problems with new port- update & good CEA news
My husband thought maybe it was the nurse putting the needle in wrong and maybe she punctured the side of the port. Viable consideration, except that this was a different nurse than the one who it happened with in the old port & I had both many other times and there was never any problem before. Frustrating- I really don't want to have to go get another port again!
I did get chemo today- they gave it to me through a vein in my arm. I was nervous about that, but it was really easy and I didn't feel a thing, fortunately.
Since they had already drawn up the Avastin, so they can't change out this port, if needed, for another two weeks. The plan is that I'm going to go in this next week for a dye test in the new port to see if it's leaking and, if it is, I'll get chemo again next Thursday thru my arm again, then about two weeks from now, they'd replace the port again.
Grrr... frustrating, but I know I'm not the only one who's had to have a port replaced shortly after getting it. Anyone else?
Lisa
-------------------------------------- **SEE UPDATE DOWN BELOW***
Comments
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So you know
The nurse can't go beyond a certain point in the port. The backing on the port prevents them from piercing beyond acceptable areas of the port. So it's probably a port defect. And dang, I'm so sorry about that, getting it once is enough, but 3 times??? OMGosh.
Winter Marie0 -
not againherdizziness said:So you know
The nurse can't go beyond a certain point in the port. The backing on the port prevents them from piercing beyond acceptable areas of the port. So it's probably a port defect. And dang, I'm so sorry about that, getting it once is enough, but 3 times??? OMGosh.
Winter Marie
oh Lisa what a shame....seems almost impossible that you would be going through this again....sorry about that.....glad you were able to get the chemo done
mags0 -
Terrible
That is terrible that this port is not working correctly. Hoping that the dye test will show exactly what is going on with it. Hope you don't have to have a replacement. Good luck.
Kim0 -
That is a big timeAnnabelle41415 said:Terrible
That is terrible that this port is not working correctly. Hoping that the dye test will show exactly what is going on with it. Hope you don't have to have a replacement. Good luck.
Kim
That is a big time bummer!!
You must be really tired of them chemo by now, I pray for remission for you Lisa. Keep fighting!!0 -
I have a power port
put in 1/09, so far so good. Just a note that a couple of the onc nurses told me not let anyone access port unless they were sure they were capable to do so. I have never used it for blood test other than when on the cancer floor of the hospital. Also have never used it for c scans other than when in hospital. They said not everyone really are expertise at it so I have been very protective of it, it may be just luck so far, but just a FYI. Pat0 -
Upgrade
Hi Lisa
It's the gift that keeps on giving, isn't it?
I'm sorry this one looks bad - maybe you can now upgrade to a Powerport this time...if you have to go through it again, you might as well get the best. It's really helpful for scans, where they can inject contrast through the port, unlike with a mediport.
-Craig0 -
PositioningSundanceh said:Upgrade
Hi Lisa
It's the gift that keeps on giving, isn't it?
I'm sorry this one looks bad - maybe you can now upgrade to a Powerport this time...if you have to go through it again, you might as well get the best. It's really helpful for scans, where they can inject contrast through the port, unlike with a mediport.
-Craig
The first time chemo nurse attempted to infuse me with my very first dose of chemo (not counting the Xeloda I had swollowed that morning) port did not work so my veins were used (which hurt/burned by evening and next few days, my arm,that is) and I was sent to hosp for dye test of port. When nurse tried to access port before test in hosp with dye,I was laying down on bed,( not seated in recliner, as in chemo room)--port worked perfectly, didn;t need testing and was sent on my way......
As long as I was lying down when port was accessed ,it worked.May not be solution in your case,Lisa but might one day be for others.....steve0 -
PowerportSundanceh said:Upgrade
Hi Lisa
It's the gift that keeps on giving, isn't it?
I'm sorry this one looks bad - maybe you can now upgrade to a Powerport this time...if you have to go through it again, you might as well get the best. It's really helpful for scans, where they can inject contrast through the port, unlike with a mediport.
-Craig
I'm really kind of wondering why it's considered such an advantage to be able to be given contrast dye through the port vs. your arm. I honestly think I prefer getting it in my arm. I hate getting my chest punctured every time I have chemo. Maybe it's just my skin, but my skin on my chest is very thin and very sensitive. The skin around my port turns bright red every time and is tender to the touch every time for a couple of days after chemo- just from getting scrubbed and adhesive being put on it. After getting chemo through my arm yesterday didn't hurt one bit, I was almost thinking it'd be better to do it that way every week. I hear some people say the veins in their arms burn and hurt afterwards- maybe that depends upon the type of chemo you're getting, cause mine did not hurt or burn one bit with getting Gemzar and Avastin.
