Ports

saundra said:

They are great!!!
I got my port ( about midway between the shoulder bone and breast) before starting chemo in March, 2007.
I only get my chemo into it. They draw blood from arm and did not use it when I had the surgery after 4 chemo treatments. It was only sore when someone hugged me too hard...big ole men at church. Sometimes it kind of itches, but I don't even think of it now. It has never stopped up. At first I had them freeze the spot (a disk about the size of a nickel) they stick the needle in because someone told me to do that, but the aerosol spray hurts about equal to the punch. Neither hurt very long, less than a minute.

It did not hurt to put it in.... I think they used demerol and valium to make me la la la. I did not go to sleep. I had no after pain. I did have an allergic reaction to the dressing and had to take it off the next morning after calling the doctor. I am allergic to the new dressing clear tape they use it seems if it stays on over 6 hours. That sore place was worse than the inch incision and took longer to heal.

It has served me well and I still have it although I have not had chemo since Sept. 2008.

That is about all I remember to tell you. Don't worry... (((Soft hugs))) Saundra

Ports
Thank you so much, Saundra, for your experience. It is very informative and nerve calming! And, thank you, Jami, for your words of encouragement! I will let you know how it goes tomorrow. Love to you all, MM

knarrly said:

port
After a really difficult first chemo session, and four nurses working to get a vein, they put my port in. I was awake for the procedure, but it was not that bad. The worst part, I'd say, was getting the shots of the stuff they numb the area with. After that it was a piece of cake. The port is great! I get the same chemo nurse everytime, and she is wonderful at accessing it. It really doesn't hurt for me. The way I see it, it hurts more for them to stab me 7-8 times trying to find a vein in my arm. One stick in my chest is nothing. I did try the creme once, but did not notice any real difference. In addition, they are able to use it for bloodwork at the hospital. (The blood labs I go to weekly can't.) Since it was put in, I've been stuck in the hospital twice. Both times, being in the ER first before being admitted, the ER nurses were also able to access the port sucessfully for IVs. (Although the one nurse missed on the first try.) My doctor said after my chemo is over, she wants it left in for a year "just in case."

Ports
Hey, thanks knarrly, Dreamdove and kris for your stories! Well, it's over. It was quite an ordeal yesterday mainly because they had me get there too early and then the procedure was delayed by an hour. They didn't put me out either, and I agree that the only pain is the numbing they do via needles. I felt okay to go home immediately when I got back to my room, but they made me wait two hours. I almost feel like they didn't give me anything, don't know for sure, but definitely didn't feel anything. I did wake up with pain during the night, and it does hurt today. They said I could take Tylenol, but that doesn't help a lot. It looks like it is going to sit fairly high although under the skin. Now, I'm needing to know about housework, etc. The Radiologist that I met the day before with, said I could vacuum in two days. Yesterday the nurse said to wait between 7-10 days. Yikes!!! What did they tell you? What did you do? I'm really anxious to do some things before my next round of chemo starts on Monday (if my WBC is up). This Topotecan sure makes me tired and unmotivated. Also, they gave me a key chain tag and identification card to keep with me at all times. Did you girls all get that too? My port is called a 'Smart port'. They have my neck taped up with the port and it is fairly uncomfortable trying to move my neck. They make an incision on the neck also, don't they? The Radiologist told me that they go into the juglar vein, go down next to the heart, and down to the liver with a wire. It sounded like that all comes back up after they watch it on the monitor. I think all of that story had me extra nervous. But, I'm so grateful and glad that it is all over. I know that I will appreciate it. They even had a hard time getting a vein at the hospital, so my veins were done!!! Thanks, dear friends, for your help. It was very beneficial to me. Many hugs and much love, MM