Port tomorrow and TERRIFIED

Estepp

Hi,

I will be having my port put in tomorrow. I had the worst pain with my biopsy's as they could not get me numb.. so just did it without pain relief...

Now I have to have the port tomorrow.. and I am crying with fear... Just when I got tough I am falling again.. cannot eat cannot sleep fearing it...

I need the truth about putting in the port.... will I feel it.. will I feel the surgery?

Coming home pain is not my fear ( achy.. soreness... ) it is the surgery itself... ugggggg

Laura

hunkydory

Estepp, my port surgery only lasted an hour and I was home Surgeon gave me happy juice and the local deading.  I felt or knew nothing.  No anestesiologist present.  Went quite well for me.  Hope yours goes well too. HunkyD

vhqh

I got mine under twilight anesthesia, didn't feel a thing.  Are they doing it at the hospital as an outpatient?  If so you should talk to an anethesiologist before hand and can let him know your prior experiences.  There are different things that can be done to address problems people have with anesthesia, I know when I talked to mine just prior to the mastectomy he was very interested in the negative reaction my sister has had. 

jerseymaria

i'm so sorry you're feeling such fear.  i had my port 2 years ago and was done under general anesthesia, in the out patient surgical dept.  i had mild soreness afterwards and did have pain meds for that although didn't need much.  it really wasn't bad at all, of course i was out.  i would tell the surgeon that you must have better pain control for this procedure if you're not having a general.  insist on it...you're entitled to that.  perhaps something for anxiety too.  gotta do what you gotta do.  good luck and please let us know how you make out.  hugs, maria

TheShopMama

I had my port put in by "interventional radiology" department.  They gave me twilight meds and local anesthetics.  Having the port put in is one of the best things you can do for yourself and it is not a painful procedure with the meds they use.  I will say a prayer for you tomorrow.  You can do this.  Pam

newvickie

I too had the port put in using the twilight anesthesia and felt nothing at all, woke up feeling fine.  Very little pain and very surprised that I could actually "do it".  I too was terrified...but tit will be ok...you will see.  Sending hugs and prayers for you.

Vickie

coonie

I was sound asleep and didn't know a thing. Performed lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed, so while I was "out" doc went ahead and put port in. Maybe a little tender for a day or two, but you forget about even having it. And....everytime they come at you with a needle, IT'S SO WORTH IT!!! Good Luck!

Barb1953

I had my port put in using Twilight anesthesia. Woke up an went to House of Pancakes !! The thought of getting it put in is scarrier than the actual process. You Can Do It !!! You'll be glad you did.

MiraclesHappen

I have to say that my experience was as simple and easy as everyone else's here.  Not to worry, it will be fine.  I almost *forgot* I had surgery, it was so painless.  Also, it served me well for several years and I just had my port removed about 6 months ago and that surgery went as well as the first.

Please don't be worried or afraid -- it will be okay.  I'm also saying a prayer for you.  Good Luck!

Estepp

Ok.. that is what I needed you guys! Thank you so much. I fear ,fear itself. I had a 30 minute cry.. and came back to this board. I cry now thanking you. I am so glad no one felt it!

I will post tomorrow.. probably making fun at myself. I think too.. I feel like I have BC now. Port tomorrow.. chemo Monday. I have BC. I know you know what I am saying..

Thank you for taking your time to write me.

Love and peace,

Laura

Summers

I felt the same way, I was a total nervous reck after my biop and then surgery.  I sat and cried in the hospital up until the time they were ready for me.  I received good stuff in my IV and from there I only remember little bits and pcs of their conversation and that it.  No pain at all, you will do fine.

oldcat46

Estepp...    I had general anesthesia for the port and never knew a thing.  My port has never given me a moment's worry or pain -- it's been there since Sept. 27 of last year.  Just get through one thing at a time and you'll do fine.  It seems overwhelming when you try to imagine all that's waiting out there for you, but just concentrate on the port implant (which will go well for you) and then Monday you can concentrate on your first chemo.  I'm 62 and each year goes by faster and faster, but I figured this last year with chemo & rads would drag by.....    It went much faster than I can imagine.  It seems it was just Aug. 2007 and I was just contemplating all that lay ahead of me, and here it's gone by already.  I still have Herceptin until Dec. and Arimidex for 4 1/2 more years, but I'm not going to look ahead too far.  You'll be fine and in my prayers. 

