Getting a Port

littlemisskitty
littlemisskitty Member Posts: 35
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

So my mom has been told by her doctor and all the nurses at the Yale Hospital that she needs a port. She has roaming veins and they keep sticking her multiple times to even find a vein for her weekly blood tests and again for her chemo treatments. They were concerned because she is having trouble eating and are worried she might get dehydrated which would cause IV hydration with even more needles by the end. Since she already looks like a pin cushion after week one of treatment, it seems like the right thing to do. It's honestly been a horrible ordeal filled with her losing sleep over worrying about them not being able to find a vein and with her constantly trying to find more ways to have better success with blood draws. Poor thing has been drinking so much water she wants to get sick by the time she gets there, she has been wearing heavy sweaters to keep her arms warm even though it's over 90 outside and even tried heating pads on top of that just to keep the blood flowing. Still everytime it's an average of 5 sticks with one time being as many as 10.  She is hoping this stops that so she can focus on more important things such as eating and drinking.

 

Anyone else have a port? Any advice? Does it affect the radiation mask at all? 

Comments

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
    lmk, i never had chemo but if

    lmk, i never had chemo but if it were me, i'd definitely want a port so i didn't get stuck multiple times with every tx.  i used to volunteer in a chemo suite and the patients hated having to get stuck over and over.  i'm sorry your mom is having such a hard time.  i hope the port will at least save her some pain from needles.   i also pray she will start to feel a little better.  tx for this cancer is one of the worst unfortunately.  i will continue to pray for you and your mom.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #3
    debbiejeanne said:

    lmk, i never had chemo but if

    lmk, i never had chemo but if it were me, i'd definitely want a port so i didn't get stuck multiple times with every tx.  i used to volunteer in a chemo suite and the patients hated having to get stuck over and over.  i'm sorry your mom is having such a hard time.  i hope the port will at least save her some pain from needles.   i also pray she will start to feel a little better.  tx for this cancer is one of the worst unfortunately.  i will continue to pray for you and your mom.

    God bless you,

    dj

    Port

    I would venutre a guess that most everyone here, that had chemo, had a port. I am surprised your Mom didn't have one before tx started. I had what is called a Hohn catheter. sorry that you Mom got off to a rough start without one. 

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 617 Member
    #4
    Port

    The port is a wonderful invention! I also have veins that run and hide when a needle approaches. When the port is accessed, there is a little twinge, but nothing like digging for a vein. Port placement and removal are surgical procedures. Some people are "out", but I was awake for both. The site was mildly sore for a few days. I had chemo, lots of blood draws, and supplemental fluids so it was nice to have. An inch-long scar is the only reminder of it now. It is a few inches below the collarbone so it did not affect the radiation mask. Don't fear the Port.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #5
    I loved my Port....

    It's not something that can only be loved after suffering the pin cushion lifestyle.  I fell in love with mine just watching others suffer through multiple poke, hot rice bags on their arms, and bruises from wrist to arm pit.  Ports are a wham, bam, thank ya maam way to go for this treatment.  Blood tests, chemo, transfusions if you need one....all go through the port with no problem.

    I was asleep when they put it in....and awake when they took it out....not a single negative thing I can think of having a Port.

    p

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #6
    Embrace the Port!

    I didn't have a port.  After all, I was only having 3 chemos.

    I should have gotten the port.  After the 2nd chemo, I was getting IV fluids almost every day.  And everyday, a new IV.

    When I found out I had cancer again- I was told by others here to ask for a Power Port. 

    With the 2nd cancer surgery, they did have something they were able to take blood easily.  After a week in care unit - they had to take it out to move me to a regular room.  I missed that port.

    Oh, no chemo or rads the 2nd time around.

    Embrace the port!

    Lorns

    2007 & 2014

  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #7
    Port Tel

    i was a bit reluctant when my onco told me I was getting the port, but it was the best thing ever ..I could never understand why not every onco doc in the group didn't port their patients,I would say a silent thank you doc,each tI me I was getting chemo or had to have a blood draw and saw the onco nurses trying to find a vein on those patients without , poor patient and poor nurses.

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #8
    Port

    When my husband underwent his first round of radiation and chemo, he decided he didn't need a port because he was only getting 3 cisplatin treaments.  Wrong, his veins collapsed after the first chemo treatment and hydration treatment.  He then had the port inserted.  He had no problems with the port whatsoever.  He kept it for several months after treatment.  Second round of treatment he didn't need the port, although it was talked about.  Somehow the nurses were able each week to find a good vein, don't ask me how because his veins were in horrible condition. 

  • littlemisskitty
    littlemisskitty Member Posts: 35
    #9
    Port

    Her appointment is on Wednesday afternoon. She's excited about the fact that after this point no more needles other than the IV that is required for the port itself. That will be one less thing she's worrying herself sick about. Thanks guys for the advice!

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #10
    osmotar said:

    Port Tel

    i was a bit reluctant when my onco told me I was getting the port, but it was the best thing ever ..I could never understand why not every onco doc in the group didn't port their patients,I would say a silent thank you doc,each tI me I was getting chemo or had to have a blood draw and saw the onco nurses trying to find a vein on those patients without , poor patient and poor nurses.

     
     
     

     

     

     

Discussion Boards