Chemo port in the arm
Let me back up a lttle...My doctor said they were going to put my port in my arm and said it was a newer technique they have been doing. They put the port in my left arm cuz my right arm is where they took my lumphnodes.
Well everyone that has nodes removed knows they cant have anymore BP's and blood draws taken from that arm...its the same thing if you have a port in your arm.
Now the trouble im having is i didnt realize that most doctors/nurses are not to familar with this technique yet and i have to literally fight and argue with them cuz they want to take blood from either arm and bypass the port and i stood my ground and refused for them to do this...use the port thats what it is there for. The same goes for the blood pressures, they want to use my arms reguardless and i tell them its the ankle or not at all, and they have no idea how to take a BP from your ankle.
Its crazy that they want to do it from either arm knowing they could blow my vein and damage the port site so id have to have another surgery to have another port put back in or give me lymphedema.
Is anyone else having this problem? ITs getting very frustrating cuz its not just one dr its almost everywhere i go. It wouldnt be so bad if they would just listen but instead they get very upset when you wont let them do it their way. I even give them the booklet my doctor told me to take to any appointments so they would know how to work the port. I do however understand now why she very strongly told me Not to let anyone take BP's or blood draws no matter what they say.
Comments
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I had a picc line for my
I had a picc line for my chemo treatments. The PICC line was surgically inserted by a radiologist tech under the skin in my upper arm. It stayed in for the duration of my treatments 10 weeks and was flushed weekly and kept clean. It is not uncomfortable at all, and feels like having a big bandaid on my arm. My blood labs are drawn from it, my CT scan contrast is delivered thru it as well as my chemo. I did not have a port.
A PICC line is, by definition and per its acronym, a peripherally inserted central catheter. It is long, slender, small, flexible tube that is inserted into a peripheral vein, typically in the upper arm, and advanced until the catheter tip terminates in a large vein in the chest near the heart to obtain intravenous access. It is similar to other central lines as it terminates into a large vessel near the heart. However, unlike other central lines, its point of entry is from the periphery of the body the extremities. And typically the upper arm is the area of choice.
A PICC line provides the best of both worlds concerning venous access. Similar to a standard IV, it is inserted in the arm, and usually in the upper arm under the benefits of ultrasound visualization. Also, PICCs differ from peripheral IV access but similar to central lines in that a PICCs termination point is centrally located in the body allowing for treatment that could not be obtained from standard periphery IV access. In addition, PICC insertions are less invasive, have decreased complication risk associated with them, and remain for a much longer duration than other central or periphery access devices.
Using ultrasound technology to visualize a deep, large vessel in the upper arm, the PICC catheter is inserted by a specially trained and certified PICC nurse specialist. Post insertion at the bedside, a chest x-ray is obtained to confirm ideal placement. The entire procedure is done in the patients room decreasing discomfort, transportation, and loss of nursing care.
A PICC line may requested for a variety of treatment options which include some of the following:
-Prolonged IV antibiotic treatment;
-IV access obtainable by less invasive and longer lasting methods;
-Multiple accesses obtainable with one access line;
-TPN Nutrition;
-Chemotherapy;;
-IV access related to physiological factors; and
-Home or sub-acute discharge for extended treatment.
PICCs are frequently used to obtain central venous access for patients in acute care, home care and skilled nursing care. Since complication risks are less with PICC lines, it is preferred over other forms of central venous catheters. A PICC is not appropriate for all patients. Proper selection to determine the appropriateness of this device is required.
The PICC may have single or multiple lumens. This depends on how many intravenous therapies are needed. A PICC line can be used for antibiotics, pain medicine, chemotherapy, nutrition, or for the drawing of blood samples. PICCs can be inserted by radiologists, physician assistants or certified registered nurses. They are inserted using ultrasound technology at the bedside or ultrasound wit fluoroscopy. Chest radiographs are also used to confirm placement of the PICC tip if it was not inserted using fluoroscopy0 -
My port is a Vortex portHeartofSoul said:I had a picc line for my
I had a picc line for my chemo treatments. The PICC line was surgically inserted by a radiologist tech under the skin in my upper arm. It stayed in for the duration of my treatments 10 weeks and was flushed weekly and kept clean. It is not uncomfortable at all, and feels like having a big bandaid on my arm. My blood labs are drawn from it, my CT scan contrast is delivered thru it as well as my chemo. I did not have a port.
