Port hell

Cheesequake

Has anyone had difficulty accessing a properly placed port? What happened in your case?

What a drama this has been! Last Wednesday I had a Bard Power Port with Groshong Catheter implanted in my chest. (Probably not this exact one, but very similar.) Chemo was to start Tuesday of this week. I got myself all psyched up for it and was mentally ready... only they couldn't get a needle into the port. Nobody can feel the palpation bumps on the port that are supposed to be clearly felt through the skin to guide nurses as to where to put the needle. Three different nurses tried to put in a needle, they all said it felt like they were hitting metal, and they didn't get any blood flow return. They x-rayed it (x-rays are bad for me because of my genetic disorder, but I guess this was absolutely necessary.) My port is not flipped. They called the surgeon - he said it was probably just swelling and to wait two weeks to try again.

They wanted to just do chemo in my arm veins, but I refused. My veins are too small, too deep, and chemo will be incredibly rough on my peripheral veins anyway - this is why I got a port in the first place! I went home. It was sore from all the manipulation, so I iced it on and off for the rest of the evening.

The next day (yesterday) the infusion administrator called me and said he didn't believe swelling would be blocking access and asked me to come in so he could feel the port himself. Four more people poked and pushed and prodded at it, none of them could feel the palpation bumps. They attempted the needle again, and supposedly this time it worked. They got blood flow back and flushed with Heparin. I went home and iced again, now my entire right side of my chest and neck (where the catheter incision is) is sore, bruised, puffy and swollen. My neck especially, which I don't understand.

I'm very concerned - why can't anyone find the palpation bumps? Is the port really seated properly? Did they really get into it yesterday? Is this going to work for chemo?? Now I have to completely reschedule my entire course of chemo, but I'm afraid to...

Thanks for reading

NineTwelve

Hi, Cheesequake. I hope you have a call in to the clinic where you had your port surgery. I know the surgeon was contacted, but sometimes the nurses are even more helpful and knowledgeable about post-surgery recovery. They may have suggestions or advice for you based on their experience. The swelling is odd; I wonder if allergic reaction or infection could be a factor?

ksusan

So sorry! It hurts in your neck because it threads up by the big neck veins:

You might also feel it in the hollow of your shoulder.

I hope they get it figured out soon, with the fewest pokes and prods possible!

debiann

Cheesecake, I am so sorry this is happening to you. I had a Power port and there was some trouble accessing the first time but they eventually got it. Once they figured out the best way for me(reclined and holding the port steady because it wobbled), the other trips were easier although I was anxious every time, expecting it to be as bad as the first time. I didn't get the same nurse everytime and I did need to always advocate for myself my telling them in advance how to do it. Also, if I got a nurse who seemed to be having a little trouble I would tell her to get someone else to help.I hope they figure out your problem and a solution for the next trip. Good luck.

208sandy

I had my port in for three plus years and must say that at the very beginning I was a little swollen in the collarbone area but it subsided within a week. I could actually feel the three bumps through the skin myself - I wonder if the placement is a little too deep. Mostly there were no problems accessing but on occasion I would get a nurse who had a problem and then I'd ask for someone who was familiar with my port - it really was a godsend - I'd do it again without even flinching. Good luck to you.

Strong65

My first port was too deep, I had to be careful how i slept at night and they had to use a longer needle to access it. Finally, after 6 months, it flipped and i had a new one put in, first infusion was today and it went great. .. wish i would have had it replaced sooner.

vlnrph

I was a little freaked a couple weeks after my chemo course was completed when I thought the catheter was kinked or blocked but it was actually OK. I hope your situation turns out to be like Debiann and they can find a position that allows easier access without needing to replace the thing

Do you have a prescription for Emla cream to apply prior? That may help numb the area, especially if so many different people are poking at you...

Cheesequake

Thanks all for the responses. My surgeon tried to call - on the 4th of July - and I missed him. I wish you could just text doctors I'm waiting for another call back. In the meantime the swelling has gone down and sleeping on my side is much more comfortable. I still can't feel the palpation bumps and I'm constantly concerned it's going to flip. Don't they suture these things in place so they CAN'T flip??

Chemo is scheduled to restart on the 17th. Hoping it goes better this time. I'll definitely try to control the situation better, even if I have to recline the chair, hold the port and stick the needle in myself!!

I really appreciate all the feedback.

debiann

Cheesequake, Hoping all goes well next time. I didn't realize those suckers could flip!  Yikes, happy I just got mine out or this new information would worry me like crazy, lol.

I needed to be very reclined, almost flat. One time they had me in a chair that didn't recline so I asked to be moved. They had me lay on a bed. Once you figure out what works for you, don't be afraid to tell anyone who works on you.

After my disastrous first time in which my DH looked white as a ghost, I had anxiety every time. I told one nurse I considered a round of chemo finished as soon as they got good bloodflow cause the rest was a piece of cake. It sometimes took more than one poke to get it, but it was never as bad as the first time. After my recon surgery the area was swollen and they needed to use a longer needle. That round it hurt, like something was pinched, throughout the entire infusion. 

Keep us posted on how your next try goes. Good luck!

Mommato3

I got through 4 AC and 6 weekly Taxol treatments before I started having problems. It shifted on me. The nurse reclined me in the chair and I didn't have any more problems after that

nancyh

Hi! I've had 5 ports over the past decade (I joke that I should have started a punch card), so I can probably chime in on this question even though I've not had quite the issue you're describing.

By palpitation bumps I assume you mean they can't feel/palpate the port through the skin. Your port is probably placed very deep in the chest wall, my first port was that way and it was intimidating to the nurses. The solution was to make sure they always use the larger needle size for access (sounds scary, but it really isn't any more painful, just longer and therefore able to reach the port). Hopefully, since your port is new, the swelling will subside and they'll be able to feel it without too much trouble. If they eventually got blood return, you should be good to go. If your port is tricky, you might see if you can get the same nurse for each access. It might take some sweet talking and a bit of extra time, but they can probably accommodate this. Best of luck!!

Georgiw

Hi Cheese quake. I had a Power port too. It was set In too deep. I too upon first aND every treatment had trouble. I had to hold my breath while the accessed it. Then a nurse suggested it get a prescription of lidocaine crran and out some over my skin where port was at least 30 minutes before my treatment. Cover the cream with a piece of saran wrap. This Helps numb the port skin area. She was able to get my port the first time but alot of prodding. I'm glad about the cream and gladly used it. I do believe it helped me although it hurt everytime. My surgeon put my port in too deep. A friend of mine had a port and her surgeon. A lady prayed for me in my church and I believe God healed despite the chemo which said I was getting worse. I'm cancer free. Hang in there.

Georgiw

Hi Cheese quake. I had a Power port too. It was set In too deep. I too upon first aND every treatment had trouble. I had to hold my breath while the accessed it. Then a nurse suggested it get a prescription of lidocaine crran and out some over my skin where port was at least 30 minutes before my treatment. Cover the cream with a piece of saran wrap. This Helps numb the port skin area. She was able to get my port the first time but alot of prodding. I'm glad about the cream and gladly used it. I do believe it helped me although it hurt everytime. My surgeon put my port in too deep. A friend of mine had a port and her surgeon. A lady prayed for me in my church and I believe God healed despite the chemo which said I was getting worse. I'm cancer free. Hang in there.