Problem with port?

lv2scrap
lv2scrap Member Posts: 44
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Has anyone had any proplems with their port?

~lv2scrap

Comments

  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #2
    I've had 3 ports. The first one for 1 1/2 yrs and no problems. Doctor recommended removal after treatment. 2nd one was removed because I ran a fever and as a precaution the doctor had it removed. 3rd one was removed due to blood clots forming in my jugular and sub-clavian veins. No port at this time, but I'm on oral chemo, Xeloda. Lots of folks have their ports with no problems at all for many years.

    Kerry
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #3
    I've had my port since June of 05 still in me and no problems.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    December 2004 to September 2006....no problems.

    It was high, so I didn't wear my 'plunging' neckline stuff till after it's removal. I made an effort to have it flushed each month, even after chemo had stopped, to keep it open...my insurance paid for it (amazing...I have an HMO... they don't pay for ANYTHING without a fight..lol).

    Hugs, kathi
  • Sloaner3
    Sloaner3 Member Posts: 22
    #5
    My mom developed an infection from her port and the TPN she was getting. Also, it seems to me that the port is only as 'problem free'as the people who are using it. A good, experiened nurse will be able to access the port with minimal or no problems. A few of my mom's nurses could not get blood from, send medicines into...etc. her port and needed other nurses to step in and help. Overall, my mom's port has saved her much pain and hassle. For example, my mom's body is really poofy right now (many reasons behind that). If they were trying to draw blood, they'd need a doctor to do it. A regular pleobotonist can't even find a vein on her these days. For that alone, the port has been wonderful.
  • tkd3g
    tkd3g Member Posts: 767
    #6
    I've had mine since March 2004. Never had a single problem. I have it flushed like clockwork every 6 weeks. ( I am 2 years out of chemo )

    Hopefully, after my PET/CT on Wed., I will have it extricated from my bod!

    Take care,

    Barb
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #7
    I think that some ports actually are trouble from the time they go in. But those are few and far between. And yes, sometimes it does take someone with a vast amt of experience to use these poorly functioning ones.
    However, for the most part they work well, with minimum problems. I've had mine for around 3 years. I can't imagine life without it right now!
    Mary
  • dash4
    dash4 Member Posts: 303 Member
    #8
    My husband has had his port(it is a double port) since 11/04......used it 7 months with 5FU and the past 20 months every week with irinotecan and erbitux. Sometimes it is positional to get it to work--but sooooo much better than finding veins. There is a new port out that they can even use to do CT scans--if you are getting one might as well go with the one that can be used the most often. I cannot even imagine all the chemo John has had without having had his port. Even on its "stubborn" days-it is worth it! If you need the name of the new port-let me know and I will get it for you.
    Dash
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #9
    dash4 said:

    My husband has had his port(it is a double port) since 11/04......used it 7 months with 5FU and the past 20 months every week with irinotecan and erbitux. Sometimes it is positional to get it to work--but sooooo much better than finding veins. There is a new port out that they can even use to do CT scans--if you are getting one might as well go with the one that can be used the most often. I cannot even imagine all the chemo John has had without having had his port. Even on its "stubborn" days-it is worth it! If you need the name of the new port-let me know and I will get it for you.
    Dash

    My sis got this new port...she says it works great!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #10
    dash4 said:

    My husband has had his port(it is a double port) since 11/04......used it 7 months with 5FU and the past 20 months every week with irinotecan and erbitux. Sometimes it is positional to get it to work--but sooooo much better than finding veins. There is a new port out that they can even use to do CT scans--if you are getting one might as well go with the one that can be used the most often. I cannot even imagine all the chemo John has had without having had his port. Even on its "stubborn" days-it is worth it! If you need the name of the new port-let me know and I will get it for you.
    Dash

    Most of us would like to know about the new and improved port. I for one hate the iv for the ct scan.
    Jo Ann
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #11
    What kind of problem are you having?
    The majority of people have no trouble, but I had a clot in mine and the chemo could go in, but they were not able to draw blood from it. The clot caused a blockage in the superior vena cava (svcs or superior vena cava syndrone) which in turn caused swelling in my neck face and a arms. The blood rerouted itself to differnt veins and after chemo, I had the port removed.
    The svc is still blocked, but the swelling is no longer there. Guess this is part of the new normal for me. There are those who would say anything normal is new for me. mmmmmm
    Jo Ann
  • changing
    changing Member Posts: 134
    #12
    Sorry to say mine has been a pain in the neck from the get-go! It's VERY uncomfortable, never had a blood return after the first 2 weeks, do the repositioning dance EVERYTIME they have to acsess the thing and they given me at least 2-3 doses of TPA to try and get the blood. Got chemo for 2 months without a return...and it never effected that part of tx. Had it since 8/06 and MD won't take it out yet...I do complain on a regular basis about the discomfort,but I'm still happy to be here fighting the fight:)
  • lv2scrap
    lv2scrap Member Posts: 44
    #13
    jams67 said:

    What kind of problem are you having?
    The majority of people have no trouble, but I had a clot in mine and the chemo could go in, but they were not able to draw blood from it. The clot caused a blockage in the superior vena cava (svcs or superior vena cava syndrone) which in turn caused swelling in my neck face and a arms. The blood rerouted itself to differnt veins and after chemo, I had the port removed.
    The svc is still blocked, but the swelling is no longer there. Guess this is part of the new normal for me. There are those who would say anything normal is new for me. mmmmmm
    Jo Ann

    My dad's chemo was leaking. They seem to think it is due to the port. He had a port study done 2 months ago and it was okay. Only got blood return the first few chemos. They had to stop chemo because of the leak last week. Now we are waiting. Meanwhile his CEA level is at 979. I am very worried. Plus, we are trying to leave for vacation on Sat. I don't think we should go. I feel like we should stay and get the full round of chemo.
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #14
    lv2scrap said:

    My dad's chemo was leaking. They seem to think it is due to the port. He had a port study done 2 months ago and it was okay. Only got blood return the first few chemos. They had to stop chemo because of the leak last week. Now we are waiting. Meanwhile his CEA level is at 979. I am very worried. Plus, we are trying to leave for vacation on Sat. I don't think we should go. I feel like we should stay and get the full round of chemo.

    Maybe they can just use a vein to administer the chemo until they can figure it out. Anything you're not sure about, you should ask and ask again until you know what the doc is going to do about the problem.
    Jo Ann

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