I think I'll go to Portland...

[chrisy]

No, not the one in Oregon (but I have been there and it's really nice!). The one where you plant a port in you.
Hard to believe I've been going over 7 1/2 years on constant treatment without one, but I'm considering a trial with weekly infusions and the NP is really pushing it.

The last (only) time I had weekly infusions was my initial chemo in 2004, when my veins were young, vital, and virginal. I was younger and more vital then too, come to think of it!

I know most people go for it and think it's great...so any pointers? I'm pretty ignorant on this topic.

Thanks

[sassy]

Hey Chris,

Had my port in for four years with no problems. Used the last year or so for only blood draws every three months. Had it removed when I went to blood draws every six months. Mine was placed a little too deep, so we always had to use an inch and a half needle, but I would recommend one. Don't know anything about the power ports--they many be better.

Have you in my thoughts and prayers always, you Rock Star!

[chrisy]

See, I don't even know enough to ask the right questions! Like what's a power port. I think I need to take a week or so to learn about it all before jumping in.

[Laurel]

Chrisy,

I was really scared to get mine in. You remember how it was, everything coming at ya so fast....awful. Anyway, I was in the waiting area on my gurney when in walks this young thing who announces he's my doc. The only thing I could think to ask him was how many of these placements he did in a year. He said, "oh, about 700." I laughed and said I was sold. Figured he knew what he was doing and he did. Mine worked well and given how caustic some infusions can be I think you are wise to go for it.

You know I am in your corner!

[Emelie B]

Hey Chrisy,
I have had 2 ports and I highly recommend them. The second one is a power port and they can access it when you get PET scans and the like. They sedated me and the procedure took about 30 minutes. Went home same day and it has worked like a charm. One caveat, make sure whomever access's it knows what they are doing. I always ask them if they are trained to do it.
Keeping you in my thoughts,
Emelie

[BonnieR]

Welcome to the club. Well, I am a former member now.
The nursing staff really pushed for me to get one. Could only use one arm and my veins are small and evasive!
I recall being shown a little propaganda film about the port in the docs office. It was a Bard I think. Not power. It was installed as a surgical proceedure. I had an infusion the same day. I dont recommend that!
The doc and I measured where it might best be placed in terms of not interferring with straps etc. But the placement ended up not great. She said I did not have enough fat in my upper chest in which to plant it. Too bad they cant use thighs, I have enough fat there to bury one! Anyhow, it did protrude somewhat and was a pain in the ass in terms of straps rubbing. But, like so much of what we endure, it is a necessary evil and temporary. It certainly made all the needle work much easier. As someone mentioned, be sure a qualified person is accessing it, ie: when receiving contrast or something like that for xrays. Once they had to call a nurse in from the ER to the Xray dept. for me.
Keep the faith.

[rhondalea]

I will spare you the details of the crazed nurse who tried to convince me I would be in agony if I didn't have the twilight sleep (vs. just a local). I caved (wasn't worth a fight, even though I'd have preferred to drive myself to and from the appointment), but I've read enough before and since to convince me that only the local was necessary. Oh well.

I have a cute little PORT-A-CATH® II POWER P.A.C. Polysulfone/Titanium Single-lumen Low Profile™ Portal (forgive the caps, but it's a cut and paste job). I had it inserted four days before my first chemo (July 15, 2011) and it has never given me a moment of trouble.

In the beginning, it was irritating because I had to deal with the Shoe-Goo-like substance they use to close incisions. After that came off, it was just a matter of becoming accustomed to the occasional twinge when I was active (reaching and such). Now, I only remember I have it when I'm in the infusion chair.

The caveat is that I had a BMX sans reconstruction, so I don't have to deal with bra straps. Everything I've read clearly indicates that you should pick a spot that won't be in their path. Seat belts can also be a issue, but mine is on the left*, so it's only an problem if someone else is driving. That doesn't happen often, and since it has healed, the few times I've been a passenger haven't been troublesome. Still, it would probably be best to mark up the "no port" zones with a Sharpie, and then negotiate with the doctor about placement. (I wish mine were a little higher, but I'm not sure that most people would agree.)

As for the infusions, I used the EMLA (numbing) cream just one time, and I decided it was more trouble than it's worth. No one numbs my arm when I have a routine blood draw at the lab, and it's certainly no more painful than that.

There are possible complications (Wikipedia actually has a list under its entry for "Port") at the time of insertion. You'll be told about them in excruciating detail before you sign the consent form, but the bottom line is that they're pretty rare.

As for me, I love my port, and I really wish I could use it for everything, because I'd just as soon never have a needle in my arm again.

