Port for chemo

I had my port in for more than three years. It was uncomfortable in the initial month. But today I am so thankful for it. I have tiny veins and the port makes setting up any iv a breeze. I also use a cream to numb the port area before chemo and no pain

Rhonda, I assume the port is covered by a bandage. You can cover that with a big plastic bandage -- Tagederm. Then you can shower. The idea is not to get the bandage wet.

I don't have a port but if you're going to get chemo this beats having them stick you in the hand or elbow every time. I'll be getting one some time in the next year.

Sorry it's uncomfortable. Think of this as if you've had an operation (which you have). It takes a while to recover.

I hope no one minds me chiming in here as I don't know my stage yet, but it took at least a week for the discomfort from my port to go away after having it implanted. I had a lot of redness and inflammation at the incision site and at first I could feel the catheter in my neck (it's not actually up in my neck, but it's threaded through the lower portion of my jugular and and there is a referred sensation), especially if I tried to sleep on the opposite side. I showered by covering the bandages with plastic wrap sealed with waterproof tape and avoided getting the area wet to the best of my ability in case it leaked. You can also buy waterproof seals specifically for this purpose at some drug stores and most medical supply stores if you don't want to bother with the plastic wrap and tape or you can also do sit baths or sponge baths instead of showers.

I ended up having my port replaced due to developing a fistula at the first incision site. They made new incisions for the 2nd port and the second time around I had signifcantly less discomfort after the proceedure than I did the first time. I can still feel the port somewhat but most of that is due to the fact that my skin is very tight in that region. I also still feel it a bit in my neck sometimes but not nearly to the same extent as I originally did.

yes I am using EMLA cream. I applied an hour ahead and I only felt at bit of pressure no pain

I've never used any numbing cream or spray for port access and it's never bothered me at all. Certainly not as bad as an iv in the hand. However, this may be due to the placement of my port in a spot with fewer sensitive nerves and probably most others may have ports in a more sensitive place.

I would recommend getting the cream or asking the nurse to use a spray. Anything that makes all this easier!