myheidiscrapbooking

Hi Laura, I am the worlds WORST baby and I felt as you did about the whole port thing. I had mine done and honest to god, I didnt feel a THING. I also told my dr. that I wanted "extra" numbing to make sure - they gave me a drug that put me out (supposedly not annistesia(?) but it did put me out and I never felt a THING! You will be fine. A little sore afterwards but not sore-sore if that makes sense. I didnt need pain meds at all - tylenol actually did it!  Good luck tomorrow - it will go fine - honest!!!

Heidi

Estepp

Hi everyone.

Well, it is in and I felt no pain. They gave me twi light for a 200 pd man ( I am 100 pds).. and it did not work.. they COULD NOT BELIEVE I was not passed out. BUT , they used another drug to numb the site and it worked. I had 1mg of xanax in me and "happy juice" and I did not feel any of those meds.. BUT I did not feel the pain of the port "procedure"

They said  I would not need pain pills after, just tylenol.. for me, they were wrong. It has been over 24 hrs and WOW.. I am in quite a bit of pain. I slept most of the day.. just trying to get over the xanax head ache.. hubby woke me .. or got me up every three hours to eat anf take tylenol/advil..

They said I would have a little more "discomfort" do to being so thin .. well... right now, I CANNOT IMAGINE them putting a needle in my port Monday morning.. WOW.. BC is painful enough.. how in the h#$% am I going to be able to have A MAST??

YOU all are VERY STRONG! A trait I have been told I am.. What ever............

Anyway.. you were all right about me feeling the pain of the port going in... I FELT NOTHING!

Thank you

Laura

MiraclesHappen

Way to go, Laura!!!!!  Woo-hoo!!!

Don't get too far ahead of yourself, my dear..  Worry is not a good thing--it just uses up your energy and does NOTHING to help the situation.  Just take one step at a time, one day at a time.  Use us as a part of your support team and let God hold your hand through all of the rest. 

 It's not fun, but look around you at all of us (sister lightweights!) who have made it through and are here to cheer you on and hold you up. You'll do great -- you'll probably even surprise yourself at what you can do and how strong you are.  Hang in there, girlfriend!!

Many hugs,

Terry  

Lucky

I had my port put in when they did my lumpectomy and lymp node removal. I was lucky and knew how good a port can be after watching what my son went through with his tx the previous year.  Make sure to ask your nurse to numb your port site before they stick you.  They have a "freeze" spray that temporarily numbs the area.  If you ever talk to someone who went through chemo without a port you will be glad you have it.  No chewed up veins!

Good luck to all of you that are starting the chemo process...I wish I had thought to look for this site before my process started last July....I have learned more from all of you than from my doctors and nurses!  I was pretty lucky and my chemo experience ended up not being as bad as I expected....guess maybe what I didnt know didnt hurt me 

Thanks to you all!!

myheidiscrapbooking

Laura! that is great! so happy to hear it went well. Hey! Make sure you ask your dr. for Lidocaine (its a numbing creme!) Sometimes they call it "emla creme" too.  They gave me a prescription for it immediately after I got my port in- call them and ask ok??? You put this creme on the port location (your skin) an hour before you go to get blood, chemo or anything taken from it!  It really works! totally numbs the port area.  I've had them use my port with the creme, and without, and its much less painful (although, honestly, its not bad at all- its such a quick prick) but still, being the biggest baby around, I chose the creme beforehand every time - why feel it, you know?) anyway, the nurse told me to buy some fabric white tape (at wallgreens/cvs ect.) and saran wrap (or cut a baggie) and you put the creme on the port area, put the plastic baggie or saran wrap over it -and tape it to your skin around it. That way, the creme absorbs thru your port area but does't get on your clothing. If you put a bandaid on it, the bandaid cotton part will absorb the creme so you dont want to use that. If you use saran wrap or a baggie, it can only absorb in your skin ok? I hope this makes sense! Call your nurse tomrrow - they will give it to you. Best of luck. Baby steps huh?

