Port Chest or Arm

I didn't know there was a choice and thought everyone gets it on the chest. I have it on my right side of my chest since the left is the affected side. Some docs say it has to be on the left but no it doesn't. I guess since you can have some discomfort would you rather have it in your arm or chest area is what I'd be thinking.

mucki, I had mine on my left chest. Surgeon was careful to place it so it wouldn't be bothered by my bra strap. It really doesn't take too much getting used to. Only a few days and you will forget it's there. I used a small pillow as a cushion if I needed to keep it from hitting something. I never thought about hiding it, myself, but I get it:). I'm sure every surgeon has their preference or reason. Maybe it delivers faster or has less potential for problems...?

Are you sure you're talking about a port and not a PICC line in the arm?

Artista, I don't blame you for wanting to keep your port if you have small veins. About 30 years ago my ex-brother-in-law had to get chemo for lymphoma. He was a big guy (over 6 ft) and did not have what you'd call small veins. He constantly suffered from blown veins because of those caustic chemicals pumped directly into him without the protection of a port or PICC line. I guess we should be grateful for small mercies.

I have a port in my left upper arm. I love the location - unobtrusive and easy for nurses to access. And, my gosh, am I grateful for it everytime I have blood drawn or chemo - quick and painless.

Enough people expressed surprise at the location that I asked my surgeon about it. She said arm ports have been around for years but that the surgical procedure is more technical and they don't make much money off that surgery, so many doctors don't do them (!) Crazy

Different Drs have different ideas and different reasoning for those ideas.

My port is on my left chest as surgery was on right. Later this month it will have been in for 8 yrs and there it will stay (unless something goes 'wrong' with it). According to what I was told, IF it is removed and then IF I ever need a new port it would have to go on arm or leg and that I don't want. About 45 yrs ago, my friend had to have a pacemaker and it was implanted on her upper arm. She was continually bumping it on 'something' or issues with rubbing/getting caught' on clothes. I would also think (just my thoughts - no documentation) that as arms move around a lot that a port placed there would be more 'feelable' (is that a word?) with each time the arm was moved.

I have no issues at all with my port, I don't 'notice/feel' it at all - so there it will stay. I visualize some 'things' 'child- like' - my port is my Lil Soldier standing guard so the Big Monster will be afraid to attack again, however, if Big Monster decides to try to attack again Lil Soldier is there with rifle at ready to defeat it again.

It is 'visiable', if looked for, when I wear a swimsuit, but so what! If 'anyone' has an issue with seeing it - they have a MAJOR problem themself - not me. So they can pack sand.

I do not use my port for blood draws - no reason as I have great veins in left arm and it's a lot quicker and easier to just hit vein rather that to have to have RN who is educated on using ports to come in to flush it then draw and then reestablish heparin block. I did have one draw done via my port but that was only because I was scheduled for a flush the same day so when RN did the flush, she did the draw. I had UMX, 3 eye surgeries and a wrist surgery after port implant. Anesthesiologist for UMX did not want to use port - wanted to use vein. Port was used for anesthesia with 2nd cataract surgery because they had had such a hard (long) time getting a line established in a guy (bad veins) that was headed to emergency surgery so was asked if I minded if they used my port as they could get it in with no possible issue - of course - that's why I mentioned it and gave them the option of using vein or port.

When my port was implanted, Surgeon really 'impressed' upon Hubby that I was not to do any 'heavy work or lifting' for 2 weeks. No mucking stalls, carrying feed sacks or hay bales or water (Surgeon is a horseman) but to ride all I wanted/felt like so I did and was back riding and teaching a couple of days after implant but NO barn chores for 2 weeks. Yeah!

My port is also on my chest, but very, very far to the right, in a little hollow between my shoulder and chest. It would only be visible if I wore spaghetti straps. It is also very tiny, as it's a Bard petite power port

.PICC lines are not often used in the US for chemo, though common for those needing IV antibiotics. The insertion/removal is simpler than a port, but a port requires no special care and can get wet