Port problems

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Renairis
Renairis Member Posts: 38
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi

After 8 treatments of taxol, carbolplatin adn Avastin I'm receiving now Avastin alone. It appears from a recent PET that the mets are paying me another visit.

I am presently receiving Avastin once every 3 weeks. My port has been giving me problems. I've had an x ray- it is clear and there are no leaks, thank goodness. The surgeon who saw me say there's an infection around it. I'm receiving a strong does of antibotics (Augmentine)but after 5 days of taking pills it's not getting any better, the skin is very tender and red.

Does anyone have experience in treating a functioning but infected port? Ouch!

Rena

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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited December 2007

    I had one that never healed from being put in. I wound up having to have it removed and another put in a different place.

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  • jeanne46
    jeanne46 Member Posts: 1,941
    edited December 2007

    It sounds like the same problem I had with my first port (I was also on avastin/taxol (abraxane)). I developed a red line above the actual port uo toward my clavicle (that port was inserted OVER the clavicle). It sometimes was sensitive, sometimes itched. Twice I was put on antibiotics (two different broad spectrum) and there was no change. Then I had a radiological study to see if there were any leaks. Finally, after the abraxane and avastin stopped working, I had my implant removed. When I needed infusions again, I had a surgeon (first time it was a intervention radiologist) insert the port. He put in a Bard Power port and so far have had no problems.



    If your port needs to be removed I believe you should be off avastin for at least three weeks. Check with your oncologist.



    Best of luck to you.

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  • Renairis
    Renairis Member Posts: 38
    edited December 2007

    Hi

    Thanks for your comments and information,b445 and jeanne46. I will take down the name of the port "Bard power". I hadn't been aware of the different types of ports.

    Is there an advantage to Bard Power?

    My onc. saw my port today and said that it probably is not a bacterial infection but a chemical one. The nurse told me a chemical infection occurs when the body is no longer accepting the foreign body.

    They have opted to keep this port in tact, as it is still functioning.

    Interesting what you said about waiting 3 weeks before changing the port. My onc. also told me that if I have dental care to attend to, to do it as far away as possible from the last Avastin treatment because it thins the blood. This is the same line of caution if having surgery like port removal. Good to know!

    Rena

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  • jeanne46
    jeanne46 Member Posts: 1,941
    edited December 2007
    1. The advantage of the Bard Power Port is that it can be used for contrast dye insertion for MRI or CT scans.  The other ports can't take the pressure and if you have bad veins like I do, it makes a big difference.  Once (pre-Bard port) they had to put the contrast dye in an ankle vein for a PET/CT because the veins in my arm weren't accessible.
    Best of luck with your current port.  Sounds like it's better at this point to continue with the avastin then to wait three weeks to remove the port and have to wait some time after that for the sutures to heal.


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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited December 2007

    You need only to wait five days after stopping blood thinners for surgery. (I was on this drug before 2nd mast.) Why would chemo be longer?  I stopped chemo on Friday and had surgery the next Wednesday.  My doctor also let have a tooth pulled while on Avastan, Gemzar & carbo?  No issues thankfully.

    Living in hope.

    FlaLady

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  • Renairis
    Renairis Member Posts: 38
    edited December 2007

    I know that keeping a working port in, means less surgery. The problem is that it's very sensitive, and the general way I'm feeling isn't that great. I have a feeling the mets are back but my onc. prefers to let my body get off of chemo after 8 rough rounds with chemo and avastin.It's hard having the port pain on one side and the mets hurting on the other. Sometimes I can't find a comfortable postion to sleep even though I take pain killers. I've forgotten what it feels like not to have some type of discomfort- pain!

    Although I don't have problems with bleeding my doctor did recommend I wait with any dental work requiring surgery. It's good to know Fla lady that you didn't have problems while taking the drugs.

    I've written down Bard Power port (strange name) to check with my palliative care onc. My hospital offers a good service of consulting with an additional oncologist about pain and such. He offers more psychological support too which is even more of a neccesity for me when there are these physical discomforts.

    Just gotta grin and bear it!

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