Hello all, would you please help me with your pros and cons of IV versus Venous Port

Susiemaccancer

Hello all, first of all, I want to thank those of you who have helped me so far on this frightening experience of endometrial cancer. It is very very comforting and extremely helpful hearing other's stories regarding their experiences. You all have showed great courage faced with this disease.

I begin my 6x Chemo sessions next week. The option was presented to have the drugs administered via IV or via a Venous Port. I have read today that the Taxol is very caustic and injurious to veins and skin and now I'm worried that my veins will collapse from the toxicity of that drug. I am 71years old, somewhat healthy, and haven't abused my veins other than an annual blood draw.

As you well know, this experience is one worry after the other after the other and I find the best responses from this focus group.

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge or opinion on which method (IV or Venous Port) they prefer or which to avoid, and for what reason/s. I'm finding that sometimes there isn't one clear path. I thank you in advance for your help again. Regards, Susie

anne609

After doing quite a bit of reading, I opted for having a port placed to avoid trashing my veins with Taxol. The time it takes for the pre-meds, Taxol and Carboplatin also means that the veins would be subjected to the toxicity over several hours. And while the nurses are very experienced in placing an iv, there is always the risk that there could be slippage and that some of the drug would go into the surrounding tissue. I can't say that having the port is great — it took mine longer to heal that predicted and it creates a lump and interferes with my preferred bra — but I am definitely glad I did it. And I'm a few years senior to you and have recently completed my sixth round of chemo. I plan to keep the port for at least the next several months and will use it for immunotherapy infusions to keep it viable. Good luck with your chemo and with your port/no port decision.

Susiemaccancer

Hello Anne609, I am very happy that you have completed your sixth round of chemo: congratulations and what an achievement! To have that in the rear view mirror must give you a boost of confidence for sure!

Thank you for your comments and your "I am definitely glad I did" statement. They are very helpful to me in my decision making. I have witnessed first hand with family members when blood draws don't go well and hematomas form under the skin. I realize the Oncology nurses are pros, BUT 6x chemos means at least 12 pricks that have to go flawlessly. I wished that I had thought of asking sooner because my first chemo is Tuesday, the 16th and I will not have adequate time to have the port placed by then. I will shoot for my second session for the port, fingers crossed. Anne609, thank you for replying to me and I wish you all the very best in the future.

Regards, Susie

anne609

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724500#Comment_1724500

Hello Susie - Yes, I am pleased that I completed the 6 rounds and had a "clean" CT Scan. But I know that this is a very persistent form of cancer so am cautiously optimistic. I will say that the interventional radiologist who placed the port clearly stated that it was ready for immediate use. So if your oncologist can get you an appointment before your next round, the port would definitely be ready for use.

I did have an iv used this week for the first round of immunotherapy and it was interesting because the iv was placed in my forearm. When asked, the nurse explained that it is standard placement for chemo because it doesn't move (unlike the crook of the arm or the back of the hand) and the goal is to make sure there is no movement of the needle once placed.

Susie, I wish you the best as you start your chemo journey and I'm sure the nurse will applaud your decision to have a port placed. Best, Anne

NoTimeForCancer

I had 6 chemos, with radiation in between the first and last three. I did not get a port and I remember after the first chemo saying to the nurse, "we'll have to remember that (location) for the next one!" and she shook her head no, which I didn't understand. Of course I know now that chemo makes your veins hard, and for #3 they had to call the IV Team. That really sucked.

When I told my doc about the IV Team we talked about a port, but I was lucky the break with my radiation probably helped it recover some and I was able to get through the last 3 without needing the IV Team again.

I would probably re-evaluate getting a port, and have that conversation with any friend or family who asked.

Susiemaccancer

Morning NoTimeForCancer,

Thank you for your reply and experience.

I am very glad that you indicate that your Chemo visits are behind you. What a great relief that must be! Congratulations!

My husband keeps reminding me to plan for the long term and that does help shift the ongoing negative bias in my head. You all have gone through this challenge, and have come out on the other side, and I hope to join the ranks of these many courageous women.

After Anne609's conversation, I quickly messaged my Onc office and asked for a port. I anxiously await their reply. Knowing that your veins become hardened was not explained to me during the Chemo teaching session. I just hope that the artery/vein that the port goes into doesn't become hardened and unusable. But, I have not heard of that happening.

Never having personally gone through this challenge (been pretty lucky in my 71 yrs to have stayed healthy, no meds for anything), I find that this journey involves one challenge after the other and the decisions don't seem to get any easier and there's no clear cut approach. And everyone's body reacts differently.

BUT, One thing that makes this journey easier is the willingness and thoughtfulness of other women who have been here and are gracious enough to share their story with me. It absolutely lightens my heart! Phew!

All the best for a bright future, NoTimeForCancer! Let's look forward to a brilliant show of Autumn colors,

Regards, Susie

NoTimeForCancer

Susie,

It is overwhelming when presented with it all. Your husbands outlook is spot on. This is a journey and it means steps all along the way.

Good luck on Tuesday. I promise you, you will surprise yourself in this journey.

bibliophile

It looks like you have already formed an opinion, but I just wanted to add my voice to the pro-port side. My oncology nurse kindly and openly discussed all the pros and cons of both, but said that after seeing so many patients and having seen both options in practice, did encourage me to get a port. I did so and have not regretted it. I have bad veins that are hard to find anyway and the port just makes it such a quick and easy experience each time. They can also use it for blood draws, which have historically been difficult and painful for me. It looks like your first treatment is supposed to be today. Wishing you the best possible outcomes!

Susiemaccancer

Dear bibliophile

Once again, I am overwhelmed by the replies and so comforted by them. Thank you☺️

Yes today, first Chemo, so just waiting to start the First Rodeo.

Thank you for your thoughts on this day. And most of all thank you for your thoughtful guidance.

Having this web lifeline, was something I didn't know I needed, until I really needed it!!

Thank you very much and enjoy the rest of your day! All the best, Susie

Susiemaccancer

Ps I initially noticed your sign on...any light hearted book recommendations that will uplift me during the Infusion times? Thank you

bibliophile

What kind of books do you most like? I love mysteries, science fiction, and non-fiction, but I read lots of different genres. Right now I have been reading Josephine Tey. She is a "tea cozy" mystery writer from the '40s in the vein of Agatha Christie. I also read a great autobiography by Kevin Mitnick who was at one time on the FBI's most wanted list as a hacker (but he didn't do it for criminal purposes, just curiousity). It was an interesting, easy read. Hoping things go well for you today! Would love to hear from you again! Feel free to private message as well if you just want to talk. 😊