Port Insertion Tomorrow

lezanne75

Hi All
I'm having a port inserted into my chest tomorrow prior to starting chemo next week (my veins are too fragile to cope with lots of needles apparently).  Just wondered if anyone had any advice on the procedure (too cowardly to watch it on youtube) I know it's completed under local but was wondering about how long it will take and recovery time afterwards
Thanks

Nadi

I had mine put in under a general. I had very sore neck and shoulder after the surgery as well as really bad headaches which made me regret getting it in the beginning, but all this went away after 2 weeks and now I think it was the best thing I could've done.  It really saved my veins ans helped me get through 12 months of Herceptin. Mine also flipped and I had to have a second surgery, but in  hindsight that was only a minor hiccup and I still think my port is great. Good luck.

JoeyLiz

I get mine on the 6th Nov, looking forward to it as my veins suck 

Cate64

I was sedated when mine was inserted @ The Northern Hospital, I remember nothing but having it inserted was one of the best decisions I ever made & my Oncologist agreed it could stay in even when Chemo was over, makes blood tests etc soooooo much easier..

I suffered no pain at all, though I bought a sheepskin seat belt cover as I found the seat belt annoyed it a bit.

AllyJay

I had mine put in on the morning of my first chemo. It was done only with a local as they wouldn't do mine with twilight anaetthetic (which is usually used), due to other preexisting medical concerns with me. The other option for me, was to have the procedure done with the twilight, but that it would have to be done with an anaesthetist giving it and that this would have caused a two week delay. So I said stuff it, just give me the local and get on with it. There was very little pain as such, just having the local in the neck as well as on the chest. After that, it was just a feeling of a lot of pushing and pulling and pressure, but not painful.Afterwards, both sites healed very quickly and have left faint scars of about 1cm on the neck and about 2cm on the chest. The upper chest one looks like a fat two dollar coin is under the scar, and this is the top of the port. It too a while for me to get used to the feel of it, particularly the catheter which runs between the two areas, (under the skin), but now I hardly notice it at all. I had six months of chemo through my port, and am still on the herceptin (three weekly X 17 doses)...one more to go Yippeeee!!! The very best thing for me as I have terrible veins after being on blood thinners for eighteen years prior to the cancer and having to have blood tests sometimes as often as weekly to monitor the warfarin. I also have an autoimmune disease which results in my skin being very thick and hard...was told taking blood from me was like as if I was wearing a raincoat, (to get through the skin). Then finding the scarred vein was another matter. Good luck, you'll be pleased you did. And by the way, to access the port is just a pressing sensation with a very small prick...I get into more of a tizz having a finger prick to test my blood sugar.

Unicornkisses

I had mine under general anaesthetic, but the after effects may be similar.
You have a 2cm approx wound in your chest.
You should have an X-ray after the procedure to make sure it is in the right place. Very interesting to look at!
I had strange symptoms from the next day and for about two to three weeks later.
I swear I could feel it in the vein going down into my heart. I had strange referred pains behind my opposite ear and jaw, pains in my upper chest and neck, weird feelings in my throat especially when I swallowed. I was quite miserable for a week or so after the operation.
I did ring and check with my specialist about them and they told me if they continued for another week to come in and get checked, but by then the symptoms had reduced.
The area was bruised and sore for about 10-14 days after.

Using the port for the first time was very emotional, I only had in put in a week before chemo started so the area was still quite tender, and it hurt accessing it. Maybe ask if you can take pain tablets beforehand, I think it would have helped.
It helped having my husband there to hold my hand as it was accessed.
It was as much the realisation of the start of chemo and what it meant as the discomfort of accessing the port though.

Once the port settled down it was okay, just rubbed on the seatbelt when I was a passenger (left side port) and was irritated by some bras.

Accessing it became easier, less confronting and quick.
It was a real bonus in Hospital on IV antibiotics as you have your hands free without worrying about catching the tubes on anything.
You still have to use your veins for scans, bloodtests and some other things, but at least it saves your veins for them.

Good luck with your port insertion and chemo following.

Zoffiel

I think the whole idea was a bit creepy and I was really glad to get rid of mine, but the minor discomfort while I got used to it was nothing compared to the constant distress of trying to find one of my ruined veins. I've had chemo with and without a port, and there is no question that the port makes life so much easier for everyone involved.

