting pouring all over! So, I have learned a good lesson.

Before and after accessing, they use saline to clear the port and then heplok to seal it. They also use something to sterilize the area prior. Afterward, they put a circle bandaid to keep in place till I shower, as they would an injection. I am told they do not need to put gauze and tape on it, it isn't a wound.

HOPE THIS IS HELPFUL! My port is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I just love having it (as the one part of me that is *skinny* is my veins)! I am told once they find one it rolls over, collapses or blows out. So they just keep stabbing -- and digging -- away otherwise. Be good to your port, ladies. It's your best friend. Keep it, and YOU, safe.... Love,
Andi