A PICC line is, by definition and per its acronym, a peripherally inserted central catheter. It is long, slender, small, flexible tube that is inserted into a peripheral vein, typically in the upper arm, and advanced until the catheter tip terminates in a large vein in the chest near the heart to obtain intravenous access. It is similar to other central lines as it terminates into a large vessel near the heart. However, unlike other central lines, its point of entry is from the periphery of the body the extremities. And typically the upper arm is the area of choice.
A PICC line provides the best of both worlds concerning venous access. Similar to a standard IV, it is inserted in the arm, and usually in the upper arm under the benefits of ultrasound visualization. Also, PICCs differ from peripheral IV access but similar to central lines in that a PICCs termination point is centrally located in the body allowing for treatment that could not be obtained from standard periphery IV access. In addition, PICC insertions are less invasive, have decreased complication risk associated with them, and remain for a much longer duration than other central or periphery access devices.
Using ultrasound technology to visualize a deep, large vessel in the upper arm, the PICC catheter is inserted by a specially trained and certified PICC nurse specialist. Post insertion at the bedside, a chest x-ray is obtained to confirm ideal placement. The entire procedure is done in the patients room decreasing discomfort, transportation, and loss of nursing care.
A PICC line may requested for a variety of treatment options which include some of the following:
-Prolonged IV antibiotic treatment;
-IV access obtainable by less invasive and longer lasting methods;
-Multiple accesses obtainable with one access line;
-TPN Nutrition;
-Chemotherapy;;
-IV access related to physiological factors; and
-Home or sub-acute discharge for extended treatment.
PICCs are frequently used to obtain central venous access for patients in acute care, home care and skilled nursing care. Since complication risks are less with PICC lines, it is preferred over other forms of central venous catheters. A PICC is not appropriate for all patients. Proper selection to determine the appropriateness of this device is required.
The PICC may have single or multiple lumens. This depends on how many intravenous therapies are needed. A PICC line can be used for antibiotics, pain medicine, chemotherapy, nutrition, or for the drawing of blood samples. PICCs can be inserted by radiologists, physician assistants or certified registered nurses. They are inserted using ultrasound technology at the bedside or ultrasound wit fluoroscopy. Chest radiographs are also used to confirm placement of the PICC tip if it was not inserted using fluoroscopy
My port is a Vortex port implant...i had to have outpatient surgery which lasted about 1 1/2-2 hours. It sounds like your PICC line, it seems its used for the same things. But my port only has to be flushed every 3-4 weeks instead of weekly and it also stays in for the duration of my treatment and beyond.
So why all the confusion with dr/nurses on how to use them if we know enough about them then why dont they?0 -
unfortunately, many of thejo jo said:My port is a Vortex port
My port is a Vortex port implant...i had to have outpatient surgery which lasted about 1 1/2-2 hours. It sounds like your PICC line, it seems its used for the same things. But my port only has to be flushed every 3-4 weeks instead of weekly and it also stays in for the duration of my treatment and beyond.
So why all the confusion with dr/nurses on how to use them if we know enough about them then why dont they?
unfortunately, many of the lab techs etc are not familiar with various ports and usage. I had a 'power port' installed when I started chemo...but chose the power port so they could also use it for PETScnas etc. Well, it does have to be flushed every 4 weeks as you say. At the lab for the MRI, the tech said she only saw this one other time! So, it took her and two others prodding about to figure out how to access it. Then, when the procedure was over, whe removed it and said done. I asked what about flushing it....and she looked shocked, then said, no problem...there was saline in the mix. So I went to the oncologist office and they flushed it. I too am amazed that we as patients have to be so imformed to protect ourselves from the less trained medical people we may become in contact with. So, now when I go to have tests done at a lab, I go first to the cancer inst. and have the nurse install the entry to port, then to the lab, then back to cancer inst. for flushing and removal. Time expensive, but much safer.
