Getting my port today

swimangel72 · 04-30-2008, 05:51 AM

I'm scheduled to get a port installed today at 1pm......normally I'm not afraid of hospitals or procedures, but after getting a staph infection after my mastectomy and Diep, I'm a bit anxious. Also it doesn't help that I can't eat or drink anything until then......and I'm soooo thirsty already! The good news is I finally got a cleaning lady - so at least when I get home, the house will be clean! Trying to keep a positive outlook is easier when your bathrooms sparkle, right?

mts · 04-30-2008, 06:03 AM

You will be in and out in no time ! You will be really glad you got one. I had a pediatric port inserted --- tiny and barely there... had it for 2 yrs !
Best of luck to you and "see ya" back later!

Warmly,
Maria

caya · 04-30-2008, 06:06 AM

Hi Kathy,

Good luck on getting your port - It is such a nothing procedure. I was in a twilight sleep for a couple of hours, then in recovery for a couple of hours. Really no big deal, and you will be glad you got it for your treatments. Get some EMLA cream (in the States I believe it is LIDOCAINE), a numbing cream to put on the skin over the port before you go in for your infusions. Then you won't even feel the stick.

And I agree, a clean house always makes things seem brighter!!

all the best
caya

CindyE · 04-30-2008, 06:22 AM

Just checking in to say hello and best of luck with the port. I'm going to be getting one too so I look forward to hearing how it goes. Is yours in your arm or chest? My Dr said it's a very simple little procedure so I'm sure your're going to do great. I will be thinking and praying that it goes smooth and easy for you.

Cindy

Sheila · 04-30-2008, 07:32 AM

Kathy
I had my port put in (BARD) back in November....it has made my treatments so much better, after 4 years they were having a problem finding a vein. I had it in the morning, then went straight up and had my Taxol, Avastin, Herceptin...no problems. You will do fine....check with your Dr. or infusion nurse...some do not want you to use EMLA cream depending on the type of port...I see some people get a glove full ove ice chips and numb it with that...maybe I have a high pain tolerence, but I don't think it hurts at all when they access mine....or maybe I have really talented nurses!!!! Good Luck Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill · 04-30-2008, 10:44 PM

Good luck with your port surgery, Kathy. I'm sure you will be glad you got it. Sheila, I'm surprised you toughed it out for 4 years. When Nicola went in for treatments, they sprayed some type of aerosol spray over the port to numb it any she never felt the stick.

Mary Jo · 05-01-2008, 04:08 AM

Morning Kathy,

Well, by now your port should be in and I'm sure all went well??

I can't relate to the port as I never had one but I've heard they are convenient and nice to have.

Good luck to you and may all go well for you.

Mary Jo

swimangel72 · 05-01-2008, 07:00 PM

Thanks so much everyone! I researched the pros and cons of the chest port vs the arm port and decided the chest port would be better for me - I have enough problems with my right arm and didn't want any pain or problems in my left.The port surgery went well - the anesthesiologist was great, we had a fun conversation. He didn't use twilight sleep because I'm allergic to morphine - instead he decided to just use iv sedation. I fell asleep and after an hour woke up still in the O.R. and felt fine - picking up a conversation where we left off.

My neck is still sore today though - not where the port incision is, but where the smaller incision is in my neck, just above the collarbone. Hurts like heck all the time, especially when I move my neck. I can feel the tube that runs over my collarbone too. I hope this gets better soon, I can't imagine living with this awful feeling for a year!

Thanks again for all the great advice - and Cindy - good luck with your port install - let us know when your surgery draws near.

CindyE · 05-01-2008, 07:13 PM

Kathy,
So good to hear from you. I'm hoping and praying you feel much better soon after your port insertion. I'm meeting tomorrow with the Dr. so should know about about my port and my future treatment schedule. I've been praying for you and the others on this wonderful board. Please post back soon so I know how you are doing. Take care and rest my sister.

Love Cindy

Chelee · 05-01-2008, 10:26 PM

Kathy, I'm sure your relieved to have that now behind you. Once the soreness settles down you will be so glad you got your port. When it was brought up to me I was so against it. But they wore me down and I am so glad they did. This way you don't have to be a pin cushion.

This will make your chemo treatments & labs a breeze.

Mine was in my upper arm so I can't comment about on the pain around your collarbone. But I can tell you I had some minor pain/discomfort in my upper arm for about a week and then it was fine.

So I am going to assume its pretty normal for yours to hurt a bit right now. I really believe it will settle down in no time. And of course always mention these things to your onc so they are aware. You will be so glad you got a port. I'm happy all went well for you.

Chelee

Gerri · 05-02-2008, 07:06 PM

Kathy & Cindy,

A port is the way to go! I wish I had mine installed prior to my chemo starting. I waited until I had all four AC treatments before insisting on getting one - by then the veins were gone in that arm! I had it for my Taxol and year of Herceptin and it worked out great. Mine was also in my chest, but in an unusual (according to the nurses) place. The port was in my cleavage area and the end of the line was a few inches below my collarbone. There were no visible signs (other than the incison) of where my port was located.

Kathy, mine hurt too at the top of the line - it was worse than the lumpectomy. I was sore for a few days and then felt better. My actual port site was sensitive for a few weeks - I didn't know if it would ever feel better. It seemed like I was always bumping it. At first I used the numbing spray before having my port accessed but found that I always had a rash afterwards. I finally bit the bullet and went 'sprayless' and didn't feel much of a difference. It was a quick poke and then it was over - no big deal.

