Port and blood draw
Today I had a blood draw using the port. The nurse asked if I would like her to use the spray, so I said yes. She gave me a mask and explained that it is not good to inhale the spray. She told me to hold my blouse open and look away. She then just went ahead and jammed the thing in without numbing the area, right through the surgical tape. I am still healing from the port being inserted less than a week ago so it hurt pretty good. She told me it will stop hurting in about a month! I have chemo on Monday and now I am scared! I am wondering if I should have continued to put up with the IVs!
Comments
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Port
First, they have never done a blood draw through my port in 7 months of chemo. It's always from a vein in my inner elbow. Ask about that, because I was told they don't do the blood draws through the port.
Also, that tech is not like any I've had (and I've had many). The cold spray is no big deal and I wouldn't have an infusion without it. They spray for 2 or 3 seconds and then have my inhale/exhale and insert the needle. No pain at all. Ask for a different tech/nurse. There is no reason for that sort of treatment.
I got my port on Friday and started chemo about a week later. It wasn't bad, once I knew about the cold spray. There is also a prescription you can get instead of the cold spray that helps. Please ask about that.
I changed oncology centers (same corporation, different location) because I could not stand my oncologist at the first place and wasn't too thrilled with the nurses. After changing to a different location, I'm very happy with the doc and the nurses. Huge improvement. Be your own best advocate (even though that seems unfair right now). Ask a lot of questions.
Good luck. It should get better.
Paula0 -
I always have my blood drawnPaula1001 said:Port
First, they have never done a blood draw through my port in 7 months of chemo. It's always from a vein in my inner elbow. Ask about that, because I was told they don't do the blood draws through the port.
Also, that tech is not like any I've had (and I've had many). The cold spray is no big deal and I wouldn't have an infusion without it. They spray for 2 or 3 seconds and then have my inhale/exhale and insert the needle. No pain at all. Ask for a different tech/nurse. There is no reason for that sort of treatment.
I got my port on Friday and started chemo about a week later. It wasn't bad, once I knew about the cold spray. There is also a prescription you can get instead of the cold spray that helps. Please ask about that.
I changed oncology centers (same corporation, different location) because I could not stand my oncologist at the first place and wasn't too thrilled with the nurses. After changing to a different location, I'm very happy with the doc and the nurses. Huge improvement. Be your own best advocate (even though that seems unfair right now). Ask a lot of questions.
Good luck. It should get better.
Paula
I always have my blood drawn through the port. My port still bothers me a bit and it went in in early July. It rests up against my breast bone so sometimes movement hurts. I never have a spay or anything when they push it in. I don't think you will be sorry you did this at all. I heard with some chemo meds that this is much safer. Good luck0 -
Just had to comment on port discussioncats_toy said:Port
I was never able to use mine, but they did try the day after it was inserted. They used the spray and even thought it didn't work, I didn't feel pain.
You should report her. That is completely unnecessary.
Cat
I have NHL and am in remission as of 4/09. I felt I had to respond to the topic in this discussion of ports. The person who did the procedure should be reported and hopefully you will never allow her to work on you again, esp the port. I have a port and always ask for the spray, some of the nurses sort of have a rolled eye reaction to my request but I ignore them and assure them I need the spray. Sometimes it is still somewhat painful, some of that could be from the person doing the procedure and some from difficulty in finding the opening to the port. My blood was drawn from port only if it was a chemo day or, now, if I go in for a CBC and a port flush, which has to be done once a month. I will keep the port for at least a year, or so the onc says.
My veins are very bad, and tend to "roll" when entry is tried. The port was put in on an out-patient basis and the nurses and the surgeon were great with understanding and with their skills.
Hang in there, speak up for yourself. When I find it difficult to speak up for myself I pretend I am speaking up for my daughter, or my sister or my mother and, wow, can I speak up then!!!
Hope it is ok that I posted in BC board when not having BC (but aren't all of us cancer fighters in the same arena)?0 -
Your Port
They did my blood drawls from my port when i was still doing chemo they also do my occasional ivs there now. I would insist on there using the stuff to numb it if it was that painful. It should be a little uncomforable but not pain full. if you are not being acess that day for chemo, have them draw the blood from your arm. And if that nurse trys that again tell her you have a whole bunch of sisters that will and can hunt her down for hurting you.
tjhay0 -
Am so sorry...
Yeah, for sure. Report that wench of a nurse. Geez. I'm serious. File an official report against her. Maybe she'll get a good "talking to" - and someone else will be spared her barbarism.
If she EVER shows up again to do anything at all to/for you - refuse her, and ask for someone else. Please, for your own sake and safety.0 -
Thanks to everyone for the replies
I don't understand how she could have forgotten to use the spray when we were just discussing it...