*My other left, that is. I actually thought about it before I typed, and I still picked the wrong side. Sheesh.

[ElaineM]

I highly recommend Portland !!!!!!!!!!! It is a great place and the living conditions are great. Smile.
Your arms or wherever they have been poking you will be happier and your arms will have more freedom of movement during your treatments. No more reminders about keeping your arms straight. Smile again.
Power ports are useful for cat scans, pet scans and even some MRIs. They can even be used for blood draws for CBC, CMP, some transfusions and a whole bunch of blood tests.
Have fun in Portland. It is hard to believe you have done everything without going there for so long.

[Jackie07]

Be sure to take a deep breath and hold it whenever the port is being accessed. If you use the port quite often, it will be a good idea to have the EMLA cream on hand. You apply it to the skin covering the port 30 minutes beforehand and you won't feel a thing when the technician 'stab' you.

Be sure to let the people in other labs know that you have a port. Before getting CT or PET, you will need to have the port 'accessed' (having a thin tube hooked to it so [eg.]the technician can put dye into it while you doing a scan 'with' contrast ) For several years, the scanning area did not have a certified technician to access the port. So I'd have to go to the chemo lab to get the port 'accessed' before going to the imaging lab. I didn't mind the extra exercise, but the technicians were often stressed because their time/schedule would be pushed back.

Love the neat expression of 'Portland'...

[Vicky]

I'm bumping up on my 1 year "cancerversary" and I can't help reflect back to those crazy first few weeks. I never knew getting a port was optional- they simply told me I would get one. I was awake the whole time and it took about 30 minutes. I never felt a thing. I had a PET scan the same day. It has worked extremely well. I use the Emla cream and on the rare occasion I have forgotten it, icing the port for awhile helps numb it a little, but the poke isn't that bad truly. On study I had 10 tubes of blood taken at times and it was such a breeze to be able to do it through the port. The lab here does require me to make an appointment if I want labs drawn through my port, but its worth it to me.

I hope if you decide to go to Portland you too will find it beneficial and a breeze! Always thinking of you!!

My MIL who has battled many years (20plus) finally had a vein infiltrate and after that she got her first port!

[karen z]

Portland is not a bad place to visit- more good things about it then bad.
Stay strong and funny !

[StephN]

I was in Port-land for nine years all total. Had to have the first line replaced as the traffic clogged up after six years.
Never had a power port, as at the time of replacement they were still a little clunky, and my surgeon said my chest profile was not thick enough to seat it well.

According to Rhondalea there are now low profile models. That might be interesting ...

[karen z]

God, I wish somebody would tell me that anywhere on my body was not thick enough for something !!

[rhondalea]

The only place I'm not thick, Karen, is my chest. In a classic case of "be careful what you wish for," I got my ribs back...just not the ribs I was hoping for.

[karen z]

o.k., i hear you!
i will be careful what i wish for- very specific!!!

[rhondalea]

Here's a picture of my low-profile port, and a link to what it looked like before insertion.

http://www.smiths-medical.com/catalo...-cath-p-s.html

[Sheila]

OK, went right to Ports R Us...aka my little brother who does this for a living at Kaiser...he said go BARD, Power Port, Low Profile, seriously, my sister has one and mine is a monster compared to hers...like everything they have been streamlined over the years! Mine and my sisters are in the subclavian vein...some docs use the jugular vein....never had a problem with mine in 5 years...worked every time...make sure they avoid the bra strap area at placement! oh thats right, I forgot you do that strapless thing alot...YOU ARE A DIVA, and very imPORTant to all of us....!!!

[JennyB]

Chrisy,

I have had mine in for little over 1 year now and never had any issues- I didn't go the power port but only because I didn't think I would be having that many ct/pet scans and as it has 3 little raised dots I didn't want my young children fixating on them and rubbing me raw!!
I have never needed the elma cream for the port access but do have it for the zoladex inj. Mine is a little lower towards the breast but this is again due to kids and not wanting them resting their heads against it and hurting me!
Enjoy yours it really is easy!
Jenny x

[SoCalGal]

Breastless, oh I mean Portless, 16 years since original diagnosis, including the last 5 years (cue music) Stage 4 with every 3 week infusions...2 or 3 good veins remain, and I say they can use my leg veins when the last few on my hand disappear. I don't think I'm the port type - unless it's docking a ship in CABO.
xxoo

[chrisy]

Sheila, I don't know what you're talking about! You're going to give people the wrong impression about me.

Thanks for the advice. I want to have something I can live with.