Heidi

myheidiscrapbooking

PS. Laura, the pain of the port area after surgery is normal. I was surprised that the area was so sore and it lasted 2 1/2 weeks. I thought something was wrong! and I couldn't imagine them using it being so sore!! - luckily I started using it for chemo, blood ect. around 2 or 3 weeks out after the port was put in, so it was not THAT sore anymore at that point thankfully!. Still a little sore but 2 weeks of healing definately helped.  I hope you get to heal properly as well before you start.

Heidi.

Nico1012

Laura,

I had Versed and fentenyl (sp) and was OUT for the port placement.

Like Heidi said it was a lot more sore than I had expected. I had Vicodin pain pills,

one usually did the trick and EMLA cream to deaden the bruised area around the port.

It's been two weeks and there is no pain now.

Nico

Estepp

Thanks ladies. I am not allowed to take off my wrappings from my port. My oncologist will do it tomorrow and there will be no time for Elma cream before chemo. I will ask though.. to get a script. I wish I could have had the port in a few weeks instead of 2 days before Chemo.

myheidiscrapbooking

Hi there, yes! I agree. Ask for the creme anyway! I mean, it can ONLY HELP!

Heidi

Darlene53

This is my first post (after reading other's posts for months). I just had port surgery on 7/23/08, (went very well) and my first chemo the next morning. I was a bit tender from the surgery, and naturally anticipating a painful experience when the port would be used.  I was actually pleasantly surprised that it didn't hurt at all - without the benefit of cream.

vdarlene

Hood1980

Hi Everyone & Estepp,  I'm scheduled to have my port put in Friday and all of your comments do make me feel better.  Like Estepp I'm on the small side but not her size small (115).  My nurse did warn me it's more painful the smaller you are.  How was your experience Estepp?  And everyone - do you have any say where the port is placed?  I tend to wear sports bras more than regular bras and would prefer placement to accomodate them, but is all where the vein is located that's where it has to go?  Thanks for your continues advice and support!    Also, I would like to start chem as soon as I can.  How long should I wait?

Estepp

Hood,

Hi,

My experience was really really good. I did not feel the port surgery, nothing! Then I had Chemo three days later. ( this scared me)... They put numbing cream on it 45 min before they poked it. I felt I little poke.. no big deal. Today was my second chemo.. I put the numbing cream on myself at home. Two hours before the "poke" today.. I was as numb as surgery.. nothing.. I had no idea she even put the needle in. She told me the key is putting in on 1 1/2 -2 hrs prior to chemo if you do not want to feel ANY needle.. Well... my chemo nurse was right on the money. WHY should we have any pain if we do not have to. I can get you the name of the cream if want. Call your oncologist , she/he will know the numbing cream... and have them send it to your pharmacy now.. that Way you have it at home and you can put the cream on at your house a few hrs before chemo.

The doc put my port in a little lower for me.. so It could be more covered up. Really though.. even though I am skinny it is no big deal. I wear tank tops all the time now ( 95 here) I could care less about it. Just a little bump.

Have you had surgery? They are doing Chemo on my first do to my cancer being a very fast growing.. then surgery and rads. I would think, with you being Her2- they would do surgery first.. whatever you choose.. but I AM NOT A EXPERT... what are your doc. saying?

Anywhoooo if ya wanna chat you can PM me.. I am PM'd so many on here to ask them a million questions I feel I better start giving back....

Gods Love

Laura

ddminer

You will be fine!!!  I am so glad I had one put in.  It makes the chemo treatments so much easier.  I was sore for a week or so around the port area.  Which I hadn't really expected to be that sore.  But still I say it was well worth it.  When I get my chemo I sometimes see some patients that don't have one.  And I feel sorry for them as sometimes they have several pokes because they have a hard time getting their vein. So as I said you will do fine.  I was only in for a few hrs. and all I felt during it was a bit of pressure.  I did get quite bruised around the area for a few days.  They used mine after  I had it I think 10 days.  I have had 3 chemo treatments now and 5 more to go.   Take Care