Had port placement today. Not what I expected....

cahjah75
cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My port placement was done in radiology and I was completely awake. I was given medicine via IV but I talked with the dr and had to hold my breath for pictures, etc. He explained everything to me and although it feels wierd I'm doing fine. I have a purple POWER PORT! I was surprised to learn that the port needle will be inserted into my skin each time I have a fusion or blood draw and that if the needle is left in I can't shower! I have a medical bracelet and card for all uses including CT scans, xrays and blood draws. Whoopie! I have to remove the bandage and wash the sutured area Sunday night with antibacterial soap and cover it with a bandaid. My arm is slightly numb still. I can't lift anything for a week. I suppose I will get used to it but there are a lot of things to remember. 1st chemo is Tuesday and I already have a list of questions for my oncologist. Does anyone else have a Power Port????
Char

Comments

  • faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy
    faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy Member Posts: 319 Member
    #2
    I love my Purple Power Port
    I had a similar positive purple power port experience...

    I love a good alliteration.

    Did anyone mention to you that only a registered nurse is to be using the port for infusions and blood draws?

    Trust me, the chemo process works much better via the port.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #3
    faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy said:

    I love my Purple Power Port
    I had a similar positive purple power port experience...

    I love a good alliteration.

    Did anyone mention to you that only a registered nurse is to be using the port for infusions and blood draws?

    Trust me, the chemo process works much better via the port.

    yes,
    I was told that only a qualified nurse is allowed to access my port. My sister had the button kind 6 years ago. The radiologist dr told me it could stay in for years if needed, however I was told that when not in use it needs to be flushed every 28 days. I'm ok with that.
    Char
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #4
    I have a pretty purple power
    I have a pretty purple power port too!! They knocked me out for my placement surgery, though, and I went home a few hours later. Had it accessed the first time 2 days ago, and again today for fluids & having my blood drawn. Not as bad as having a nurse poking around trying to find a vein -I saw a few people having quite a struggle with getting an IV going in their arms. I didn't hear anything about needles being left in -maybe if you were hospitalized and they left it in as a convenience? I have it covered with a bandaid today because it was accessed this morning at my appointment, but the scar is really not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, light & not deep at all. I'm glad I got one.
  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295
    #5
    Heatherbelle said:

    I have a pretty purple power
    I have a pretty purple power port too!! They knocked me out for my placement surgery, though, and I went home a few hours later. Had it accessed the first time 2 days ago, and again today for fluids & having my blood drawn. Not as bad as having a nurse poking around trying to find a vein -I saw a few people having quite a struggle with getting an IV going in their arms. I didn't hear anything about needles being left in -maybe if you were hospitalized and they left it in as a convenience? I have it covered with a bandaid today because it was accessed this morning at my appointment, but the scar is really not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, light & not deep at all. I'm glad I got one.

    I've got the purple power
    I've got the purple power port also. First chemo I had no port and RN had to try about 5 places to find a good vein. Second chemo was a snap. Felt better than a regular blood draw. You can get a cream of Lidocaine to put on port spot an hour before any chemo/blood draw & cover it with saran wrap. It's supposed to "freeze" your area. Not a lot of difference, have done it both ways. Felt fine with or without Lidocaine.

    Take care, Cindy
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #6
    Snowkitty said:

    I've got the purple power
    I've got the purple power port also. First chemo I had no port and RN had to try about 5 places to find a good vein. Second chemo was a snap. Felt better than a regular blood draw. You can get a cream of Lidocaine to put on port spot an hour before any chemo/blood draw & cover it with saran wrap. It's supposed to "freeze" your area. Not a lot of difference, have done it both ways. Felt fine with or without Lidocaine.

    Take care, Cindy

    I got the purple power port
    I got the purple power port too but I was put out in the hospital outpatient. Then the needle was left in and as soon as I recovered I went straight to my chemo dept. and had my first chemo treatment the same day. The nurse took out the needle after the treatment and a new one was inserted every time I had chemo, which was once a week. I'm done but I might keep my port in for awhile in case I have to have a lot of bloodwork done. I never used any Lidocaine because it all sounded too messy and you have to do it ahead of your treatment. My nurses were so good I hardly felt it when they inserted the needle each time. Hope your treatment goes well for you.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #7
    It's good to hear
    from other experiences with the PURPLE POWER PORT. lol I took a couple of Tylenol last night and it was a challenge to lay flat on my bed but I woke up ok today. I'm definitely swollen and a bit red. Thanks for letting me know that the needle insertion didn't hurt much. I went to high school with my onco nurse so I'll ask her about the spray and or the Emla cream. I start chemo Tuesday so that will be the first access. Then the following 2 Tuesdays I have blood drawn from it.
    Char
  • Fairchild
    Fairchild Member Posts: 9 Member
    edited August 2018 #8
    port problems?

    Did anyone have difficulty when their port was put in?  I was surprised to have major pain and swelling the next day.  I couldn't stand to have a seltbelt on or even to lift anything on that side.  A few days later, my plastic surgeon said she thought I was having an allergic reactino to the dermabond adhesive they use and she removed it.  It's a week later now, and it's better, but still extremely sensitive, so that I don't want to move my arm when I walk.

  • RonnieCee
    RonnieCee Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2018 #9
    Fairchild said:

    port problems?

    Did anyone have difficulty when their port was put in?  I was surprised to have major pain and swelling the next day.  I couldn't stand to have a seltbelt on or even to lift anything on that side.  A few days later, my plastic surgeon said she thought I was having an allergic reactino to the dermabond adhesive they use and she removed it.  It's a week later now, and it's better, but still extremely sensitive, so that I don't want to move my arm when I walk.

    Port problems

    I had my power port put in three days ago and I am still very sore, swollen and bruised.  I had always thought that it would be barely noticable but this is definitely noticable. I am hoping when the swelling goes down it will look better. 

  • DeniseinSocal
    DeniseinSocal Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2018 #10
    RonnieCee said:

    Port problems

    I had my power port put in three days ago and I am still very sore, swollen and bruised.  I had always thought that it would be barely noticable but this is definitely noticable. I am hoping when the swelling goes down it will look better. 

    Port

     I work in a hospital and was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I too will rec. a port. The nurses and Dr. tell me this is the best way to rec. treatment. I just plan on telling people i'm bionic if mine is noticiable. Hang in there, we are on the road to recovery and the surviors club! 

     

    Denise 

  • Beepositive
    Beepositive Member Posts: 259 Member
    #11
    PRAYERS AND MUCH SUCCESS WITH YOUR TREATMENTS

    PRAYERS AND MUCH SUCCESS WITH YOUR TREATMENTS gUYS!  AS YOU STATED ...ROAD TO Recovery ..I am living my new Normal life!!! things could have been a lot worse for me.

    Blessed.   

    Beepositive

  • JLK32
    JLK32 Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2018 #12
    Port Placement

    I was always a little suprised when my friends complained about discomfort with their ports until mine failed and needed to be replaced. That was when I found that it was not the norm to have the port placed in the muscle. I had specifically told them that I wanted the new port to be installed the same way as the old one. No one at the hospital told me that the person doing the replacement was not qualified to do the procedure I wanted. Apparently, I was very lucky with my first surgeon, who knew I did a lot of riding and that placing the port in the muscle would stabilized it. The replacement was just put under the skin, and that did not work for me at all, and I ended up having to have it removed. Yes, my original procedure was a little more invasive, but a lot less noticeable and a lot more comfortable. Especially if you are having a port installed in conjunction with further surgery, I would definitely suggest asking your surgeon about your options.

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