power port

tonyanddenise

I had to have drains reinstalled in my neck this week. While in surgery the anesthesiologist
was trying to put me out and all the drugs were infusing into my chest and shoulder. Hurt like hell! He ended up starting an iv in right arm just to put me down. Apparently this made the rounds at the hospital pretty quick the nurses all talked about it. Still sore. This cant be a regular occurrence for the port can it?

Kent Cass

Port problem
Sounds to me like something came loose with the port-vein connection, or your port got plugged and may have caused leakage. Only times I actually used the Power Port was when I carried the pumps in weeks #1&4, and then in week #6 when I was in the hospital I got antibiotic drips, and morph shot into the attached tubing. And had no problems.

Do still go in once/month to get mine flushed- the first thing they do is draw-out blood, then shoot a substance into it, and those have always gone real good- and I've had mine for some 17-months, now. Would be interesting to see if they tried to flush yours- would they get a good flow of blood? Can you see discoloration around your Port- like there's internal blood loss?

kcass

Skiffin16

Port
I've never had a problem with my power-port. When I was having chemo (10 different weeks) they always used the port. The only other times were during the hydration periods and now flushing every 6 - 8 weeks.

It sounds like they might have missed the port on you or something. Sure doesn't seem that it went right as like Kent mentioned, it would have went into the vein and throughout your body.

Here's a description that I found;

"The catheter runs from the portal and is surgically inserted into a vein (usually the jugular vein, subclavian vein, or superior vena cava). Ideally, the catheter terminates in the superior vena cava, just upstream of the right atrium. This position allows infused agents to be spread throughout the body quickly and efficiently."

Best,
John

Kent Cass

Skiffin16 said:

Port
I've never had a problem with my power-port. When I was having chemo (10 different weeks) they always used the port. The only other times were during the hydration periods and now flushing every 6 - 8 weeks.

It sounds like they might have missed the port on you or something. Sure doesn't seem that it went right as like Kent mentioned, it would have went into the vein and throughout your body.

Here's a description that I found;

"The catheter runs from the portal and is surgically inserted into a vein (usually the jugular vein, subclavian vein, or superior vena cava). Ideally, the catheter terminates in the superior vena cava, just upstream of the right atrium. This position allows infused agents to be spread throughout the body quickly and efficiently."

Best,
John

Could be-
right about the artery thing, John- the blood toter that sticks-out against the skin above, in my case, the Port lump. Thing is, Tony really should get an explanation for this malfunction with his Port- you really should, Tony.

kcass

Skiffin16

Kent Cass said:

Could be-
right about the artery thing, John- the blood toter that sticks-out against the skin above, in my case, the Port lump. Thing is, Tony really should get an explanation for this malfunction with his Port- you really should, Tony.

kcass

Agree
I agree, you never know something that should be checked out and explained. In my imagination I could speculate a lot of different scenarios, but I am in know way a professional (other than from the patient's point of view, LOL)...

Kent, BTW, we share the same similarity, the port lump thing, LOL...

~John

Landranger25

Skiffin16 said:

Agree
I agree, you never know something that should be checked out and explained. In my imagination I could speculate a lot of different scenarios, but I am in know way a professional (other than from the patient's point of view, LOL)...

Kent, BTW, we share the same similarity, the port lump thing, LOL...

~John

Lump too
When I first got the port put in other than the incision you wouldn't know it was there. It wasn't until I lost 35 pounds that I had the "lump". It sat right on top of my clavicle and I managed to bang it several times as my activity level began to return to normal after treatment. It would be kind of tender and sore after I had accidenatlly hit it. The flushing thing went well except for one time. After they got the needle into the thing they couldn't get anything in or out. The first 2 nurses had me flailing around waving and rotating my arms like a haywire windmill trying to get things moving but even inverting myself at their suggestion didn't work. (I'm sure all of this was very amusing to the other chemo patients in the cancer center) The 3rd nurse just grabbed the needle and pulled it out slightly and that was all it took. Fine from there. When I went to have it out I talked to the surgeon about the thing and one of the things he mentioned was that when he put it in it was very critical to get the length correct. If it is too long it could push farther down the vein and end up in the heart itself. I'm guessing a valve in one of your heart chambers wouldn't work too well with the end of the catheter interfering. Am glad mine is gone.

