Anyone else opt not to get a port?

QuiltingMama123
QuiltingMama123 Member Posts: 124
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Met my onc this week. I need 6 treatments of taxitere and carboplatin and a year of herceptin, along with radiation and hormone blocking. He said I could get a port put in but didn't have to do so. My 18 year old son's friend died last December from an infection in his chest port (he was battling childhood leukemia). My son freaked at the idea of getting a port. Has anyone else dealt without a port? I know my needs come first, and they will, but I want to save him worry if I can.
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Comments

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #2
    I didn't
    I did not get one but my surgeon or onc didn't require me to get one because I had good veins. I had 4 cycles of A/C and 4 cycles of Taxotere. No herceptin. The first 4 A/C was rotated between both arms because it was before surgery and the Taxotere was only in one because they removed 15 lymph nodes. You might ask the onc about what it means to have a year of herceptin given without a port. How hard is it on the veins.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #3
    I am so sorry about your
    I am so sorry about your Son's friend - my thoughts and prayers to all who are now missing him.

    I never had a second thought about getting my port. I have great veins and I want to keep them that way IF I can. Remember that after surgery, you will only have one arm that can be used. I've had 4 A/C before surgery and 12 Taxol after. A PIC line - I'd have had to do a lot of thinking about it but FOR ME there was never any question about a port. Remember that anytime your skin is invaded there is the potential for an infection especially when the chemo is attacking your immune system. You're the only one that can decide what is best for you.
  • Hubby
    Hubby Member Posts: 325
    #4
    You Can Start Without One
    and get one later. Donna has no port and was told she has bad veins, but just had her third round of AC. A year of herceptin is a lot of IVs, but you can exercise your hand, eat salty food the night before, drink lots of fluids... tricks to improve your veins.

    Bob
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #5
    Your choice
    To port, or not to port is certainly your choice. I watched some patients who did not have ports for various reasons at the center I go to. Some had no trouble, some did. The only person I knew who had trouble with the port was a gentleman who did a lot of lifting on his job and he had a box fall and hit his shoulder and dislodge his port, so he had to have it replaced. I had one and was extremely grateful for it. It was MUCH less painful than IVs in the arm and I never had any trouble with it. My advice would be to ask the Dr. about pros and cons, maybe see if you can talk to the chemo nurses, or maybe get permission to talk to some current patients at your center. Maybe ask for some testimonials of folks who have used them without trouble to help ease your son's mind (feel free to use this one), or statistics from the Dr. comparing pros and cons. If you think it is appropriate, see if you could take him to the chemo room at the center to see patients doing well with chemo.

    It is your decision, and I think your son will do well with it if you are OK with it.

    take care, seof
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #6
    seof said:

    Your choice
    To port, or not to port is certainly your choice. I watched some patients who did not have ports for various reasons at the center I go to. Some had no trouble, some did. The only person I knew who had trouble with the port was a gentleman who did a lot of lifting on his job and he had a box fall and hit his shoulder and dislodge his port, so he had to have it replaced. I had one and was extremely grateful for it. It was MUCH less painful than IVs in the arm and I never had any trouble with it. My advice would be to ask the Dr. about pros and cons, maybe see if you can talk to the chemo nurses, or maybe get permission to talk to some current patients at your center. Maybe ask for some testimonials of folks who have used them without trouble to help ease your son's mind (feel free to use this one), or statistics from the Dr. comparing pros and cons. If you think it is appropriate, see if you could take him to the chemo room at the center to see patients doing well with chemo.

    It is your decision, and I think your son will do well with it if you are OK with it.

    take care, seof

    I did not have a port, I
    I did not have a port, I required many IV's. between the surgery, chemos. but I got through. although I did not have herceptin. In retrospect I prob sahould have had one though as sometimes I got stuck 2-3 times.
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #7
    I started out without one,
    I started out without one, thinking, Oh its only 4 rounds so I won't need one...It was a bad decision on my part and I wound up getting one. My veins couldn't take the chemo and blood tests. I hope whatever you decide works out for you.
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #8
    no port here
    I choose not to get the port because a dear friend lost his mom to an infection in her port after her treatment had ended. I have had a total of 28 chemo infusions 24 during a two year period and it was hard on my veins but doable. Both my mom and sister have battled cancer and neither of them had a port either. It is a personal choice, some docs want you to have them but it is not required. My doc would have liked me to get one but I opted out.

    Let us know how you do as we are in this together!

    RE
  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295
    #9
    elm3544 said:

    I started out without one,
    I started out without one, thinking, Oh its only 4 rounds so I won't need one...It was a bad decision on my part and I wound up getting one. My veins couldn't take the chemo and blood tests. I hope whatever you decide works out for you.

    I, like Elm, started out
    I, like Elm, started out without one. Onc nurses had a really hard time with my veins because the needle thing is so long and thick. They tried all over my arm. They advised me to get a port for next time, which I did. One of the bad parts for me was the tape all over my arm from the attempts as I have a bad reaction to that tape adhesive.