I will ask about it when I go in anyhow.0 -
Lisa,for me you are right about which chemo is going into armlisa42 said:Powerport
I'm really kind of wondering why it's considered such an advantage to be able to be given contrast dye through the port vs. your arm. I honestly think I prefer getting it in my arm. I hate getting my chest punctured every time I have chemo. Maybe it's just my skin, but my skin on my chest is very thin and very sensitive. The skin around my port turns bright red every time and is tender to the touch every time for a couple of days after chemo- just from getting scrubbed and adhesive being put on it. After getting chemo through my arm yesterday didn't hurt one bit, I was almost thinking it'd be better to do it that way every week. I hear some people say the veins in their arms burn and hurt afterwards- maybe that depends upon the type of chemo you're getting, cause mine did not hurt or burn one bit with getting Gemzar and Avastin.
I will ask about it when I go in anyhow.
Mine at that time was oxi and that, I believe, is why I felt a burning and pain sensation that gradually moved up my right arm. Had I used my left arm, I would have thought heart attack.....steve0 -
In the arm??coloCan said:Lisa,for me you are right about which chemo is going into arm
Mine at that time was oxi and that, I believe, is why I felt a burning and pain sensation that gradually moved up my right arm. Had I used my left arm, I would have thought heart attack.....steve
Lisa, Don't they leave the tube in your arm until you are done with chemo, so that you don't have to get poked each week? I don't think you can get poked each week?? I don't think I would like that attached to my arm, day in and day out.
A lot of I don't knows here. Sorry.0 -
Lisa
I had so much to say regarding this issue that I had to wait to respond on a regular keyboard instead of my usual blackberry response. Since May my mother has been in the hospital 7 times. Five times due to issues with the port.
Here are her hospital visits.
1. Dxn'd and resection
2. Infection due to surgery
3. Original port placement
4. Port twisted and she passed out due to lack of oxygen to the brain
5. Port replacement
6. Elevated heart rate-bloodclots doc said due to port as they are around port-put on Cumodan
7. Elevated heart rate-put on shots to increase blood thinning
This port thing is a trip. The only thing that I think that is calming to us is that my mom has a medical diary. We monitor her heart rate, bp, temp, color of poop since Cumodan can make you bleed internally and there a couple of other things we monitor daily. Then she writes how she feels-pain, not sleeping, heart palpitations, etc and this really helps her doctor track any issues that she may have in the future.
It seemed like every Friday before her chemo off week she was having issues. So the week she was supposed to be enjoying doing special things, she was in the hospital again and again. I know that this interferes with the quality of life, because once you think that you have it corrected an issue comes up again, but after a couple of rounds of trying to fix the port issue, I think they have resolved the issue and she seems to be doing much better and is feeling much better.
Hope this helps.0 -
Lisa
I had so much to say regarding this issue that I had to wait to respond on a regular keyboard on a regular computer instead of my usual blackberry response. Since May my mother has been in the hospital 7 times. Five times due to issues with the port.
Here are her hospital visits.
1. Dxn'd and resection
2. Infection due to surgery
3. Original port placement
4. Port twisted and she passed out due to lack of oxygen to the brain
5. Port replacement
6. Elevated heart rate-bloodclots doc said due to port as they are around port-put on Cumodan
7. Elevated heart rate-put on shots to increase blood thinning
This port thing is a trip. The only thing that I think that is for physical evidence of internal bleeding since Cumodan can give you that side ecalming to us is that my mom has a medical diary. We monitor her heart rate, bp, temp, checkingffect, and there a couple of other things we monitor daily. Then she writes how she feels-pain, not sleeping, heart palpitations, etc and this really helps her doctor check for issues before they get to outta control. This is crazy, but she is at the point where she would do whatever it takes to avoid another trip to the ER.
It seemed like every Friday before her chemo off week she was having issues. So the week she was supposed to be enjoying doing special things, she was in the hospital again and again. I know that this interferes with the quality of life, because once you think that you have it corrected an issue comes up again, but after a couple of rounds of trying to fix the port issue, I think they have resolved the issue and she seems to be doing much better and is feeling much better. She will be doing some travelling this weekend and going to a party at a resort. So dealing with her port did get better.
Hope this helps.0 -
Sorry about the port!
Lisa,
I am so sorry to hear you are having trouble with your port. Hopefully, it can be corrected easily or maybe it is better for you not to use it since you did not experience any problems having chemo through your arm. I always hated when they poked me in the port and I had my nurse spray with numbing spray before she inserted the needle.
Hope your CEA has dropped. I will be praying for you.
Have a nice weekend!