Mike

Skiffin16

Landranger25 said:

Lump too
When I first got the port put in other than the incision you wouldn't know it was there. It wasn't until I lost 35 pounds that I had the "lump". It sat right on top of my clavicle and I managed to bang it several times as my activity level began to return to normal after treatment. It would be kind of tender and sore after I had accidenatlly hit it. The flushing thing went well except for one time. After they got the needle into the thing they couldn't get anything in or out. The first 2 nurses had me flailing around waving and rotating my arms like a haywire windmill trying to get things moving but even inverting myself at their suggestion didn't work. (I'm sure all of this was very amusing to the other chemo patients in the cancer center) The 3rd nurse just grabbed the needle and pulled it out slightly and that was all it took. Fine from there. When I went to have it out I talked to the surgeon about the thing and one of the things he mentioned was that when he put it in it was very critical to get the length correct. If it is too long it could push farther down the vein and end up in the heart itself. I'm guessing a valve in one of your heart chambers wouldn't work too well with the end of the catheter interfering. Am glad mine is gone.

Mike

Can't Wait
I'll be glad when I get mine out also (February 2011). Just one more thing to close the book on.... Although, I in know way wanted to keep my mask, I just might ask the MD if I can keep it as a conversation piece..LOL.

Mine doesn't really bother me, except the skin is very thin there and sensitive. Every once in a while one of our two chocolate labs will press on it with their head while getting lovin, and that will hurt.

Other than that though, it's OK... I just slung and retrieved the anchor probably 20 - 25 times grouper fishing this week-end (Saturday). No problems with the port, although between that and diggin a few keeper grouper and fat cobia that wanted to join the party, my shoulders were killin me today (Sunday).

~John

Landranger25

Skiffin16 said:

Can't Wait
I'll be glad when I get mine out also (February 2011). Just one more thing to close the book on.... Although, I in know way wanted to keep my mask, I just might ask the MD if I can keep it as a conversation piece..LOL.

Mine doesn't really bother me, except the skin is very thin there and sensitive. Every once in a while one of our two chocolate labs will press on it with their head while getting lovin, and that will hurt.

Other than that though, it's OK... I just slung and retrieved the anchor probably 20 - 25 times grouper fishing this week-end (Saturday). No problems with the port, although between that and diggin a few keeper grouper and fat cobia that wanted to join the party, my shoulders were killin me today (Sunday).

~John

John, that fishin' sounds
John, that fishin' sounds like fun. Only been ocean fishing one time. Went out on a "party boat" out of the Keys. Had a great time and even reeled in a big ole moray eel. The old guy tending lines just reached out with his pocket knife and cut the line just in front of the reel and let it drop back into the water. He said I'd be sorry if that thing got on the deck with me. I defered to his expertise. Up here in the Great Lakes the Salmon in the spring are a lot of fun. Also, where I live right where Lake Huron turns into the St. Clair River the Walleye are super. We drift fish for them at the River mouth in the evening and into the night. Also downriver in Lake St. Clair the Muskie are something else. Have caught many 3 feet long and one at just 4'. My picture is a big Lake Trout caught in Lake Superior "long lining". As you paddle you just drag a "body bait" of some kind way out behind you and when you get one on it's a riot in the kayak. Hope you can keep getting out John. Take care.

Mike

Skiffin16

Landranger25 said:

John, that fishin' sounds
John, that fishin' sounds like fun. Only been ocean fishing one time. Went out on a "party boat" out of the Keys. Had a great time and even reeled in a big ole moray eel. The old guy tending lines just reached out with his pocket knife and cut the line just in front of the reel and let it drop back into the water. He said I'd be sorry if that thing got on the deck with me. I defered to his expertise. Up here in the Great Lakes the Salmon in the spring are a lot of fun. Also, where I live right where Lake Huron turns into the St. Clair River the Walleye are super. We drift fish for them at the River mouth in the evening and into the night. Also downriver in Lake St. Clair the Muskie are something else. Have caught many 3 feet long and one at just 4'. My picture is a big Lake Trout caught in Lake Superior "long lining". As you paddle you just drag a "body bait" of some kind way out behind you and when you get one on it's a riot in the kayak. Hope you can keep getting out John. Take care.

