Already a member? Sign in
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
Deb is having problems with the veins in her arms, and it seems that a great deal of damage is being done whenever they're used for Chemo. She's considering a port, and is nervous about yet another procedure. Anyone have experience with a port, and can indicate the benefits or problems?
Thanks so much,
George
Ports can save wear and tear on your vessels and the pain of a new iv start on every visit. they will teach you to take care of them at home, (instilling a little anticoagulant from time to time and special care in keeping it clean) If it were me, I would go for the port if there are many more treatments left
NancyN
My wife had a port when she had chemo for colon cancer. She did quite well with it and I did all the maintenance work on it at home. Not a big deal. I would rather have that, than get stuck every time I went in.
Keith
George,
As a nurse I've dealt with ports for several years. Basically minor surgery to have installed. A wonderful invention God created, through man. Since it is connected directly to you central circulation the chemo gets diluted quickly and does not irritate the veins like regular IVs do. Once the minor incision heals, few days, you'll be able to shower and take hot baths. It does not need to be covered with a dressing or anything when not in use. You'll just have a little bump on your upper chest. Just make sure when they teach you how to irrigate it every few days that you wash your hands thoroughly, cleanse the port site thoroughly, and wear a mask when you irrigate it. The mask is just a special precaution in case you cough or sneeze or something. If anyone is in the room with you when you do irrigate it I would also recommend they wear a mask. Masks are cheap, buy them by the box. The only rare problem is if it clogs, but the nurses can unclog it with a very small amount of anticoagulant, no big deal. If asceptic (very clean) technique is used every time it is used, getting an infection is rare. I highly recommend a port to anyone who has to have frequent IV infusions.
I hope all goes well, regardless on what choice you decide on. Stephany
George,
My husband had a central line(ie port)during his bone marrow transplant. They give fluids, chemo, meds through it and they can draw blood from it...it saves a ton of sticks. Flushing it everyday is a piece of cake. I would recommend it highly.
Lynda
Add to the discussion