Ports, I don't want one is that naive?

ingersollnic · July 2015

I had my first of 4 chemo TC treatments last week and refused a port. It is just a personal thing I have about anything that makes me feel like a patient. I am great with needles and have never had problems. I did have to wait 30 mins before they would do the IV in the hand, as I had blood taken in one arm and just 1 week post surgery in the other arm, but doctor OK'd it with the nurses and I have not had an issue, I realise this may change but I don't really understand why. I told them to do everything in their power to just use the IV for the 4 times in my hands so fingers crossed

KBeee · July 2015

I did not have a port for my TC in 2013

Nel138281 · July 2015

I had a port for my initial round of treatment, but it went on for about a year , so the port made sense. I hated it!! Reminded meal the time that I was sick, no medical issues - just the constant reminder. Finished treatment, had it removed and then DX stage 4. This was 2 years ago. I receive Herceptin every 3 weeks and have not had the port put back in. My onc has given up fighting with me (LOL) Herceptin will not do the damage to my veins that more toxic treatment would, so for the present - no port. They use my hand and the understanding is that if the nurses begin to have difficulty finding a vein - port will go back in.

So long story short - do what works for you, mindful of how long treatment might be and what type of treatment you are having. We do get to call some of the shots going thru all this.

Be well

Nel

ElaineTherese · July 2015

For 4 treatments, you can get along without a port. Alas, my infusions began last year in July and will continue until September 2015. (I'm HER2+, so will have a year of Herceptin.) In my case, a port was worth it. Good luck! Hope your veins hold up!

ABeautifulSunset · July 2015

I had six rounds, plus a gazillion blood draws and scans over the years. No port. Unless my veins collapse, I will never agree to a port. My personal choice, as it is yours.

Morwenna · July 2015

I had 4 rounds of AC, then 12 weekly goes of Taxol. I asked for a port when I started, but there was some delay, so I had the first 2 rounds via my arm vein. I don't think the port would have been offered, had I not requested it

My veins are shot now. I developed pulmonary emboli (lung clots) during chemo, and again at reconstruction, so am on anticoagulants and require frequent blood draws. Can't use my left arm because I have established lymphedema that side, and there is just the one spot they draw from in my right elbow. This is so scarred up now that sometimes even experienced phlebotomists have difficulty, and end up poking my hand.

Fun, not. My only regret is that I didn't get the port sooner!

Warrior_Woman · July 2015

I had TC x 4 without a port but the nurses felt that my veins could manage it. I am glad I didn't get a port...But... I was burned by the chemo drugs when they accidentally spilled from my veins and after round 3 my veins started turning black. All of this was frightening. I'm fine now and glad I didn't get a port but there were some problems with going directly.

Kicks · July 2015

The surgery side arm should NEVER be used for infusions, blood draws, BP or vaccinations. After any surgery the posssibility of developing LE (LymphEdema) is present and using that side for these things' increases the possibility of developing LE - you do NOT want to develope it.

Different chemo drugs have different potential for damaging veins. I had great veins and wanted to keep them great in the only arm that could be used post surgery forever. Did not want to have to go to leg/foot for blood draws and BPs IF the veins on that one useable side were damaged by chemo. I did not have to ask for a port - my Surgeon and my Chemo Dr both told me a port was the only logical way to go - so my Surgeon implanted mine the day before first neoadjuvant DD A/C.

ElaineTherese · July 2015

Kicks has a point -- AC can cause problems if infused through the veins directly. My MO only gives AC through a port. But, nicevolve is getting TC, so that might not be an issue for her.

Viceroy · July 2015

I had 4 AC and 3 Taxol and I didn't have a port. When I told my oncologist that I didn't want one she suggested trying it without and said that they could put one in at any time if I changed my mind.

The nurses were nervous while doing AC so I ended up spending a lot of extra time in the office, but I'm very happy with my decision to not get one.

Nancy2581 · July 2015

I was originally to do TAC for 6 treatments and no port. I had my first one of TAC through my vein - didn't handle it well (not the infusion, but the side effects) and switched to AC + T which was 16 infusions. Got a port. Hated every second it was in because I felt like I was a chemo patient. I will say it saved my veins and now that it is out I'm glad I did it. Also I developed some sort of burn like area with that first vein infusion. Maybe from the Adriamycin - don't know - my onc took one look at it and said you're getting a port lol.