It's just another shitty thing we have to endure. Regarding blood tests, if you have the opportunity to get to an oncology ward they are more than happy to access the port for you to draw bloods. You don't have to go to a private pathologist just because their name is on the request slip. Most pathology labs don't have staff who are trained to access them, but there are ways around that with a bit of forward planning if getting to an oncology ward is an option.

Its also worth remembering that if you do end up in hospital with an infection and need IV antibiotics it is possible to get someone from oncology--if there is a unit in the hospital--to come up and sort the port access out.

Training to use ports is something that major hospitals need to focus on so that if you have one, it's used whenever you need it. Marg x

lezanne75

Hi all
thanks for your comments, I'm a little nervous but the thought of them trying to access a decent vein throughout my chemotherapy is driving the nerves away.  L xx

Fiona2

I've had my port in for 15 months now and it was put in under a general the day before I started chemo so I didn't feel a thing.  I do find it a bit tender on the chest, particularly under the seatbelt, so I keep it covered with a Nexcare waterproof dressing most of the time.  And I apply Emlar cream topically which numbs it prior to it being accessed for Herceptin treatments.  The anaesthetist was pretty keen to reassure me that it was possible to lead a normal active life with the port in place.  Cycling, swimming, jogging?  No problem he said.  What about yoga?  Yes yoga is fine he replied.  And inversions?  What are they he asked? You know, like doing a head stand or a shoulder stand.  Hmm....no one has ever asked that one before so I'm not sure?   Well I took six months off the yoga during the chemo as I was way too wonky with the balance but since then I've been back into it and when I front up in about a month's time to have the port removed, i will happily tell him that all these things are possible with the port in place.

lgray3911

I have a Port in since March and have never had any pain or any issues with it. I was very aware of it being under my skin for the first week or so and that freaked me out a little bit when I thought about it so I stopped thinking about it!! It’s  so convenient for chemo and blood tests I love it! My 4yr old asked me in the shower if it was my nipple growing back and was very relieved when I told him it wasn’t hahaha!! I have had a double mastectomy so it’s a pretty obvious lump on my flat chest!! 

Cate64

@Fiona2 I to have found everything possible with the port in place, I intend on keeping mine in place for as long as I am allowed. I have had it accessed a couple of times without having had the Emla & found it hurts no more being accessed than a normal in the vein blood test does. &&& like you I find the seat-belt can annoy me as it sits right on it so I just bought a sheepskin cover & that works a treat.
Bring on City2Sea!!
Cate

MKitty68

I had my port inserted under twilight & a local anesthetic, best thing I ever did! My veins are crappy & the blood tests the day before my chemo were way more stressful as they had to use my veins in my arm. 
Having chemo through the port is definitely the best way IMO. 
Best of luck, and try to just relax, it's a pretty simple proceedure. Be sure to insist on some endone or similar for the first couple of days as you will have a very sore neck & chest & be really bruised for a few days. The hospital will give you Emla patches (ask for them of they don't offer) to put on at least an hour before your chemo. so you don't even feel the needle going into the port. 
Best of luck, Cat

lezanne75

Hiya all done and dusted!! Was a little sore once the local had worn off last night but a couple of paracetamol sorted that out. Wasn't as bad as i'd thought it would be although when i found the 10 people wandering around me all looking very professional it was a bit nerve wracking.  But all good in the end.
Because I'm having chemo before my surgery they decided to position my port on the left side so it can stay there through all my treatment.  Means that i can drive my car ( writing this while waiting for it to be serviced) and the seatbelt doesn't catch the port. 
Well just chemo to look forward to on tuesday now!! Another step on the path.
Feel much better now that I'm actively going to be doing something to actively fight this thing rather than just to sit passively and let it run riot!!

Afraser

It's wonderful how action, even if it's not all that pleasant, makes us feel better! Good luck for Tuesday. 

Fiona2

Well done You.  Just one step at a time and with the first one now behind you.  Good luck with your chemo and yes,  I totally agree that it is better to be doing something to fight this thing.  Whilst it took a little while to get going,  I found that I managed the chemo much better once I decided to make exercise an integral part of my treatment.  I just started with walks down at the local park and then gentle rides on my bike as I built my tolerance up. Maybe you have other strengths to help get you through?  If so, play to them and use whatever helps you to feel good and lift your mood.  And soak up any support that might be on offer as now is the time to let others carry you as you have a long haul ahead of you. Keep putting that one foot in front of the other, as we all are and best wishes.

Cate64

@Fiona2 how do you feel about joining our Miss Muddy 2018 team??