Good luck, and stay in charge of your safety and health.0 -
My Power port is below my
My Power port is below my clavical (SP?) and doesn't bother with anything , bra strap, seat belt, etc.. With a couple of my tank tops, you can see the bump of it but - so what.
I've never had my port used for blood draws - quicker/easier to just hit my vein (great vein) and be done with it and lab techs are not certified to use a port (according to what I was told - only, Drs., PAs, NPs, and RNs are to use them.). Other than for Chemos, it's never been used (not even when went to surgery - they wanted to use a hand vein). It ewas used once in the hospital for injection before last CT scan and that was like the "Keystone Kops" running around trying to figure out what to do - they finally called down to the CCI to find out what to do. As I was heading down there for my last Taxol they told the hospital to just leave some saline in the line and they'd take care of when I got there (just walking down 3 floors and over 100 ft.
We really do have to be educated and stand our ground with wht we know.0 -
What to do for blood drawsRague said:My Power port is below my
My Power port is below my clavical (SP?) and doesn't bother with anything , bra strap, seat belt, etc.. With a couple of my tank tops, you can see the bump of it but - so what.
I've never had my port used for blood draws - quicker/easier to just hit my vein (great vein) and be done with it and lab techs are not certified to use a port (according to what I was told - only, Drs., PAs, NPs, and RNs are to use them.). Other than for Chemos, it's never been used (not even when went to surgery - they wanted to use a hand vein). It ewas used once in the hospital for injection before last CT scan and that was like the "Keystone Kops" running around trying to figure out what to do - they finally called down to the CCI to find out what to do. As I was heading down there for my last Taxol they told the hospital to just leave some saline in the line and they'd take care of when I got there (just walking down 3 floors and over 100 ft.
We really do have to be educated and stand our ground with wht we know.
Thanks for posting this because it reminded me of a question I had that I forgot to ask. Ok...so since I can no longer allow them to use my right arm for blood draws which always had the best vein, and they used my left hand for 4 chemo treatments of which on the last had to stick me 3 times because it kept blowing out....where else can they go for future blood draws then? JoJo...I saw you mention ankles? Is that the next place they go when there is no more hope in the arms for a good blood draw? That must hurt even more than in the hand. I am asking because I had a blood draw yesterday for the first time in a month and they went to my left hand which is where I had my 4 chemos and the blood barely came out, was filling the tube in drops instead of a stream of blood and then hurt pretty bad all day and is now black and blue. I had a similar problem after the chemos in my hand. I got a red mark there that spread about an inch across my hand then finally dried up and for the most part went away. I am beginning to really hate now when I have to go and do blood work and now have even more anxiety about it than before. Appreciate any advice.
Lorrie0 -
PICC is right for SOME - but not allHeartofSoul said:I had a picc line for my
I had a picc line for my chemo treatments. The PICC line was surgically inserted by a radiologist tech under the skin in my upper arm. It stayed in for the duration of my treatments 10 weeks and was flushed weekly and kept clean. It is not uncomfortable at all, and feels like having a big bandaid on my arm. My blood labs are drawn from it, my CT scan contrast is delivered thru it as well as my chemo. I did not have a port.
A PICC line is, by definition and per its acronym, a peripherally inserted central catheter. It is long, slender, small, flexible tube that is inserted into a peripheral vein, typically in the upper arm, and advanced until the catheter tip terminates in a large vein in the chest near the heart to obtain intravenous access. It is similar to other central lines as it terminates into a large vessel near the heart. However, unlike other central lines, its point of entry is from the periphery of the body the extremities. And typically the upper arm is the area of choice.
A PICC line provides the best of both worlds concerning venous access. Similar to a standard IV, it is inserted in the arm, and usually in the upper arm under the benefits of ultrasound visualization. Also, PICCs differ from peripheral IV access but similar to central lines in that a PICCs termination point is centrally located in the body allowing for treatment that could not be obtained from standard periphery IV access. In addition, PICC insertions are less invasive, have decreased complication risk associated with them, and remain for a much longer duration than other central or periphery access devices.
