horrible experince trying to get a port

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jen76
jen76 Member Posts: 14
edited September 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

ok. after a year I have finally been talked into getting a port. I really didn't want one but I know I need one. so my nurse suggested I get one in my arm since I didn't want one in the chest.  I finally gave in. Had it scheduled for today. was supposed to get a call from hospital with time yesterday. they never called. I called my dr office they told me it was scheduled for 8am gave me the number. I called no answer left a message and called twice more. Never heard anthing. so went to hospital at 8am got a call from then on my way in saying I was supposed to be there at 7:30 am.  ok  so I'm getting prepped. a male nurse or radiologist  came to talk to me told me the procedure and asked my why it was going in my arm. I said because I want it in my arm. ok... so they wheel me back get me set up for the dr. put the blanket over me dr comes in never speaks to me and goes to poking and prodding on my arm. I hear him say  see this is why I don't like putting these here.   I'm like what the crap? then all of a sudden a code red comes over the entercom they stop my procedure put me on the gurny and wheel me out. saying that a heartattack is coming in and they need that OR.????? really??? I heard one of the people In the or saying she can come back another day. ok I'm not happy... they bring me back to waiting area to give me fluids dr comes in tells me that if I want it in my arm I have to come back another day they only had on arm port and it got wasted since they had to stop procedure for the heart attack patient.REALLLYYYY so now I have a huge bruise on my arm and no confidence at all in this dr.


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  • 50sgirl
    50sgirl Member Posts: 2,527
    edited August 2016

    Jen, i don't even know what to say. I am so sorry that you had such a traumatic experience. That is just horrible. HORRIBLE! There are so many things wrong with what happened. The list is just too long for me to put here. I hope that you report all this to your doctor's office so they are aware of what they sent you to. You should also report the incident to the head of the hospital because such behavior should not be allowed or repeated. Is there another surgeon you can go to for the procedure?

    Hugs from,Lynne

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  • jen76
    jen76 Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2016

    I'm going to tell my dr. I hope there is somewhere else to go because I'm not ever going back to that surgeon. The surgeontold me they don't put ports in arms maybe once a year so they didn't have one because they normally put them in the chest. I'm disgute

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  • nrsteph
    nrsteph Member Posts: 114
    edited August 2016

    get another dr! do not go into a procedure where the dr "doesn't like" ANYTHING. this was a sign, read it, and change directions!!! Your port is very important and makes infusion so easy but if there are complications that would suck to have to stop infusion until it can be fixed. I would be upset too. You didn't choose to have cancer so they should sympathize and let you have this choice...I am with you all the way lady!

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  • jen76
    jen76 Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2016

    thanks so much!I knew this just couldn't be right. I still can't believe this happened.

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  • poochiewoochie
    poochiewoochie Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2016

    You need to talk to a patient advocate at the hospital. What they did was wrong and if it were me I would make sure someone knew about it. I don't have breast cancer but I learned a few years back after several serious health problems that YOU have to advocate for yourself because no one else is going to. So that means making sure that those who should know know what happened.

    One of those problems was a NP at the local community health center who pooh poohed me when I was concerned about a lump in my breast.Told me it was nothing even though I am a slightly higher risk than others. It was just a cyst but the NP attitude was just down right crappy. The breast specialist told me any lump should be checked out.

    That and the incident with my C-spine taught me that medical professionals are not all that special and when needed can be brought down a peg or two by talking to the right people.


    I hope it's okay for me to post this but I get so mad when I see people treated to badly by those who are supposed to have compassion when they treat us.




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  • gramen
    gramen Member Posts: 179
    edited August 2016

    Jen76, I'm sorry this happened! Do you see a breast surgeon? May be he/she can install the port. Mine had to squeeze me after a long day of mastectomies but he's so caring it was worth the wait.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited August 2016

    Jen, if this guys puts a port into the arm once a year you don't want him to touch you. I won't say "be glad" this happened, but you want a surgeon who puts ports in the arm every day. Or at least once a week.

    Ask your doc if there's someone else.

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  • Shutterbug73
    Shutterbug73 Member Posts: 791
    edited September 2016

    Jen - I'm so sorry this happened to you. I have a PowerPort in my arm (at my surgeon's suggestion...she is a breast surgeon by the way) and I love it. I agree that you may want to follow up with a nurse navigator and tell her about your experience. It sounds like this surgeon is not familiar with ports in general. Maybe they can help you find someone who is more familiar with the procedure.

    Good luck and don't give up on the idea of a port yet. I have nothing but good things to say about mine.

    Also, I don't know where you are...but if you are in Michigan I'm happy to share the name of my surgeon.

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited September 2016

    Jen, I agree--do not go back there. As hard as it was to get sent home portless, it may be a good thing that that surgeon did not attempt the job. I hope you can go somewhere where they do this all the time and where they will treat you like a human being.


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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited September 2016

    My MO sent me to a dialysis clinic to have my port inserted. They do gazillions. They were fast and professional. Might be worth asking. Sorry you had such a lousy experience. We don't need additional problems.

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  • jen76
    jen76 Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2016

    thanks I'm thinking about talking to the breast surgeon. I'm in va. but I agree it was for the best because I don't trust that dr. I have scans tomorrow and will see my oncologists next week. What. A month !

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  • Longtermsurvivor
    Longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,438
    edited September 2016

    Hi Jen,

    In my region Interventional Radiologists, physicians, install ports and implanted devices of many types.

    They do out-patient procedures galore - way more than one a year.

    Your referring oncologist/doctor should direct you to the right professional - sounds like this one was a big mess miss.

    Here's hoping you end up in competent and compassionate hands, Stephanie

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  • jen76
    jen76 Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2016

    thanks everyone, well I had my mammogram today and the same dr. was there to look at the pictures and he told me it looks like more breast cancer, did not do a biopsy, says there's no need to because of the calcifications... says he's gonna call my dr. I have to say I don't like this man.

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited September 2016

    You could tell your doctor that you will not see that radiologist again.

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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited September 2016

    Jen, I am sorry you have had such a difficult time with this radiologist. You can complain to the facility that he is at. Ask for the manager over radiology. Voice your complaint and then tell them you do not want any further involvement with this radiologist. When you go each time after that you will have to request him not to view your films. Best of luck to you.

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