got port "installed" yesterday

blazytracy
blazytracy Member Posts: 157
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I took today off work but plan on going in tomorrow..have been taking Vicodin every 6 hrs. It looks absolutely Gross! I am one big bruise from my neck down to my chest on the left side...it is disgusting! I can also feel the tube running its full length and that I think is also gross! They want to schedule chemo starting on the 17th but I told them that I want to heal from this first-- (I can't even take my bandages off until Friday..) Also I am a slow healer because of immunosuppression already.

I also found out today that I have "complex hyperplasia" so one more trip under anesthesia for a D&C....whoppee! Just one thing after another it's going to be..

Just a tiny vent - thanks for listening!

Tracy

Comments

  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    Hi Tracy
    So sorry for all that you are going thru. I will pray that everything gets better and easier for you.

    Love, Jeanne ♥
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    Jeanne D said:

    Hi Tracy
    So sorry for all that you are going thru. I will pray that everything gets better and easier for you.

    Love, Jeanne ♥

    Tracy
    My Sympathy..........Why do they insist on Ports?.. I had a much less invasive Picc. Everyone I talk to from the U.S. Has a Port. Just wondering why?

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxx
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    tasha_111 said:

    Tracy
    My Sympathy..........Why do they insist on Ports?.. I had a much less invasive Picc. Everyone I talk to from the U.S. Has a Port. Just wondering why?

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxx

    No Clue!
    hahahaha, I have no clue Tasha... I just do what my doctors say...I just know that it is supposed to be better than trying to find a vein and "sticking" you everytime....
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    Ya it is kinda gross, but
    Ya it is kinda gross, but you get use to it. It will always be tender. I also can feel the tube, sometimes it feels like it has twisted and it hurts. I have to keep mine for a year, because I have to do Hercepitin.
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    Kat11 said:

    Ya it is kinda gross, but
    Ya it is kinda gross, but you get use to it. It will always be tender. I also can feel the tube, sometimes it feels like it has twisted and it hurts. I have to keep mine for a year, because I have to do Hercepitin.

    Thanks for your input Kat!
    Do you have any input on the salve that you put on your site before the needle to make it numb? Do you use that since you have to have it in for so long? I think I read somewhere that it takes an hour for it to get numb after you put it on?????
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member

    Thanks for your input Kat!
    Do you have any input on the salve that you put on your site before the needle to make it numb? Do you use that since you have to have it in for so long? I think I read somewhere that it takes an hour for it to get numb after you put it on?????

    Maybe emla cream?

    Maybe emla cream?
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member

    Thanks for your input Kat!
    Do you have any input on the salve that you put on your site before the needle to make it numb? Do you use that since you have to have it in for so long? I think I read somewhere that it takes an hour for it to get numb after you put it on?????

    At the CCI, I go to they
    At the CCI, I go to they spray a numbing spray on that works very rapidly before inserting. So far I've had no pain at all when they insert just a very slight pressure. The first time that my port was used was approx. 24 hrs after it was put in and no prob.

    Susan
  • Marlene_K
    Marlene_K Member Posts: 508
    It does feel strange for a
    It does feel strange for a while, Tracy... I thought I'd never get used it. I had chemo 6 days after inserting and it didn't bother me at all when they poked me and I didn't have any numbing medication. Perhaps I got a great nurse, as I know that sometimes makes a difference. Now I don't at all feel it there unless I bump it, but the site of it is still totally gross! I don't like wearing any low cut shirts where you can see it pop out. I'm guessing that we will always have a scar there making it difficult to ever wear something revealing, huh? GEESH! Anyway, rest assured, as with everything... it does get better.

    Hugs ~ Mar
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    Marlene_K said:

    It does feel strange for a
    It does feel strange for a while, Tracy... I thought I'd never get used it. I had chemo 6 days after inserting and it didn't bother me at all when they poked me and I didn't have any numbing medication. Perhaps I got a great nurse, as I know that sometimes makes a difference. Now I don't at all feel it there unless I bump it, but the site of it is still totally gross! I don't like wearing any low cut shirts where you can see it pop out. I'm guessing that we will always have a scar there making it difficult to ever wear something revealing, huh? GEESH! Anyway, rest assured, as with everything... it does get better.