It was a very strange situation. Maybe she couldn't use it because I have surgical tape covering the incision? I guess I was kind of shocked but I should have asked why she didn't. I did ask well when do you use the spray? She said when we draw the blood. I didn't say anything else, thinking Ok maybe I just don't get it...I can not handle any more IVs. My veins also roll and I was told that the blood draws would be so much easier this way, which was also part of the reason I made the decision. I will definitely make sure I get it next time. I appreciate everyone's comments and advice! You all are the best!0 -
HestiaHestia said:Just had to comment on port discussion
I have NHL and am in remission as of 4/09. I felt I had to respond to the topic in this discussion of ports. The person who did the procedure should be reported and hopefully you will never allow her to work on you again, esp the port. I have a port and always ask for the spray, some of the nurses sort of have a rolled eye reaction to my request but I ignore them and assure them I need the spray. Sometimes it is still somewhat painful, some of that could be from the person doing the procedure and some from difficulty in finding the opening to the port. My blood was drawn from port only if it was a chemo day or, now, if I go in for a CBC and a port flush, which has to be done once a month. I will keep the port for at least a year, or so the onc says.
My veins are very bad, and tend to "roll" when entry is tried. The port was put in on an out-patient basis and the nurses and the surgeon were great with understanding and with their skills.
Hang in there, speak up for yourself. When I find it difficult to speak up for myself I pretend I am speaking up for my daughter, or my sister or my mother and, wow, can I speak up then!!!
Hope it is ok that I posted in BC board when not having BC (but aren't all of us cancer fighters in the same arena)?
Thanks for the post. I agree we are all cancer survivors regardless of which type we have. Congratulations on your remission status!0 -
Wow, elm
I can't believe that happened to you. I would definitly report her and refuse her to treat you again. She is not doing her job and making that hospital responsible for her actions. I would go above her head and just ask why are you not allowed to have the spray? Then explain what happened. It will get their attention and you will probably get the royal treatment after that.
-) Pammy 0 -
Omg, you have to report her.cats_toy said:Port
I was never able to use mine, but they did try the day after it was inserted. They used the spray and even thought it didn't work, I didn't feel pain.
You should report her. That is completely unnecessary.
Cat
Omg, you have to report her. That is not right and very wrong. You have to stand up for yourself with the medical personnel. They sometimes get a little lazy and don't consider how much pain they are causing. But, let someone know what she did, well didn't do.
Good luck!0 -
So sorry Elm. I hope thatAkiss4me said:Wow, elm
I can't believe that happened to you. I would definitly report her and refuse her to treat you again. She is not doing her job and making that hospital responsible for her actions. I would go above her head and just ask why are you not allowed to have the spray? Then explain what happened. It will get their attention and you will probably get the royal treatment after that.-) Pammy
So sorry Elm. I hope that you do report her.
Susie0 -
Elmelm3544 said:Thanks to everyone for the replies
I don't understand how she could have forgotten to use the spray when we were just discussing it...
It was a very strange situation. Maybe she couldn't use it because I have surgical tape covering the incision? I guess I was kind of shocked but I should have asked why she didn't. I did ask well when do you use the spray? She said when we draw the blood. I didn't say anything else, thinking Ok maybe I just don't get it...I can not handle any more IVs. My veins also roll and I was told that the blood draws would be so much easier this way, which was also part of the reason I made the decision. I will definitely make sure I get it next time. I appreciate everyone's comments and advice! You all are the best!
I'm sorry you had to go through this. I love my port and have used it also for all blood draws. They gaveme tubes of litacane (emilia cream)I probably sp. both wrong. but I put the cream on about 45- min. before acessing my port. doesn't hurt a bit.
I was sore for about a week after having the port put in but now I hardly notice it.
hugs, jackie0 -
Hi Elm
I had my port inserted and always have labs drawn from the port before each chemo.
Call Monday am and ask your doctor to prescribe emla cream. Its a white cream that you apply 1 hour prior to the access of the port. You put a blob over the port and cover it with a bandaid or 2. Dont rub it in just put a blob on the port site. It will numb the area and really I havent had any pain with the needle insertion at all since this started. Trust me I hate needles. Maybe you can get the cream orderred so you can use it for mondays treatment.
Hang in there
Linda T0 -
Hi,mlmjt1 said:Hi Elm
I had my port inserted and always have labs drawn from the port before each chemo.
Call Monday am and ask your doctor to prescribe emla cream. Its a white cream that you apply 1 hour prior to the access of the port. You put a blob over the port and cover it with a bandaid or 2. Dont rub it in just put a blob on the port site. It will numb the area and really I havent had any pain with the needle insertion at all since this started. Trust me I hate needles. Maybe you can get the cream orderred so you can use it for mondays treatment.
Hang in there
Linda T
I never had any spray.
Hi,
I never had any spray. I used the Emla cream Linda suggested and it is wonferful. The few times I forgot it they offered to put some on me and wait to access the port for 1/2 hour until it was numb. After you apply the cream you can put some Tagaderm over it so it doesn't get on your clothes. Also I do have my blood drawn through port.
