Port Problems

[Roz]

Hi, I have had my port in almost 3 years, and I don't get a blood return anymore.As I am now on Tykerb, I have the port flushed every 6 weeks. No problems. It took about 2-3 months for the site (inner arm) to settle when I first had it inserted.

[Sheila]

I have had my port for a month, implanted in my chest...it is a Bard Port. Much of how a port functions depends on the placement, in other words which vein a port is placed in (there are several they can use) and which side....it seems ports placed on the left side are more in a direct line. But mine is on the right due to LMRM. I guess I am lucky, I had an excellent surgeon who placed it perfectly...I could tell by the excitement of the chemo nurses when they asked which Dr. placed my port...they almost fight over accessing me as it is so easy. If the lumen or tip of the port rests against a vessel wall (sometimes this happens after a while when a fibrin type sheath grows over the port tip), it is almost impossible to get a blood return, they have you take deep breaths, lie down etc, trying to change the position of the tip. Its like trying to clean up with the vacuum hose while your hand covers the end....not going to happen. Ususally (a wise move) they will not give chemo if they can't get a blood return....that is their verification that the medication is truly going where it is supposed to.