Port for Chemo

kelli1843
kelli1843 Member Posts: 72
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
As mentioned, I was recently diagnosed with SCLC. I did first chemo yesterday. I was told I should have a port installed due to condition of my veins.

They had to try it 3 times yesterday to get treatment started. I'm terrified of having a port. I don't know why; think it's the idea of having it surgically implanted and that tube thing going into my heart. I'm very squeamish at any kind of surgery.

I know the port would make it tons easier on me and the nurses, but I actually get freaked out at the thought of it, to the point I started hyperventialating and crying just discussing it, when looking at the sample.

Today is 2nd chemo and they left the IV thing in my arm yesterday to helpfully help access today.

I did chemo in 92 and didn't have a lot of vein trouble until the end when my veins started collapsing.

Can I ask what's everyone's take on the port?

Comments

  • emartin890
    emartin890 Member Posts: 1
    #2
    Get the port
    OMG!!! Get the port!!! My veins are trash and when they try to get blood it is a minimum of 5 to 6 sticks then the veins roll.. collapse.. will not give blood.. I had my port installed In Dec and we had to postpone chemo until I had WBR.. I had my first blood drawn last week with the port SWEET!!!! 1.. 2... 3 stick.. 6 vials... 1...2...3.. needle out and port flushed!! CAKE.. it does feel weird and will give you a little discomfort as it heals in its little pouch and the seat belt in the car bugs me now and then.. but the blood thing or chemo I can't imagine going through without my port.. My 2 cents
    Love mine!!
    Sue
  • letswin
    letswin Member Posts: 10
    #3
    Port
    I felt exactly the same about having a port implanted in my chest. I had been through major surgery in October for my lung cancer, plus had a peg tube inserted, and I didn't want any more surgeries. My home health nurse told me there are so many people with ports, I wouldn't believe it. They all do well.

    I had my port put in 1/26. My next chemo is 2/8, and I'll see how it works. The operation took just a few minutes, and I didn't opt for anesthesia. The area was numbed with a local, and they gave me sedation.
  • joyzee
    joyzee Member Posts: 33
    #4
    To port or not to port

    Kellie,

    I felt the same way as you, I good nausea looking at diagrams however, I no longer have veins, so I will be having a port inserted tomorrow 2/3. Will let u know how I make out. Wish me luck.
  • cobra1122
    cobra1122 Member Posts: 244
    #5
    AH to Port or.........
    But again I would have the port put in, no question...
  • cobra1122
    cobra1122 Member Posts: 244
    #6
    AH to Port or.........
    I never wanted to have any foreign body put inside me and fought for a long time not to, until they basicly ran out of veins. In time they began to collapse, so I realize now that the port is the way to go.
    I would guess that over 90% of those that have ports put in have no problems, but there can be some problems. There are chances of infection(I had one for a while and they had to remove the port and put it on the opposite side.) and making sure that the implant it to the proper depth. But I am the one that if anything will go wrong it does, needle biospy chance of lung collapse, well you guessed it my lung collapse. I have a pic posted odf when ports go bad on my bio page
    So, just follow their instructions afterward and advise them of any problem you may have, everything should be ok..

    Our Prayers and Best Wishes to You and Your Family,
    Dan (cobra1122) and Margi Harmon
  • catcon49
    catcon49 Member Posts: 398
    #7
    cobra1122 said:

    AH to Port or.........
    But again I would have the port put in, no question...

    My 76 year old mother had
    My 76 year old mother had the port put in. And believe me if she could do it you can. She has always been very skimish also.

    c
  • kelli1843
    kelli1843 Member Posts: 72
    #8
    catcon49 said:

    My 76 year old mother had
    My 76 year old mother had the port put in. And believe me if she could do it you can. She has always been very skimish also.

    c

    Thanks for feedback
    Thanks for feedback everyone. Joy - hope yours went well today.

    I've decided to go with it as my veins gave out at very end of chemo today. I'll probably get port done Feb 9th...which is my birthday...what a present, lol!

    Some good news--my abdomen/pelvic/brain scans from Monday came back all clean today.

    And, my cancer dr. wrote me script for wigs so my insurance company will reimburse me the cost of them.

    Also, they can give me script for supplements like Ensure, Boost protein drinks and protein supplements because I had so much trouble with eating before. So, I buy these myself (like Sam's Club) and get reimbursed later.

    It's so nice to say something with the terms "good news" in them, know what I mean?

