port

glinka65
glinka65 Member Posts: 132
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
my port sugery is wed. i have no idea why i am so nervous about getting a port, but man o man it is bugging the hec out of me, then again this whole thing is like that as well!!!!! chemo starts on march 9th, ahhhh!!!! my nerves are shot!! Tommy
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Comments

  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #2
    Awww....
    Don't worry about it Tommy, you won't even remember it, it was nothing..they were prepping me while giving me those "Twilight" drugs that lets you go into another place, but it puts me out..it's only like a 20 minute surgery, pretty quick, I woke up and it was over with.. and please let them know how nervous you are, and ask for something to calm you, they will give you something that will take it away, and you'll be just fine :)
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #3
    deep breath!
    The port surgery will be a breeze! Recovery is pretty easy as well! This all kind of sucks, but you will be an old pro in no time!
    mary
  • dixchi
    dixchi Member Posts: 431
    #4
    msccolon said:

    deep breath!
    The port surgery will be a breeze! Recovery is pretty easy as well! This all kind of sucks, but you will be an old pro in no time!
    mary

    A Breeze
    .....compared to other things, getting the port is a breeze.....
    at least it was for me......but I was also a nervous wreck
    and was crying so the nurses realized I was upset and were so
    nice to me; holding my hand and telling me it was going to be
    alright.....one of the nurse's mother had colon ca too.....
    and afterwards they fed me a meal of my choice from a menu
    which I had never had happen before.....didn't get upset stomach
    either.....
    Barbara
  • petppetp
    petppetp Member Posts: 14
    #5
    my mom went through 6 rounds
    my mom went through 6 rounds of chemo WITHOUT a port. now she has one and trust me, a port is a GREAT thing to have...the surgery itself takes less than 15 minutes...practically no scars, and youre in and out of the hospital in 6 hours.
    you'll be thankful when you have it
    stick in there :)
  • colon2
    colon2 Member Posts: 183
    #6
    I had my port put in last Wed. and it was a breeze. The worst part was the IV stick before surgery, and now I don't have to have any more of those for a while.I fell asleep as they were pushing me down the hall to surgery. When i woke up it was over. It was a little sore for a few days, and red around it, but nothing bad. I didn't even have to take tylenol, although they did give me a prescription for percocet for pain. i didn't fill it, because i didn't need it. Just try to remember, it will be over soon and then you can start fighting the beast. KILL the cancer cells. That's my motto. Best wishes and I will be thinking of you.
    Carletta
  • colon2
    colon2 Member Posts: 183
    #7
    I had my port put in last Wed. and it was a breeze. The worst part was the IV stick before surgery, and now I don't have to have any more of those for a while.I fell asleep as they were pushing me down the hall to surgery. When i woke up it was over. It was a little sore for a few days, and red around it, but nothing bad. I didn't even have to take tylenol, although they did give me a prescription for percocet for pain. i didn't fill it, because i didn't need it. Just try to remember, it will be over soon and then you can start fighting the beast. KILL the cancer cells. That's my motto. Best wishes and I will be thinking of you.
    Carletta
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #8
    It's normal to be nervous.
    It's normal to be nervous. It's a "minor procedure", but it's still a procedure. I do recall grabbing some poor anesthesiologist by his little white collar, demanding when could get my IV valium (ok, not literally - but almost!). It's short, it's "minor surgery", recovery should be quick and easy (I had some soreness - but I don't think I took painkillers -- maybe one day.

    The last time I had a port installed (yes, I've had three!), I was in the surgical theatre with the surgeon and the anesthetist, about to go to la la land. The surgeon asked me what kind of music I preferred to have on during the surgery. I told him I did not plan to be able to hear it, so he should pick whatever he wanted. Sure enough, even tho "light" anesthetic, I was totally in la la land.

    Best of luck to you....

    Tara
  • tiny one
    tiny one Member Posts: 465 Member
    #9
    port
    I too was nervous about getting a port. The port is about the size of a half dollar. It is placed under the skin by a small incision. Believe me when it comes to procedures I am a big chicken. Whatever drugs they gave me knocked me out. After I woke up I could feel some of the line when I turned my head. The same night they put the port in you might have pain. But a pain pill will take care of that. The second day it's a little uncomfortable, the third day you don't feel much at all. This little thing is going to save you from being stuck in the arms. There's a cream that you can put on before they access the port and you don't feel them sticking you at all. They can draw blood through this also. You'll look down and won't even know their doing this. I was finished with my last chemo Oct 31st, 07. I had my reversal Dec 21st 07. My port was removed Jan08. Saying prayers to ease your mind. God bless.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #10
    tiny one said:

    port
    I too was nervous about getting a port. The port is about the size of a half dollar. It is placed under the skin by a small incision. Believe me when it comes to procedures I am a big chicken. Whatever drugs they gave me knocked me out. After I woke up I could feel some of the line when I turned my head. The same night they put the port in you might have pain. But a pain pill will take care of that. The second day it's a little uncomfortable, the third day you don't feel much at all. This little thing is going to save you from being stuck in the arms. There's a cream that you can put on before they access the port and you don't feel them sticking you at all. They can draw blood through this also. You'll look down and won't even know their doing this. I was finished with my last chemo Oct 31st, 07. I had my reversal Dec 21st 07. My port was removed Jan08. Saying prayers to ease your mind. God bless.

    Yes....
    I forgot to mention the Lanacain cream that you should ask for Tommy, it worked well for me.. it's a prescription cream. I was nervous about them even accessing the port for the first time, and it was still sore around that area from the surgery a few weeks later, that I asked for the cream to numb the area before they were to access it, and they gave me like 3 refills of it, I put it on about 1 hour before I go, and you have to put it on really thick, like glop it on, the nurse said, and then put Saran Wrap on it, to keep it from going all over your shirt, and once you get to the treatment center, the nurses will take off that saran wrap, and I didn't even feel them stick me accessing my port at all.
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #11
    Shayenne said:

    Yes....
    I forgot to mention the Lanacain cream that you should ask for Tommy, it worked well for me.. it's a prescription cream. I was nervous about them even accessing the port for the first time, and it was still sore around that area from the surgery a few weeks later, that I asked for the cream to numb the area before they were to access it, and they gave me like 3 refills of it, I put it on about 1 hour before I go, and you have to put it on really thick, like glop it on, the nurse said, and then put Saran Wrap on it, to keep it from going all over your shirt, and once you get to the treatment center, the nurses will take off that saran wrap, and I didn't even feel them stick me accessing my port at all.

    The Stick.......
    I like the stick, its just enough to really tee me off and make me mad at this little critter running around in us. It makes me aware that I am not gonna let anything hurt me anymore and the stick......its a cake walk now. One deep breath and she says "gonna be a stick"....now I say"gonna be a stick" and she says "yep"...my nurse and I have it down to a science now.......
  • sheri22
    sheri22 Member Posts: 273
    #12
    Tommy
    I have had my port now for 3 years and like everybody says that surgry is not bad its better than getting poked 8 times befor they get a vein that will work,
    which is why I got my port in the first place, as far as the chemo goes some of us have done pretty good with it everybody is different, the thing that has really helped me is finding this site, everybody here cares we are all in the same fight.
    good luck Wed
    you will be glad you got that port

    Sheri22
  • glinka65
    glinka65 Member Posts: 132
    #13
    Shayenne said:

    Yes....
    I forgot to mention the Lanacain cream that you should ask for Tommy, it worked well for me.. it's a prescription cream. I was nervous about them even accessing the port for the first time, and it was still sore around that area from the surgery a few weeks later, that I asked for the cream to numb the area before they were to access it, and they gave me like 3 refills of it, I put it on about 1 hour before I go, and you have to put it on really thick, like glop it on, the nurse said, and then put Saran Wrap on it, to keep it from going all over your shirt, and once you get to the treatment center, the nurses will take off that saran wrap, and I didn't even feel them stick me accessing my port at all.

    thanks guys
    im very thankful for everyones support!!! donna thanks for the tip!!!! its hard to belive i manage huge consruction projects, talk smack with the guys, drive bobcats front end loaders and all kind of heavy eq, but man a simple procedure scares me so bad......what a whimp! thanks to everyone!!!!!! man i can olny imagine how im gonna be when its chemo time that was my rant thanks again guys!!!!! Tommy
  • glinka65
    glinka65 Member Posts: 132
    #14
    sheri22 said:

    Tommy
    I have had my port now for 3 years and like everybody says that surgry is not bad its better than getting poked 8 times befor they get a vein that will work,
    which is why I got my port in the first place, as far as the chemo goes some of us have done pretty good with it everybody is different, the thing that has really helped me is finding this site, everybody here cares we are all in the same fight.
    good luck Wed
    you will be glad you got that port

    Sheri22

    thanks sheri!!!!!!!!!!!

    thanks sheri!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #15
    glinka65 said:

    thanks sheri!!!!!!!!!!!

    thanks sheri!!!!!!!!!!!

