Power Port

port
I have a port and it still bothers me sometimes.

leesag said:

I guess I'm glad....
I guess I'm glad that this "severely bruised" feeling is normal. I have to say, it makes the three wisdom teeth I had removed Wednesday seem like a scratch!

lol

Leesa

I too had pain with the
I too had pain with the port--but in the long run you will be so thankful that you have it. Some pain now will save you much more pain later on. It will be a breeze to have chemo and give blood now. Stay strong!!!

Kathy

Kathy T said:

I too had pain with the
I too had pain with the port--but in the long run you will be so thankful that you have it. Some pain now will save you much more pain later on. It will be a breeze to have chemo and give blood now. Stay strong!!!

Kathy

Leesa: always wear a good supportive bra, my surgeon said.
I'm not heavy busted at all, but the surgeon that put in my Power Port advised that I put on a good supportive bra the minute I rise from bed (versus my habit of schlepping around in my PJs and robe until lunch time!) and not taking it off until I am ready to lie down for the night. He said the gentle pull of gravity on the incision slows healing and causes discomfort. (Cup your hand under a boob and hoist it up and you'll see what I mean; you port feels better doesn't it?) I invested in some sleep bras (which are also WONDERFUL for scans because they have no underwires or metal closures) and I wore those even at night during the considerable time it took for my incision to heal completely. (You can order them online and have them in a couple of days.) I've had my Power Port for 3 months now and it still bothers me when I go braless, so I think he was on to something. Still LOVE my port when I'm getting treatments after doing 7 rounds of chemo before I got it. SOOO much better!

Mwee said:

power port
I too had a tough time after my port insertion. I found I had more trouble with that smaller and seemingly insignificant incision. It's now just a part of me.... I call it my third nipple.. and it works great!
(((HUGS))) Maria

My Power Port was really
My Power Port was really "touchy" for weeks after the surgery, but it's better now. I could not wear my seatbelt without a pillow, could not put any pressure on the port site at all. Now I hardly notice it.

If you are thin, there is less padding and you will feel like you have a little alien under your skin. It will also stick out more. Mine will never be invisible but I just dress accordingly.

Carlene

leesag said:

I guess I'm glad....
I guess I'm glad that this "severely bruised" feeling is normal. I have to say, it makes the three wisdom teeth I had removed Wednesday seem like a scratch!

lol

Leesa

Hi Leesa,
Yes,yes...this is
Hi Leesa,

Yes,yes...this is very normal. Now I couldn't imagine life without my port.

I literally consider to be my lifeline now. I've had it a total of 3 years now, with no problems.

The only time I remember I have one now is when I go in to have the port flushed (about once a month). Other than that, all is well with mine.

Sharon

Power Port
Hi Leesa,

My shoulder felt like I had been given a good slug after the Power Port was put in too, but it went away quickly enough. The surgeon that put it in said he had a little trouble with it, so it was expected. I haven't had any pain with it beyond the surgery. I've had a tube of lidocaine ointment to put on it and my IP port before they're to be accessed, and it's done a fair job of numbing the sites.

The port makes my skin there feel a little tight, but that's not a problem. I had a mammogram last week, and the technician was extra careful not to pull on it.

This leaves room for a comment on digital mammograms-they use the same compression that the xray mammograms do - OUCH.

Sue