Port Woes!

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berrypatch
berrypatch Member Posts: 90
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Need some input here.  I want to know if any of you ladies have had this problem:

I had a R mast on 11/3/08.  At that time, I asked the surgeon if she was planning to put in a port for chemo.  She called the onco, and he said no need for a port.  I am getting Taxotere and Cytoxan, which I started 12/9.  OK, for the initial chemo they had a heck of a time finding a vein, and suggested that I get a port.  Well, after getting stuck numerous times, I thought that might be a good idea.  So, on 12/29 they inserted a port in my arm.  Ever since then, I have felt like crap!  The port works, I've had chemo and blood draws.

This past Thursday I spiked a fever of 100.8 and ended up in the hospital for 4 days with a dx of cellulitus. I did have lots of swelling and bruising on my entire left arm, but it has gone down to almost normal,  I had chest x-rays, and ultrasounds of the port, and all seems well.

DH and I were talking at supper tonight, and we determined that I have not really been well since my port was put in.  For example, all I have wanted to do for the past 2 weeks is lay around.  I got the "shivers" a few hours ago, and my temp was 99.8.  That is just 6/10's of a degree from being in the hospital again.  I don't feel like eating, or getting off the sofa, and now this has been for 2 weeks.  I had IV Vancomycin and Zofran for 4 days.  I had Levaquin orally in the hospital, and now I am taking Keflex 500mg TID.  Do you guys think that this may be a hospital acquired infection from the port insertion?  Has this happened to any of you?  Nothing "bad" showed up in blood cultures, at least that I was made aware of.  I plan to call onco tomorrow, but I know that some of you are nurses, or have gone through this before.  Please tell me what you think.  

Thanks in advance!   Carol

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2009

    Carol, boy you sure have been through the wringer.  I'm so sorry you are having so much trouble with your port.  Some people do have trouble with theirs and it sounds like you very possibly inquired an infection while your immunity was down from the first chemo.  I have to say that I had a chest port (installed just under the collarbone) for five years and never had any trouble with it at all. 

    One thing you need to watch like a hawk is that they use 'sterile procedure' anytime they access your port. Clean gloves, betadine, etc. to keep it from becoming infected again.

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  • amanda54
    amanda54 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2009

    Hi Carol, have a chat with your onc. I had a port inserted due to poor veins, however this was done after my 1st chemo. Everything has gone down hill since. The Op site became infected and of course this was over the chrissy period so the surgeon was away. The infusion site in 1/2 way down the inside of my right breast - this I'm sure is so I can't turn over in bed or lie on either side. Hence I have to sleep in a sitting up position - most uncomfortable. The reason for the port was to make life easier for me!! the Onc nurses can't access it as they are saying it could be too deep. Anyway I spent New year in hospital for 9 days with the infection having antibiotics every 6hours given through whatever vein they could find (couldn't use the port) veins finally didn't want to play anymore and packed in so now I'm really special as they ended up putting in a PICC line. More maintenance but much more user friendly. Still have the port which is useless and now it needs to come out. Ports are clearly not for everyone. I love the PICC line and must say can't wait to get the port out. Tell your onc your concerns - it's bad enough putting up with the treatments without the extra discomfort.

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited January 2009

    Amanda,

    Can they get blood samples from your PICC?  Or, do you have to get stuck for those?  Also, where does it exit?  Is showering difficult?

    Thanks for the insight... I'm trying to choose between PICC and port and have to schedule whatever I go with on Tues.

    Michele

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited January 2009

    Michele:

    I had a PICC for 6 tx, and all my blood draws were done through it.  A visiting nurse came once a week to flush the line (I'm in Canada) and I had no discomfort or any problems with it, other than once --  it developed a leak near the outside end, so I went back to the hosp and the nurse simply pulled it out another cm or so and then capped it.  Oh yes, it was inserted about 4 inches above my elbow.

    Re showering:  I was able to purchase a  12 inch plastic sleeve with elastics at both ends which I just slipped over it.  Got it at a medical supply-type store near my hosp -- the kind that sells wrist braces, canes, wheelchairs etc.

    But the best part was that it didn't hurt being inserted and it was removed immediately after my final tx.  And no scar!!

    Cheers! Linda 

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  • amanda54
    amanda54 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2009

    Hi Michele,

    Linda is right, it didn't hurt going in and it won't be painful coming out. As long as you take care of the PICC everything should be okay with it and the Onc nurse's say that some people have them in for upto 12 months and even longer. They can take the blood for tests from it and no needles into the skin. Mine is also about 4 inches above the elbow I have wondered why I wasn't offered this option in the first place. I have found it much more comfortable that the Port even tho' the maintenance is higher. Good luck in your decision.

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