Ugly arms after chemo

Pamcycle,

After three tries to get to a vein at my first AC, the nurse suggested I get a port.  I did the same regimen you are doing and with so many TXs it seemed to make sense.   So I got a port.

The port was great as far as the TXs are concerned.   Just one stick in the port and I was good to go.  There are downsides, however.  The port requires surgery to impant and although I had no problems with it, my surgeon had seen many complications and isn't a fan of ports.   There was some discomfort after surgery  and you are left with a bump on your chest.   Taking it out is an office procedure and painless (after numbing) but it does leave a pretty significant scar.  Mine is slowly fading now.

Another option is something called a picc-line.   This is inserted into a vein in your arm, threaded to where they want it and left in place.  The advantage is that it can be done by a RN and doesn't require surgery or leave a scar.  The disadvantage is that have you tube sticking out of your arm for months and have to avoid getting it wet, etc.

With the port I had one less thing to dread about the infusions and overall I'm really glad I had it!   The picc-line would also accomplish this.

Patty

Pamcyle,

I am scheduled for my first chemo on 8/25. I have almost the same path as you and I am having the exact same regimen as you. I was pretty much told I had to have a port. They told me the AC is very toxic and can damage the skin if they miss the vein. Since I have seen pros and cons on this site re the port, I figured it wasn't a big deal. We'll see. I get the port on 8/24. Bless you all. 

AC is toxic, but with good veins and an excellent nurse, it can be done.  That said, you are having 16 infusions altogether, as I did, and that is a lot for anybody's veins to take.  I had a PICC line, which seems to be more commonly used in Canada. Less invasive, but needs to be flushed weekly and stay dry.

I didn't have a port for chemo. The doc who does the IV's at the facility I went to had no truoble finding veins.

BUT

My veins are now almost destroyed. I'm now Stage IV and having monthly Aredia infusions. For my last infusion it took SEVEN TRIES to get a vein. That's not 7 tries by an incompetent person. That's 2 tries by the nurse (and I know her and she's usually VERY good at getting a vein) then 2 tries by my pcp, who suggested calling the pediatrician since she's used to getting little baby veins. She also tried twice, couldn't get it, put Emla cream on the back of my hand (I hadn't wanted it there since it's so much more painful for me, hence the Emla) and, finally, after the Emla took effect she was able to get a vein on the back of my hand. The nurse said my veins are very brittle as a result of the chemo.

Seeing my onc in a few weeks and discussing a port.

Leah

My arms were already "ugly" (ok, fat! )....but seriously, I LOVED having my port.  The actually implanted it the day I started chemo.

Hollyhopes: That actually sounds like your PICC wasn't taped down properly.  I moved my arms very freely with my PICC line (and skied every weekend).  It did come out a ways, and I had to get it replaced, when on one dressing change, the home care nurse untaped it and I rushed off, reaching to grab the phone because my onc was calling. (that was dumb!)