Port Question

CheeseQueen57

im getting my port on Monday. I was thinking it would be better to have it on my non-dominant side (which would be left for me.). But as I was driving in the car today, I realized that might be exactly where the seatbelt hits. Which side is preferable for the port or do we have a choice?  

Red Corvette

Port Side

Hi Cheese,

My wife's port is on her left side. I think you have a choice. You might choose based on how you sleep, unless you're a stomach sleeper, then it won't matter which side for your port! It should be an easy operation for you, my wife's was. A port makes life so much easier for chemo and blood draws. A lot less pain for all the needle sticks they make you do.

Red Corvette

TeddyandBears_Mom

Red Corvette said:

Port Side

Hi Cheese,

My wife's port is on her left side. I think you have a choice. You might choose based on how you sleep, unless you're a stomach sleeper, then it won't matter which side for your port! It should be an easy operation for you, my wife's was. A port makes life so much easier for chemo and blood draws. A lot less pain for all the needle sticks they make you do.

Red Corvette

Good suggestions from Red.

Good suggestions from Red. Going to add.... some people (most) never feel theirs once it is healed. Unless pressure is applied. And others have posted that they used a soft guard on their seatbelt. Mine is on my left side (non-dominate) and I'm so glad it is. Because I have never had a day where the darn thing doesn't bother me. Any stretching or activity lets me know it is there. And, it typically aches at the sight for a few days after I get it flushed.

I am getting mine removed next week. And, I can't wait!  Now, that being said.... I'm so glad I had it in place for chemo. If I ever have a need (I sure hope not!) for chemo again, I will have another implanted.

Good luck on your surgery (using ice packs was very helpful). You will be a strong warrier.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Editgrl

You do have a choice

I went ahead and had it done on my right side, my dominant side, primarily because of the seat belt issue.  I drive far more than I am a passenger.  I really don't notice it most of the time, though on occasion I do get some achiness around it.  Very glad I had it, though, and my chemo nurses told me that if I let them know when my scans are going to be, they will arrange to have someone there to use the Powerport instead of having the techs poke around for a vein.

Chris

EZLiving66

I had no choice.  I was told

I had no choice.  I was told my oncologist, when I asked for the left side, only put them in on the right side which probably caused some of my healing problems.  I always sleep on my right side and I think I kind of smooshed (probably a Wisconsin word) the incision so every night I would pop it open.  

No matter if I was a passenger or a driver the seat belt bothered it.  I had a little 10" x 10" soft pillow I used as a cushion.  

Love,

Eldri

Abbycat2

EZLiving66 said:

I had no choice.  I was told

I had no choice.  I was told my oncologist, when I asked for the left side, only put them in on the right side which probably caused some of my healing problems.  I always sleep on my right side and I think I kind of smooshed (probably a Wisconsin word) the incision so every night I would pop it open.  

No matter if I was a passenger or a driver the seat belt bothered it.  I had a little 10" x 10" soft pillow I used as a cushion.  

Love,

Eldri

We all seem to have different experiences with a port

I have had mine for 2.5 years and it is on my left side. I sleep on my left side and I am left-sided dominant. Also, I am athletic, physically active and a long distance swimmer. Other than the pain I experienced after it was implanted and the pain associated with getting the port flushed, I forget that it is there for the most part. A seatbelt doesn't bother me and I can push down on it with force with no discomfort. You certainly do not want to receive vessel-destroying chemo without the protection provided by a port. 

Nice photo Eldri!

Sandy3185

Port placement

I don't recall being given a choice but my port was placed on my right side. I was lucky as I never experienced any problems. My port was placed in Jan 2014 and I had it removed last fall, Oct 2015. I do sleep on my right side but it never gave bothered me nor did the seatbelt. After reading some of the horror stories here I realize how lucky I was. I definitely recommend having the port for chemo, it makes a huge difference.

pinky104

Doctor's Choice

I was told that the Interventional Radiologist would chose which side to use based upon which side was more suitable anatomically.  Mine went on my right side.  Mine stuck out more than a lot of people's do, as the blood vessels were close to the surface.  I was always bothered by the seatbelt on the passenger side of the car, which hit it.  I covered the seatbelt with a lambswool cover, but even that wasn't great (it often slid out of place as I was attaching the seatbelt).  If you get the port on the left side, the driver's side seatbelt might bother it, especially if it's close to the surface of your skin, like mine was. 

Soup52

I have mine on my dominant

I have mine on my dominant right side and no one gave me a choice. I do sleep on my right side but it hasn't been a problem so far. 3 more chemos to go for me.

Kvdyson

Seat Belt Adjuster Clip

Mine is on the left (non-dominant) side. The seatbelt was an issue so I purchased an adjuster clip to help keep it off of the port. Also, before my surgery, my doctor asked me to mark where my bra straps naturally lie on that area so that he could try to work around it. Maybe yours can do the same?

Except for some minor pain from sleeping on it weird one night and having to use Press and Seal/Waterproof tape to cover all the tubes when I shower during each round, I absolutely love my port and am soooo thankful to whoever invented it!

Good luck to you on your surgery! Let us know how it goes.