Mike

YAKS
YAKS have become pretty popular here as well. There's guys (and girls) that fish just off of the beaches for Tarpon and King Mackeral (smokers)...

Even more than are now fishing the extreme shallows (flats), Redfish, Snook, Trout and Flounder....very quiet and stealthy.

I'm from Ohio originally and we use to hammer the Muskie in the rivers, toothy critters with an attitude for sure.

Best,
John

Unknown

Skiffin16 said:

Can't Wait
I'll be glad when I get mine out also (February 2011). Just one more thing to close the book on.... Although, I in know way wanted to keep my mask, I just might ask the MD if I can keep it as a conversation piece..LOL.

Mine doesn't really bother me, except the skin is very thin there and sensitive. Every once in a while one of our two chocolate labs will press on it with their head while getting lovin, and that will hurt.

Other than that though, it's OK... I just slung and retrieved the anchor probably 20 - 25 times grouper fishing this week-end (Saturday). No problems with the port, although between that and diggin a few keeper grouper and fat cobia that wanted to join the party, my shoulders were killin me today (Sunday).

~John

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Greg53

Landranger25 said:

John, that fishin' sounds
John, that fishin' sounds like fun. Only been ocean fishing one time. Went out on a "party boat" out of the Keys. Had a great time and even reeled in a big ole moray eel. The old guy tending lines just reached out with his pocket knife and cut the line just in front of the reel and let it drop back into the water. He said I'd be sorry if that thing got on the deck with me. I defered to his expertise. Up here in the Great Lakes the Salmon in the spring are a lot of fun. Also, where I live right where Lake Huron turns into the St. Clair River the Walleye are super. We drift fish for them at the River mouth in the evening and into the night. Also downriver in Lake St. Clair the Muskie are something else. Have caught many 3 feet long and one at just 4'. My picture is a big Lake Trout caught in Lake Superior "long lining". As you paddle you just drag a "body bait" of some kind way out behind you and when you get one on it's a riot in the kayak. Hope you can keep getting out John. Take care.

Mike

Now we're talkin'...
John, Used to go visit a friend in Homossasa every year and fish the shallows for reds, speckled trout, and snook. What a blast! Caught a little of everything, but grouper were my favorite (to eat anyways). Always tried to time my trip for cobia but never got into any. Heard they put up a tussle.

And Mike, caught my biggest smallie ever last year (5# +)out of my kayak and in a fairly fast stream. Didn't have time to get to a slack area so I had to stow the paddle and was pulling the fish downstream with me, bumping into every log and rock as I went. Lucky didn't drown but couldn't let that fish get away. Fish a lot of resovoirs and streams here in the midwest. Mainly go for bass, some trout in the streams of the Ozarks, whites, strippers, crappie and wipers. usually head up north every other year for walleye (um, um good) and northerns. Keep your lines tight boyz! FISH ON

tonyanddenise

Kent Cass said:

Could be-
right about the artery thing, John- the blood toter that sticks-out against the skin above, in my case, the Port lump. Thing is, Tony really should get an explanation for this malfunction with his Port- you really should, Tony.

kcass

port
I have settled on a treatment plan and physicians today. I go in th morning to have the port "dye" tested for leaks and the like. had sceroma trouble after my surgery that is going to prolong my tx start. All for the best I suppose! thanks to all!

tonyanddenise

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

thanks Graci
I don't have the bra problem but the seat belt is a drag!

Skiffin16

tonyanddenise said:

port
I have settled on a treatment plan and physicians today. I go in th morning to have the port "dye" tested for leaks and the like. had sceroma trouble after my surgery that is going to prolong my tx start. All for the best I suppose! thanks to all!

Let us know what they find out.....

