Central port - pros and cons

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tmulholl
tmulholl Member Posts: 10
edited April 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all -

I'm scheduled to have a central port (I think that's the right term) installed next week. It goes under my collarbone into my jugular. I had my first round of chemo/targeted therapy 3/6/15. I'm scheduled for 6 rounds, once every 3 weeks. I'll also be getting Herceptin for a year. As far as I know, these are the only infusions I'll be getting, along with blood draws every 3 weeks as well.

My question is: Is a port really necessary? I'm not thrilled about the idea. The first chemo infusion went fine through a vein in my arm. I'm youngish (43), and have good veins.

Anyone have any insights on this?

Thanks

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2015

    Since you are doing neoadjuvent treatment you can still use both arms right now, but after you have surgery you will only be able to use the one that has not had a SNB.  Having a port is a personal choice, I have seen people go both ways on it - although a year of arm sticks is no fun, it can be done.

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  • Deblc
    Deblc Member Posts: 479
    edited March 2015

    I had herceptin for a year and was glad I had the port, because I also had 12 weeks of weekly chemo, in addition to 4 weeks, every two weeks. It did not give me any major problems and I took it out immediately after I finished. This topic has come up on the board before, with lots of input, but I can't find the link; maybe the mods can direct you to that thread.

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  • tmulholl
    tmulholl Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2015

    Thanks all. I think I found that thread. Very helpful.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2015

    I did a port, and although I didn't like it at all, I am very glad I had it for this reason; as SpecialK mentioned, once you have had the SNB you will have a lifelong risk of lymphedema in that arm. That means no needles, shots, blood pressure reading......nothing in that arm ever again. So you really will want to protect your 'good' arm too and not risk damaging those veins. I would, for sure, use a port for the chemo, as some of those drugs can fry the veins if they leak out. You may be able to get by with the Herceptin without a port if you are sick of it by then.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2015

    I went into Chemo with great veins and intended to keep them! I did - thanks to my port.

    I did neoadjuvant A/C, so still had veins in both arms that could have been used then but also did 12 weekly Taxoladjuvant. So once surgery was done, the surgery side can not be used for BP, blood draws, vaccinations, IV's, etc. do the possibility of developing LE (or once it developes).

    We each have to make our own decisions - there was no way I was going to take a chance of ruining my remaining arm veins and then have to deal with using foot/leg veins for draws.

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  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited March 2015

    I did not want a port, but my chemo got changed from TAC to AC + T. Though I never liked having that port in ( felt so alien lol) I am glad I did it and saved my veins.

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited March 2015

    Loved my port - had it in for over 3 yeas..

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited March 2015

    I love my port too - originally requested by MO because I would have Herceptin for a year. New MO wants it out but I'm clinging to it since I'm at risk in both arms. I've never had a minute of trouble or uncomfortable feelings and my infusions were so much faster. Also it's so nice that they don't have to look for a nurse who knows how to access a vein in my ankle. Even at the hospital they could only find two nurses that knew how to do that.

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  • april25
    april25 Member Posts: 772
    edited April 2015

    I know someone who ruined the veins in one arm doing chemo that way. I suppose if you only need it a few times, you might want to take the risk, but I've had problems with finding good IV access in the past and it was no fun having them poking me all over the place trying to get a vein!

    I was getting 6 cycles of TCHP and Herceptin for a year after, every three weeks, so it was definitely worth it to me to get the port. It was a quick procedure... I had no pain.. just a slight pulling feeling for a while. I ended up having to have IV drips for weeks at a time during chemo, and the port came in handy for that... I was hospitalized for 5 days and they accessed my arm instead at the first hospital, and while I could do it, not being able to bend my arm for that long a time was no picnic! With the port, I don't feel it at all.

    I trust my MO and he was totally in favor of a port. I've had no regrets at all. And I know it can be removed eventually.

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