Nancy

inks · July 2015

Did 8 ACT without a port plus blood draws, no major issues. But they had to poke me many times because my veins are horrible. Also they did use my surgery arms (double mastectomy, 2 sentinel nodes taken from both sides) no lymphedema as of yet and I had radiation too. Good luck!

lago · July 2015

I had TCH (H for a year). I had no problems with my port and I'm glad I had it. I also had nodes removed from both sides. One side was diagnosed with lymphedema during chemo so I feel like I saved my other side.

I know one of my friends had just TC and they ruined one of her veins. They didn't give her the option of the port. She was pretty pissed.

But it's your choice. If your team is OK with it then fine. For those of us that are doing a year or more of treatment, have lymphedema (or risk in both arms) or other reasons we know this is best for us.

Kazzy115 · July 2015

I had dose dense ACT without a port. All eight infusions were in one arm and I had no problems. Happy to have done without.

Tresjoli2 · July 2015

I adore my port. I was terrified to put it in but wouldn't have it any other way now. So easy. My veins are always a nightmare.

Beatmon · July 2015

The only time I think of my port is on the way to tx.....to be sure i have my Emla on, and I look at my site before going to bed and when I first wake up. So, all told, maybe 3 minutes in a 3 week period. Knock on wood! Mine is very easily accessed by the nurses. But, I will be on chemo forever.

Best of luck whatever you decide

auntienance · July 2015

I did not have a port, but after my second infusion, taxotere blew up my veins. I don't regret not getting one but the last two infusions were more difficult. My veins still aren't great, 3 1/2 years later.

ruthbru · July 2015

Remember that you will never want to use the veins on your compromised arm again for any blood work, IVs, vaccinations, blood pressure readings.....nothing....ever. You might be fine without a port, but if you end up having problems, you will then have problems forever. I HATED my port, but it was temporary means to an end.

Morwenna · July 2015

In her opening post nicevolve stated that she had used both arms for bloodwork post-op, and we are not told whether she had axillary nerve dissection.

in any case, playing devil's advocate, there is scant scientific evidence that venipuncture is actually a risk factor for developing lymphedema.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC365257...

I do avoid pokes in my arm with established lymphedema, but continue to have them in my other arm, despite having had 7 nodes removed at this year's prophylactic mastectomy and bilateral flap reconstruction. Immediately post op they used my legs for blood pressure, and my feet for draws, but I have since been advised (at the lymphedema clinic) that it's ok to continue using the right arm!

I've decided not to worry about it. I have regular blood draws, being on warfarin, and the whole thing is a pain in the proverbial, but I have a close friend just diagnosed with lung cancer, mets to brain, and I've decided to count my blessings and enjoy life, such as it is!

Lilyn · July 2015

Hi I had four chemo treatments and then a year of Herceptin and did not need a port. Best wishes and hugs to you

cider8 · July 2015

4 TC shouldn't be bad without a port. I had my first DD AC without a port (timing issue--MO did not want to wait another week to start chemo) and it was fine going through it. But that one time shot that whole big, beautiful vein. For 6 CT (port was taken out a couple months after 1st chemo course) I did not have a port. I used that same arm as the first DD AC and it got more and more difficult to find good veins (cried after 2-3 tries because it hurts when veins are hard to find and/or collapse). I sort of wished I had a port, but didn't really want another port. The last time I used that arm was for surgery: 8 tries by about 5 people took around 1 1/2 hrs. Now I can't use either arm. On to the foot!

lago · July 2015

Morwenna You're lucky. I have LE in my arm with 10 nodes, no radiation. My other arm had 4 nodes and I try to avoid BP and sticks as much as possible. They won't draw blood from my foot. BP in foot is too high most of the time. I let my PC do PB once a year in my arm. Always normal.

lovecat3 · July 2015

Morwena I've been through Chemo twice since 2010 and remain on Herceptin never had a port

90% of the time the nurses use my "good" hand

I'll be on Herceptin indefinitely

Take care

powerthruit · July 2015

I am doing 4 rounds of TC and no port. IV in the hand worked fine last time. Going for number 2 in a week. A port was not pushed on me at all. Different story with more intense regimens.

Ports, I don't want one is that naive?

Comments

Categories