topic Re: Port in Wellness

Port

mimi91 — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:19:02 GMT

Anyone receiving chemo thru an implanted port?

Re: Port

wagirl — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:29:41 GMT

Yes I did. It was placed on my right side just down from my collar bone. Had 5 months of chemo and never had any pain issues from it. My surgeon put it in a few days before I started chemo. Was so easy as before each chemo, I had blood labs done so it saved my veins. It wasn't really visable and I mostly forgot about it. Got it removed after chemo by my surgeon too.

Re: Port

crazered — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:31:18 GMT

I just had my port removed Tuesday if I can answer any questions. I will I know you should put the cream at least one hour before chemo treatment after you apply cream to help numb are put a piece of plastic wrap on it to keep cream from getting on clothes. Be generous with cream. Makes drawing labs and chemo treatment easier. Good luck.

Re: Port

Mama Mia — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:52:29 GMT

I had a port too, and it is the best way to go, otherwise it is hard on your veins. I had a tube of Lidocane to put over the port with plastic wrap over that. However, at my onc center they could do it too, and it never hurt at all. Had it placed and removed by my surgeon.

Re: Port

PINKdogWOOD — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:57:08 GMT

Yes my husband did March 11 thru April 17, 2013 while doing 28 simultaneous radiation treatments. What a trooper he was - AND still is! He did 5FU for rectal cancer. He is cancer free now for the 2nd time since March 4, 2014 when he also had a liver tumor removed. He's recouping nicely I'm happy to say.

He still has his port although it really doesn't work anymore. If he needed it again, he'd need a replacement - and we honestly DO NOT want to go there. Hopefully he'll be getting his taken out VERY SOON.

Re: Port

mimi91 — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:06:39 GMT

Thanks everyone. I hadn't heard about Lidocane but I will ask about it. It sounds as tho you are all doing well. Pink dogwood, best wishes to your hubby.

Re: Port

luvdoodles — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 10:17:33 GMT

I had to have a port put in during my treatment. My veins are very hard to find even with a butterfly needle. I was glad to have this done. It was only about the size of nickel place under the skin on my chest. I have no discomfort at all from it. My treatment was Adriamycin and Cytoxcin. Adriamycin is very toxic and they didn't want to take any chances. They left it there for about a year after my treatment, just in case of a recurrence. I am happy to say it's been 15 years now. I was only 39 at the time. It is so much easier because of the blood tests you have to go through. You will be happy you did it. Best wishes to you as you go this horrible journey. It's not fun but doable.

Re: Port

Lacey1 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:30:51 GMT

I have a power port under my left clavicle. Have had it for 4 years, and will need it for the duration. Have never used any numbing agents. Would not want to get chemo without one. The area over the port gets slightly bruised after it's accessed. It's visible so I have to watch what I wear, but it's worth it. Just be careful if you go to a hospital/er that isn't familiar with them-they may not have the proper Huber needle or heparin flush to properly access it. I have two good veins that I save for that reason!

Re: Port

Mama Mia — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:30:23 GMT

On 3/27/2014 pink dogwood said:
Yes my husband did March 11 thru April 17, 2013 while doing 28 simultaneous radiation treatments. What a trooper he was - AND still is! He did 5FU for rectal cancer. He is cancer free now for the 2nd time since March 4, 2014 when he also had a liver tumor removed. He's recouping nicely I'm happy to say.

He still has his port although it really doesn't work anymore. If he needed it again, he'd need a replacement - and we honestly DO NOT want to go there. Hopefully he'll be getting his taken out VERY SOON.

Congratulations to your DH!!! Mine was for colon cancer and I had FOLFOX chemo, with a port too. If his isn't working anymore, it can be taken out in his surgeon's office, easily.

My very best wishes to him and yes, he is a real trooper.