Using ultrasound technology to visualize a deep, large vessel in the upper arm, the PICC catheter is inserted by a specially trained and certified PICC nurse specialist. Post insertion at the bedside, a chest x-ray is obtained to confirm ideal placement. The entire procedure is done in the patients room decreasing discomfort, transportation, and loss of nursing care.
A PICC line may requested for a variety of treatment options which include some of the following:
-Prolonged IV antibiotic treatment;
-IV access obtainable by less invasive and longer lasting methods;
-Multiple accesses obtainable with one access line;
-TPN Nutrition;
-Chemotherapy;;
-IV access related to physiological factors; and
-Home or sub-acute discharge for extended treatment.
PICCs are frequently used to obtain central venous access for patients in acute care, home care and skilled nursing care. Since complication risks are less with PICC lines, it is preferred over other forms of central venous catheters. A PICC is not appropriate for all patients. Proper selection to determine the appropriateness of this device is required.
The PICC may have single or multiple lumens. This depends on how many intravenous therapies are needed. A PICC line can be used for antibiotics, pain medicine, chemotherapy, nutrition, or for the drawing of blood samples. PICCs can be inserted by radiologists, physician assistants or certified registered nurses. They are inserted using ultrasound technology at the bedside or ultrasound wit fluoroscopy. Chest radiographs are also used to confirm placement of the PICC tip if it was not inserted using fluoroscopy
My Chemo Dr. and Surgeon both agreed that for me a PICC line was not the way to go- that only a totally inserted (Port) was appropriate. I am an active horsewoman so I am in all sorts of 'stuff/situtations and other than IBC - am discustingly healthy for 63 - just some minor arthritis. A PICC allows easier potential for infection than the Power Port which is totally enclosed within my body.
While I was doing the 2 batches of Chemo I didn't have to have it flushed as there was a dose before it was time that it needed to be flushed for maintinance. Since the end of Chemo, I go once every 4 weeks for a flush. We (all Dr's and I are not going to talk about when it comes out til at least next Oct and probably not for several more years due to the type of cancer I have.
I am very glad that PICC worked for you and that you liked it - but it definately is not the right answer for all of us. There is no one "one size fits all" when dealing with this Monster.
Susan0 -
I am glad you stood your
I am glad you stood your ground! I find it so frustrating to have to tell EVERY nurse, even the ones i see weekly thta they have to use my right arm for bp. You would think they would just get in the habit of asking everyone instead of assuming they know.
Take care Kathie0 -
Cavediver that is an awesomeBalentine said:What to do for blood draws
Thanks for posting this because it reminded me of a question I had that I forgot to ask. Ok...so since I can no longer allow them to use my right arm for blood draws which always had the best vein, and they used my left hand for 4 chemo treatments of which on the last had to stick me 3 times because it kept blowing out....where else can they go for future blood draws then? JoJo...I saw you mention ankles? Is that the next place they go when there is no more hope in the arms for a good blood draw? That must hurt even more than in the hand. I am asking because I had a blood draw yesterday for the first time in a month and they went to my left hand which is where I had my 4 chemos and the blood barely came out, was filling the tube in drops instead of a stream of blood and then hurt pretty bad all day and is now black and blue. I had a similar problem after the chemos in my hand. I got a red mark there that spread about an inch across my hand then finally dried up and for the most part went away. I am beginning to really hate now when I have to go and do blood work and now have even more anxiety about it than before. Appreciate any advice.
Lorrie
Cavediver that is an awesome idea. i never knew you could do that. But i wouldnt be able to do it cuz my onc dr/infusion center and all my doctors appointments are 2 hours away from each other.