    Hugs ~ Mar

    Tracy
    Sorry that this is so

    Tracy

    Sorry that this is so hard for you. I didn't have chemo so I can't speak to ports etc. but I will keep you in my prayers that this gets better and that your treatments go smoothly.
    Stef
  • shortscake
    shortscake Member Posts: 228
    port sisters
    I guess we are port sisters i had mine put in yesterday morning and i have done ok so far i have not taken any of the pain pills yet. Oh but they are next to the bed with a glass of water..lol..i keep looking at my port like wow i can see it and feel it..gross..I had to have one because i have very poor veins, they had to stick me 8times yesterday to get an iv in they were talking about puting it in my neck i was crying saying please look at my arms and feet again yes they stick me in my feet man that was some pain. my port was put in on the left side and that is were i carry my bag.not anymore, the pain i got from putting it there wow then the seatbelt in the car..wow...wow life is changeing everyday...but i am happy to be here to enjoy it every step of the way.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941

    port sisters
    I guess we are port sisters i had mine put in yesterday morning and i have done ok so far i have not taken any of the pain pills yet. Oh but they are next to the bed with a glass of water..lol..i keep looking at my port like wow i can see it and feel it..gross..I had to have one because i have very poor veins, they had to stick me 8times yesterday to get an iv in they were talking about puting it in my neck i was crying saying please look at my arms and feet again yes they stick me in my feet man that was some pain. my port was put in on the left side and that is were i carry my bag.not anymore, the pain i got from putting it there wow then the seatbelt in the car..wow...wow life is changeing everyday...but i am happy to be here to enjoy it every step of the way.

    Ports are uncomfortable,
    Ports are uncomfortable, but they work better than trying to find veins. One stick and wahla its over. The cancer center sprays it which immediately numbs the area, they draw the blood, and install the vehicle which accommodates the chemo. They have me count to 3. On count 2 I breathe in (port needle goes in) count 3 blow out, and its done. My port is always a little sore. I place a heart shaped pillow over the port when using the seat belt. I did get the cream, I think the generic is lidocaine, however I dont use it because everything is done at the infusion center. Blood drawn in the am, chemo in the early pm. Makes for a long day, but it's better than waiting at the local lab to have blood drawn. Blazy so sorry you have other health issues to deal with in addition to this BC. You are obviously one very strong lady.
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    natly15 said:

    Ports are uncomfortable,
    Ports are uncomfortable, but they work better than trying to find veins. One stick and wahla its over. The cancer center sprays it which immediately numbs the area, they draw the blood, and install the vehicle which accommodates the chemo. They have me count to 3. On count 2 I breathe in (port needle goes in) count 3 blow out, and its done. My port is always a little sore. I place a heart shaped pillow over the port when using the seat belt. I did get the cream, I think the generic is lidocaine, however I dont use it because everything is done at the infusion center. Blood drawn in the am, chemo in the early pm. Makes for a long day, but it's better than waiting at the local lab to have blood drawn. Blazy so sorry you have other health issues to deal with in addition to this BC. You are obviously one very strong lady.

    ports
    You may not feel so great now ... but after you start chemo you will be so glad you have the port. In my opinion the person who invented the port is a total genius. I honestly don't think I could have gotten through chemo without it. I'm a real chicken when it comes to needles so I have a feeling that I would have just said "NO!" to chemo ... or I would have spent every treatment passed out on the floor or running out the door in a panic attack. As someone mentioned ... Emla cream is great! I asked my oncologist for a prescription before my first treatment and just put a blob of it on an hour before my appointment and by the time I got to the treatment center the spot was numb and I didn't feel the needle go in the port. They can do the blood draws with the port too ... so it all just makes me feel so BRAVE! :-) I'm on also on herceptin ... so my port will be in for quite awhile... and I am so thankful for it ... every time I go in for an infusion.

    hugs.
    teena
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    fauxma said:

    Tracy
    Sorry that this is so

    Tracy

    Sorry that this is so hard for you. I didn't have chemo so I can't speak to ports etc. but I will keep you in my prayers that this gets better and that your treatments go smoothly.
    Stef

    Sorry Tracy
    Tracy, so sorry that this was so hard on you. Sending you big cyber hugs!

    ♠♣ Susie ♠♣
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member

    Maybe emla cream?

    Maybe emla cream?

