Anyone tell me about a Port being

mollybea
mollybea Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
put into my husband. They said it was outpatient surgery. Just wondering what to expect. Just diagnosed 2 wks ago, and we are still turned upside down, everything is happening so fast. But I was just wondering if this is painful and how long he will be in the hospital. Just hours? Thank you!

Comments

  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    My port took about 40 mins but it was sore for a few days so if they want to give him pain meds to take home make sure he does. It was a pain in the butt the first few days because they don't want you to get it wet but after that he won't even know it's there. Sorry about the diagnoses but you are at the best place for answers.
  • DK2006
    DK2006 Member Posts: 126
    Hi
    I'm sorry to hear about your husbands diagnosis. The first month was very overwhelming for me. This is a great site for information with very supportive people.
    I have a Hohn catheter. It was also a outpatient procedure for me. I laid on a tilted table so that my heart was lower than my legs. The surgeon gave me a local in the area of the collar bone and he "feels" the vein and to put the catheter. It can take up to 30 min. to do this. (My surgeon took 4 min.) Then they Xray it to make sure that it's in the right spot. I was there about 3 hours. I was also uncomfortable for 3-4 days, but now I don't even notice it. Good luck! Donna
  • well
    well Member Posts: 26
    I asked a friend about it before I had mine put in. His response was, "After what you and I have been through, it should be no big deal for you, but others would think it is." He's been through some fairly drastic things in the course of his cancer, as have I.

    And I have to say, he was right.

    I don't know what your husband has been through. It is typically an outpatient procedure, though he will be under a general anesthetic during it. I consider my situation to be much better after having my port put in than it would be without it.

    As with any surgery, there is an element of pain afterward, and they will be able to advise him how to best handle that afterward. It is by no means on a par with the open abdominal surgery he may have had from the colorectal cancer however. There are some common sense followup precautions he should take for the few days after, but they are really not a big deal, he will be fine with them. Follow the instructions given, and, as always, ASK the staff any questions you may have, no matter what they may be.
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    Hi- my husvand had a port inserted and he says that it was uncomfortable- it took less than an hour- bled a bit that night and by the time he had chemo it was fine- it is so much better than being poked all the time.
    Bev
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    Hi Mollybea,

    Sorry to hear that your husband has joined our group. It is more like a family then a group so please ask any questions you have. I just had my port in on Wednesday 2/22. I am still sore but it is slowly getting better. Just like in another post it is better then being poked each time. If you would like to e-mail me maybe we could talk. I am stage 3 colon cancer with 1 out of 11 nodes cancerous. I was dx Dec. 19th and colon resection on Dec 20th 2005. It just happened to be my birthday. My prayers are with you. I will be going on the folfox chemo March 8th. If you want to e-mail it is Lfondots63.

    Lisa
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    i have had two ports placed under local anesthesia-(less risk, and day surgery)No pain, except a little soreness from incision.. Walked out in less than two hrs each time. The convenience of not having to be stuck each time is well worth it..
    Nanuk
  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296
    Hi Mollybea!!
    Sorry to hear about your husband. When one gets diagnosed with this disease, things move so fast. You have found a great
    web site with such supportive people who will be here for you!
    I had my port installed a few weeks ago. It hurt for a few days. I had some pain pills, and they did the trick. I guess I was expecting no pain, but this was not the case. I went in, had a port, and was hooked up to chemo 2 hours later. Hang in there!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband as you start this cancer journey.
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    Hi there,

    Here's my 2 cents....

    Getting the port in was no big deal. Honestly, took max of 45 minutes, and was out to breakfast with my mom right afterwards. Tell them to access the port after it's in. This means that they will have the needle in, taped up, so they can latch the chemo pump right onto it. I guess I am assuming that he's having the pump, continuous chemo? Maybe not...either way, have them keep it accessed, that way, he's already to go, without another poke, and that poke will be painless since it was done while being under anesthesia. I had no problems with my port at all. In fact, over 4 yrs later, I still have it. I plan on removing it on my 5 yr anniversary. I was stage 4, and today am all clear. E-mail me anytime you need a pep talk, I'm great at those.