Susan, mine is also used as a power port and it is under my skin in my upper arm. It doesnt bother me but it is visible when i wear short sleeves but that doesnt bother me either. You are so correct about who can access the port, they have to be certified. Yet it never fails everytime i go somewhere the room is in complete confusion and everyone is running around like they dont know what to do and getting more people invovled doing the same thing...and i even give them the manual to my port...and it always results in me telling them to call my doctor cuz they just wont listen to me that they cant just bypass the port and take blood from my arm anyway...DUH!
If we are educated in these ports and the dr's and nurses are suppose to be certified in these ports...then why the hell do we have to educate them and them get upset with us about it! IT's frustrating!!!
Lorrie, i think once they remove my port im going to have the same problem cuz my right arm had the good vein and my left arm really sucked for getting blood. As far as the ankles... they take the blood pressures from my ankles (sorry about the confuion), but if they cant get the blood draws from either arm then the next step is usually the top of the foot...and yes it hurts alot worse than the hand! But if they keep blowing veins in your hand and im assumming its the same tryin to get it from your arm...if you can tolerate it tell them to try the foot...it might be a little more painful but maybe it will be successful...if not try and ask them for another alternative. Im just sorry you have to go through that...but i will be right behind ya on this!0 -
Just a thought -Balentine said:What to do for blood draws
Thanks for posting this because it reminded me of a question I had that I forgot to ask. Ok...so since I can no longer allow them to use my right arm for blood draws which always had the best vein, and they used my left hand for 4 chemo treatments of which on the last had to stick me 3 times because it kept blowing out....where else can they go for future blood draws then? JoJo...I saw you mention ankles? Is that the next place they go when there is no more hope in the arms for a good blood draw? That must hurt even more than in the hand. I am asking because I had a blood draw yesterday for the first time in a month and they went to my left hand which is where I had my 4 chemos and the blood barely came out, was filling the tube in drops instead of a stream of blood and then hurt pretty bad all day and is now black and blue. I had a similar problem after the chemos in my hand. I got a red mark there that spread about an inch across my hand then finally dried up and for the most part went away. I am beginning to really hate now when I have to go and do blood work and now have even more anxiety about it than before. Appreciate any advice.
Lorrie
When you know that you are going for a draw, use EMLA cream (have to get from DR.) over the area they usually use. - it will help with the pain of doing hand and feet. It is used for accessing ports and it definately makes a difference in the 'feel'. My CCI used a numbing spray before accessing and it wasn't bad at all but when the CT was done by the 'Keystone Kops' at the hospital they didn't even have that and it HURT. Now that I'm off Chemo, VA wants me to come to them for the flushes and my local clinic didn't have numbing spray (they do now thanks to my PA) so my PA gave me EMLA to use and it really does work better than the spray - all I feel with it is just a pressure.
IF absolutely necessary - there are ways to get to veins. Some are only used in emergencies and are invasive but can be done IF necessary. Older Son was once so dehydrated and running 106.8 fever when I got him to the SECOND hospital (first on told me to take him home and alternate tylenol and asprin every 2 hours - long story I won't go into now). Within 10 minutes of me walking into the ER and telling them what was going on (what we were dealing [MEASLES - he and his brother had had their shots but neither developed immunity - they still have no mumps immunity even though they've had several rounds of shots] with had been anonymously reported in the newspapers and on TV. There was a fair sized epidemic in SW FL in 1991), there was a surgeon cutting into his femoral artery to establish a line.
Sorry for getting somewhat off topic but my point is that veins can be found IF they have to be.0 -
Oh no JoJo!camsgram said:I am glad you stood your
I am glad you stood your ground! I find it so frustrating to have to tell EVERY nurse, even the ones i see weekly thta they have to use my right arm for bp. You would think they would just get in the habit of asking everyone instead of assuming they know.
Take care Kathie
Oh don't tell me they will have to use my foot...I might kick them if they try that...not on purpose of course but I just hate needles. I guess I really need to pray that my hand heals up and my veins there miraculously strengthen.
Lorrie0 -
You're right...Balentine said:Oh no JoJo!
Oh don't tell me they will have to use my foot...I might kick them if they try that...not on purpose of course but I just hate needles. I guess I really need to pray that my hand heals up and my veins there miraculously strengthen.