Hugs,
Sara0 -
Bummer!lisa42 said:Powerport
I'm really kind of wondering why it's considered such an advantage to be able to be given contrast dye through the port vs. your arm. I honestly think I prefer getting it in my arm. I hate getting my chest punctured every time I have chemo. Maybe it's just my skin, but my skin on my chest is very thin and very sensitive. The skin around my port turns bright red every time and is tender to the touch every time for a couple of days after chemo- just from getting scrubbed and adhesive being put on it. After getting chemo through my arm yesterday didn't hurt one bit, I was almost thinking it'd be better to do it that way every week. I hear some people say the veins in their arms burn and hurt afterwards- maybe that depends upon the type of chemo you're getting, cause mine did not hurt or burn one bit with getting Gemzar and Avastin.
I will ask about it when I go in anyhow.
Sorry to hear about the port problems, Lisa... it's not as if you don't have enough on your plate, then to have to worry about the devices they use to get the meds into you!
My guess as to the advantage of using a port vs a vein in your arm for the contrast dye for the scans is because of scarring. My right arm, which has the BEST veins for use for the contrast dye are also the same veins that are used to draw blood. Because of all the umpteen pokes, a fair amount of scar tissue has built up so it's now hard to access the "good" veins... and the other veins are too small so they roll or blow when they put the needle in for the contrast dye.
When the port is working correctly, it really is a great device since they have direct access to your veins, rather than having to find them, then the whole hassle of rolling veins or them blowing out because they have just had enough of all the pokes
I swear, when I'm driving to the Cancer Agency where they do the blood work and/or scans, my veins roll and run away before I even get there
Cheryl0 -
which gets put into your inner,upper arm and chemo infused thru that device, which can also be used to draw blood but needs flushing and won't last nowhere as long as a port. I needed two PICCS for 9 doses .sasjourney said:Sorry about the port!
Lisa,
I am so sorry to hear you are having trouble with your port. Hopefully, it can be corrected easily or maybe it is better for you not to use it since you did not experience any problems having chemo through your arm. I always hated when they poked me in the port and I had my nurse spray with numbing spray before she inserted the needle.
Hope your CEA has dropped. I will be praying for you.
Have a nice weekend!
Hugs,
Sara0 -
Port Problems
Hi Lisa - Have you considered not using a port? I did 6 cycles of oxaliplatin/Avastin back in 2005. The oxy was tough on my veins, but doable. I've been on Avastin only every 3 weeks since 6/1/2009 - easy peasy using my arm veins - no pain, no problem.
Not sure what Gemzar issues are, but chemo without a port is possible.
Just a thought............
Betsy0 -
bumpBetsydoglover said:Port Problems
Hi Lisa - Have you considered not using a port? I did 6 cycles of oxaliplatin/Avastin back in 2005. The oxy was tough on my veins, but doable. I've been on Avastin only every 3 weeks since 6/1/2009 - easy peasy using my arm veins - no pain, no problem.
Not sure what Gemzar issues are, but chemo without a port is possible.
Just a thought............
Betsy
bump0 -
Thanks
Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts on the matter. I go in tomorrow for them to check the port. Since I had the Avastin on Thursday, if they determine it needs replacing, I'll have to wait another week and a half because of the Avastin issues.
Yes, I've had the numbing spray each time I've gotten chemo through the port. With my sensitive skin, I just hate the numbing spray even- it burns my skin. The skin on my chest has always been ultra sensitive- even when I was younger, if I ever got a mark or rash on my chest, it would take way longer to go away there and would burn, itch, or hurt more than any other similar mark in another location on my body.
Anyhow, it's still probably best to have a working port, so we'll see what they say tomorrow. I'll ask about different options.
Sara, I didn't get my CEA results back yet, they should be in on Monday.
Lisa0 -
I'll be waiting!lisa42 said:Thanks
Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts on the matter. I go in tomorrow for them to check the port. Since I had the Avastin on Thursday, if they determine it needs replacing, I'll have to wait another week and a half because of the Avastin issues.
Yes, I've had the numbing spray each time I've gotten chemo through the port. With my sensitive skin, I just hate the numbing spray even- it burns my skin. The skin on my chest has always been ultra sensitive- even when I was younger, if I ever got a mark or rash on my chest, it would take way longer to go away there and would burn, itch, or hurt more than any other similar mark in another location on my body.
Anyhow, it's still probably best to have a working port, so we'll see what they say tomorrow. I'll ask about different options.
Sara, I didn't get my CEA results back yet, they should be in on Monday.
Lisa
Lisa,
I'll be waiting to hear the good news...I know it will all be positive. I'm sending you positive vibes and energy. Big hugs to you.
Sara
P.S. I know what you mean about sensitive skin...I definitely have it, too. I get red very easily.0
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