    You....
    ...are exactly like me, I was also scared to death, and just you wait, you'll be glad you got that port, no more arm and hand sticks, and the chemo was just fine, the nurses will take care of you, and calm your fears, they were holding my hand, they gave me Ativan to calm my tears before they even started me, but you won't even feel the chemo going in you, will you be having that fanny pack connected to you for a couple days? I have one where a home health nurse comes and disconnects it on Fridays. Now, the only thing that scares me is the nausea I hope to not have again for my 2nd treatment on Wednesday. Don't worry, we'll all get through this together, it's ok to be scared, male or female! my husband gets scared for me, it's very normal, but you'll see, it will be ok, really ;)

    Hugss to you!
    ~Donna
  • glinka65
    glinka65 Member Posts: 132
    #16
    Shayenne said:

    You....
    ...are exactly like me, I was also scared to death, and just you wait, you'll be glad you got that port, no more arm and hand sticks, and the chemo was just fine, the nurses will take care of you, and calm your fears, they were holding my hand, they gave me Ativan to calm my tears before they even started me, but you won't even feel the chemo going in you, will you be having that fanny pack connected to you for a couple days? I have one where a home health nurse comes and disconnects it on Fridays. Now, the only thing that scares me is the nausea I hope to not have again for my 2nd treatment on Wednesday. Don't worry, we'll all get through this together, it's ok to be scared, male or female! my husband gets scared for me, it's very normal, but you'll see, it will be ok, really ;)

    Hugss to you!
    ~Donna

    hey
    yup im getting the fanny pack.....man, that look is so not me, LOL, ill be getting my treatments on mondays than back on tues pump disconnect on wed , every other week for 6 months yuk!!! the support on here is so great!!!! but i get so dam nervous when i really start to think about it, its tough to not let all this show in front of my kids there still pretty young and kind of get it but when treatment starts who knows?? my doc said i should handle it fine but as you know this is scary new stuff to us all!!! i did tell my wife i was going to make a fanny pack look cool.... that got a good laugh!!!!
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #17
    glinka65 said:

    hey
    yup im getting the fanny pack.....man, that look is so not me, LOL, ill be getting my treatments on mondays than back on tues pump disconnect on wed , every other week for 6 months yuk!!! the support on here is so great!!!! but i get so dam nervous when i really start to think about it, its tough to not let all this show in front of my kids there still pretty young and kind of get it but when treatment starts who knows?? my doc said i should handle it fine but as you know this is scary new stuff to us all!!! i did tell my wife i was going to make a fanny pack look cool.... that got a good laugh!!!!

    LOL!
    That is so funny about the fanny pack look! I remember those in the '80's and I stayed away from them, now I have to wear one for a couple days.. and worse yet, my fanny pack says "Walgreens" on it, so I'm a walking billboard for them as well while wearing it lol...

    I have 4 kids, my oldest is 18, who is just wonderful, very maternal, and my other 2 are girls as well, 12 and 13, and my youngest, is my son, who is 8, it is all very scary to them as well, heck, they hear the word "cancer" and they think of death immediately, because my parents died of it when they were in their 40's, and I don't blame them, it is a scary word, and explained it's just a disease now, and not everyone dies of cancer..I don't hide the kids from it though, let them know it may be scary, but it's there to help you :) We're getting used to it now where they know my chemo/sick time is coming up, and though I look scary during it, not eating, or drinking, constantly in the bathroom, (the more fluids you drink the more the chemo will flush out of you) and laying around, I did tell them the medicine is just killing all the cancer cells and trying to get mommy better, and now they saw also how I bounced back and became better once I got disconnected from the pack, my appetite came a couple days later, slowly but surely, I was in a groggy state, but they'll see you will bounce back from the chemo time! I also get it Wed, twice a month, disconnected on Fridays, for 6 months! where do you go back too on Tuesdays? my pack runs the whole course, from the hospital on Wed, till the home health nurse takes it off on Fridays.

    You gave me an idea though, where I want my fanny pack too look cool now as well! maybe slap some mini-guitars or something on it, and make it look like a Rockin' fanny pack or something???
  • pcs1453
    pcs1453 Member Posts: 75
    #18
    Easy Money
    As you have read from all the posts, getting the port was a breeze. It was that way for me as well. I was awake for the procedure, just numbed on the spot. The surgeon was great and we talked most of the time. I was more worried about starting chemo the next week. Now, here I am almost at the end of round 3. The port makes hooking up for my infusion very easy but I still can't wait to get rid of it. I am keeping the positive attitude that after round 6 I will be DONE and the port will go. Good Luck with your treatment. I hope all goes well.