Lorrie
stand your ground.
Sometimes nurses can be so stubborn. Before I got my "All Clear" I had an unexpected hospital visit when I had extreme chest pains-after hours, of course. The ER nurses, between painful gasps, were told by me to please use one spot that I know works for IVs. I've had enough blood draws (as we all have) to know where I have good veins. Well, to make a long story short, they didn't listen to me. Together with my chest pains they added to my pain by sticking me five times! Finally, they inserted it WHERE I TOLD THEM TO four pokes back and, surprise surprise, it worked!
I had a port implanted below my clavical also during chemo and it was a god-send. I never could have gotten through chemo without it. It was, indeed, a marvel of modern medicine,
dmc0 -
Although I haven't
Although I haven't started chemo yet the troubles you are experiencing I'm all too familiar with. My sister had a port below her clavical (she called it a button). After 11 surgeries in 2 1/2 yrs I was stuck everywhere. Because some of my surgeries were from trauma, doctors even got frustrated because they couldn't find a good vein. My first surgery the IV was in my neck after they tried everywhere. I had a bone infection after one surgery so I had a PICC line put in my upper arm for antibiotics for 7 weeks. I've also had a central line because they couldn't get blood or an IV site anywhere. One surgery I had the IV in the top of my foot near my ankle. It was a bit uncomfortable but no where near the pain of one in the wrist - very painful! It is definitely not fun getting stuck with a needle needlessly. I have no idea what will be recommended for me but I'm sure going to give my opinion of where they attempt to stick me!
My surgery is Tuesday. Because I have no humeral head in left arm the vein is not the greatest. In the past 3 weeks I've had 2 IVs for MRI breast images and biopsy. I've also had 3 blood draws - both hands and one arm. It will be interesting.......
Char0 -
I have 'HATED' my Vortex port since day 1 ..cahjah75 said:Although I haven't
Although I haven't started chemo yet the troubles you are experiencing I'm all too familiar with. My sister had a port below her clavical (she called it a button). After 11 surgeries in 2 1/2 yrs I was stuck everywhere. Because some of my surgeries were from trauma, doctors even got frustrated because they couldn't find a good vein. My first surgery the IV was in my neck after they tried everywhere. I had a bone infection after one surgery so I had a PICC line put in my upper arm for antibiotics for 7 weeks. I've also had a central line because they couldn't get blood or an IV site anywhere. One surgery I had the IV in the top of my foot near my ankle. It was a bit uncomfortable but no where near the pain of one in the wrist - very painful! It is definitely not fun getting stuck with a needle needlessly. I have no idea what will be recommended for me but I'm sure going to give my opinion of where they attempt to stick me!
My surgery is Tuesday. Because I have no humeral head in left arm the vein is not the greatest. In the past 3 weeks I've had 2 IVs for MRI breast images and biopsy. I've also had 3 blood draws - both hands and one arm. It will be interesting.......
Char
located inside my right upper arm .. chaffed, irrated and infected for the first 2 months.
Now I have learned to live with it ..
I was amazed and confused when I ended up at a very LARGE Southern California Hospital with 'staph' infection 4/20/10 ... because my prior visits .. double mact'my/ expanders landed me on the 'Oncology Floor of this Hospital', nurses had no trouble tapping into my port .. However .. the 'NORMAL' floor RN's .. not a CNA .. could not access my PORT. After 3 unsuccessful pokes .. I said enough ... and I requested that an RN from the Oncology floor come up and gain access. I was blown away ...
Getting pricked, sticked or plucked any needle is painfill.
Good luck - Char .. and bless you
Vicki0 -
I love my port and plan on keeping it for as long as I can!VickiSam said:I have 'HATED' my Vortex port since day 1 ..
located inside my right upper arm .. chaffed, irrated and infected for the first 2 months.
Now I have learned to live with it ..
