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

Yes, the Bard Power Ports are famous for their purple color. I have the small one and am thin, but since it was placed in the little hollow where my shoulder meets my upper chest, it doesn't stick out and is not visible when i'm dressed.

Meg101,

Most people have no issues with their ports. I myself had the rarest of complications, a collapsed lung, but realize that while possible, it's highly unlikely. I would still recommend a port. PICC lines are less commonly used in the US due to the fact that they are "open" and involve restrictions on getting wet. You do see them for shorter term use, i.e. antibiotics that must be given intravenously for a few weeks.

Once you have healed from the port installation, for most people a short easy process, the port is care free. Do some folks have problems? Of course, but they are in the minority (and I was one of them!). Let's not forget that Power Ports also allow for blood draws and nuclear injections if you get PET scans.

djoyp - is there any maintenance? do you have to get it flushed periodically?

Lanne

I didn't get a port. All AC is done and 3/12 taxol are done & I've been fine with just having an iv.

exbrnxgrl

Thanks! I had my port removed at my BMX and was surprised when asked if I wanted to keep it in. I’ve seen several posters have kept their ports so I wondered about maintenance. I skipped one week of chemo (but still went in for the hydrating fluids) and the nurse mentioned they would have wanted to flush the port anyway.

A few ppl have mentioned having some problems with their port working. I always had to be at least 45 degrees reclined, head turned left (head position when it was put in) and use a long needle, or mine wouldn’t work. It got to be a game with my husband to see whether the nurses would believe me, but it added a little levity to the day.

Also, my nurses (whom I adored) didn’t mention the numbing cream until the LAST treatment. I think they all assumed someone else had. I didn’t find the poke painful so no big deal. But I was very glad to have the cream (which I bought just for this purpose) when I had to get the shot of dye in my boob before surgery.The thought of that still gives me the willies.

Lanne

Love those little purple ports! The reason that I have kept mine is that I am stage IV. I am not currently on any IV tx, but I probably will be at some time in the future.