I really do not want a port...

My scar is teeny tiny and completely unnoticeable. Even with a port, my veins are toast. I can’t imagine going through chemo without it. I left it in for a long time and my plastic surgeon removed it during a reconstruction surgery. The placement was done under twilight anesthesia - not a big deal. I know you asked for people who did it without a port so I hope you don’t mind my two cents. :

I had TCHP and did not get a port. I have 1 more herceptin/perjeta infusion, but it’s been tough the last few months, since my surgery on 3/13 they can only use 1 arm and my veins are shot, it usually takes a few sticks to find a vein that will work. And going forward I have to worry about blood draws. Looking back I’m not sure what I should have done

I got a port and wish I hadn't. I'm small, was having BMX, and needed to keep my port after surgery so it was placed pretty high on my chest and the scar is visible with a LOT of my clothes, and it's not like I dress provocatively or anything. OTOH hunting for a vein every three weeks would probably have increased my anxiety during treatment. I also had a year of herceptin so it would have been a much longer course than yours. Of course had I not gotten one initially and wound up getting one later I probably would have regretted it even more because then my veins would have been shot AND I'd have the scar. I had my reasons for wanting one at the time though, and hindsight is always 20/20.

van, from reading these threads for over 10 years I learned something very important about the important about your veins vs getting a port. It's possible that 'down the road' in your you might possibly have the need for your veins to be healthy and in good shape. You could have a catastrophic illness although that may never happen. I say this not to dissuade you from getting a port but to give you information you might not have. It's one thing to understand all of the risks involved, make. Your choice and go forward with your decision. It's another thing to be in situation where you might need them and feel terrible that you weren't aware of the risk

I loved my port. Kept it for 2 years after active tx and used for blood draws, contrasts for CT & MRI testing, etc. Make sure you ask for a 'power port' so it can be used for all of those things. I was especially glad since I ended up with lymphadema and didn't have to fight about no sticks & pricks in my arms.

I had a double mastectomy and my port was far enough to the side & down from my collar bone that it never showed with any clothes - even deep V necks or boat necks. In fact I just measured - 2-1/2" down from the lowest collar bone point and 3" in from the center of my body.

I took the advice of someone on this site and drew magic marker lines where my bra straps sat. That way I totally avoided ongoing uncomfortable rubbing.

Edited to add - it's a VERY short surgery & a VERY small scar. Ask them to leave the "dangle" access during installation. I had my first chemo the next day & was all ready w/on any hassle.

My port has been in 7 years. I had a/c, taxotere. It was used in April for surgery, IV, , blood draws. I hate getting stuck, couldn’t imagine someone poking around my arm to start infusion. It’s not that big a deal, you don’t have to keep it forever like me, will make your chemo time a whole lot easier

I have a love/hate relationship with my port. It's right where my bra strap goes and the strap can rub it. Luckily my sister made me some pads that I can attach to the strap to help. I also have to be careful of wearing heavy handbags on that shoulder. When I was having chemo each week, the needle sticks didn't hurt at all. Now that it's only every 3 weeks, my skin over the port seems more sensitive.

There wasn't a whole lot of discussion about getting the port when I was diagnosed. Since I am HER-2 positive I will have infusions for a year. I would still rather have the thing than not. We'll see how I feel in about 8 months

Hello VMB

I didn't want a port either and got a PICC line on the inside of my arm instead.

Pros: tiny scar on the inside of my arm. Cons: had to be flushed once a week by a nurse. Overall: worth it to avoid a scar on my chest!

Worth asking your chemo team about this?

Alice

My port was placed 9/27/16 and removed in February 2017. This photo was just taken and I cannot find the scar. Having the power port made chemo easier.

I did not have a port. Actually, I didn't see anyone with a port sitting in any of the chairs in the chemo room through 4 AC + 12 T. We all had IVs. It was fine. I've had blood draws on that arm and haven't had any problems.

I had a PICC line. Like Alice said, it has to be flushed once a week and you have to keep it covered, but it's easy in, very easy out and it left no mark on my arm. I wouldn't have chemo directly into a vein. Many years ago my ex (now late) brother-in-law had chemo for lymphoma and his veins got so bad there were times his chemo had to be cancelled because they couldn't access a vein. It's nasty stuff. My chemo only lasted 4 months, so if I had a longer stretch in the future I may opt for a port, but I liked my PICC line just fine.

feel free to message me if you want a picture of my scar. I still rock tank tops and never give it a moments notice. Taking it out was a quick procedure in the doctors office.

But like you, I loathed the thought of getting one. My physician husband talked me into it. I was eventually glad because I felt poorly during chemo and the port was very quick to use- no arm compression, no slapping veins, or moving the needle to find a good vein.

One negative, however, is they flush the port before every use. Because my was high on my clavicle, near my neck, I could taste the flush. It tasted like I had twenty dirty nickels in my mouth mixed with rubbing alcohol. Disgusting!

To this day, I have a little trouble getting an IV because of scar tissue from past IVs (many surgeries). Less IVs can be a good thing.

I did hate the port, but I hated lots of things that year

best of luck and sending hugs!!!!

Lisaellen

I had a port throughout my chemotherapy. Made things really easy.

Then I had my bi lateral mastectomy with 24 nodes removed. My right arm is off limits now for bp and IVs.

Once I completed my Herceptin treatments the Onc approved removal of the port.

THEN - I had a colonoscopy and the Dr. perforated my colon. 8 days in the hospital with no food or drink - only IVs. By the end of my stay all the veins in my good arm were shot and IVs had to be placed by an IV team with a sonogram.

THEN- I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis and needed Prolia infusions every six months. But the chemo center doesn’t have an Iv team. They have to use a heating pad to bring out my veins and even then I have to have multiple nurses until they can successfully place it. It’s horrible.

So long story short, I’ve had it both ways. I wish I had never had the port removed. If I need more than the six month infusions going forward, my Onc said they will have to put the port back in. If your veins become difficult to access, it is not fun

I didn’t get a port for the same reasons you don’t want to. I made it thru 12 Taxols and then 13 (I think it was 13!) more herceptins. Was fine for me!