HELP! Worried about installation of line (or port?)

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musiclover
musiclover Member Posts: 242
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
At the last visit to my friend's oncologist (the Dr. with the personality of a rock) he was told he would have to get a line for the upcoming chemo treatments (port?) Monday (tomorrow). The Dr. was so blasé when telling Mark "there are some risks - bleeding, some pain, and oh yeah, you may have a stroke since it is going up your arm and very close to your heart." This guys bed manner is the worst. This news came after he coldly told my friend "Mark, you're not gaining weight. It's the cancer!" Mark is in a state of panic about this line. I know I ask a lot of ya'll (and everything has been giantly helpful) but can you please give me an idea of this procedure so I can reassure Mark that it is going to be okay? He is a bass player and aside from the possible stroke, he's worried it may interfere with his playing. Playing bass is the only thing at this moment that keeps him sane. Has anyone had any problems with their line - any bleeding, pain, etc? How long does it usually stay in? Does it get in the way - make it hard to put on clothes - is it difficult to use that arm?? Any feedback is so welcome. Thanks!
Kathryn

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  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #2
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    Kathryn -

    Getting a line/"port" is a minor surgical procedure. I was stupid. I refused to get a port put in. instead I made the chemo nurses poke needles in my arms for over an hour once a week so I could get chemo. It wasn't about being macho, it was about admitting I really was sick.

    There are certainly possible complications and there is some amount of discomfort associated with a port, but (in hindsight - which is always 20-20) getting aport is a good thing.

    Not to say "don't worry" about a surgical procedure, but I will say, don't worry too much - I wish I had gotten one put in.

    Cheers

    - SpongeBob
  • sam991
    sam991 Member Posts: 16
    #3
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    Mine is in my chest about 4 inches above the nipple going into a big vein which is close to the heart. The installation was an out-patient thing, no problem, don't even remember it really and very little pain afterwards and just for the healing of the incision for a few days. More irritating than anything. It was the greatest for the chemo and I beleive much better for your body since the drugs are immediately diluted by lots of blood instead of travelling through narrow veins a long way to your heart for distribution. No problems during or in the year since completing chemo except it has to be flushed once a month which is a two minute procedure invoving nothing but a pinprick. I expect to have it for another year or so just in case. No problems with the port in using my arms, putting on clothes or sleeping.
    Don't know anything about bass playing but depending on the chemo used there may be some numbness in the fingers. Best of luck to him.
  • dash4
    dash4 Member Posts: 303 Member
    #4
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    Hi,
    My husband had a double port in place 10/04. They are still using it for chemo. He started chemo the same day it was placed. But what I wanted to mention to you was what the surgeon had told him. My husband is a hunter and even though the port is usually place on the left side he offered to place it on the right side. My husband chose to keep it on the left, but I am only telling you this in case it is something Mark might want to discuss with his surgeon id the bass is an important part of his world. Good luck to you.
    Dash
  • Allen55555
    Allen55555 Member Posts: 15 Member
    #5
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    Get a port and not a PIC line in the arm. I had my port put in 4/2004. I finished chemo in 10/2004 but still have my port. I wanted to make sure before I took the port out. They put me to sleep and woke up with no pain and my port. I am coaching high school softball, refereeing basketball games and doing a lot of yard work and I forget about the port most of the time. With a port you take normal showeres and do not have a line in your arm to keep clean. PICs go bad much more often than a port. Check with others who have gone through this and most will say get a port
  • JKendall
    JKendall Member Posts: 186
    #6
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    Hi Kathryn...My wife had a port put in about 18 months ago. It's been almost a year now since she's had any treatments, and she gets the port flushed once every eight weeks at the same time they draw blood for her routine lab work. It's placed on her upper left chest and looks like she has a small bottle cap under her skin. A slight amout of pain at first for a couple days, but it hasn't slowed her down at all. I think it's a good procedure. Good luck!!

    Take care. Jimmy
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
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    Kathryn (I spell mine the same way...cool)
    I had a medi-port (also called portacath) inserted in my chest just below the collar bone. I had little choice, since my first chemo involved a 4-day-long pump of chemo. Later, with my second(!) cancer (breast), I lost my left arm vein use because of the node removal. Once again, my port (which I still had) was used for everything, including feeding me in the hospital when I had a bowel obstruction. Mine sticks out pretty far, but the only clothes change is from a vanity standpoint...don't want it seen. The day it was inserted (Outpatient surgery) I had my first chemo infusion thru it. Just like others, I got to choose where to have it placed. Since this, many people have asked me if I regret having it, and I say.....I wouldn't have a vein left in my arm that was usable without having my port to take on most of the hard stuff.
    By the way, my oncologist was very cold at the beginning with me, but you must remember these people see people that are not in the best of health, and don't was to get too emotionally attached. Now, my doc and I talk about lots of stuff, including her vacation back home. Give it some time, think of what they do everyday.
    Kathi
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #8
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    Although there are possible complications, the chances are small enough to justify the risk; I have had two ports installed-(one left, one right)
    both under local anesthia. the last one (port) has been in for almost 3 years w/o problems. I can't see where it would interfere with his bass playing, but that is a question for the doctor.
    I don't agree that you should give the doctor the benefit of the doubt regarding his bedside manner..there is little excuse for his/her failure to adequately explain a symptom or procedure. I would confront, and point out his/her lack of empathy, and/or change doctors..they work for you, not the other way around.. Bud
  • musiclover
    musiclover Member Posts: 242
    #9
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    nanuk said:

    Although there are possible complications, the chances are small enough to justify the risk; I have had two ports installed-(one left, one right)
    both under local anesthia. the last one (port) has been in for almost 3 years w/o problems. I can't see where it would interfere with his bass playing, but that is a question for the doctor.
    I don't agree that you should give the doctor the benefit of the doubt regarding his bedside manner..there is little excuse for his/her failure to adequately explain a symptom or procedure. I would confront, and point out his/her lack of empathy, and/or change doctors..they work for you, not the other way around.. Bud

    Bud, I wish I had the luxury of getting another oncologist for Mark. This is a county hospital and you get what they have. When this is over I'm writing a book about the experience. This hospital is like walking into a bad movie - ridiculous waiting, overworked staffs, dirty rooms, mistakes being made. I am afraid for him and luckily I've been to most of his appointments to fight for him. It really does feel like a fight. The first oncologist had not heard of a few drugs that are common for treatment (Xeloda, etc.). The first surgeon knew nothing about the much less invasive TME surgery for rectal cancer (and was ready to remove half his innerds). Thank God for the internet - many late nights brought me to the wizard, Dr. Beart in L.A. Being without health insurance puts one in a precarious position. Luckily I found this board. Are there any CSN people out there in the Los Angeles area?? This oncologist had not heard that the clinical trial they are about to put Mark on was suspended. A trial nurse dropped in during the last appointment and I was able to talk with her about it. She knew exactly what I was referring to and said the patients in the county hospital were being watched closely and so far were doing great. Finally some good news! Please send prayers for Mark. It looks like he's getting a pic line not a port. It makes me feel so helpless to watch him endure the pain, the fear and the unknowing. Kathryn

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