Port malfunction.

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Kenny H.
Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Last infusion could not get port to flow & rarely can they ever get a blood return. Had to get a partial infustion via IV in wrist on that day.
This is the 2nd time this has happend. Have me set up for a flow test in the am @ hosp. Starting to wonder if need a new port or not, guess tests will sjow.

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  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    #2
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    that stinks
    Just what you need. Hope everything. Goes well. Jeff
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #3
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    just wondering
    how long have you had your port.mine is doing good but i was wondering how long do they really last.i had one put in feb.2009 and taken out sept 2009 because i was told i was cured.had to have another one put in on opposite side in march2011 because i was dx st.4..good luck to you....Godbless....johnnybegood
  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #4
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    johnnybegood said:

    just wondering
    how long have you had your port.mine is doing good but i was wondering how long do they really last.i had one put in feb.2009 and taken out sept 2009 because i was told i was cured.had to have another one put in on opposite side in march2011 because i was dx st.4..good luck to you....Godbless....johnnybegood

    It sucks having a port put
    It sucks having a port put back in due to recurrence. I almost cried when I had a port put in after 4 years.
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #5
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    Kenny
    Did the mention the word TPA to you?

    If not, they should have. Your port sounds like it's clotted. They put the TPA into the port for at least 1/2 hour (think of it as a "draino" for ports, just like clogs in your sink).

    After a half hour, they try blood return and if they get it, problem solved. If they don't get a good return, then they will send you to an Intervential Radiologist for a dye test, like you indicated above.

    But, the TPA is worth a try and generally works unless there is a bigger issue...I've had my latest plug up a couple of times recently...I generally keep the port flushed every 4-6 weeks, but my onc set up appts kind of funny now...as he sees me every 8-weeks...when I go those extra 2 weeks, that's when trouble can happen for me.

    Oh, shoot...I just saw the time of your post....you already out the door by now, I reckon...oh well, good info for 'next time.'

    See you:)

    -Craig
  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    #6
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    Sundanceh said:

    Kenny
    Did the mention the word TPA to you?

    If not, they should have. Your port sounds like it's clotted. They put the TPA into the port for at least 1/2 hour (think of it as a "draino" for ports, just like clogs in your sink).

    After a half hour, they try blood return and if they get it, problem solved. If they don't get a good return, then they will send you to an Intervential Radiologist for a dye test, like you indicated above.

    But, the TPA is worth a try and generally works unless there is a bigger issue...I've had my latest plug up a couple of times recently...I generally keep the port flushed every 4-6 weeks, but my onc set up appts kind of funny now...as he sees me every 8-weeks...when I go those extra 2 weeks, that's when trouble can happen for me.

    Oh, shoot...I just saw the time of your post....you already out the door by now, I reckon...oh well, good info for 'next time.'

    See you:)

    -Craig

    Hey Kenny
    Whether you keep your old port or get a new one, it's common to have difficulty getting blood return. Sometimes changing position, putting that arm above your head and/or coughing will get blood return , or lying down.
    The first onc I went to had a "medical assistant" access the port. She could never get blood return, but always seemed to be in a big hurry, that we couldn't try other positions. The ONE time she "allowed" me to lay down, it worked.
    (She would get so frustrated when she couldn't get blood return......she would prime the hell out of the syringe. I didn't care for that technique since it was attached to the port which goes into a major blood vessel) :(
    Hope all turns out ok.
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
    #7
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    janie1 said:

    Hey Kenny
    Whether you keep your old port or get a new one, it's common to have difficulty getting blood return. Sometimes changing position, putting that arm above your head and/or coughing will get blood return , or lying down.
    The first onc I went to had a "medical assistant" access the port. She could never get blood return, but always seemed to be in a big hurry, that we couldn't try other positions. The ONE time she "allowed" me to lay down, it worked.
    (She would get so frustrated when she couldn't get blood return......she would prime the hell out of the syringe. I didn't care for that technique since it was attached to the port which goes into a major blood vessel) :(
    Hope all turns out ok.

    Well they got it working
    Well they got it working good today. Flushed it with a anti-clogging agent, sorry dont recall the name of it but its the same stuff they give heart attack patients right away to remove a clot.
    Whole proceedure took about 2hrs.

    Have had this port just under 2yrs now and this is the 2nd time this has happend. Said not to worry about it & this is better than surgery for another one. One nurse was telling me this is normal, your body sees it as a object that doesnt belong there and trys to block it...?? Always had it flushed every 6 weeks when was not on chemo. In fact it worked fine (but no blood return) last 4 infusions. Anyway, glad its fixed so I can get back on with the fight!

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