I was amazed and confused when I ended up at a very LARGE Southern California Hospital with 'staph' infection 4/20/10 ... because my prior visits .. double mact'my/ expanders landed me on the 'Oncology Floor of this Hospital', nurses had no trouble tapping into my port .. However .. the 'NORMAL' floor RN's .. not a CNA .. could not access my PORT. After 3 unsuccessful pokes .. I said enough ... and I requested that an RN from the Oncology floor come up and gain access. I was blown away ...
Getting pricked, sticked or plucked any needle is painfill.
Good luck - Char .. and bless you
Vicki
My surgeon said there is no reason to remove it unless a problem arises. Mine is also below my clavical. No pain, no problem. I use my emla cream. I use my port for all blood draws, iv's etc. I have no veins to speak of and for the 4 surgeries, my port was installed on my 4th surgery (mastectomy) the iv's were eventually put in my wrist...that really hurts and continues to hurt as long as it's in. But that was not before a million tries elsewhere. So far I have not run into any problems with medical staff wanting to use the "wrong" arm. For my blood draws for my internist, I just have them draw the blood when I go for a port flush.
And I am not interested in having an iv or blood draw from my legs or feet. That is why I keep the port. If it was in my arm then my BP would have to be on my leg and I had that once and it really hurt. I had an iv with the port and it was great, I had both hands free, I could easily turn in bed etc. It's also been used for IV Sedation for a medical test.
I hate pain and try to avoid it whenever possible....
Big Chicken, Judy :-)0 -
Vicki sorry to hear aboutSkeezie said:I love my port and plan on keeping it for as long as I can!
My surgeon said there is no reason to remove it unless a problem arises. Mine is also below my clavical. No pain, no problem. I use my emla cream. I use my port for all blood draws, iv's etc. I have no veins to speak of and for the 4 surgeries, my port was installed on my 4th surgery (mastectomy) the iv's were eventually put in my wrist...that really hurts and continues to hurt as long as it's in. But that was not before a million tries elsewhere. So far I have not run into any problems with medical staff wanting to use the "wrong" arm. For my blood draws for my internist, I just have them draw the blood when I go for a port flush.
And I am not interested in having an iv or blood draw from my legs or feet. That is why I keep the port. If it was in my arm then my BP would have to be on my leg and I had that once and it really hurt. I had an iv with the port and it was great, I had both hands free, I could easily turn in bed etc. It's also been used for IV Sedation for a medical test.
I hate pain and try to avoid it whenever possible....
Big Chicken, Judy :-)
Vicki sorry to hear about the staph infection and that you dont like your port but im with Judy on this one...i love my port and ive only had one problem with it since i had it, other than the fact that no medical staff knows how to use it...but mine got clogged once and they put some stuff in it to dissolve the clogg and that was it. I have never used my numbing cream on it cuz it never hurt, except after surgery of course.
Judy when i first started getting my BP's in my leg it did hurt and i didnt care for it at all but for some reason each time got better and now it doesnt hurt at all...weird huh?0 -
Lorrie...Rague had i greatBalentine said:Oh no JoJo!
Oh don't tell me they will have to use my foot...I might kick them if they try that...not on purpose of course but I just hate needles. I guess I really need to pray that my hand heals up and my veins there miraculously strengthen.
Lorrie
Lorrie...Rague had a great idea that i didnt think about...the dr's have a cream or mist that they can put on your blood draw site and it numbs it so you dont feel the pain.
Also dont they try like warming up your veins with a hot towel or heated pad first...their are little tricks like that to get a good vein to pop up...just ask if they will try those first before poking at you.0 -
Okay, i got it now. If yourRague said:PICC is right for SOME - but not all
My Chemo Dr. and Surgeon both agreed that for me a PICC line was not the way to go- that only a totally inserted (Port) was appropriate. I am an active horsewoman so I am in all sorts of 'stuff/situtations and other than IBC - am discustingly healthy for 63 - just some minor arthritis. A PICC allows easier potential for infection than the Power Port which is totally enclosed within my body.
While I was doing the 2 batches of Chemo I didn't have to have it flushed as there was a dose before it was time that it needed to be flushed for maintinance. Since the end of Chemo, I go once every 4 weeks for a flush. We (all Dr's and I are not going to talk about when it comes out til at least next Oct and probably not for several more years due to the type of cancer I have.
