What is a port for chemo?

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DianeBC
DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Is a port a hole they put in your skin for chemo? I am sorry, but, I don't know, but, I have seen it mentioned on here. Thanks

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  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    #2
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    Port
    I have one, its about the size of a quarter just under you skin below the collar bone. Its the best thing ever. Ask for cold spray before they use it and you will feel nothing.

    :) Libby
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #3
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    Port (port-a-cath)
    A port-a-cath or "port" is a device implanted (usually) in the chest wall. It has a bumpy little gizmo called a "septum" which pokes up beneath your skin. This is where they stick you with the needles. The septum conducts the infusion through a catheter into your vena cava, which is the biggest vein available.

    The advantage of the port is that it is (unlike veins in your arm, for instance) designed to be stuck and to distribute infusions effectively. It has its annoyances too: Moopy has had to see a doctor at least three times because of annoying crap related to her port. That's not even counting the collapsed lung she got having it installed, which put her in an out-of-town hospital for a weekend. But she has ALWAYS been glad she got one.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #4
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    Port
    And yes, it is used for blood draws and especially for chemotherapy, as oftentimes our veins don't hold up well. It is removed when all of ones chemo is finished, and you can swim, bathe, do anything while having a port!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #5
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    Thank you Libby!!
    And that port is how they administer the chemo,give anti-nausea drugs,I've heard they can even take blood from there to see what your blood counts are!
    That way your veins in your arms don't take a beating.
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #6
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    outdoorgirl said:

    Thank you Libby!!
    And that port is how they administer the chemo,give anti-nausea drugs,I've heard they can even take blood from there to see what your blood counts are!
    That way your veins in your arms don't take a beating.

    Port
    In my opinion ... the port is just about the greatest invention since ... well ... I don't know what. I am a real chicken ... and couldn't imagine being poked, prodded and stuck for all of the blood draws and chemo. Thanks to many of the women here ... I had a port "installed" and am so glad I did. It made chemo and blood draws a breeze. Really. I know someone mentioned asking for the spray to numb the port ... but there's also a cream ... EMLA ... which I read about in several threads here. I asked my oncologist for a prescription and it's great stuff. You put a blob on the port about an hour before your chemo ... and by the time you get to your appointment ... the site of the port is numb and you don't feel the needle go in.

    Actually ... the whole port "process" is amazing. Whoever invented the thing was a genius!

    hugs.
    teena
  • Bill.S
    Bill.S Member Posts: 177
    #7
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    Port
    I have one and it is the best thing ever invented.
    Bill.S
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #8
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    Bill.S said:

    Port
    I have one and it is the best thing ever invented.
    Bill.S

    Thanks
    Thank you everyone for the explanations. You make it sound not so scary. Thanks again!
  • kiley40
    kiley40 Member Posts: 17
    #9
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    port
    I got a port put in. My vein are not the best to find so they can always find the port. I got my first stick in the port last week. I put a prescribed cream on it 1 hour before my blood draws. I did not feel a thing. I hope it stays that way.

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