Kim0 -
I don't like the spray
Hi: I have only had one small epidose with my port. I have the choice of the spray or needle which is a small numbing needle used. This is wonderful as it onlyl feels like a small ant bite. The only time the spray was used the nurse pushed on my port and it hurt. I can always request a special nurse but if she isn't there so she told me who to request. My experiences has been almost 100 percent as positive as can be. Hope you get a good nurse in the future. It can make the difference. Cindy0 -
I had the spray too, and
My port was used for all of my blood draws and of course, the chemo. I had the spray too, but have heard WONDERFUL things about the numbing cream called EMLA. It is a prescription ( you can call your Dr and he will have a prescription called into your pharmacy) and you put it on yourself an hour before the infusion , cover it with a bandaid or 2 so as not to get your clothes "goopy" and it numbs the site completely!
No one told me not to inhale the spray...I was giddy and loopy for the entire session (KIDDING!!) the spray only went on for a second or 2, and it is cold, isn't it? I think it is Ethyl~ that's what we called her anyway! "Want a visit from Ethyl?" the RN would always ask me. If you and the port are numb, sounds good to me! Call your cancer center! It doesn't matter that its the weekend~ tell them you have chemo on Monday and want a prescription for EMLA creme, and even the on-call Dr will see to it you have one for Monday! Don't be scared...easy for me to say, huh? :-) As for that chemo RN? I am shocked~ most RNs who take care of us cancer types are angelic in nature! So, I agree~ if you got a demon instead, refuse to have her as your non-caregiveer! And tell whoever asks, exactly why! Maybe she was having a really bad day herself~ it doesn't excuse bad behaviour, but sometimes it does explain it. And she may even apologize. Or if not, perhaps she will be nicer to the next pt who is in her charge...
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
Congrats on being inHestia said:Just had to comment on port discussion
I have NHL and am in remission as of 4/09. I felt I had to respond to the topic in this discussion of ports. The person who did the procedure should be reported and hopefully you will never allow her to work on you again, esp the port. I have a port and always ask for the spray, some of the nurses sort of have a rolled eye reaction to my request but I ignore them and assure them I need the spray. Sometimes it is still somewhat painful, some of that could be from the person doing the procedure and some from difficulty in finding the opening to the port. My blood was drawn from port only if it was a chemo day or, now, if I go in for a CBC and a port flush, which has to be done once a month. I will keep the port for at least a year, or so the onc says.
My veins are very bad, and tend to "roll" when entry is tried. The port was put in on an out-patient basis and the nurses and the surgeon were great with understanding and with their skills.
Hang in there, speak up for yourself. When I find it difficult to speak up for myself I pretend I am speaking up for my daughter, or my sister or my mother and, wow, can I speak up then!!!
Hope it is ok that I posted in BC board when not having BC (but aren't all of us cancer fighters in the same arena)?
Congrats on being in remission Hestia! That is great!0 -
DITTOmlmjt1 said:Hi Elm
I had my port inserted and always have labs drawn from the port before each chemo.
Call Monday am and ask your doctor to prescribe emla cream. Its a white cream that you apply 1 hour prior to the access of the port. You put a blob over the port and cover it with a bandaid or 2. Dont rub it in just put a blob on the port site. It will numb the area and really I havent had any pain with the needle insertion at all since this started. Trust me I hate needles. Maybe you can get the cream orderred so you can use it for mondays treatment.
Hang in there
Linda T
DITTO ON THE EMLA CREAM!!!!!
I got it and used it for the first time today for my Herceptin infusion. I didn't feel a THING!0 -
Hi Hestia and welcome! SoHestia said:Just had to comment on port discussion
I have NHL and am in remission as of 4/09. I felt I had to respond to the topic in this discussion of ports. The person who did the procedure should be reported and hopefully you will never allow her to work on you again, esp the port. I have a port and always ask for the spray, some of the nurses sort of have a rolled eye reaction to my request but I ignore them and assure them I need the spray. Sometimes it is still somewhat painful, some of that could be from the person doing the procedure and some from difficulty in finding the opening to the port. My blood was drawn from port only if it was a chemo day or, now, if I go in for a CBC and a port flush, which has to be done once a month. I will keep the port for at least a year, or so the onc says.
My veins are very bad, and tend to "roll" when entry is tried. The port was put in on an out-patient basis and the nurses and the surgeon were great with understanding and with their skills.
Hang in there, speak up for yourself. When I find it difficult to speak up for myself I pretend I am speaking up for my daughter, or my sister or my mother and, wow, can I speak up then!!!
Hope it is ok that I posted in BC board when not having BC (but aren't all of us cancer fighters in the same arena)?
Hi Hestia and welcome! So nice of you to express your opinion too. I think we all agree that the nurse was in the wrong and should be reported.
Glad to read you are in remission!
Kylez0
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