A question about the port

Tracie1981
Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Hi, I have a question about the port. I had it installed a couple of weeks ago right before my first session of chemo, and since the tube was removed I'm terrified to get it restuck, does it hurt really bad or am I just scaring myself? Because I'm terrified to get my next round of chemo because of it.

Comments

  • Phoenix10
    Phoenix10 Member Posts: 47
    #2
    Port
    I had a Hickam (sp ?) port and it was a dream come true. There are different kinds and this one was inserted under the skin. One stick to draw blood, receive chemo, etc. vs numerous sticks without finding a vein.

    I thought it was less painful than via the vein. I had mine removed and it left a scar but I wouldn't worry about the stick leaving a scar.

    You'll be fine. God bless!
  • Phoenix10
    Phoenix10 Member Posts: 47
    #3
    Port
    I had a Hickam (sp ?) port and it was a dream come true. There are different kinds and this one was inserted under the skin. One stick to draw blood, receive chemo, etc. vs numerous sticks without finding a vein.

    I thought it was less painful than via the vein. I had mine removed and it left a scar but I wouldn't worry about the stick leaving a scar.

    You'll be fine. God bless!
  • winthefight
    winthefight Member Posts: 162
    #4
    power port
    HI,

    I had the power port. I think you are scaring yourself. The port is wonderful! The nurse can draw blood and administer Chemo through it. They tell you to take a deep breath then release. It's really not painful. It's a stick. It is better than getting stuck by the needle!.....especially if you have moving and/or small veins.

    Be sure they flush the port on a regular basis. Watch them as they do it so you know what to expect if you should get a different nurse. And very importantly, make sure the nurse wipes both ends with alcohol pads. One end of the access tube (the tube from the chest area). The other end from end of that tube to the machine.

    Take care and enjoy your power port.
  • Tracie1981
    Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
    #5
    winthefight said:

    power port
    HI,

    I had the power port. I think you are scaring yourself. The port is wonderful! The nurse can draw blood and administer Chemo through it. They tell you to take a deep breath then release. It's really not painful. It's a stick. It is better than getting stuck by the needle!.....especially if you have moving and/or small veins.

    Be sure they flush the port on a regular basis. Watch them as they do it so you know what to expect if you should get a different nurse. And very importantly, make sure the nurse wipes both ends with alcohol pads. One end of the access tube (the tube from the chest area). The other end from end of that tube to the machine.

    Take care and enjoy your power port.

    Thank you
    Thank you so much, its reassuring to know, i still am scared, but its good there are others that have gone through it. Thank you and God Bless!
  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    #6
    Tracie1981 said:

    Thank you
    Thank you so much, its reassuring to know, i still am scared, but its good there are others that have gone through it. Thank you and God Bless!

    Power Port
    Hi Traci,

    I've had my power port since the end of October and plan on keeping it indefinitly as my veins are really bad. The port is so much better than the problems I experienced accessing my veins. At my hospital they always start by injecting a numbing agent, probably Lidocaine, so I don't feel anything with the insertion of the access needle. I do however have a brief moment, seconds, of discomfort when the needle is removed after chemo. If your hospital or doctors office doesn't use a numbing agent ask your onc to give you a script for Emla cream which is a numbing cream used by dermatolgists and some infusion centers. I hope this is of help to you.

    Good luck, you'll do just fine.
    Leslie
  • Tracie1981
    Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
    #7
    yesyes2 said:

    Power Port
    Hi Traci,

    I've had my power port since the end of October and plan on keeping it indefinitly as my veins are really bad. The port is so much better than the problems I experienced accessing my veins. At my hospital they always start by injecting a numbing agent, probably Lidocaine, so I don't feel anything with the insertion of the access needle. I do however have a brief moment, seconds, of discomfort when the needle is removed after chemo. If your hospital or doctors office doesn't use a numbing agent ask your onc to give you a script for Emla cream which is a numbing cream used by dermatolgists and some infusion centers. I hope this is of help to you.

    Good luck, you'll do just fine.
    Leslie

    Thank you!
    Thank you so much, im still a little scared but I'm hoping it wont be so bad. :)
    Tracie
  • JoanieP
    JoanieP Member Posts: 573
    #8
    You will get used to it
    I have had my port in a year and I'm having it out on Tuesday of next week. You will get used to it and it won't bother you anymore. I was the same way. I dreaded having to use the port. Some nurses do a great job , others don't. Good luck.
  • Tracie1981
    Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
    #9
    JoanieP said:

    You will get used to it
    I have had my port in a year and I'm having it out on Tuesday of next week. You will get used to it and it won't bother you anymore. I was the same way. I dreaded having to use the port. Some nurses do a great job , others don't. Good luck.

    Update
    Well I had it accessed today for my chemo and I used the Emla cream and they even sprayed the cold stuff to ease my mind a bit, and it didnt hurt at all. I am sooo thankful. Thanks to all that replied to me, it really helped to ease my mind. God bless you all!
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #10
    PORTA CATH
    Tracie, So how is everything going for you now? Haven't seen any posts from you lately. I guess you have completed your chemo by now, but not sure. John

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