Chemo Port-O-Caths: Did you get one? What was is like?

I had a port and am glad I did. it made chemo much easier. Just put the numbing cream they give you on an hour before it is accessed and you won't even feel it. The port hurt quite a bit for a few days after it was placed but honestly after that I hardly knew it was there.

Ivehad my port for almost 6 years. I don’t want it out.

If you are having A/C, the port can save your veins. It’s much easier to start chemo with one in, one stick and done. Nobody poking around in your arm or leg to get started.

What if you needed a pacemaker implanted? You can have it removed after chemo a pacemaker you can’t.

The port makes the IV drip easier. It can be done without the port. Unless you are known to be a hard stick or have bad veins, it’s just easier on you.

l love my port! Mine never bothered me at all and was placed in the little hollow between shoulder and chest so it is not visible. Please note that not all places provide EMLA, numbing cream mentioned above as it’s pricey, but almost all offer a short acting numbing spray. Port-a-cath is a brand name, the general name is just port. It provides a quick, easy and painless way to access your vein and if it’s a power port can be used for blood draws as well (ask about that). Best wishes.

i started my treatment in paris where they do not give you a choice: everyone gets the port. my impressions: it felt awful for about 48 hours and then my body adjusted and i completely forgot about it. infusions are much much less unpleasant through the port than via IV (i've done both) and nurses seem to prefer it (in this country as well). as for aesthetics, mine was placed very close to the armpit so it would be hidden under bra straps and bathing suits straps but i don't think it's a typical placement in the US -- the new york surgeon who removed it seemed puzzled by its location as well as the location of the incision (in the fold of the armpit).

i had to go to the ER because of an episode of severe neutropenia after my last AC infusion and all the ER doctors kept saying how great it was to be able to use the port for antibiotics and such.

it seems they make things easier for everyone involved.

I was given the option to get a port. Since I had heard how difficult AC could be on your veins, I decided to ask the experts before ruling it out. My MO took me over to the chemo suite to talk to the chemo nurses. The nurses on duty took a look at my arms and each recommended the port. They felt that with my veins and the chemo plan, I would most likely do much better with the port. I never regretted my decision. The port was used for some blood draws too. I found that it was nice to have access to both arms during chemo. I felt better able to move around and change position while connected to the IV. Also, I was hospitalized twice during chemo due to fevers and the ER nurses loved using the port for antibiotics. My MO suggested keeping the port for a year after chemo just in case. I had it removed under local anesthesia after a year.

Definitely discuss the location of the port. Mine is in much the same spot as stephaniebc. I have a Bard Power Port Petite, so it is quite small, as I am as well. It is not terribly common and I do, occasionally, have an infusion nurse remark on it. I also have only one incision. Best wishes.

If you're HER2+ they're going to recommend some sort of chemo + herceptin and possibly perjeta. Herceptin is ~18 infusions total so your port will get a lot of use. My scar is hideous and I hate where they placed it (it always shows in the clothing i wear. wtf guys) but I don't regret getting it. I had it placed a few days after my first chemo session and didn't have any issues with healing. It's much more pleasant to go through infusion using a port than it was the time I didn't have it. Also, people always have issues finding my veins so happy to not have to deal with that stress!

I'm HER2 + and they never really discussed any option besides the port. I agree that it hurt more than I thought it would for the first two days and then was just a little uncomfortable in certain positions for a while. My surgeon checked for the placement with my bra on so it never rubbed or anything.

I'm glad I had it. It worked great through a whole year of treatments. I'm keeping it for a while - security or something, I guess.

Bard Power Port bonus - no need for Heparin and it only has to be flushed every three months instead of six weeks!

Hi Everybody - Just jumping in here to let you know I didn't have a surgically implanted port when I went through AC/Taxotere a few months ago, and my 71-year-old veins held up fine with all the blood draws and shots in the same arm. As for chemo, before each infusion the nurse inserted a small needle into a vein near the crease of my elbow. The needle had a small disposable port attached to it. At the end of each infusion, they simply threw away the needle & port. It didn't leave any marks or bruises or cause any pain. I didn't have to apply Lidocaine, or do any flushing, or worry about getting an infection because the port was tossed after each infusion. I wonder why all hospitals and/or cancer centers aren't using disposable ports? It seems to me it would cut back on costs and liability, in addition to saving patients from annoying discomfort.

All of you seem to have a great positive attitude, and you are forging ahead in this fight against cancer. I admire your strength and courage. Meg

I was Her2 positive and didn’t get a choice. I had to get the port and so hated it every second. I did not know at the time you can lobby to have it implanted in a non visible area and that it could be done eith a vertical incision that could be hidden under the bra. I only found this out from a post here from a doctor that explained it. Unfortunately it was too late for me. I have a hideous scar that can be seen very easily. I’ve had to change many blouses and dtess s from my wardrobe. I also have a nick/depression/hole, kind of like a dimple on my collR bone that there’s no hiding.

Although my port didn’t actively hurt after the first week or so, it bothered me all the time and depending on the position I tried to sleep in, it hurt.

I had it removed , by a plastic surgeon to try and make the scar better, a couple of weeks after my last chemo. Most port scars I’ve seen are horrible and deep/depressed and I wanted to try to avoid it. I’ve had some fat grafting but I’m still not entirely happy with it.

If I knew then what I know now I would have refused it or made sure it was hidden.

Good luck.

I'll share the good bad and ugly of my port. I had port put in May 1, 2017 for four rounds of TC. No issues and worked wonderfully. Finished chemo July 2017 and my MO wanted to keep in for a year so we were going to have it removed this July. Have been getting it flushed and used for blood draws when onco did them every four weeks. Last port flush/ blood draw was Feb 23, 2018. A few weeks after this I started feeling flu-ish. High fevers, aches pains. My PCP put me on Tamiflu and I saw him and although my rapid flu test negative he still treated me as flu. After five days of severe shaking , fevers and zero improvement I knew something was wrong and port area started to be sore and I noticed a small lump at end of port. Ended up in ER March 25 and was admitted within five mins with port infection, severe sepsis and two DVT blood clots. My jugular vein where my port was threaded through was completely blocked by DVT and I had another clot further down my neck caused by the infection. My port was removed and was so infected that my wound could not be closed. I spent 9 days in hospital receiving antibiotics and blood thinners. I had to have a picc line put in as after I was released from hospital I have to receive iv antibiotics at home 3 x a day for six weeks. I am in the middle of this nightmare now and have four weeks left of the at home antibiotics and 65 days left of daily blood thinner shots in my stomach. My infectious disease doctors advised the bacteria (MSSA) was introduced at the port flush (which is being addressed with my cancer center). The sepsis was so bad they are concerned about heart valve damage.

So my port was fine until it wasn't and it almost killed me. If I had any idea this was even possible I would've had it taken out the second I was done with chemo. With all I've been through the past year, cancer dx, multiple surgeries, chemo radiation etc...I've never been or felt sicker than I have been with this. It was needless and pointless. A month and a half ago I would've posted like everyone else and said no issues with port, all great ....but not the case anymore.

Had my port placement done about four weeks ago. I was awake throughout the procedure and did not feel a thing. The actual thing took a bit longer than expected because there was a slight issue with the cath "curling" as they said, but once it was in place I barely noticed it. Had my first flush done yesterday and was told it is working perfectly. Good luck! It's a simple procedure and goes surprisingly fast.