    Paula
  • KarenS49
    KarenS49 Member Posts: 19
    #19
    pcs1453 said:

    Easy Money
    As you have read from all the posts, getting the port was a breeze. It was that way for me as well. I was awake for the procedure, just numbed on the spot. The surgeon was great and we talked most of the time. I was more worried about starting chemo the next week. Now, here I am almost at the end of round 3. The port makes hooking up for my infusion very easy but I still can't wait to get rid of it. I am keeping the positive attitude that after round 6 I will be DONE and the port will go. Good Luck with your treatment. I hope all goes well.

    Paula

    You'll be fine
    Getting a port put in was a very simple procedure. Try not to worry about it. Do you know if you'll be getting the power port? They are the best, I wish I had that kind.

    Karen
  • glinka65
    glinka65 Member Posts: 132
    #20
    Shayenne said:

    LOL!
    That is so funny about the fanny pack look! I remember those in the '80's and I stayed away from them, now I have to wear one for a couple days.. and worse yet, my fanny pack says "Walgreens" on it, so I'm a walking billboard for them as well while wearing it lol...

    I have 4 kids, my oldest is 18, who is just wonderful, very maternal, and my other 2 are girls as well, 12 and 13, and my youngest, is my son, who is 8, it is all very scary to them as well, heck, they hear the word "cancer" and they think of death immediately, because my parents died of it when they were in their 40's, and I don't blame them, it is a scary word, and explained it's just a disease now, and not everyone dies of cancer..I don't hide the kids from it though, let them know it may be scary, but it's there to help you :) We're getting used to it now where they know my chemo/sick time is coming up, and though I look scary during it, not eating, or drinking, constantly in the bathroom, (the more fluids you drink the more the chemo will flush out of you) and laying around, I did tell them the medicine is just killing all the cancer cells and trying to get mommy better, and now they saw also how I bounced back and became better once I got disconnected from the pack, my appetite came a couple days later, slowly but surely, I was in a groggy state, but they'll see you will bounce back from the chemo time! I also get it Wed, twice a month, disconnected on Fridays, for 6 months! where do you go back too on Tuesdays? my pack runs the whole course, from the hospital on Wed, till the home health nurse takes it off on Fridays.

    You gave me an idea though, where I want my fanny pack too look cool now as well! maybe slap some mini-guitars or something on it, and make it look like a Rockin' fanny pack or something???

    fanny packs
    you should be getting kick backs from walgreens....they made you a walking billboard!! during my treatments i go back to the dr. office on tuesdays to get another bag for the pump than disconnect on wed. i hope i can eat while on this ive heard so many different things i guess we will see!! hope your next round goes well!!!!!!!! also do you take any vitamins, i have heard a whole bunch of opinions on this but none from someone in treatment, im just looking at any and all allys to make this smoother.....me being the giant chicken i am ya know!!! now back to the fanny pack, later today im calling GQ magazine to see if they want to photo shoot the fashion break through of 2009.......rockin fanny packs.....what a cover!!!!! have a good morning!!! Tommy
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #21
    glinka65 said:

    fanny packs
    you should be getting kick backs from walgreens....they made you a walking billboard!! during my treatments i go back to the dr. office on tuesdays to get another bag for the pump than disconnect on wed. i hope i can eat while on this ive heard so many different things i guess we will see!! hope your next round goes well!!!!!!!! also do you take any vitamins, i have heard a whole bunch of opinions on this but none from someone in treatment, im just looking at any and all allys to make this smoother.....me being the giant chicken i am ya know!!! now back to the fanny pack, later today im calling GQ magazine to see if they want to photo shoot the fashion break through of 2009.......rockin fanny packs.....what a cover!!!!! have a good morning!!! Tommy

    HAHA!!
    You make me laugh so hard, my kids mock my fanny pack, but it's funny just to hear now you mocking it lol..

    I wonder why you need to go back and get another bag, they just continue mine straight through, without having to go back. I'm glad I have someone here who can laugh with me and the fanny pack. I won't even hang it anywhere, I keep it close to me, even while I sleep because I'm scared of having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and forgetting that I'm attached to it lol.. I dropped it last week, and the alarms started going off, it freaked me out because it kept saying things like "No air dispatched" some really scary things, thinking I was attached to this thing, and it's getting no air! I woke up my husband in a sheer state of panic, and all he had to do was remove the battery and reset it lol...

    Hey, if you can eat or drink while on it, do it, keep your hydrated! lots of fluids, the nurse told me the more fluids you drink, the faster it will flush the chemo out of your system.. I couldn't eat or drink a thing, on the first night I could, but not the 2nd or 3rd.. hopefully they give me something to help that tomorrow :)

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