    Thanks for listening.
  • joyzee
    joyzee Member Posts: 33
    #9
    kelli1843 said:

    Thanks for feedback
    Thanks for feedback everyone. Joy - hope yours went well today.

    I've decided to go with it as my veins gave out at very end of chemo today. I'll probably get port done Feb 9th...which is my birthday...what a present, lol!

    Some good news--my abdomen/pelvic/brain scans from Monday came back all clean today.

    And, my cancer dr. wrote me script for wigs so my insurance company will reimburse me the cost of them.

    Also, they can give me script for supplements like Ensure, Boost protein drinks and protein supplements because I had so much trouble with eating before. So, I buy these myself (like Sam's Club) and get reimbursed later.

    It's so nice to say something with the terms "good news" in them, know what I mean?

    Thanks for listening.

    Good Going Kelli

    Happy for your good news, yes port was inserted today, was big girl, only local didn't have to be sedated. Little pitches but not as bad as i had expected. What ins do you have that pays for wigs?
  • kelli1843
    kelli1843 Member Posts: 72
    #10
    joyzee said:

    Good Going Kelli

    Happy for your good news, yes port was inserted today, was big girl, only local didn't have to be sedated. Little pitches but not as bad as i had expected. What ins do you have that pays for wigs?

    I mispoke when referring to
    I mispoke when referring to insurance reimbursement. We have private flex-type plan at work where we are allotted so much per month toward certain, uncovered medical expenses.

    If by prescription, it is accepted as legitimate reimburseable expense, in the next quarter. So, I lucky to have this benefit as I don't have to pay anything into it at all.

    Glad your port install went well. I already asked to have the most thorough sedative they can safely give me for mine.
  • jynxy
    jynxy Member Posts: 8
    #11
    Port
    I had my port put in last Wednesday. I have great veins but I insisted on it because I didn't want to ruin my veins. It is a fairly simple procedure. the worst part was afterwards waiting for all the super glue to wear off and stop pulling on my skin every time I tried to turn my head.
  • letswin
    letswin Member Posts: 10
    #12
    kelli1843 said:

    Thanks for feedback
    Thanks for feedback everyone. Joy - hope yours went well today.

    I've decided to go with it as my veins gave out at very end of chemo today. I'll probably get port done Feb 9th...which is my birthday...what a present, lol!

    Some good news--my abdomen/pelvic/brain scans from Monday came back all clean today.

    And, my cancer dr. wrote me script for wigs so my insurance company will reimburse me the cost of them.

    Also, they can give me script for supplements like Ensure, Boost protein drinks and protein supplements because I had so much trouble with eating before. So, I buy these myself (like Sam's Club) and get reimbursed later.

    It's so nice to say something with the terms "good news" in them, know what I mean?

    Thanks for listening.

    Port
    Certainly more pros than cons on the port. BTW, I LOVE your dogs.
  • cobra1122
    cobra1122 Member Posts: 244
    #13
    kelli1843 said:

    I mispoke when referring to
    I mispoke when referring to insurance reimbursement. We have private flex-type plan at work where we are allotted so much per month toward certain, uncovered medical expenses.

    If by prescription, it is accepted as legitimate reimburseable expense, in the next quarter. So, I lucky to have this benefit as I don't have to pay anything into it at all.

    Glad your port install went well. I already asked to have the most thorough sedative they can safely give me for mine.

    Gods speed
    I am glad that you have had some good news in these times when it seems like a rarity. But I am also glad you are going ahead with the port, it will be alot less problem in the long run and you will have a lot less discomfort while doing chemo. My experiences were just that my own, everyone reacts differently.
    So I pray that your procedure goes well, and that your fight with this disease is one that has a positive outcome. Though Everything that I have experience , my wife and I have learned that a positive attitude and outlook will make this journey more indurable.
    We laugh a lot, and enjoy as much of life as possible, letting the stress melt off us as quick as possible,when you get up that is a begining of a good day. There will be trying times ahead, but with the help of friends (even those on this site) and a positive attitude you can make this journey one of learning and compassion, happiness and understanding, peace and fellowship.
    You are as strong as you want, you just dig deeper when needed and its there. We on this site are here to share the good news and bad news (that hopefully not many). we are here to support you and answer anything you ask with answere that will help you inderstand what you are going though, or may go through. Remember everyone is different and react differently to treatnments and this disease itself.

    Our Prayers and Best Wishes to You, Your family, and Everyone else...,

    Dan (cobra1122) and Margi Harmon

Discussion Boards