    I am so sorry that you are
    I am so sorry that you are in pain. Emla cream might help.
  • laurissa
    laurissa Member Posts: 773
    Hi, Tracy.
    I feel the same way about my port. Mine doesn't work as it should, it allows too slow of a drip going in and no blood comes out. So, they're going to try a bigger gauge needle next time. Can't wait! The first week was very uncomfortable for me, alot of bruising is normal. When I took a deep breath, I felt a big pulse sensation in my neck. I guess that tube being new inside there. The salve doesn't work for me either as for as numbing. It feels the same with or without it. To some, the port is a wonderful thing, but for me, it's not. I hope you do well with yours.
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    laurissa said:

    Hi, Tracy.
    I feel the same way about my port. Mine doesn't work as it should, it allows too slow of a drip going in and no blood comes out. So, they're going to try a bigger gauge needle next time. Can't wait! The first week was very uncomfortable for me, alot of bruising is normal. When I took a deep breath, I felt a big pulse sensation in my neck. I guess that tube being new inside there. The salve doesn't work for me either as for as numbing. It feels the same with or without it. To some, the port is a wonderful thing, but for me, it's not. I hope you do well with yours.

    So sorry. Vent whenever you
    So sorry. Vent whenever you need to. That is why we are here for you, to listen and support and encourage each other.

    Leeza
  • Skeezie
    Skeezie Member Posts: 586 Member
    jnl said:

    So sorry. Vent whenever you
    So sorry. Vent whenever you need to. That is why we are here for you, to listen and support and encourage each other.

    Leeza

    Love My Port...
    My port was put in same time as the mastecomy so it was really no big deal. After a couple of days I didn't even know it was there. It's a blessing, I have no veins and my only good one is in my right arm and can't be used. I use Emla or it's generic numbing ceam and hour before and you don't even feel the needle. When I was in the hospital a couple of days ago they drew blood as well as my IV. It was a miracle.

    I hope once you heal you will get the benefits from it. My chemo nurse said she wished everyone had them. Even if you have good veins, no sense in "wearing them out" with chemo chemicals.

    I understand a pic line leaves a tube sticking out of your arm that you have to flush constantly and keep bandaged. I have an allergy to tape so I hope my port continues to work well.

    We shouldn't ever be ashamed to vent, if we can't vent here, with everyone understanding, where can we? Does us good to vent and to even have a little pity party now and then. We've earned the right! Just let's not stay at the "party" too long....

    Hugs and Luv, Judy :-)
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    Wow - thanks everyone!
    I now know the name of the cream thank you, and also that most everyone loves their port, and yes seatbelts suck. That makes me feel a bit better...I still haven't seen mine, bandages don't come off till Friday. I sure am bruised tho - wow!! No idea yet Laurissa if it can be used for blood draws yet, it would be awesome if it could..thanks again everyone for the great response. I feel better already..haha.
  • Calleen
    Calleen Member Posts: 411

    Wow - thanks everyone!
    I now know the name of the cream thank you, and also that most everyone loves their port, and yes seatbelts suck. That makes me feel a bit better...I still haven't seen mine, bandages don't come off till Friday. I sure am bruised tho - wow!! No idea yet Laurissa if it can be used for blood draws yet, it would be awesome if it could..thanks again everyone for the great response. I feel better already..haha.

    just a suggestion
    Why not use a small pillow to put between you and the seat belt?? I used one after my masectomy and it helped alot.. Sorry your going through all this!!
  • e_hope
    e_hope Member Posts: 370
    tasha_111 said:

    Tracy
    My Sympathy..........Why do they insist on Ports?.. I had a much less invasive Picc. Everyone I talk to from the U.S. Has a Port. Just wondering why?

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxx

    .... They like the port
    tasha....

    They like the port better than a picc line because I port is less likely to become infected. Picc lines need more maintance (with flushing, and dressing changes) unlike port a caths.. and with a picc line you have an open area in the arm which is a access for infection.. a risk no chemo patient wants or needs..

    Blazt... much sympathy over what's going on.. I can relate to you dislike of the port.. I had same problem with the bruising and for almost 2 weeks after its placement I could barely move my head. I had mine removed 1 week after the completion of chemo.

    I never got use to mine.. in fact i hated the bloody thing every blessed day it was in.. My kids would constantly bump into it and had to watch what kind of clothing i wore so you couldn't see it.. but like all this.. it has passed and I wear my removal scar as my badge of courage..

    and yes.. Your port can and should be used for blood draws... My feelings were you made me get it ... so use the dam thing so i don't have to be poked...

    best of luck to you