    Next treatment was a breeze. I love my port.

    Cindy
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #10
    I am sorry to hear about
    I am sorry to hear about your son's friend dying from an infection in his port. That is very sad. But I will be honest with you... I have a port.

    I also was on the same cocktail as you( Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin). I decided to go with a port because I did not want to sustain nerve damage in my arms. The veins might also collapse from over use. Herceptin is a year long infusion. I started with treatment in September of last year. My last Herceptin infusion will be on August 26th, Yippee! I will then have my port removed in September of this year. I can tell you that I have never, ever had any problems with my port. My surgeon, who is a bc survivor, installed mine and it worked like a charm!

    I know you have reservations about ports, but I recommend getting one. Just because your son's friend had complications with his does not mean you will too. If you should change your mind, I would suggest contacting a surgeon who is skilled and has an excellent reputation with port installations. Best of luck with your journey!
    BL
  • sohardbnme
    sohardbnme Member Posts: 129
    #11
    Bella Luna said:

    I am sorry to hear about
    I am sorry to hear about your son's friend dying from an infection in his port. That is very sad. But I will be honest with you... I have a port.

    I also was on the same cocktail as you( Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin). I decided to go with a port because I did not want to sustain nerve damage in my arms. The veins might also collapse from over use. Herceptin is a year long infusion. I started with treatment in September of last year. My last Herceptin infusion will be on August 26th, Yippee! I will then have my port removed in September of this year. I can tell you that I have never, ever had any problems with my port. My surgeon, who is a bc survivor, installed mine and it worked like a charm!

    I know you have reservations about ports, but I recommend getting one. Just because your son's friend had complications with his does not mean you will too. If you should change your mind, I would suggest contacting a surgeon who is skilled and has an excellent reputation with port installations. Best of luck with your journey!
    BL

    Port
    Bella,
    I get am scheduled to get a port tomorrow morning...Did it hurt after insertion...
  • sohardbnme
    sohardbnme Member Posts: 129
    #12
    Hubby said:

    You Can Start Without One
    and get one later. Donna has no port and was told she has bad veins, but just had her third round of AC. A year of herceptin is a lot of IVs, but you can exercise your hand, eat salty food the night before, drink lots of fluids... tricks to improve your veins.

    Bob

    roller coaster ride
    Hubby,

    I love the picture...I feel like I am on a roller coaster ride...I have to rake everything second by second...

    I am getting a port tommorow...I definetly want one because of the Herceptin for a year...
  • sohardbnme
    sohardbnme Member Posts: 129
    #13
    I was pondering this..port or no port
    Quilting,

    I had to get an injection when I had a PET scan last week...He said my veins were not good...He wanted to use my hand...I told him no... He found a vein...Two days later I had to get a Muga Scan (heart test) the Dr. said that I was required to take two injections, again bad veins...he ask about my hand too...I refused again...he called a nurse and she gave me an IV...
    There is no way that I could get through chemotherapy without a port...
    I have never had this issue...Since I can no longer use my left arm, blood draws and injections are an issue...Cancer has effected every part of my being...
    You can get insight and hear other point of views...In the end the decision is yours and what will make this journey the easiest for you...We have a lot to worry about; worrying about veins collapsing can be avoided...
    I AM NOT MINIMIZING YOUR SON EXPERIENCE...BUT DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU...ONLY YOU KNOW YOUR VEINS CAPABILITIES
    I am getting mine inserted tommorow morning...I must report for surgery at 6:30 am...
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    #14
    sohardbnme said:

    I was pondering this..port or no port
    Quilting,

    I had to get an injection when I had a PET scan last week...He said my veins were not good...He wanted to use my hand...I told him no... He found a vein...Two days later I had to get a Muga Scan (heart test) the Dr. said that I was required to take two injections, again bad veins...he ask about my hand too...I refused again...he called a nurse and she gave me an IV...
    There is no way that I could get through chemotherapy without a port...
    I have never had this issue...Since I can no longer use my left arm, blood draws and injections are an issue...Cancer has effected every part of my being...
    You can get insight and hear other point of views...In the end the decision is yours and what will make this journey the easiest for you...We have a lot to worry about; worrying about veins collapsing can be avoided...
    I AM NOT MINIMIZING YOUR SON EXPERIENCE...BUT DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU...ONLY YOU KNOW YOUR VEINS CAPABILITIES
    I am getting mine inserted tommorow morning...I must report for surgery at 6:30 am...

