Anyone not get a port?

Chrispea
Chrispea Member Posts: 123 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I opted to not get a port.

So far had one chemo, all went well. My mom had a port, and I didn't want one. I might have to get one after surgery, but right now I have 2 good arms to work with.
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Comments

  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    Hi Chris
    I didn't have a port, I had a Picc...........I only had one arm to work with, a Picc is very restrictive, a port is better. I know the idea of a port is horrible, but it saves loads of hassle and pain throughout chemo.........What will you do instead?........IV everytime, man that's painful
    I hope you can work this out
    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • mbalder
    mbalder Member Posts: 31
    I DIDNT GET THE PORT EITHER,
    I DIDNT GET THE PORT EITHER, I ONLY HAVE 8 ROUNDS OF CHEMO. I TOLD THEM THEY COULD STICK ME 8 TIMES TO PREVENT 2 MORE SURGERIES, PLUS YOU HAVE THE RISK OF INFECTION IF THEY DONT FLUSH IT OUT PROPERLY. ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAD 1 ROUND THE NURSE HAD TO STICK ME 3 TIMES BEFORE SHE GOT A VEIN THAT WOULD WORK, SO I AM PRAYING ITS ONLY 8 AND NOT TURNING INTO 24.
  • lovelylola
    lovelylola Member Posts: 279
    No PORT
    If the decision after the Oncotype results is for chemo, I won't be getting the port. I only have 4 rounds and the onco nurse looked at my right arm and said I had "plenty" of vein spots to work with. My son had the port with his treatments and was delayed several times due to infections, one early on that was pretty severe. I decided that this wasn't an acceptable alternative for me. Lola
  • always
    always Member Posts: 256
    Port in
    Hi

    I got a port in on Monday. They can never get blood. I average 6 plus sticks just for a blood test. My record is 11 in one hour! The port is bugging me since it is only a few days since surgery. I am hoping it works well for me. They couldn't even do one of the contrasts they wanted to do last week because my veins blew.
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    always said:

    Port in
    Hi

    I got a port in on Monday. They can never get blood. I average 6 plus sticks just for a blood test. My record is 11 in one hour! The port is bugging me since it is only a few days since surgery. I am hoping it works well for me. They couldn't even do one of the contrasts they wanted to do last week because my veins blew.

    Always
    The port bothered me for a few days too, it does get better and now I don't even know it's there. I'm so glad I have one, it's really easy to access and it eliminates all the extra pokes. I have 16 total rounds of chemo so the port is the only way for me.
    Hope your feeling better soon,
    Hugs~Kari
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    always said:

    Port in
    Hi

    I got a port in on Monday. They can never get blood. I average 6 plus sticks just for a blood test. My record is 11 in one hour! The port is bugging me since it is only a few days since surgery. I am hoping it works well for me. They couldn't even do one of the contrasts they wanted to do last week because my veins blew.

    No port for mea, Chrispea :-)
    (Forgive me, I'm getting tired and loopy -- I blame chemo!)

    Because I only had 4 rounds, and because I only had a few lymph nodes removed on each side (so am at very, very low risk for lymphedema on either side), I didn't have a port. I have good veins on the back of both hands, so they could choose from either side -- yeah, it hurt quite a bit each time, but they were able to get it in on the first try each time, and, once it was in, I barely felt it.

    While I've heard many women on this board say great things about having a port, the thought of having yet more surgery to install and uninstall it was just more than I could take.

    Warm welcome to you,

    Traci
  • Sam726
    Sam726 Member Posts: 233
    TraciInLA said:

    No port for mea, Chrispea :-)
    (Forgive me, I'm getting tired and loopy -- I blame chemo!)

    Because I only had 4 rounds, and because I only had a few lymph nodes removed on each side (so am at very, very low risk for lymphedema on either side), I didn't have a port. I have good veins on the back of both hands, so they could choose from either side -- yeah, it hurt quite a bit each time, but they were able to get it in on the first try each time, and, once it was in, I barely felt it.

    While I've heard many women on this board say great things about having a port, the thought of having yet more surgery to install and uninstall it was just more than I could take.

