To Port or Not to Port? That is the Question...

janet/FL · 08-13-2006, 06:03 AM

Val, the port saved my arm and my sanity. With the use of only one arm for this kind of thing, I wanted to save my veins for other times I might need them--like when I am 90 years old. I won't even let them use the automatic blood pressure cuff as it can cause numbness in my arm for several days. My port is quite prominent so I am deciding now, after my one year of Herceptin, when to take it out. I may wait until I am two years past diagnois which would be the end of this year.
Janet

Barbara H. · 08-13-2006, 06:12 AM

I couldn't have handled treatment without a port. My veins are too difficult to access. I had a port put in 98 for the initial treatment and then I had to get another when I had my recurrence two years ago.
Barbara H.

Becky · 08-13-2006, 06:18 AM

Val

I was never even told about a port. I didn't even know what they were. I always used my veins. There were a few problems with the AC treatments but there are only 4 of them. I only have 3 more Herceptin treatments and I will be at 2 yrs post diagnosis so we will stop then.

I think if anything else happens, I would get a port since I would be on Herceptin for life and on/off chemo.

I am glad not to have it though.

Becky

Val Pfeiffer · 08-13-2006, 06:42 AM

P.S. I have been very happy that I didn't get a port, (a) because my veins have been working fine, and (b) because I'm glad I won't have a big scar from the port. But Janet's post regarding saving her veins for later made me stop and think -- do your veins change if you use them a lot? Do you only get so many "pokes" in one lifetime before they stop cooperating? I've never heard that before. Given the fact that recurrence is so likely, maybe I didn't make the right decision about the port this time.

Jean · 08-13-2006, 06:57 AM

Val,
Interesting post - My one onc. in NY at Cornell did not even ask me about port just told me as he made appt. for the surgery. When I went to Hackensack Cancer Ctr (this is where I ended up having my chemo) they did not even consider port first. They approached the situation with "we will try without port first attitude" I loved it since I did not want a port (much like you) heard some varied stories and I was very concerned. I have very small veins and was not very postive that it would work - but I was hopeful...I have been doing just great and they are wonderful at the cancer center. They do prepare me for treatment with warm compressses for 15 min. prior to starting treatment. I must say I never even have a mark on me after treatment. The nurses are the best. They always get the needle in on the first attempt. So far so good and I am very happy they at least attempted treatment this way. I will have my 5th chemo on 8/21...then, only one more to go - then a yr. of herceptin. I would guess the type of chemo maybe and treatment plan would effect this decsion... I am having TCH....

Jean

IRENE FROM TAMPA · 08-13-2006, 06:58 AM

Val - I have had several ports now over the years. The first two were placed low by my first surgeon and that was harder to access. The last one I had is up higher and much easier.

I am very happy to have it as it does save the veins. With a mastectomy I can only use the one arm so that does wear out the veins when they are used so much. I do use my good little vein when I go in to just draw blood or something fast like that. But the port comes in very handy if you ever end up in the hospital (which I have several times ) in all of these years. They can do everything from there and not have to use a IV in your arm, which I hate.

I don't even remember I have one in half the times.

I was also never really "given an option" but I guess you could choose your veins if you want to, as you did. There are some chemos which do require to be administered through the port only. In that case, you would have to have one.

Hopefully, you won't have to make that decision anytime soon.

Take care Val