port discomfort

LindyLu
LindyLu Member Posts: 72
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I had my port surgically inserted this morning, right side.   I've rested and done the ice pack on and off as instructed.  I'm having some tightness/discomfort around my neck.  I am assuming this is normal??  It's tolerable and there is no swelling or redness on the incision.   Maybe I'm just too impatient in getting used to having this new attachment in my body.  I'll take a Tylonal and see if that helps.  I go Wednesday for my first chemo treatment.  They said it could be used right away, but glad I have another day before using it.

~LL

 

«1

Comments

  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    edited October 2016 #2
    The port also has a tube

    The port also has a tube attached to it. The team that put in the port took the tube up under the skin to a vein in your neck and inserted the tube into the vein and it runs down the vien into your heart. The only reason I know this is after my chemo treatment was over I still had my port in and went to my reg dr. He took xray of my chest and got real excited, called me to look. The port and tubing showed up on the xray. It was kinda neat as I had no idea what it looked like. Now I know.  My port had twinges ocassionally until it was removed 2 years after the lqst use.

  • beccabtown
    beccabtown Member Posts: 234
    edited October 2016 #3
    txtrisha55 said:

    The port also has a tube

    The port also has a tube attached to it. The team that put in the port took the tube up under the skin to a vein in your neck and inserted the tube into the vein and it runs down the vien into your heart. The only reason I know this is after my chemo treatment was over I still had my port in and went to my reg dr. He took xray of my chest and got real excited, called me to look. The port and tubing showed up on the xray. It was kinda neat as I had no idea what it looked like. Now I know.  My port had twinges ocassionally until it was removed 2 years after the lqst use.

    Just curious, Trisha, did you

    Just curious, Trisha, did you go in to have your port flushed every month during that two years? I'm beginning to see what a drag that may be.

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    #4
    Give it time to heal

    It can take a bit of time for healing to occur where the port was inserted just like it does for any boo-boo. Disscomfort should be relatively minor. I still notice some when I do activities that require me to raise my arm above my head months later, but otherwise don't really notice it. It will probably be hard to sleep on that side for a few days. The worse thing for me was the Tegaderm they wanted me to keep replacing every other day while it was healing. The first one reacted with my skin and I lost a lot of skin getting it off. I have scarring where that happened. Try using an alcohol wipe or nail polish remover pad to loosen the adhesive as you take it off very carefully and then rinse that off before re-applying the next covering if you find it wanting to stick too much. Wish somebody had told me that trick as part of the after care instructions!

  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    #5
    Yeah but after chemo was over

    Yeah but after chemo was over, I went to every 6 weeks which was still alot but it was easier.  I did talk to the nurses about it not the dr and they said it could be every 6 weeks.  While I do not live that far from the hospital it is all freeway driving and then having to pay to park, they only have valet parking, then the tip for less than 30 min, was not fun.  I eventually found that I could park at one part of the hospital go catch a tram ride over to the cancer center, get checked in and a medical braclet put on me, get the port flush, go back on the tram  get to my car drive to the pay booth, show my braclet and not have to pay to park at all.  That was done the last year I had it in.  I had mine in for almost two years.  Put in first of May 2011, chemo was finished Aug 22, 2011 and the port was finally removed end of Jan 2013.  It seemed much longer.  It is a drag but it is necessary if it to be used.  Just think that the port is saving your veins and it is easier to get blood drawn from it.  There are benefits.  Hang in there it will get better and when your through you can get it removed.  Trish

  • janaes
    janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
    edited October 2016 #6
    Hey LL, I remeber my port

    Hey LL, I remeber my port taking a little while to heal.  I cant remember how long but i think you are probably all right for now.  One thing ifound helpful was asking the nurses in that administered the chemo questions like that.  Mine were very helpful. 

    Janae

  • LindyLu
    LindyLu Member Posts: 72
    #7
    thank you all...

    Thanks you wonderful ladies for replying.  Awoke this morning and that neck pain is just about gone!  Thanks for the advice, MA, about the adhesive removal.  I know part of my discomfort is from how tight they put on the bandage, pulling my skin when I move a certain way.  The nurses will remove it tomorrow when I have my first treatment, and replace it so I'll be sure to ask them to be gentle!!  Do they use any topical numbing substance before entering the port?  Guess I'll find out tomorrow.   

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    #8
    Yes they numb

    Sterile technique is followed whenever the port is used so only let the chemo nurses use it. They wear gloves, wipe it with an antibacterial, and then spray it with a numbing agent that will feel cold to you when it's applied. It's always a good idea to wear a button down blouse for chemo so that there's easy access to the port and so you can hold your clothes out of the way a bit when they are applying the antibacterial and spray. 

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 790 Member
    edited October 2016 #9
    LindyLu said:

    thank you all...

    Thanks you wonderful ladies for replying.  Awoke this morning and that neck pain is just about gone!  Thanks for the advice, MA, about the adhesive removal.  I know part of my discomfort is from how tight they put on the bandage, pulling my skin when I move a certain way.  The nurses will remove it tomorrow when I have my first treatment, and replace it so I'll be sure to ask them to be gentle!!  Do they use any topical numbing substance before entering the port?  Guess I'll find out tomorrow.   