    Warm welcome to you,

    Traci

    I have a port
    I have a port and I love it...the surgery was a breeze, just a little sore for a few days. I dont even know its there. Im having 6 rounds of chemo and have to get Herceptin for a year. Chemo is hard on the veins..if I had to do it again, I would choose the port. Good luck..
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    No port for me!
    I have had 28 infusions of chemo during 3 cancer battles and I never had a port. My onco did want me to get one and has told me if I have to battle it again I will have to get the port. I had no problems during the first 6 chemo infusions, my veins did not start to give me problems until the middle of the second round and yes 9 years later during my third round of chemo it was difficult. So, first round you should be just fine without a port. I believe it is our option to have a port or not and to date I have always chosen not to get one. Anyway, that's my two cents worth.

    RE
  • Chrispea
    Chrispea Member Posts: 123 Member
    TraciInLA said:

    No port for mea, Chrispea :-)
    (Forgive me, I'm getting tired and loopy -- I blame chemo!)

    Because I only had 4 rounds, and because I only had a few lymph nodes removed on each side (so am at very, very low risk for lymphedema on either side), I didn't have a port. I have good veins on the back of both hands, so they could choose from either side -- yeah, it hurt quite a bit each time, but they were able to get it in on the first try each time, and, once it was in, I barely felt it.

    While I've heard many women on this board say great things about having a port, the thought of having yet more surgery to install and uninstall it was just more than I could take.

    Warm welcome to you,

    Traci

    I have good veins
    My nurse was awesome, she said they start low and move up the arm, she got me the first time.

    I had a friend who didn't get a port, she would drink a gallon of water everyday to plump up her veins. That's what I did.

    I only have 8 rounds of chemo. 4 rounds, then surgery, then 4 more. I figure while I'm recouping from surgery, my veins can recoup, too.

    Another advantage for me, is since I live so far from the hospital, I get a blood test a day or two prior to chemo, they fax the results in and if there are any problems, I won't have to make the trip into Pittsburgh. Otherwise, with a port, I could possibly make a trip, then they say I can't have chemo, then I'd have to turn around and come home.

    I'm hoping it works out.
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    RE said:

    No port for me!
    I have had 28 infusions of chemo during 3 cancer battles and I never had a port. My onco did want me to get one and has told me if I have to battle it again I will have to get the port. I had no problems during the first 6 chemo infusions, my veins did not start to give me problems until the middle of the second round and yes 9 years later during my third round of chemo it was difficult. So, first round you should be just fine without a port. I believe it is our option to have a port or not and to date I have always chosen not to get one. Anyway, that's my two cents worth.

    RE

    port
    The thought of a port gave me the creeps. Something actually "in" my body that a needle would be stuck into. But ... the more I read on this discussion board ... and online ... and by talking to people ... I decided that it didn't sound so bad. Especially since after my 12 weeks of taxol/herceptin I would still need herceptin infusions every 3 weeks for a year. The thought of being poked, prodded, and stuck looking for veins that many times made me decide for the port ... and I am so thankful I did. The surgery to have it "installed" is fairly simple and didn't take long ... no over-night stay etc. I only missed one day of work. I am a real chicken when it comes to needles ... so the port has been a blessing for me. An hour before my chemo treatment I blob on some of the EMLA cream ... and by the time I get the appointment the port site is numb and usually I don't feel the needle go in ... at all!

    Of course it's all a personal decision ... but I'm glad I decided FOR the port. In my opinion the person who invented that thing is a genius. I don't think I could have done chemo without it.

    hugs.
    teena
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Welcome, Chrispea. I just
    Welcome, Chrispea. I just finished my chemo yesterday and did not have a port. Now, I did only have four treatments but I have good veins too and didn't want to have surgery to install and take out a port. I didn't have any problems. My nurses were able to get a vein each time for chemo and also every week for the lab work. I'm glad I went this route but as other's have said, it's a personal opinion.
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    I chose not to get the port.
    I chose not to get the port. The onc said my veins were good and it was up to me so I decided if I didn't need it, I wouldn't get it. I had 4 cycles before surgery so they used both arms and after surgery just used one arm for 4 cycles.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143
    Hi Chris
    Well, as you can see, there are satisfied customers on either end of the question. If you think it's not for you, try it sans port. You can always get one installed later if you really want one. I had 6 treatments with a port and was really glad to have one. Never had an infection or flushing problem ever. And blood draws before chemo were so easy. Wasn't too thrilled to go in for another surgery to install it, but I managed. The weird thing is that I was actually more sore after my port surgery than after my lumpectomy, and it left a bigger scar. Still glad I did it, though. And the removal did not necessitate another surgery. They took it out in an office setting with local anesthesia. Didn't feel a thing, except for the numbing injections, which admittadly hurt quite a bit. I have bad veins and was really glad not to be stuck a million times for each chemo,though.

