Port

bhd1

i don't understand why you cannot put a port in on the le side?  You already have le, what more could happen?  The veins  in the chest on the noneffected side are shot and cannot be used.   I if they put a port on my arm i will never be able to play golf again

Binney4

barb, what a dilemma! The problem with LE is that it affects the entire quadrant of the body where the nodes are compromised--hand, arm, chest and back on that side. All that area is at higher risk for infection (cellulitis), which you definitely don't want. At least I'm guessing that's what your doctors are thinking. 

As for golf--well, doggone it, we NEED the activities that give us pleasure and relaxation (not to mention exercise). You might want to talk to an occupational therapist for ideas on how to accommodate both port and golf.

Let us know how it goes. Gentle hugs,
Binney

bhd1

thanks for the explanation Binney .  

Kicks

I was told after chemo that if I had my port removed and one was needed in the future one could not be put in on the surgery side because of the UMX and severe rad burns - nothing was said about my LE (which was known at the time) preventing implant on that side.  That's why I  chose to keep mine in as a just in case might need one some time - it was implanted Aug 24, 2009.

An appt with an OT (Occupational Therapist) for input as to the best site to allow you to continue golf.  Preferrably one who is also an LET.  

vlnrph

So Kicks, you need to get the port flushed every month or two in order to prevent it from clotting off? 

I was happy to get mine out but didn't realize how prominent the scar would be on my fair skin! Used silicone sheets for several weeks back then, now (after almost 3 years) it's beginning to fade.

Kicks

While actively doing chemo, port is, in effect, flushed with every infusion and fresh heparin put in after infusion.  When it is no longer being used, the 'old' heparin needs to be 'flushed' on and new heparin is put in to keep clotting from happening.  There are different ideas on how often to do it.  The card I got with it says to flush every 28 days, however the Cancer Center I went to says every 2 - 3 months for flushes.  In my case, because I am no longer in 'active cancer treatment', VA will not authorize me to go the the Center for flushes but have them done at VA.  So how often is up to what my VA PA orders and we have discussed it and she thinks monthly makes sense to be on the safe side, so orders monthly flushes.  

I too am very light skinned but scars are always minimal for what caused them.  My port implant is just a 'hair thick' little line.  I think often what a scar winds up looking like often depends on what the Dr thinks/cares about.  My Surgeon implanted my port and as said it's just a little line but my UMX scar is also a very thin line - much thinner than I expected.    He had used surgical glue with both.  3 butterflys were put on port incision but other than compression bandage for UMX glue was all that was used externally.

bhd1

After three yrs, my port eroded thru the skin  and I had to have it removed.   turns out they cannot put a port in my chest or in my arm either because of bad veins in chest.   So I will have to get chemo in the arm and no port..   Does anyone know how the veins in the chest could be shot?  I thought i had the port to prevent that?

Kicks

Why can't they use leg/foot veins?  There are veins all over the body that can be used. 

bhd1

thanks kicks.  Would that hurt?

Kicks

Foot/leg does 'hurt' more but for access but you should have EMLA/generic numbing cream for any port access which can be used for other area access.

exbrnxgrl

Two thumbs up for EMLA cream. That is the best topical numbing stuff in the world.

Caryn

bhd1

kicks are you saying use the cream on the foot vein?  Or have a port put in by the foot and then use the cream on the port?

leggo

I'm just going to add my two cents and say that a port or any other semi-permanent vein access in the foot is a REALLY bad idea. It would be ok, I think if it was just a one time thing for running saline or something, but chemo.....nuh-uh. There is a real danger of thrombosis and embolisms in that area because of the deep venous sinuses in the leg. Not to mention, many people have varicosed veins in that area, which could cause the medication to pool. If it happened to be a chemo pooling, well, that just sounds bad. Bad, bad idea.