    No numbing for me

    Mine didn't use any kind of numbing substance. It hurt a little going in but stopped immediately afterwards. I asked about numbing and they pretty much just told me that I could handle it - and I did. No worries. You're going to do great! Kim

  • brissance
    brissance Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2016 #10
    I was Lucky

    I was so lucky no issues for me.  I didn't use numbing and it was no pain.. well I mean you could feel a slight poke but not enough to concern me.  First time they gave me the numb stuff and the shot to numb it felt about the same as the actual port access.  So figured I would just bypass the numbing and all was fine. BUT everyone is different.  I was fortunate.

  • janaes
    janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
    edited October 2016 #11
    There were times that i felt

    There were times that i felt the poke in my port and other times not.  When ever i felt the poke i would tell my self that at least it wasnt in my arm and at least it is only one poke.  I was glad i didnt have to worry the nurses were going to have to try again because they didnt get the vain.  The port worked every time and i was glad. 

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    edited October 2016 #12
    No numbing cream

    I had asked my oncologist about it beforehand, and she said they normally didn't use it because it didn't make that much of a difference.  It was just a very short poke, not really any worse than a blood draw, so I never bothered with it.

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    #13
    No numbing

    I also never have had any numbing and it is not bad.  Mine was sore for a little while but it did heal quickly.  My port is a little tipped and the only time it hurts is when someone tries to access it who really doesn't know how to do it.

    Lou Ann

  • beccabtown
    beccabtown Member Posts: 234
    edited October 2016 #14
    There is one nurse at my

    There is one nurse at my infusion center who hurts me when she accesses the port and I always seem to get her. I'm going to change days of the week to try to avoid her. And ask for numbing. Sorry, Lindy, probably not what you want to hear. On the whole I prefer the port to having them search for veins all the time. No way I could have done chemo without the port. 

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    edited October 2016 #15
    I put lidocaine on my port

    I put lidocaine on my port and cover it with Saran Wrap about an hour before having my port accessed and it helps, but when I forget to do that the pain isn't too bad and it is over quickly. I have a newer power port and it just needs to be flushed every 3 months.

  • DrienneB
    DrienneB Member Posts: 182
    #16
    Soup52 said:

    I put lidocaine on my port

    I put lidocaine on my port and cover it with Saran Wrap about an hour before having my port accessed and it helps, but when I forget to do that the pain isn't too bad and it is over quickly. I have a newer power port and it just needs to be flushed every 3 months.

    Lidocaine on Port

    Wow, Soup, how'd you get the idea to do that?

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    #17
    The lidocaine was suggested

    The lidocaine was suggested by the oncology docs and nurses:)

  • LindyLu
    LindyLu Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2016 #18
    Love my port

    Thank you Wonderful Women for your encouraging comments.

    Made it through my first chemo treatment...a very interesting experience.  So glad I have a port!  Removing the bandage wasn't too bad, athough the nurse said I'd have temporary bruising where the tape was.  I also have some bruising near my port due to the bandage being so tight.  The nurse used a cold numbing spray before inserting the needle.  Between blood work and taxol & carbo infusion, I was there about four hours.  The team there was wonderful and I felt like a queen.  Warm blankets, treats, drinks, a little nap, the time went by quickly.   Another smaller bandage was put over my port and the nurse gave me some alchohol wipes to remove it in a couple of days.  Hubby and I went out for an early supper to celebrate before returning to our hotel room and crashing, LOL.   All in all, a good first chemo day.  We'll see how the next 21 days go.  

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    edited October 2016 #19
    Glad it went well.  They do

    Glad it went well.  They do treat you like a queen don't they.

    Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • DrienneB
    DrienneB Member Posts: 182
    edited October 2016 #20
    Soup52 said:

    The lidocaine was suggested

    The lidocaine was suggested by the oncology docs and nurses:)

    You are being cared for!

    Cool!

     

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 790 Member
    edited October 2016 #21
    LindyLu said:

    Love my port

    Thank you Wonderful Women for your encouraging comments.

    Made it through my first chemo treatment...a very interesting experience.  So glad I have a port!  Removing the bandage wasn't too bad, athough the nurse said I'd have temporary bruising where the tape was.  I also have some bruising near my port due to the bandage being so tight.  The nurse used a cold numbing spray before inserting the needle.  Between blood work and taxol & carbo infusion, I was there about four hours.  The team there was wonderful and I felt like a queen.  Warm blankets, treats, drinks, a little nap, the time went by quickly.   Another smaller bandage was put over my port and the nurse gave me some alchohol wipes to remove it in a couple of days.  Hubby and I went out for an early supper to celebrate before returning to our hotel room and crashing, LOL.   All in all, a good first chemo day.  We'll see how the next 21 days go.  

    So glad that it went well

    LL, so glad to hear that it went well. Don't be surprised if you feel a little out of it the next few days - that's normal. Try to stay hydrated (if you feel thirsty then you're already dehydrated - drink more) and eat lots of protein so that your body can bounce back quickly. Please let us know how you're feeling. Kim

Discussion Boards