    Have a great week, and keep up your positive attitude!!!!!!!!!

    Stacy
  • 4law
    4law Member Posts: 110
    I had port inserted in a same-day procedure under general anesthesia -- no big deal -- your husband may have difficulty fully raising his arm for about 24 hours, at most. The advantages of a port are wonderful. It is a first step in a process that, depending on your husband's situation, may take months -- but having a port will make things go a bit smother, easier and less painful. If hospitalization is in the picture down the road, the port sure beats getting stuck over and over again in your arm by eager and clumsey technicians -- only an RN can draw blood from a port. Best of Luck! You've come to the right place for support. Stay positive -- because before too long, your husband will post a question about having the port removed.
  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296

    Hi there,

    Here's my 2 cents....

    Getting the port in was no big deal. Honestly, took max of 45 minutes, and was out to breakfast with my mom right afterwards. Tell them to access the port after it's in. This means that they will have the needle in, taped up, so they can latch the chemo pump right onto it. I guess I am assuming that he's having the pump, continuous chemo? Maybe not...either way, have them keep it accessed, that way, he's already to go, without another poke, and that poke will be painless since it was done while being under anesthesia. I had no problems with my port at all. In fact, over 4 yrs later, I still have it. I plan on removing it on my 5 yr anniversary. I was stage 4, and today am all clear. E-mail me anytime you need a pep talk, I'm great at those.

    Have a great week, and keep up your positive attitude!!!!!!!!!

    Stacy

    Way to go Stacy!!! You give us so much hope regarding your situation. You know, I like the idea of having the port taken out at the 5 year mark. I just celebrated my 2 year mark of being diagnosed. I am on chemo for a recurrence. Stacy, you are truly an inspiration!!! Go girl!!! Terri
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    I had mine put in about 2 years ago. It really wasn't that big of a deal. I was able to drive myself home afterwards. It felt like I was punched in the shoulder and I was aware of it for a month or two afterwards. It has really made the chemo fairly easy to take with less wear and tear on the veins.
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    Hi! Well, mine was painful - but my surgeon (one my favorite people in the whole world) thinks I am super woman; he never talks about pain meds - thinks I am an Olympian. So, it hurt for a few days but it is was sooooo worth it. Was also a pain in that it was hung up (rubbed) directly on my seat belt - ya, blame my fav doc again who didn't want it to be seen so put it low on my left breast; but it did make chemo easier. It will be fine.....really. I was an outpatient with general anesthesia. I had the bugger taken out a few months after chemo was finished; could not wait and am incredibly happy to be portless! All the best to both you and your husband. Take care - Maura
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    CAMaura said:

    Hi! Well, mine was painful - but my surgeon (one my favorite people in the whole world) thinks I am super woman; he never talks about pain meds - thinks I am an Olympian. So, it hurt for a few days but it is was sooooo worth it. Was also a pain in that it was hung up (rubbed) directly on my seat belt - ya, blame my fav doc again who didn't want it to be seen so put it low on my left breast; but it did make chemo easier. It will be fine.....really. I was an outpatient with general anesthesia. I had the bugger taken out a few months after chemo was finished; could not wait and am incredibly happy to be portless! All the best to both you and your husband. Take care - Maura

    Oh - forgot this for so long; but maybe it will help your husband. When my onc was discussing the Pic-line vs. the Port, he told me that a having chemo with a port is like driving a one VW on a Los Angeles freeway; meaning the chemo becomes diluted so much more quickly and does not interfere with the pathway. I liked his thought.
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    Well, Molly, I went thru 6 cycles of Avastin and oxaliplatin without a port. I have to say that the oxaliplatin was HELL on my arm after the first cycle. Stiff and tingly for days, residual tingles and pain for close to 3 weeks. We stuck it out. The chemo nurses wanted me to have a port. But we stuck it out without it. Now I am off chemo, but my oncologist tells me that IF we have to do chemo again, then she will require a port. Right now I am hoping (you can always hope) not to have to do more chemo, but I'm on board with the port, pain though it may be. The oxaliplatin really got to the arm in which the chemo was delivered - and those side effects would not happen with a port.

    Betsy (port-free, but willing if I have to do this again)