Port Question

CJSharma

My port is installed and has been placed well. Surgeon did a good job. My question is does it ever feel more natural? it's only been 4 days, and I have no pain, just a slight bruise. But, when I turn my head I can feel it, and I'm still really careful on lifting anything in that arm because it feels weird.

I'm not anti port - I kind of view it as my gateway to let the chemo ninja's in to do battle with my cancer (I'm a sci-fi fantasy buff so that imagery makes me happy ) - but I am fairly physically fit, so I like to keep active, and I feel weird with this thing in.

bagger

I have the very same question. Mine was put in 5 days ago.

Moderators

Eager to hear what others have found with this, especially for very active people. Thanks for sharing here, and hope to hear from others!

Maya15

It definitely gets better. I had mine put in 3 months ago. At first I could feel it when I moved my head, swallowed, and when sleeping on port side. My surgeon said it's normal to feel it for 2-3 weeks while the swelling goes down. It took me about a month before I could feel nothing at all. Now I don't even notice it's there except when I look in the mirror. It's really visible and I'm not looking forward to having to find t-shirts that cover it in the summer. But I can and do a full range of excercise, and I don't feel a thing.

CJSharma

Maya - Thank you! Were you able to continue to workout through Chemo (I'm having the same chemo drug combo you did, but mine is double dense. I'm Her -2.

I've discovered my scarfs work well to cover the tape and bumps right now. Cute sleeveless tops with a shorter fringy scarf would look really good. Plus I know it's not as noticeable to others as it is to me - so that's a blessing.

Maya15

Yes I'm able to continue working out during chemo--not every day, but I get to the gym about 2-3 times a week and do elliptical machine or biking, and I do yoga at home or go for long walks another 2-3 days a week. The AC knocked me out completely for the first 4 days each time, but by day 5 I was back at the gym. Now I'm on Taxol and have another 2 months of weekly treatments to go (then surgery). Taxol doesn't knock me out like the AC but it makes me overall more tired. Don't know if it's true, but I've heard that exercising helps with minimizing chemo side effects and my MO is keen for me to stay active

ksusan

It was better at about 2 weeks post-installation. I could feel it and had discomfort the whole time it was in, but it was recognizable and manageable.

Kicks

My port has been in 6 1/2 yrs, and I NEVER notice it at all ( just remember to go for flushes every 6 weeks). I am very a outdoor woman (riding/caring for our horse, bicycling, boating/canoeing, flyfishing, mowing yards with my push mower, etc.). I do any and everything I want to with no thought about anything (port).

When my port was implanted, my Surgeon impressed on Hubby that for 2 weeks I was not to do any barn chores (carrying feed/hay/water, mucking, etc.) (Surgeon is also a horseman.) So I got out of all chores for 2 weeks. Was riding and teaching the next day after implant.

The reason I have kept my port in (with all my Drs approval) is that IF I had it removed and needed another one again, the areas a new one (another surgery) would be in areas not as 'easy'.

Also, some 'things' I visualize somewhat as a child. My port is my little soldier standing guard with his M16 'at ready' to keep the Monster from raising it's ugly head and attack I g me. If the Monster does attack, Soldier is there and ready for the battle. That might not make sense to anyone else but the only it has to is me - it obviously does to me.

Deaconlady

Yes. It took a good 3 weeks but I don't notice it unless a dog or cat steps on it. 😁

CJSharma

Kicks - I LOVE your visualization for your port! It makes a ton of sense to me.

Thank you everyone - I appreciate the responses. I'm better today - it's not as "weird", but I can still tell it's there. I have the feeling that that will never go completely away. Oh well. It is what it is.

CJSharma

Wanted to check in - the port feels a lot more natural to me now. I can still feel it, but honestly after my first chemo treatment, I'm happy I have it. It's kind of like a reverse electric socket - they plug you in and give you the juice. I didn't get numbed before the IV was installed and it was just a small prick (less than an actual IV) and it was done. My incision is healing nicely.

clairy1960

I didn't have a port, but I did have a picc line. It took about two weeks to get used to it aND i did continue my circuit training as much possible throughout my 20 weeks of treatment. If you have trainers where you work out let them know about the port and ask for help with modifications. I did fewer repeats of lifts and pulls, instead the trainers at my site had me do holds with increased weight.

Hope that helps