Port question

I found my port to be irritating for weeks. I had to be careful with movement and it felt like it was pulling. It has been 3 months now, and it still bothers me sometimes when I sleep on that side. But, oh, am I grateful to have it.

My surgeon told me it would come out when chemo was done. I thought I would keep it until after reconstruction, if they will use it during surgery.

My port has never been painful. For a few days it was tender but not painful. My Surgeon gave me Oxy and told Hubby to be sure I didn't hurt. So when we got home, Hubby insisted I had to take an Oxy. Then after I was sleeping good that night he woke me up to take another one - not needed so I didn't. Surgeon did impress upon Hubby that I was to do no 'heavy lifting/work for 2 weeks (he knew we had horses) so I got out of all barn chores for 2 weeks. I was riding a couple of days after port implant though and giving lessons as usual. I had 1 incision where the port was implanted - no other incision/none in neck.

I had my first DD A/C the morning after port implant.

How long to keep a port in is a personal issue. Some want them out quickly, I have chosen to keep mine in for 8 hrs getting it flushed every 8 weeks. To me (and my PA agrees with me) why take it out? It's there and IF in the future it might be needed - it's already there and ready to use. (It is my 'Lil' Soldier standing guard to keep the Nasty Cancer Monster from trying to attack but IF the NCM did try to attack, it is already there with rifle at ready to fight the Monster again. Childish - but how I visualize it.). IF I should ever need a port again and I had had it removed, a new port would have to be in a less convient sight. Plus it would necessate another surgery to re-implant one. So my port is going to stay where it is. Just get it flushed.

There are some who have problems with blood draws that keep their port for a 'time' for blood draws to keep from having problems with 'stick problems'. I don't (unless a blood draw happens to be on a flush day) as I have great veins in non- surgery side so not an issue for me.

There is no 'One Size Fits All'!

My port is in my upper left arm. My surgeon said it's better placement for it. I have to agree. The nurses at the infusion center said if it's in the chest, accessing the port tends to be more painful. My MO says I can take it out after last chemo treatment. I want it gone asap, no reminders and back to my life! I feel if you leave it in you're just waiting for the cancer to return. I'm thinking positive and besides if I need it again it only takes a few hours to get in put back in. But everyone is different!

I had my port 3 days ago, only one incision under my collar bone.

Any one else feel bruised on the “inside"? Like, if I take a deep breath it aches like I had a terrible cough for a week and those inside muscles are sore. My right chest is sore, my right arm/shoulder is a little sore, I feel like my whole right chest should be bruised but it isn't. Is this normal? Should I call?

I didn't ask enough questions pre-op. I had surgery first, so when they talked about port placement I was thinking “well it cant be nearly as bad as the 8.5hr mastectomy so I'm sure I'll be fine" oops

Wonderwoman,

Do you feel short of breath? Or winded when you climb the stairs? One potentially dangerous condition that can develop out of port placement is pulmonary embolism.

You could call the surgeon's office and leave a message for whoever is on call. He/she could call you and you could describe your symptoms and how you feel, just to be sure.

Elaine and Ksusan- today is better but still sore, no shortness or breath or swelling or new bruising, Ive called my surgeons office, they said they would get back to me in an hour or so to talk symptoms, they did mention US or CXR to verify placement and peice of mind.

I'm a little depressed after reading this thread. I just got my port on Tuesday, and came here hoping people would say the pain goes away in a week or so. That doesn't seem to be the case though.

I had a chemo appointment yesterday, so my port was accessed for the first time. The pain was unbelievable.

Don't get too discouraged - it's still very soon after your port surgery. I was surprised by how much mine hurt for the first 3 days or so. And all this time later, it's still uncomfortable if it's bumped or rubbed against. But mostly I forget about it now.

I used to just do the numbing spray when it was accessed. Now I put a big glob of Emla on it and lightly cover that with plastic wrap about an hour before my infusion time. And I still have them spray as well! I'm all about minimal pain at this point.