Getting a Port

cherbear
cherbear Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all, I've already had a lumpectomy, starting chemo in 2 weeks but lucky me - no veins - so I'm getting a port on Monday. Supposedly this is actually a good thing as it is less painful and easier during the entire treatment. Does anyone have any info on them, what I should expect, etc? I'm totally clueless! Thanks, Cher

Comments

  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
    I had acceptable veins and only 4 cycles of AC so I roughed it. My dad required a port, however, so I know it was a brief, same day surgery. The port was just under his skin near the collar bone to the right of his sternum. He never complained about pain and never took a pain pill associated with the surgery. The port was available for use 1 week later. I asked the doctor to prescribe cream that numbed the top skin before we left for weekly chemo. My dad never even felt the needle go it. We were told that ports can become infected or blocked by bloodclots so follow all instructions for proper care. You should sail through this procedure. I had problems with my arm for many months following chemo. If I ever have to do it again, I'll be getting a port. Good luck.
    terri
  • jdubious
    jdubious Member Posts: 113
    #3
    Hi! My port was put in when I had my mastectomy, and it never bothered me. It was great for chemo (my arm veins are invisible!) I had the cream, but they can also give you a shot before they access the port, and you won't feel a thing. I always asked for the shot. When they access it, they clean the area, then use a thing like they use for IVs and just poke it into the access area, which is about the size of a quarter. Then they flush it with a solution, and usually take your blood test through it. It doesn't hurt at all, and I never had any bruising until the end of treatment (12 chemos)I'm really glad I had one!
    jill
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #4
    I just had a port put in Wed., it is an outpatient procedure done with a local anesthetic plus IV pain medication during the procedure. The procedure took about 45 min, then they kept me for an hour for observation. The port I have is a PICC line with a subcutaneous port, which is a little bigger than a pencil eraser and located in my upper arm, about 2 inches above the bend in my elbow & toward the inner side of the arm. It was a little sore and bruised, but no pain. They give you a cream to numb the skin before chemo, so you won't feel anything! I went through chemo 8 yrs ago, without a port, and it was rough, sometimes taking an hour to start the IV! The thing I like about this prot is that it is so small, and there are no lines hanging out of you - which means less chance for infection. Good luck, you'll do great!
  • cherbear
    cherbear Member Posts: 4
    #5
    jdubious said:

    Hi! My port was put in when I had my mastectomy, and it never bothered me. It was great for chemo (my arm veins are invisible!) I had the cream, but they can also give you a shot before they access the port, and you won't feel a thing. I always asked for the shot. When they access it, they clean the area, then use a thing like they use for IVs and just poke it into the access area, which is about the size of a quarter. Then they flush it with a solution, and usually take your blood test through it. It doesn't hurt at all, and I never had any bruising until the end of treatment (12 chemos)I'm really glad I had one!
    jill

    Thanks Jill. I'll now start to relax!

    Cher
  • cherbear
    cherbear Member Posts: 4
    #6
    tlmac said:

    I had acceptable veins and only 4 cycles of AC so I roughed it. My dad required a port, however, so I know it was a brief, same day surgery. The port was just under his skin near the collar bone to the right of his sternum. He never complained about pain and never took a pain pill associated with the surgery. The port was available for use 1 week later. I asked the doctor to prescribe cream that numbed the top skin before we left for weekly chemo. My dad never even felt the needle go it. We were told that ports can become infected or blocked by bloodclots so follow all instructions for proper care. You should sail through this procedure. I had problems with my arm for many months following chemo. If I ever have to do it again, I'll be getting a port. Good luck.
    terri

    Cool. I have the rx. for the cream, just have to get it filled! Was wondering if it would really work and apparently it does! Thanx, Cher
  • cherbear
    cherbear Member Posts: 4
    #7
    AuthorUnknown said:

    I just had a port put in Wed., it is an outpatient procedure done with a local anesthetic plus IV pain medication during the procedure. The procedure took about 45 min, then they kept me for an hour for observation. The port I have is a PICC line with a subcutaneous port, which is a little bigger than a pencil eraser and located in my upper arm, about 2 inches above the bend in my elbow & toward the inner side of the arm. It was a little sore and bruised, but no pain. They give you a cream to numb the skin before chemo, so you won't feel anything! I went through chemo 8 yrs ago, without a port, and it was rough, sometimes taking an hour to start the IV! The thing I like about this prot is that it is so small, and there are no lines hanging out of you - which means less chance for infection. Good luck, you'll do great!

    Thanks Diane. I'm off to the hospital in the morning for 10 AM surgery. Not sure why, but it's like reality has hit, this is really happening now that I have a port going in. Had no problems with the lumpectomy and sentinal node stuff, was more or less in a state of disbelief. But I'm a tough chick! And apparently so is everyone on this website! Thanks for the encouragement! And good luck to you too!
  • chris1010
    chris1010 Member Posts: 29
    #8
    Good luck today in getting your port. Know that this is a God-send. When I got mine, I was not even sure what they were talking about, but I quickly found out the benefit of it; I preferred having the port over someone trying to find and keep missing my veins, so the port was a blessing to me. It was done, well, I am sure you know now, but one piece of advice I will give is to have them to freeze the port or give the cream to you before you have to get the chemo. When mine was done, they were doing freezing, but I guess they have a cream now, but it was a lot better than just having a big needle stuck in my chest for the chemo. So take whatever they offer to numb the port in order to get the needle in. Again, goodluck and God bless.
  • DiO
    DiO Member Posts: 51
    #9
    I can echo all the previous replies. The port was a godsend during chemo! I was never offered the numbing cream, but never needed it either. My chemo nurse was very skilled at getting the needle in with my barely feeling it! Once or twice when she was out and I had a sub nurse inserting the needle did hurt, but was not all that bad. I've heard of some having problems with their port functioning properly, but mine always worked like a charm. As for day to day effects, the only time I was aware of the port which was located under the skin just below my left collarbone (other than when I looked in the mirror and could see the slight bump) was when driving--the seatbelt shoulder harness wanted to rest right on it, and this didn't hurt, but was a little annoying! By now yours is in, and I hope the procedure went well. Good luck with chemo!

    God bless, Di
  • hounddog
    hounddog Member Posts: 115
    #10
    Hello my name is Marilyn I had a port put in two years ago and the only thing that bothered me is that they did not put me all the way out and I remember looking to the guy on my left and said it hurts he said what hurts dear and I said the whole thing hurts . I heard him say shes moving on us hold her tighter. Ports are good because if you don't have veins they can use the port . My Mom flushed mine because she is a nurse . My neck was sore after they put it in because they go through the neck. Sorry to hear that you had a Lumpectomy . I will keep you in my prayers . Right now you are going through a storm in you r life but the important thing is always keep your trust in the Lord.
    marilyn

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