Chemo Port Questions

Deb5108 · October 2008

I love my port I have had it since June with no problems and hope to keep it the rest of my life just kidding although I wouldn't mind. I have had no problems sleeping or otherwise hope this helps

kathimdgd · October 2008

I just had my power port put in on Thursday,and it is still kinda sore today,not as bad as yesterday though,and i was able to take all that tape off of it today and shower.Just have the butterfly strips or whatever they're called over the incision.

I was totally under when they did mine,i felt nothing,nor heard anything,til they woke me up.I don't know when my chemo will start,i still have to have some more bloodwork done and a Muga scan,but i figure it will probably be around the end of the month,or so.

I'll be on T&C &A,and i had a bilateral with NO reconstruction!!

Kathi

Anonymous · November 2008

The only problem that I've dealt with regarding blood draws from the port, is that most of the lab techs and phlebotomists aren't capable of accessing the port. I was told this last week when I was in the hospital that only an RN can access the port, so even though I have a perfectly useable PowerPort, I still had to have no less than six blood draws from my hand.

erindunn · November 2008

My port was implanted when I had my mastectomy July 31st, 2008. I have teeny tiny veins that would never hold up (I am a phlebotomist by trade). My port was sore for about three days after and then it felt fine. Everyone once in a while I will get a twinge of pain if I wing it with a hand or fingernail. Other than that, I forget it's even there. My bra straps don't bother it at all. The seatbelt did bother it so I covered that with something soft or with a little pillow. Our breast coordinators at my health facility had volunteers that made heart shaped pillows to place under the arm you had the mastecotomy on and it really helped. Nothing touched and that brought me a lot of relief. I also placed one of them under the belt that crosses over your one breast. If it's the side the port is on, place it or something that will pad the area. That worked wonders for me. Since I still can't sleep on the side I had my mastectomy on (right side) I sleep on the side of the port. It doesn't bother me at all. I also prop myself up with lots of pillows, too. That might help.

I had a friend who had BC so bad they couldn't save her. They implanted her port in her arm, and that was so painful for her 24/7. Can you imagine? In your arm? I can't. I'm feeling pretty lucky. I have agressive cancer but I have a better chance of survival than she did, and she was always in pain on top of what you go through with Chemo. I just feel so lucky that it's been easier for me. I am miserable for periods of time, especially now with the Taxol, then I feel better. She never felt better, and she was always miserable and never complained. I miss her.

What I don't get is why your health practioners are using your ports for blood draws and other things, besides chemo and then the before and after flush. My HMO, and my booklet that came with my port says it cannot be used for blood draws, ever.

LibraGirl · November 2008

Hi again

Erindunn - I'm not an expert, but I think there are different kinds of ports, so that some can be used for blood draws while others cannot. I had most of my blood draws through my good arm at first, but after awhile it would take 3 or more tries to get a good poke, so my last draw was through the port. I had to go to the chemo unit to have a nurse do it; lab techs are not allowed to do central lines. A much pleasenter experience!

I just had a bilat and expanders placed two months after chemo (I'm still getting herceptin). My ps and surgeon weren't sure if they could work around the port so I told them to take it if it would get in the way of a good medical outcome (getting all/most breast tissue). Lo and behold I woke up to find my port intact. It worked beautifully for my first H infusion after surgery. In fact, because my chest has lost some sensation I did not feel the needle at all. Maybe that is why some women who have it placed during mastectomy feel very little discomfort from the port?

Overall, even before surgery, my port has really settled down so that I really hardly notice it except for how it shows/affects necklines I can wear. I really didnn't think that would ever be the cas, but am happy to report it is true.

So for those of you who are facing doxy- or epi- rubicin, or a year of H, the port is worth it and there is a good chance you will hardly notice it after a time.

hopefullady · November 2008

erindunn, Some of us have what is called a "power port". This can be used for blood draws, MRI scans, and CECT scans, along with using it for the chemotherapy. It's just a different type of port.

Chris

pat1110 · March 2009

I had my power port placed on 3/03/09. I had my initial chemo (Adriamycin & Cytoxan) on 3/04/09. Since then it's been itching like crazy and is quite red around the incision. I saw the onc PA yesterday 3/18/09 and she said that I had a fungal infection. Gave me a prescrip. for antibiotics plus an over the counter topical - Lotrimin. This morning it's prickly and itching just as before. I can hardly wear a t-shirt because of this. I have a call into the onc's office and left a msg regarding a possible prescrip for an antihistamine. Has anyone experienced this problem?

Sassa · March 2009

Pat634,

I saw in your post on a previous page that your port is causing pain. Do you have a breast below the port site?

When I first had my port placed, my remaining breast on that side would pull down on my port and cause pain. I was more comfortable wearing a bra 24/7 (a sleep bra at night) as the bra relieved the downward pull on the port area.

Pat 110, After my first AC, I also developed a fungal infection but it was under my remaining breast. I didn't have any more skin problems after the first AC (I had 4 AC).

Chemo Port Questions

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