My mother has a hard time getting chemo via a vein each time she had Chemo. Because they will probably be doing Chemo again, she asked the Onc about a Port. What are the pros and cons for having a Port and do you think she should have one? Mom's veins are very week and sometimes it takes a while for the Chemo nurses (back when she got chemo the first time) quite some time to find a vein. Thanks
I highly recommend a port based on my own experience. I had difficult veins for blood draws and my oncologist insisted I have the port installed. It is a breeze getting chemo. They just poke that needle in and presto, chemo infusion is a breeze. My main advise is have the port installed in a hospital setting. I had it done outpatient and it was rough since they can't give you much medication for sedation and it does hurt to have it installed. Also it hurts about a week afterwards but they usually give pain meds to get you over the hump. Some people have more pain than others....mine was painful, especially moving up and down, but after that it didn't bother me at all.
Hi,
I had one round of chemo and then decided to have a port placed. I agree with "momanderson", in that it does make it much easier!
I too had mine done as an outpatient, but I didn't have too much pain with mine. It was sore for a few days, but nothing terrible. And I didn't feel a thing while they were placing it in my chest. They really numbed up the area that they were working on.
The only other thing with having a port is that you have to have it flushed every 6-8 weeks. So, that can be a inconvenience.
Hope this helps you all in your decision.
Love,
Angie
I too HIGHLY recommend a port! In fact, I left mine in after I was done with chemo....two reasons. One, I am totally phobic about needles (yes, even after cancer) and two, just in case -God forbid- my cancer comes back, I can use the port again without having to have another one put in. Plus, when i go in for my checkups the onc can do my draws through the port as well. It's also come in handy for surgeries I've had since chemo too - no more IV's in my hand!!
I had mine done outpatient at the hospital and it wasn't too bad. My ONC surgeon is one of the best and did a terrific job, really numbed things up and gave me sedation as well that worked pretty good. I can't say enough about the pros for getting one!
I'll keep your mom in my prayers...keep us posted!
I vote FOR the port. I finished treatments 2 1/2 years ago and when I asked about having my port removed, the doctor and nurse said to keep it in. My cancer was advanced so the chances of it returning are pretty high. If or when it returns, I'll already have a way to start chemo again, comfortably.
At my age, 61, I don't worry about wearing low cut clothing and the mastectomy pretty much ended that anyway. So the slight "bump" where the port is located, is no big deal.
Outside of having it flushed every 4-6 weeks, I forget it's there. Also, along with Nemomom4, I'm needle phobic too! LOL!
I am scheduled to have a port put in 9/2. Thanks for all you advice. It's good to hear it sounds like I am doing the right thing. Any comments on how it is to have it removed?
Kris Olson
I agree with everyone else I had mine installed 12-05 and first infusion the same day. Port was installed outpatience at the hosp under gen anesthetic so was pretty much out of it with first infusion day but side effects came soon enough. The port never has bothered me and even went swimming in summer with it. I finished chemo/Herceptin Dec 06 but since I had agressive form of cancer Onc said to keep it it just in case and they take blood checks through it. Definitly easier than pik line or needle every week. Getting it flushed every 6 wks is no big deal.
I'll keep your family in my prayers.
Hugs
Cindybear
I had my prt put in when they did the lumpectomy. I wouldn't survive without it. they cannot use my left arm (removed the lymph nodes there) so only the right is available & I amm the world's worst stick. This way if they cannot get it through the one vein they usually find, the onc nurse gets it easily with the port for draws.
If you ever go anywhere else (like the hospital) tell them you have a port so they can set up IV's etc with it. It is alot more comfortable than the last time I was in and the nurse who put in the IV was not capable of a using a port and put the IV in the side of my hand under the thumb.
Make sure if they are going to remove it that they give you enough "numbing" stuff to cover it. My bosses wife had one out and sprained her jaw screaming since they did not give her enough.
Good luck
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