Port vs. no port

beachmom said:

I've wondered the same
I've wondered the same thing...I thought I would ask when I went to my appointment this week. I'll let you know what the good doc has to say about it!

My vote is for a port...
I would'nt want to go through this journey without it. I had 6 chemo infusions and continue to have herceptin infusions every 3 weeks until Feb 2012. I'm frightened of neddles and would'nt enjoy all of the pokes. Use of the port is quick and provides easy access. I understand it's just as easy when it's time to remove the port, which I'm looking forward to in a few months.

My thought is... it depends on the number of the infusions/injections in determining the need for a port. Again... the port has been a God send in my situation.

Mitzi ;0)

Hi Suzanne
My first go round in 2002, and refused a port, I figured 4-8 treatments, I didn't need it. But it was so hard on the veins. This time, after rads and before chemo, there was no doubt I wanted that port.
I think it is a combination of doctor, treatment and your veins.

Carol

Port
I had the port put in because my veins are small and can roll. I needed eight chemo treatments along with a year of herceptin (which ends in May 2012). I don't know what I would have done without my port. Before my port, there were times when I was poked and prodded over a dozen times at the oncologist office. They decided I'd better get a port. Even when I went to have my port put in at the hospital, three different nurses tried giving me an intervenous line and could not find my vein. Finally after over half an hour they told me I needed to get a pick. Believe me you never want to get the pick. IT'S HORRIBLE.......IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING STUNG BY DOZENS OF HORNETS ALL AT ONCE --- I DID EVERYTHING TO KEEP FROM SCREAMING.....AND THAT'S THE NUMBING INJECTION BEFORE THE PICK.....I dread getting my port taken out next year as I don't want to get the pick EVER again! So hopefully, there will be a nurse there that can find my vein. At another hospital where I had three operations, the nurses found my vein immediately!

Ports
My doc didn't offer me an option. He just told me when to show up and get the port inserted. I didn't question it. I am glad I got it. It made the 16 chemo treatments easier. I would do it again. Am I glad it is out now? Yes!

carkris said:

I did not have a port and
I did not have a port and had 16 infusions. some hospitals will not give adriamycin through a regular peripheral IV. My hospital did.If the IV leaks it can cause damage into the surrounding tissue particulary with adriamycin (inflitrate) In the end, my veins were pretty worn out and I did mention a PICC. this was because I got very dehydrated and had a low potassium so I needed supplements IV and this helped to ruin my veins. To this day they have still not recovered. so I probably should have had a port but no one knew I would do as poorly as I did.
I have not seen that a PICC caused the issues you mention, so you may have been unusual.
If you get herceptin perhaps the port is advisable, not sure what the protocol is for herceptin or how it is on the veins.
I like that one DW "roundup" great way to think of it! LOL

It was explained...
To me by my oncologist it has to with the amount of infusions one is expected to have..my first go round I had 4 infusions and no port, with one usable arm..good plump veins..no problem until the final infusion...4 sticks...should I have to stop my oral chemo and go back to IV i know it will involve more than 4 infusions so more than likely a port will be needed...

Hugs,Nancy

Damage
Some chemo drugs can damage the skin and underlying tissue so a port is used.

Swear by the port
I had a port put in for the 6 rounds of chemo and year of herceptin. My veins, well, they don't exist at all. The port was the best thing! Easy access for infusions, blood work. Now, I did opt for the port to be removed as soon as treatments were over. For me, the port bump was just a constant reminder that I had cancer. I wanted it gone.

I had my port put in at the hospital, was put to sleep, woke up and there it was. To get it taken out....that is different. It was an office visit, local numbing and WIDE awake. Not painful at all but a little freaky feeling the tubing being pulled out of my vein!

Chris

I had a port...which had to
I had a port...which had to be removed part way through chemo. It probably has a lot to do with numbers of infusions and how good the venous access is. A lot of facilities will avoid a port if at all possible because there are potential risks with it. Some argue the potential for infection and delayed chemo makes it not worth it if the access is good.

Port for me!
I did not conder doing without the port for one minute. My lung collaped and I ended up back in the hospital for a few days. It is very rare that it happens, very painful. It was worth it though. I have rolling veins and had enough of needles before we even got stated!

Nana

Double Whammy said:

No, Linda, it was truly just a curious question

Just so I don't get in trouble for withholding information again, tho, I'm waiting for an MRI appointment. We were gone last week when the referral came in and I couldn't call until Monday. Then I hope I can put this left breast bumpy thing to rest. I will let everyone know when I get results - hoping for an appointment next week.

Suzanne

Ok...just had to be sure
Ok...just had to be sure nothing new was going on. Be sure to let us know when you get the MRI and the results.

How was the trip?

Hugs,

Linda