I am very glad that PICC worked for you and that you liked it - but it definately is not the right answer for all of us. There is no one "one size fits all" when dealing with this Monster.
Susan
Okay, i got it now. If your have been dx with cancer and not sure if PICC or port is right for you, please consider the following guidlines;
Do NOT use a PICC line if:
1. Your an active horsewoman and in all sorts of 'stuff/situtations
2. Your a deep sea diver setting traps for tuna, salmon, and squid
3. Your hobby involves mud wrestling or riding in rodeos
4. Your a sanitation worker for the city
5. Your a stunt man for Paramount Pictures
6. Your a plumber
otherwise if your a white collar worker sititng behind a desk and your hobby is watching TV, surfing internet, talking on cell phine, or shopping, then PICC line is for you0 -
Jo Jo, thanks for the info. When I had it done it was during ajo jo said:Vicki sorry to hear about
Vicki sorry to hear about the staph infection and that you dont like your port but im with Judy on this one...i love my port and ive only had one problem with it since i had it, other than the fact that no medical staff knows how to use it...but mine got clogged once and they put some stuff in it to dissolve the clogg and that was it. I have never used my numbing cream on it cuz it never hurt, except after surgery of course.
Judy when i first started getting my BP's in my leg it did hurt and i didnt care for it at all but for some reason each time got better and now it doesnt hurt at all...weird huh?
drug induced stress test before i got my port so I had an IV in the other arm and it automatically went off every 3 minutes then after the test dropped down to every 2 min! I am glad to hear on a one time reading it's not so bad. I will relax about that.
But some here abslutely hate their ports and can hardly wait to get them out, glad to have a port loving buddy!
Hugs, Judy :-)0 -
Let's talk about BP taken on our leg's ..Skeezie said:Jo Jo, thanks for the info. When I had it done it was during a
drug induced stress test before i got my port so I had an IV in the other arm and it automatically went off every 3 minutes then after the test dropped down to every 2 min! I am glad to hear on a one time reading it's not so bad. I will relax about that.
But some here abslutely hate their ports and can hardly wait to get them out, glad to have a port loving buddy!
Hugs, Judy :-)
it takes 2 nurses to figure out what my blood pressure is ... EVERY time I go in for chemotherapy (herceptin treatments now), or doctor's visit. One nurse read my BP as 211/110 .. talk about giving me a heart attack .. Something else to add to my journal of laughs --- while on chemo therapy
First few times of leg BP reading .. I got 'charlie horses' in my leg. Funny ...!
Vicki0 -
I had my original cancerVickiSam said:Let's talk about BP taken on our leg's ..
it takes 2 nurses to figure out what my blood pressure is ... EVERY time I go in for chemotherapy (herceptin treatments now), or doctor's visit. One nurse read my BP as 211/110 .. talk about giving me a heart attack .. Something else to add to my journal of laughs --- while on chemo therapy
First few times of leg BP reading .. I got 'charlie horses' in my leg. Funny ...!
Vicki
I had my original cancer almost 8 years ago, and HAD a port...now that I will be starting chemo again, I wonder if port surgery is also in my near future? I have a great vein in my left arm, which thankfully is NOT my BC/lymphnode side, but how long that one site can hold up to chemo is another question.
I always had blood draws, chemo, and port flushing done at my Cancer Center~ there was no question that it would be done there by chemo RNs who access ports every day, all day! I am thankul, in reading your posts that I never ever had to deal with "plain old" ( sorry!) RNs who perhaps wouldn't be as knowledgeable or accurate as the ones on the chemo-wing of the clinic.
Even now, when I go in for blood draws, I put a heated washcloth on that vein, and I also have a small squeezie ball and a bottle of water. I squeeze the ball and drink the water on the half hour drive to the lab ( no, I am the passenger, in case you are wondering!)and have never had any trouble accessing the vein.
Hugs,
Chen♥0
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