Kent Cass

Skiffin16 said:

Let us know what they find out.....

tony
let us know the results of the Port testing, please. next flush I might ask the Nurses if they've ever run into a leaker.

kcass

Skiffin16

Greg53 said:

Now we're talkin'...
John, Used to go visit a friend in Homossasa every year and fish the shallows for reds, speckled trout, and snook. What a blast! Caught a little of everything, but grouper were my favorite (to eat anyways). Always tried to time my trip for cobia but never got into any. Heard they put up a tussle.

And Mike, caught my biggest smallie ever last year (5# +)out of my kayak and in a fairly fast stream. Didn't have time to get to a slack area so I had to stow the paddle and was pulling the fish downstream with me, bumping into every log and rock as I went. Lucky didn't drown but couldn't let that fish get away. Fish a lot of resovoirs and streams here in the midwest. Mainly go for bass, some trout in the streams of the Ozarks, whites, strippers, crappie and wipers. usually head up north every other year for walleye (um, um good) and northerns. Keep your lines tight boyz! FISH ON

Email
Greg,

I sent you an email with a few photos from the week-end. BTW Homossasa Springs is only about 75 miles or so from where I live.

~JG

Fire34

Kent Cass said:

tony
let us know the results of the Port testing, please. next flush I might ask the Nurses if they've ever run into a leaker.

kcass

Yes, Let us know
Tony
Mine was a dual port a cath it had two side as I underwent concurrent chem/rad for five weeks. I also had a lump under my left clavicle as the heaviest dose of rads was going on my right. I had to have mine removed 2 months post due to infection and it wanted the heck out anyway. LOL Best Wishes & Prayers for good news
Dave

Kimba1505

tonyanddenise said:

port
I have settled on a treatment plan and physicians today. I go in th morning to have the port "dye" tested for leaks and the like. had sceroma trouble after my surgery that is going to prolong my tx start. All for the best I suppose! thanks to all!

What treatment plan?
Tony,
What treatment plan did you decide on? I am interested. Mark just switched from cisplatin to carboplatin/taxol. Radiation wise he hit the 1/2 way mark yesterday and is doing great. Still swallowing everything...no use of the PEG yet. Biggest comlaints: dry mouth, no taste, stiff jaw.
Mark doesn't have the port. He was supposed to just have 3 rounds of chemo (with two days of IV fluids after) 9 IVs. I guess they did not think this was enought to warrent a port. He does have blood drawn every week too. With new chemo he will only have 3 more IVs (hopefully).
Keep going. It does move forward.
Kim

Skiffin16

Kimba1505 said:

What treatment plan?
Tony,
What treatment plan did you decide on? I am interested. Mark just switched from cisplatin to carboplatin/taxol. Radiation wise he hit the 1/2 way mark yesterday and is doing great. Still swallowing everything...no use of the PEG yet. Biggest comlaints: dry mouth, no taste, stiff jaw.
Mark doesn't have the port. He was supposed to just have 3 rounds of chemo (with two days of IV fluids after) 9 IVs. I guess they did not think this was enought to warrent a port. He does have blood drawn every week too. With new chemo he will only have 3 more IVs (hopefully).
Keep going. It does move forward.
Kim

Time Frames
What kind of time frames for the chemo and other fluids Kim?

With the port and getting two bags of chemo (Cisplaten, Taxotere) and probably 4 - 5 bags of other solutions and fluids. It would take anywhere from originally close to 8 hours until the last (of the big doses) at around maybe 4 - 5 hours. The feed rate could be controlled I think a lot because of the port design.

During the carboplaten only phase I probably still had 2 additional bags to the chemo at around 2 - 3 hours maybe...

Best,
John

debbiejeanne

tony, how awful. As though
tony, how awful. As though you weren't already in enuf pain. they say if it can go wrong, it will...lol. I'm glad that's over and you're doing better tho. At least I would think you are since it has been 3 days. I hope all go well for you from here on out.
God Bless you,
debbie

finz2lft

Port
One thing, the hospital that I get the chemo and rads at, will not numb the port area prior to using the port. They told me to get some Lydacaine from my Oncologist and they would use that to numb the area. My Oncologist gave me a RX, and it is very helpful as many times as I get stuck. God Bless everyone.