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

Had my port put in today. Surgery was not bad. But it's hurting a little know. Hope it's good by Monday so I can go to work.

I was a bit worried before getting my port too... the thought of having something foreign inside me... and for an extended period of time. I had the Bard Power Port placed Tuesday under general anesthesia. It really wasn't bad and I didn't need any pain medicine when I woke up but I was starving so my husband and I had dinner out before going home. I was definately sore the first couple of days, but showered the next day and even went shopping and to lunch with my daughter. Went quickly hack to my normal routine. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Good luck!

I had a guest instructor cover my afternoon class after getting the port, but I was in my morning class the next day.

Had my port put in under general anesthesia. No problems with it except I always felt pressure from the tube at my neck. But glad I had it. I had surgery after chemo so had them remove the port then, otherwise it would have been in the Dr's office under a local. That thought gave me the heebie geebies.

The only time I've thrown up during any of my cancer treatments or drugs was on the ride home after the port was placed. (Sorry hon, I should have passed on the post op chocolate pudding) Also, I give my BMX scars a 9 and my port scar a -2.

Lanne

Interesting! But wasn't it uncomfortable during infusion?

Hi StephanieBC

Thanks for posting these pics! Do you mind if I show my PS and MO?

Was the tube going towards your heart still threaded through the artery at the base of your neck?

It does seem rediculous to be meticulous abt the mastectomy scars and not try very hard on the port scars!!

Lanne

lanne: yes of course you can show the pictures to your surgeon, and yes the catheter was burrowing its way to the jugular vein, or the subclavian vein (i don't remember which one) at the base of the neck.

infusions were very comfortable.

Okay, this is my 2nd BC so my 2nd chemo. Had port 1st time for 4 a/c , 4 taxol. Had 4 a/c and 2 taxol as the taxol was not tolerated at all so my onc let me quit. The port surgery collapsed my lung which was super painful. The port itself was painful and stuck out near my collar bone, very visible, very ugly, but it was recommended. This go-round unless my onc changes the course it's to be 6 taxane-type chemo (?) , 6 rounds every 3 weeks. I think my veins can handle that but can they? Where do they find the veins? In the crook of the elbow, or hand/wrist or where? I do have small veins but I don't want a port! Waiting on path report.

Debsmisto, yes, I had that the whole time I had the port.

If I'm not mistaken, one of the reasons for having a port or a PICC line is not so much that it's easier if you have small veins, they also protect the veins from the chemicals. You may start out with good veins but then have them damaged during your treatment. Have you considered a PICC line? It's easy to put in and quite comfortable. The only hassle is having to keep it clean and dry. I used Press and Seal plastic wrap to cover mine up when I took a shower and it worked really well. Also, it was easy to remove at the end of my chemo. Just a thought.

Ouch!

I didn't have a port during chemo (Taxotere and Adriamysin). My veins were fine; no bruises, bleeding or damage of any type. BTW, I'm 71 years old with thin white skin and I bruise easily so go figure. I've read horror stories about ports causing infections, permanent scarring, and even Sepsis. When my brother had cancer, they used a PICC Line which didn't cause any problems. Be careful with ports.

Thanks for this discussion! It helped me ask better questions during my port education consult.

in case these photos are helpful to others, this is the size difference between the Bard Power Port Slim 6 French (6F) & the Bard Power Port 8 French (8F). The 6f is made of titanium (& is the shiny, smaller port) & the 8f is the larger plastic port. (They switch sides between the photos)

There is an even smaller port (4F), but the nurse educator kept emphasizing that she's seen a lot of issues with that one becoming easily clotted. She did not recommend it, really pushed the 8f as far less likely to clot, but said the 6f would probably be fine as well &, as you can see, it was noticeably smaller

**i will say though that if you are doing Herceptin alone, it is possible to do that without a port, if your veins & you are up for it. I've just finished a year of it with few problems & I've known others who have done systemic chemo without the port as well, but they were willing to risk the possible vein damage. No one way fits everyone. Good luck, all!

Such a pretty color. My port was white and plastic. Mine worked well, but I developed a clot so I had it removed soon after finishing Herceptin. I would take a picture of it, but it has dried blood on it so it's too gross to post.