It's always something....

Hissy_Fitz

My port has managed to work its way thru the skin,like a little purple alien, and has to be removed. I had today's chemo via a vein in my arm and go Oct 12th to talk to the surgeon about port options, and while I am there we will discuss my hernia.

My Gyn/Onc gave me several choices today. I could have gone home and postponed this round of Taxol until after the port was removed/replaced.

I could elect to just have the port removed (no replacement at this time) and see if I could finish the Taxol maintenance using the veins in my arm.

Or I could have the chemo, via arm IV, then set a date to have the port removed and a new one placed, and finish my Taxol using the new port.

I chose door number 3. As much as I was tempted to go "no port" for as long as possible, I was afraid my veins would not hold up to 4 more chemo sessions and I would be forced to abandon or interrupt my maintenance.

I still have something going on with my left hand/thumb and have been referred to an Orthopedist. That appointment is Oct 20th.

So I am looking at two surgeries (at least), plus whatever has to be done with my hand. It's in a brace 24/7 and hurts like the devil.

Right now, I feel like I just can't catch a break.

Carlene

Cafewoman53

your port
So sorry about your port has a mind of it's own apparently. I would have never expected that.
I hope your hand can be resolved without surgery, this road we are on sure is a bumpy one ! Feel better soon !

froggy1

the right choice
Wow Carlene,
You sure keep your doctors busy! I would never be without my Power Port. I don't think my veins could handle chemo without it. 'Think you made a wise choice.
You sure are dealing with some challenges. I don't think my port could burst through the fat in my neck! LOL I do think I have heard that thin peple sometimes don't have enough fat to have a good outcome with their port. I will share some neck fat, should you need it.
'Sure hope you get some relief from the hand thing soon. Take care, Ginny

Hissy_Fitz

froggy1 said:

the right choice
Wow Carlene,
You sure keep your doctors busy! I would never be without my Power Port. I don't think my veins could handle chemo without it. 'Think you made a wise choice.
You sure are dealing with some challenges. I don't think my port could burst through the fat in my neck! LOL I do think I have heard that thin peple sometimes don't have enough fat to have a good outcome with their port. I will share some neck fat, should you need it.
'Sure hope you get some relief from the hand thing soon. Take care, Ginny

Thanks, Ginny. That is such
Thanks, Ginny. That is such a generous offer! Actually, I have been telling my doctor almost since day one that my port was coming thru the skin. Thirty pounds ago he told me, "It just looks that way because you're so thin." Guess what, Doc? I am no longer thin but I do have a little purple alien poking thru my chest!

I think the surgeon should have placed it deeper. It was not the surgeon my doctor would have recommended, by the way. It was one that was "on call" when I was in the hospital that could do it ASAP. They wanted me to start TPN feedings that night, so I had to have a port placed immediately.

kayandok

Gilda was right!
It is always somethin'!!! Oh Carlene, I know the feeling so well. You are making the right choice!
Take care,
kathleen

clamryn

Made a good choice
Carlene, I think you made the right choice. In 2008, I elected not to have the port put in and now I wished that I did. I had 6 infusions in 2008 but the last two they had a lot of trouble trying to find a vein. I thought I would be this brave soul and do it without the port. In 2010 when I had to do the chemo again, I had the port put in.

As far as the port coming through the skin, I have thought all along that my port might pop through. It almost feels like when you put one of your earrings in your ear and the skin has grown together and you try to poke it through. My skin looks very thin where the port is. It worries me about that.

The port is the way to go. If my port would come through, I would want it put back in. I wished that I had gone with the port in 2008 and maybe my veins would be better. Like you said.....it is always something.

Praying that everything will go okay. Hugs to you.
Linda

newhopechurchli

clamryn said:

Made a good choice
Carlene, I think you made the right choice. In 2008, I elected not to have the port put in and now I wished that I did. I had 6 infusions in 2008 but the last two they had a lot of trouble trying to find a vein. I thought I would be this brave soul and do it without the port. In 2010 when I had to do the chemo again, I had the port put in.

As far as the port coming through the skin, I have thought all along that my port might pop through. It almost feels like when you put one of your earrings in your ear and the skin has grown together and you try to poke it through. My skin looks very thin where the port is. It worries me about that.

The port is the way to go. If my port would come through, I would want it put back in. I wished that I had gone with the port in 2008 and maybe my veins would be better. Like you said.....it is always something.

Praying that everything will go okay. Hugs to you.
Linda

Ouch.....
Sounds uncomfortable. I never had a port in my chest... only attached to my ribs for the IP injections. All other chemo was given through my veins and by the last visit... I had no veins left!!! I was so stressed every time I had to go to treatment because I knew they would have to poke me MANY times to get a vein. So... I definitely think you should stay with the port, unless the Doctor thinks you will be done with treatment for a while after this round. If that is the case maybe you could get through the next four visits !??!?

Mwee

Oh, dear
So sorry that you have these issues to deal with. I have an "outie" port that I call my third nipple.... little fat in that area... You were faced with some tough options and I think door #3 was a wise choice. I hope these hurtles are done with very soon and you can enjoy the break you so deserve.
(((HUGS))) Maria

vj1

Carlene:
Been off the site
Carlene:
Been off the site for a few days so just read about your latest. Hope all is improving and you can get back on schedule. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
V

groundeffect

Port
Hi Carlene,

It's really too bad your port worked its way out! I hope the next installation is done better. There isn't any chance your hand problem is related, is there? My port is on the left side (you can see it in my picture).

My port doctor said he had a bit of trouble putting mine in, and that it's a little deeper than he usually sets them.

I sure hope your new port makes your life a little easier, and that your hand gets to be less of a problem. You do need a break!

Sue

softD

port
Carlene, so sorry you are having a tough time , but I agree, I think you made a good
decision. I only had an IP port for my first lot of chemos, but my veins were getting occluded and so sore by the end of it. I'm starting chemo again, and having surgery next week, so have already told the surgeon I want a port this time for sure!
Hope things settle down for you soon, you deserve a break xxxx

Mawty

softD said:

port
Carlene, so sorry you are having a tough time , but I agree, I think you made a good
decision. I only had an IP port for my first lot of chemos, but my veins were getting occluded and so sore by the end of it. I'm starting chemo again, and having surgery next week, so have already told the surgeon I want a port this time for sure!
Hope things settle down for you soon, you deserve a break xxxx

Port
My first port got infected and had to be removed. I had one dose of chemo in my veins and it burned so bad they had to slow it down to practially nothing and it took forever. I decided I had to get a new port right away. I'm so glad I did.

Marty