Port-a-cath uncomfortable

Dot - so sorry you are having such discomfort with your port.  Perhaps you can give it a few more days and it will be better.  I had mine put in the day before my first chemo treatment (back in June) and I have to say that I don't really notice it at all.  And I am extremely happy that I get chemo through the port rather than my puny veins.  As long as the site seems to be healing OK, I think you'll get used to it.  It doesn't restrict any of my activities at all.  I did get a small one, though.  I don't know if that makes a difference.

Hugs,

Michelle

alfie, I was in pain and miserable the first week that I had my port in. I've had it for 10 months and it does not bother me at all! I cannot feel it, it does not restrict my movements, I sleep on that side and am able to wear shirts, etc over it.

2 days is still pretty recent. I was hurting really bad at that time so I was there too. Hang in there.

Dot,



Is it red or puffy? I don't think it should actually hurt around the port-a-cath, although if it's just 2 days I'm sure the incision is still tender. I just want you to be sure it's not infected or a big hematoma.



I am very thin and my port-a-cath stuck so far out of my chest. You could see the three dots. But I am so, so glad I had it. It handled my chemo and my unexpected complications of neutropenic fevers, lots of antibiotics, and reactions to antibiotics FAR better than my veins could have done. I'm all done with chemo and it's out now, and my veins are normal. I lost a big vein on my hand years ago from a drug damaging it, and it was both painful and permanent.



I swam, ran, bicycled, even played some basketball (although that made me a little nervous). My then 2 and 3 year old wacked it with their heads and elbows a gazillion times. I mostly worried that it would pop through my skin because I am so thin, but it was great. Yes it's another scar, but I'm no model.



Breast cancer sucks. It sucks to sacrifice so many things about your body and yourself. It sucks that even if treatment is successful and I never have a recurrence, I will never have myself as I was again. But when I ran into the things that I just hated (radiation) I tried to so hard to think of them as tools (harsh tools, but tools) that people were using to try really hard to save my life.



I hope this helps.

MIne was sore for a long time. Had to sleep on my back. I can now sleep on my side. Mine sticks out also. You can see the 3 dots. My only complaint is I have to wear certain clothes so my port doesnt show. That eliminates a lot of my tank tops and such. Thank god winter is coming and I really wont have to deal with it.

Alfie, now that's funny - another lump!

My teenage DD saw the port lump and said, "So I see you've had recon". Teenagers think they are so amusing.

All the best.

Leah

Have you gotten the RX for the lidocaine cream?   That may help.  My onc perscribed using it for an hour before chemo or whenever it is iritated from chemo.  Its pretty easy, you actually put a dot on and then use glad press and seal to protect your clothes.  I know its not the best answer, but it might get you through you uncomfortable days until it heals... Mine was tender, but not super noticable.  I have to say I can also see the three dots in mine, but its GREAT for being able to give blood as well as get chemo!

My port ( Bard power port) was inserted mid October. I really noticed it at first and thought I wouldn't be able to bear it but it healed and now I rarely notice it. I love it for blood draws and infusions. My puny veins on my one good arm would have been miserable. Give it a bit more time.

Caryn

Morning, ladies!!  My port was installed 12/14, first chemo 12/19.  Woke up instant, ready and raring to go.  Second morning, had my first meltdown of this whole cancer business that started Veteran's Day.  Poor hubby was in a quandary on whaat was up!!  I am NOT a weeper.  He went to work, talked it out with his office crew, checked in mid-morning and I was fine again.  I hurt Like He--!.  I have wicked BIG neck and shoulder muscles from years of outdoor farm, garden, contruction, sports stuff.  My surgeon weighs 90lbs dripping wet.  I think she used a block and tackle and crowbar to get it threaded in.  Couldn't turn the neck, couldn't sit up from bed, and had visions of being like this for months.  After three days, the tension released, thought something had popped, but we're good. Bandages off was a wonderful day. Steristrips pull my skin, too much. Went SNOWBOARDING, not shopping, yesterday 12/26, no problems.  It was great for the first chemo treatment, cause I fidget and anything tube on my hand or arm feels just too EERRGG.  Could read and eat and do netbook during treatment and it was away from my line of sight.  Hang in there!!  Now if someone could take out that one stitch that's catching my clothes and necklace, I'd be really happy!!!  Enjoy the Season!

I've had mine in for a week and I hate it.....it creeps me out. I feel it every time I move and I feel like I have some foreign alien thing in there.