Best of luck to both of you as you start your treatment. Believe it or not it goes by quicker than you think.

Take care,

Jackie07 · 05-02-2008, 07:51 PM

Whenever I got my port "accessed", I would take a deep breath and hold it until the pin was 'in'. After a couple of times, it started to hurt pretty bad, and they gave me the sample cream to numb it beforehand. And I was like: "Why didn't I ask for it at the very beginning?"

swimangel72 · 05-03-2008, 01:12 PM

Hi Ladieeeeees,

So many of our names end in the long E sound - like my 22-yr-old daughter calls me "meeeeeeeeeeee", short for "mommy", this will be my new way of saying hello to all you dear ladies! (Not that YOU aren't included Bill - or anyone else who's name doesn't end in the E sound - you are all so dear to me!)

My neck pain is getting better today because I was able to take off the steri-strip. Also 600mg of Motrin helps too (at my doctor's advice). My chest area is all yellowish-black-n-blue, but I'm trying not to be a wimp. Isn't it amazing how doing boring laundry and housework can take your mind off these things? I still haven't returned to work because of the open abdominal incison - but that's healing up too, so I have so much to be thankful for. My mom will be coming tomorrow to visit me for about a week which will be wonderful. She's 84 years old today and getting more frail but has always been a wonderful source of strength to me.

Thank you all again for your support and prayers - I'm praying too that I'll find the direction God wants me to take in this BC journey - I'm stumbling along here and often find that words fail me which is really funny since I was always the "motor-mouth" in the family. Must be inherited - my mother kissed the Blarney Stone in her native Ireland many years ago!

sassy · 05-03-2008, 06:21 PM

Katheeeeeee,

I've had my port for 3 years and actually forget it is there until I go in for bloodwork. My nurses tell me that mine is deeper than most, which sometimes poses a problem for them to access, but they just try a little harder. Never used the numbing cream--didn't feel like it was necessary, but good if you prefer it.

Another step behind you. Wishing you the best.

Sasseeeeeeee

swimangel72 · 05-05-2008, 05:23 PM

Thanks Sasseeeeeee! All the best to you too (your son looks like a rock star wearing your wig, lol!)

Bill · 05-05-2008, 06:02 PM

Swimmeeee! I believe that God guides us all to our true purpose, if we seek that purpose, and are open to it. I posted "A Warrior's Prayer" back in late '07, and, in my own layman's, simple-minded opinion, that's all we need. Love and best wishes, Billeeeee

swimangel72 · 05-06-2008, 03:12 PM

Hi Billeeeeeee - I found your prayer and LOVE it, so forgive me - I feel compelled to copy and paste it here since it speaks so eloquently to what I'm feeling:

A Warrior's Prayer"
Father in Heaven
Spirit that moves in all things
Grant me the power and wisdom
to do what I must do
keep me strong
and guide me
to my true purpose.
Amen

Bill thanks for your guidance and wisdom. I also must say I keep hearing Psalm 23 run through my mind (perhaps because the Spring is sooo beautiful in my town, with "green pastures and quiet waters" and with God's help I do not fear ANY evil - even this BC beast.

Terri B · 05-07-2008, 08:49 AM

Thanks for posting that prayer Swim, it hit the spot! I just posted it as a sticky note on my computer at work!

Thanks also to Bill for just knowing.

swimangel72 · 05-07-2008, 09:26 PM

Hi everyone - today I had my second infusion of Herceptin and Navelbine - it was the first time they used my port. The nurse told me to take a breath and exhale quickly and I didn't feel the prick too badly. Just like my first infusion, I came home, had a bit if diarrhea and needed a nap - otherwise all's well. My counts were OK - although the nurse said I should have a big steak dinner (I'm assuming that means I was a bit anemic?)

My biggest complaint is the ridiculous waiting time involved. Just like my first infusion two weeks ago, I arrived on time at 10am, only to have to sit in the waiting room 2 hours before they started my infusion! The infusion itself took about 2 and a half hours. My husband took off from work to drive me - we left the house at 9:30am and didn't get home until 3pm (we live 30 minutes away.) When I politely asked the nurse practitioner if this is what I should expect every time I come since I'm still new here and I'll be coming back for an entire year, she was actually SNIPPY with me (in a semi-joking way) saying if I didn't like it, I could find another oncologist's office! She said they are so busy because everyone LOVES them.

I was really taken aback - and told her I was actually seriously thinking about going to a different oncologist who is closer to my house. Then she softened her approach (when she saw I was serious) and said if I was there at 8am next time I should be in and out much quicker. So I'm giving them one more chance, only because I really like my oncologist (the snippy nurse needs an attitude adjustment - like, maybe SHE should try sitting in a very crowded waiting room for 2 hours!)

So that's my rant for today - sorry for being grouchy - if the waiting only impacted me, I wouldn't mind. I actually am reading a very interesting book ("China Road") - but I felt badly for my husband who waited for me - and I felt badly for ALL the very patient patients in that waiting room!

Terri B · 05-08-2008, 07:44 AM

Oh, Swimmy... How frustrating for you.

I, for one, think the snippy nurse needs to be handed her walking papers!!! How DARE she!!

Makes me wonder what my Onc's office will be like. I will be starting Chemo in the next few weeks too. If someone treated me like that, having to go through chemo, I think I would RIGHTFULLY blow a gasket!!