    I tried my first chemo without a port.
    It so did not work. They had to stick me like seven times. In my situation, after that i got a port. It was a lot easier for me. Now, that doesnt mean the same goes for you. If you have good veins and have a big fear of the port, then dont get it. I seriously have not heard of anyone dying from an infection on a port, anything can happen though. I just got my port out Friday and my surgeon said that she just had to take one out that the lady kept in for 15 years. Now that was a mess. In the end, do what you feel is right. Know there is alot of sticks without the port. To me it was way easier. Let us know what you decide.

    take care
    Laur
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #15
    sohardbnme said:

    Port
    Bella,
    I get am scheduled to get a port tomorrow morning...Did it hurt after insertion...

    Port
    Sohardbnme,

    Regarding your question about ports.... the area was sore for several days. When sleeping, I remember having trouble lying on the side where the port was at the beginning. I had to sleep on my other side or on my back for several weeks. Now, it doesn't bother me at all. I have not had any complications whatsoever with my port.

    My best to you as you ready yourself for your port installation. The procedure doesn't take long at all. When you are discharged from the hospital, you might find seat belts a bother. I remember having to hold the belt up and away from my shoulder when I came home from the hospital. That too, gets better.

    Take care, God bless.
    BL
  • teresa41
    teresa41 Member Posts: 471
    #16
    lolad said:

    I tried my first chemo without a port.
    It so did not work. They had to stick me like seven times. In my situation, after that i got a port. It was a lot easier for me. Now, that doesnt mean the same goes for you. If you have good veins and have a big fear of the port, then dont get it. I seriously have not heard of anyone dying from an infection on a port, anything can happen though. I just got my port out Friday and my surgeon said that she just had to take one out that the lady kept in for 15 years. Now that was a mess. In the end, do what you feel is right. Know there is alot of sticks without the port. To me it was way easier. Let us know what you decide.

    take care
    Laur

    no port
    i did not have a port and i did fine.


    wishing you the best

    teresa
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #17
    lolad said:

    I tried my first chemo without a port.
    It so did not work. They had to stick me like seven times. In my situation, after that i got a port. It was a lot easier for me. Now, that doesnt mean the same goes for you. If you have good veins and have a big fear of the port, then dont get it. I seriously have not heard of anyone dying from an infection on a port, anything can happen though. I just got my port out Friday and my surgeon said that she just had to take one out that the lady kept in for 15 years. Now that was a mess. In the end, do what you feel is right. Know there is alot of sticks without the port. To me it was way easier. Let us know what you decide.

    take care
    Laur

    Port is so valuable during chemo treatments -- Good veins
    I do not have .. however, I did the same treatment of TCH, and 1 year of Herceptin -- My advise .. get the port .. the less you have to be poked and picked .. the better in my book. You body will be going thru enough nonsense with all the drugs.

    good Luck,


    Vicki Sam
  • jamiegww
    jamiegww Member Posts: 384
    #18
    Check with surgeon before getting port.
    I resisted getting a port. My first chemo was through a PIC line which was taken out immediately after. I had to get a port to continue because they would not do chemo through an IV. My advice, if you decide to get a port, is to ask your surgeon if the port will work for blood draws. My surgeon claims she told me it was only for chemo and would not work for blood draws but apparently I wasn't paying attention. My port never worked for blood draws so I had to get my arm poked for my weekly blood test while I saw everyone else at the center getting blood drawn from their ports. My port also didn't work very well for chemo and I had to be on a pump several times. I got my port out one month after my last chemo. I don't understand why some oncs will allow chemo though IV and others won't but since yours does, maybe you can get through it without a port. Good luck to you!
  • QuiltingMama123
    QuiltingMama123 Member Posts: 124
    #19
    Thanks for all the in-put!
    My son and I had a heart-to-heart with my surgeon. The dr. explained the pros and cons of the port and after hearing everything (we had also read your posts together), my son told me he thought I should get the port if that's what I wanted. I had already made the decision while listening to the surgeon, but I was really glad Greg joined me so that he could feel more comfortable. Now I'm just waiting to hear from the scheduling nurse. I hope it's soon. As strange as it sounds, I want to get this started. The waiting is driving me nuts. Thanks, again, for all your insight!
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    #20
    QuiltingMama123 said:

    Thanks for all the in-put!
    My son and I had a heart-to-heart with my surgeon. The dr. explained the pros and cons of the port and after hearing everything (we had also read your posts together), my son told me he thought I should get the port if that's what I wanted. I had already made the decision while listening to the surgeon, but I was really glad Greg joined me so that he could feel more comfortable. Now I'm just waiting to hear from the scheduling nurse. I hope it's soon. As strange as it sounds, I want to get this started. The waiting is driving me nuts. Thanks, again, for all your insight!

    port
    I loved my port. i had it for about 3 years
  • weazer
    weazer Member Posts: 440
    #21
    ladybug22 said:

    port
    I loved my port. i had it for about 3 years

    No port here
    I just could'nt
    No port here
    I just could'nt do it after all that I had gone through, it felt too me that it was too invasive.
    And I had good veins, however all the other people that were in the infusion center seemed to get along with there's just fine.
    Good Luck with your decision.
    Karie

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