Help with port question

Options

Did you get your port placed in advance of chemo, or same day? Thanks!

Comments

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited June 2013

    I had my port placed at the time of my UMX.  The port can be placed anytime before the first infusion.  It could be done a week before, several days before or even the day before the chemo starts.  It is usually done under twilight anesthesia.

  • Nel138281
    Nel138281 Member Posts: 2,124
    edited June 2013

    Mine was done a week or so after I began chemo.  They needed to start chemo asap and didn't want to wait for the port.  First treatment done without.  You can have it placed and use it the same day.  I opted not to, it just seemed like a lot for me to deal with in one day

    Be well

    Nel

  • davick92
    davick92 Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2013

    I had my port placed on the morning of the same day that I started my first chemo treatment. It is common.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2013

    Mine was placed during BMX with no external incision, it is subclavian, just below the collarbone and hollow of the throat.  None of us knew at that time that it would not be accessed until 3 1/2 months later, and after an additional 4 unforeseen surgeries.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2013

    Mine was placed during BMX with no external incision as we knew that I would be receiving chemo due to Her2+ prior to the BMX.  My port is subclavian, just below the collarbone and hollow of the throat and it is still in place even though I finished chemo in June of 2011.  None of us knew at that time it was put in that it would not be accessed until 3 1/2 months later, after an additional 4 unforeseen surgeries.  To maintain its integrity I have it flushed every 6 weeks.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    I had mine placed about 2 days before.  Couldn't get coordinated with the surgeon until that day, but I could have had it done earlier if our schedules had meshed better.

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited June 2013

    mine was 1 wk before chemo started

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited June 2013

    I was curious about your question but going to where you posted on another thread I now think I understand.  I got my first chemo without a port.  Then I had a port installed on a Wednesday and got my second infusion on the Friday of that same week.  When they installed the port they knew I'd be having chemo two days later so they left it with access.  There was no problem.  Good luck to you. 

  • NisaVilla
    NisaVilla Member Posts: 574
    edited June 2013

    Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences with the placement of the port. I did not know there can be so much variation. It is actually nice that there is flexibility re: when to place it. I think mine will end up being the same day as first infusion. I wish there was an option for "where" to have it placed. With a BMX that is healing nicely, I hate more scars in the area! Health to you and yours, Nisa

  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited June 2013

    Mine was placed 2 days before my first tx.  It worked beautifully - I was so thankful to have it, especially with having to have 5 transfusions and 2 hospital admits.  When I had it removed, I asked to see it, and they cleaned it up and let me take it home.  Heck of a souvenir!

  • sarajaneevans
    sarajaneevans Member Posts: 187
    edited June 2013

    I had my port planted on June 7, the same time as my second lumpectomy- I have my first Chemo on June 25-So almost three weeks now and have had no issues.. I asked the oncology nurse about rubbing on the  Elma cream before the infustion and she said they have some kind of deadening spray they use, to kind of freeze the area first..

  • chickydee
    chickydee Member Posts: 46
    edited June 2013

    I got my first chemo without a port because we were moving quickly. For the 2nd treatment, I got the port in that morning and then went straight to chemo. My port is in my upper arm. I love it because it's not in the way. The nurses hate it because it tends to move and twist on them when they try to access it.

  • lcm123
    lcm123 Member Posts: 115
    edited June 2013

    I got my port put in over a month before treatment, because after it was put in, and I was scheduled to start treatment in three days, I decided to cancel treatment and get a second opinion.  I am glad I did, because I feel way better about where I am, now.  So, I finally started treatment yesterday afternoon.

  • encyclias
    encyclias Member Posts: 302
    edited June 2013

    Roughly about about a week before my first chemo.  In the interim, I had labs, a PET scan, and a MUGA scan.

    Carol

  • NisaVilla
    NisaVilla Member Posts: 574
    edited June 2013

    THANKS everyone who responded to my inquiry. You are all so nice and supportive. I managed my first chemo on Monday without a port. Veins are now a little messed up but hope they will survive 3 more rounds.



    At the chemo class the nurse said I needed a port, a week later she said "we can work with that". Just like that, as if it didn't matter that I struggled with the port thing for days. I am starting to think the oncology staff where I go is a bit burned out. I did chemo, went home, no one has called. I expected a little more follow-up for this being my first round.



    Did you get better follow-up that I did?



    Thanks to all, and warm regards. Nisa

  • Nel138281
    Nel138281 Member Posts: 2,124
    edited June 2013

    No calls home after any of my chemos and I went to dana farber. they expected me to call them if something went wrong.  I think with the number of folks going thru chemo, for all of the different cancers, it would a tremendous job to follow up.  I did find that if I had any questions or concerns and called them, I received a call back very promptly.  That mattered to me a great deal

    Be well

    Nel

  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited June 2013

    I had my port put in about four months into a six-month course of CMF. I was getting weekly infusions and after a while my veins just wouldn't tolerate it any more. I had the port put in one day and had chemo either later the same day or the day after, I don't recall which.

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2013

    My infusion center does not call , nor did I expect them to, but are very available and responsive if necessary.

  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited June 2013

    I'm a Dana Farber patient too so I ad the same experience as Nel.

  • Rebok65
    Rebok65 Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2013

    I had my port put in about 1 week before the first chemo.  There was no follow-up call, and I didn't expect one either.  They did have me come back in 1 week for a check in with the doctor to make sure all was going okay.  I had 4 rounds of AC every other week at first, and then 12 straight weeks of Taxol.  The oncology office was very responsive, always had a doctor on call that I could talk to 24/7 if I ever had any questions. 

  • NisaVilla
    NisaVilla Member Posts: 574
    edited July 2013

    Thanks everyone for your responses...I can't remember who I thanked via PM. Sorry for duplicates.



    The process so far has been filled with surprises whether it is about who gets a port or who gets chemo. I expected more of a protocol-driven onco world where everyone got the same treatment for the same condition as per guidelines. But as I read signature lines (not this thread) I can't help wondering about the variability. I even see ladies with DCIS (stage 0) receiving chemo!



    Good health to all... Nisa

Categories