Question about port protection

Good question! I suppose, in part, it depends on where on your chest it's located and if that's a spot your girl tends to pounce on. My Mary Lu was less than 20 lbs. but loved to prance, play and snuggle against me. She passed away in June, so that means she was with me almost the entire 8 years I've had the port. I remember a few times when she sort of butted the port with her bony little head, but never did it consistently enough to be a problem. I should add that my port is placed in a little hollow that I have where my shoulder meets my upper chest. It is a low profile Bard Power Port.

Worse comes to worse, you could train her to not jump up on that general area, maybe?

I wear port pads that my sister made for me. The pads are triangular and have straps that attach to my bra strap. I found the prototype on a website- googled chemo port protector. My first one I made out of a maternity nipple pad and adhesive Velcro. I can’t sew so my sister made me some out an old soft cotton pillowcase and some cotton batting. You can’t make it too thick because it will put pressure on your port. I will try to post a picture

snaffle53,

I also have an 80 Golden Retriever who is overly active. He senses something is up. Dogs are very good about that. My port is on the right, and I turn that side away when he wants to be the lap dog. You can put a gauze dressing over the port with waterproof adhesive for extra protection but I find the adhesive makes me break out. Only time I have a dressing on it is right after chemo, and just a waterproof one when I go in pool. Then take it off immediately to protect my skin from the breakout 4 weeks now and no problems. As far as jumping on me, we have pretty much nixed that, took a lot of time and patience because he is now 9 years old and still acts like a 1 year old. Thank god for that he is my bud. He likes to paw me for attention, but now only does my arms and legs. Wash hands alot esp when picking up the poop on walks and backyard, I wear gloves, and then wash again. He likes to sleep on end of bed and of course I encourage that he's my bud, but change sheets frequently, he gets bath routinely and groomed daily. Hope this helps Marta

Yes, you need doggy hugs! The clue is in your avatar and name: How about wearing, at least sometimes, a protective vest like the ones for cross- country horseback riding that involves jumping?