Port Complications

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  • sammysgammy
    sammysgammy Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2007

    hi Jaanee sorry I did not check back sooner, I was getting extremely short of breath, like you if I fell asleep on the couch I would wake up gasping for air, kind of like I forgot to breathe, but it was more than that , if I walked a flight of steps or even from one room to another I was wheezing.  I also have extreme weakness in my legs and find it hard to even walk but that the dr's determined is from being anemic and low counts, thank God not too low but low enough to cause the weakness in my legs !

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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited December 2007

    I wanted to mention something that the nurse was able to use on my finicky port when it would not give blood return. It is my second port; the first ruptured because of back pressure when the catheter was completely encased in a fibrin sheath. When the nurse tried to flush it prior to my infusion, the catheter ruptured.

    Anyway, my new port had been doing great for several months, then suddenly quit giving blood return. The nurse at the new cancer center I am going to refused to give up. After trying all the standard things (short of having me stand on my head!), she asked the doctor to authorize her to use CATHFLO. I had to lie down for a little over an hour while the cathflo went to work, but it did the trick! What a relief it was to see blood return! I was back again yesterday and we had no problem with blood return. 

    If you are having problems with not getting blood return but your port flushing properly, ask about CATHFLO. It is very safe and could save you from a rupture or having to replace your port.

    Diane 

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  • ivs317
    ivs317 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2007

    Hi,

    I had my port put in yesterday and I definitely expected the whole process to be easier than it was. What was most disconcerting is that I didn't really get good discharge instructions. Does anyone have any good advice for how long I should avoid exercise? Or when I should be able to take a shower? Any other advice?

    Thanks.

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  • JackiG
    JackiG Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2007

    I'm glad to have found this site. Dx breast cancer Oct. 30th Lumpectomy with full axillary node dissection on Nov14th. After MRI's and PET scan, had a Chest port placed Dec21th..Difficult deep insertion, with more pain than I care to ever talk about..I'm 4 days post op with an infection at the inscion site and neck site..on antibiotics pray that the work as I have multiple antibiotic allergies..Does this get better..Does any one have suggestions on postion of comfort esp. at night.. Thanks and Merry Christmas Jacki

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  • Maire67
    Maire67 Member Posts: 768
    edited July 2010

    .

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited March 2008



    Jackie,



    Didn't want your first post to go unanswered, although I never had a port for my infusions.



    I take it your port is still in? yet you are being treated for skin, deeper infection around it? I do so hope your antibiotics work hearing too you have multiple allergies to them. What a road already.



    We're glad you found us too! Welcome and sorry this is going on at any time. Perhaps you may wish to make your own new thread to draw more advice: ? Port and infection or such.



    I had 9 chemoinfusions through my left hand, lower arm etc.. just in case you have to have it pulled. The veins seem to have finally healed (no extravasations occured) allowing blood draw and IV bisphosphonate.



    All the best to you,

    Tender

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  • JackiG
    JackiG Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2007

    Tender

    Thank you for your info..Interesting today the Biaxin 250mg Bid sorry, twice daily has been doing its job..Thank you God..Also took Decadron 4mg day before 1st round of Chem which starts tomorrow This drug has seemed to bring down lots of the inflammation along the incisional site..then to be followed by Emend one hour before chemo to prevent nausea..

    Funny up until about 6 weeks ago I had never been hospitalized..never had surgery of any type..Healthy I would say..I've been a RN for 28 years most of my time in the ER ICU and PACU..I've been a caregiver..seems like the tables have turned..So I'm up for the fight...Just real concerned about this port..well if necessary I have one good AC vein on my right arm..Again thank you for responding to my concerns and questions. Be well Sincerely JackiG

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited December 2007

    Hi, Jacki,

    How'd the first round of chemo go? Hoping all went smoothly yesterday. Exchanging the caregiver role for "caregivee" is really a big mental shift. Please take good care of you, and let us know how you're doing.

    It'll be good!

    Binney 

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  • Sudahbanoose
    Sudahbanoose Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2011

    Hi,

    Boy this port is a pain. I feel all the time  that someome is choking me . I had this put in this past Wednesday. If I bend over, I get a fullness in my neck. I called the dr. and they said my neck shouldn't have anything to do with the port. But... several people on this site have had the same pains. I hope this goes away. My first chemo is this coming Thurs. May12th! IT'S HARD TO SLEEP.. YOU CAN SEE MY NECK THROBBING! Everything else has gone fine. The surgeries never bothered me. It"s little scarey for me.

                                                   Any answers, Blondie

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  • marial
    marial Member Posts: 255
    edited May 2011

    All I can say is the port insertion was much more painful than I expected..I had it put in in the beginning of Feb Fter my first AC Chemo...5 iv attempts..the nurses said there is no way my viens will make it through 16 rounds of chemo..I had horrible neck and shoulder pain for over a week..it actually got better once the port was used for chemo..but I still hate the thing with a passion...my last chemo is in June and the port will come out in Aug ..can't wait

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