    Good luck.

    Mimi
  • jennytwist
    jennytwist Member Posts: 896
    I didn't have a port
    I had 8 rounds and did Ok without a port. I did have a unilateral mast. so I just had one arm - I also went every other week so my arm was sore but it was doable. The Dr. said I had good veins so I trusted that. With two arms I bet you'll be OK. My surgery came before my chemo so I only had one good arm left!
    Good luck!
    -Jenny
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    At first I decided against
    At first I decided against the port. I was only getting 4 treatments. I figured why have more surgery? I can handle 4 more IVs... After 2 painful and frustrating experiences with getting chemo through an IV I went and got a port for the remaining treatments and blood draws. I had bruises on my hand and arm from them missing the veins over and over. I wish that I would have realized what it would be like. I would have had the port installed immediately. It is uncomfortable but it sure beat the alternative.
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    To Port or Not to Port............
    I had 6 rounds of chemo and had the port put in. One little stick a month wasn't bad. The worst part of the port is the scar where it was. All my other scars can be hidden, but this one is up high enough that some necklines show it. I wear it proudly though - my own little badge of courage. Now if the report I get back this afternoon is not so good, I guess it will have to go back in. I wouldn't do chemo again without it. I was not given the option, really. Both the oncologist and surgeon said to put it in, so I did.
    Hugs - Pat
  • cindyc59
    cindyc59 Member Posts: 44
    No Port for me either
    Hi,
    I did not get a port either. They wanted me to have it but I refused. I had no problems with getting stuck for every round! Rather feel a little pain than have thatthingin my body. I just made sure I lifted small weights and drank plenty of water all the time before each round of chemo to plump up veins. Actually all i drank was water because it helped flush the chemo out of my system and increased the blood flow
  • ninjamom
    ninjamom Member Posts: 142
    I did not have a port. Only
    I did not have a port. Only having one good arm, my veins got a beating. After chemo I ended up in the hospital and the nurses couldn't get an IV going so I got a picc. It was confining but I was glad to get it. I was able to use it thru the 3 herceptin infusions and the rest of my hospital stay.
  • BunnyJane
    BunnyJane Member Posts: 213
    ninjamom said:

    I did not have a port. Only
    I did not have a port. Only having one good arm, my veins got a beating. After chemo I ended up in the hospital and the nurses couldn't get an IV going so I got a picc. It was confining but I was glad to get it. I was able to use it thru the 3 herceptin infusions and the rest of my hospital stay.

    No port here
    I just finished chemo. and wish that I'd had a port. The nurses would take forever to find and get into a good vein (many attempts prior to starting infusion). Chemo has left my (former) good arm in sad shape. I hope that your treatments are easy. Jane
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    Chrispea said:

    I have good veins
    My nurse was awesome, she said they start low and move up the arm, she got me the first time.

    I had a friend who didn't get a port, she would drink a gallon of water everyday to plump up her veins. That's what I did.

    I only have 8 rounds of chemo. 4 rounds, then surgery, then 4 more. I figure while I'm recouping from surgery, my veins can recoup, too.

    Another advantage for me, is since I live so far from the hospital, I get a blood test a day or two prior to chemo, they fax the results in and if there are any problems, I won't have to make the trip into Pittsburgh. Otherwise, with a port, I could possibly make a trip, then they say I can't have chemo, then I'd have to turn around and come home.

    I'm hoping it works out.

    I had good veins, but
    In the course of all my treatments (test, surgeries, etc) I now have terrible veins. They did take a beating on being able to use one arm. I did not have to go through chemo and yet my veins were collasping under all the other normal pokes that we endure on this journey. I am still waiting on results for my ovarian surgery, but if positive and I need chemo, I will definitely go for the port. By the way, I get treated in Pittsburgh too (AGH). Where are you from? I am in wheeling, WV. Pammy