Well the decision was made today by the oncology nurses that they would no longer use my port. Their reasoning makes total sense to me. Instead of having to return after the herceptin to have it removed, it will now be taken out at the same time as my mastectomy in about ten weeks. We have had seven successful infusions and three failures plus ongoing pain due to possible nerve damage from the initial installation. Some nights the only way I can get to sleep is to place my arm above my head to relieve the pain. I don't think I would have been able to do that straight after the mastectomy so just as well the port will be coming out at the same time. My veins are very visible and easy to find due to the fact I drink a lot o:) of water! Plus the fact I walk directly before and after chemo so the chemicals do not pool in the one spot. I think the Port is good for normal people but I don't think I fit into that category.

Dark sides should be given as much consideration as bright sides, in my grumpy opinion :)

It's hard isn't it about nurses - or pathology staff. I had a couple of blood tests, at a time when I was having them about three time a week, with a staffer who just just couldn't do it. Multiple goes, a lot of discomfort. So I just politely said I couldn't have her again. But of course there was an option, I could have someone else and the pathology centre was entirely understanding. As you say, the port gives you a degree of choice. Best wishes with the GP.

That is it! The blasted port is coming out. I am tired of waking up in pain with it. I get little enough sleep as it is. Every morning I have to do a lymph node massage to stop the pain in and under my arm as the port somehow keeps blocking the flow. My osteo was the only one who could work out where the pain was coming from and he relieved it instantly but I now have to continue with manipulating the port out of the way and a lymph node massage. On top of that, the port itself keeps pinching me. When I get the lymph nodes out in three weeks it would be a bigger issue so OUT it goes when they remove the nodes and my poor battered boob. Sorry for the rant. I know a lot of you ladies are dealing with much bigger issues. I am afraid I don't deal with pain well.

My Oncologist decided to rescind the port decision. So today I went for my treatment where the nurses once again attemted to draw blood from the port without success. They then put in the 'drano' (not sure of its proper name) sent me for a walk, had me wait and then tried again. Zilch. So down I go to have it dyed and X-rayed but before that happens the xray nurse wants to give it a go. First attempt, blood! Xray doctor cancelled and back up for my chemo treatment I go.

So how are you feeling about keeping it, having been quite happy to get rid of it? I'm the opposite to most, clinging to my safety net 3 years after my last chemo :p

Port Defunct | BCNA Online Network

kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Blossom1961 I'm with @Zoffiel. I find it hard to be positive much of the time. Sometimes some dark and black humour is a good release when cheerful is beyond my reach. Let it rip Blossom Dearie! K xox
Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago
@Patti J I wasn't told I had a choice, they just made the appointment for me and I just did what I was told, like a lamb to the slaughter! The thing is, they still have to insert a needle through you each time to get to the port so it isn't as if you get to avoid being pincushioned each time. Most people are okay with the port but mine has been an ongoing nightmare from the time they were putting it in. I amso looking forward to it going even if they do need to canula me every three weeks for the herceptin.
Patti_J
Member
7 years ago
@Blossom1961. The idea of having a port made me more upset even than finding out I have mets. I thought about having to go to hospital, being in a hospital bed, not being able to go to the pool, having more stuff inside me (I already have implants). I also didn't want another scar.
Because I was so upset, I tried to talk to a McGrath breast care nurse, who fobbed me off. I then tried to talk to the hospital social worker, who also fobbed me off and told me to talk to my G.P.
At the moment, I am having weekly blood tests straight into my veins. I think I am now completely over being a pincushion. Unfortunately, this will probably go on indefinitely. However, I am still pleased that I didn't get a port.
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
Dark sides should be given as much consideration as bright sides, in my grumpy opinion :)
Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago
@Zoffiel That is a pity. If it was a competition we could all decide not to play. If only it were that easy hey!? Mind you for those people who have to win it would be a tragedy. Sorry, that is my dark side. I don't let it out very often because it always misbehaves but sometimes it just escapes.
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
This is not a competition @Blossom1961; if it's making you miserable, it's making you miserable. You've given it a go and if it doesn't work then getting rid of it means one less irritation in your life. Mxx
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Never apologise for it. Ports are great when they're great - I was very glad to see the back of mine when I was finished with it.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Blossom1961 Never apologise for a rant about pain! Pain is pain and it is not fun and totally rantable! K xox
Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago
That is it! The blasted port is coming out. I am tired of waking up in pain with it. I get little enough sleep as it is. Every morning I have to do a lymph node massage to stop the pain in and under my arm as the port somehow keeps blocking the flow. My osteo was the only one who could work out where the pain was coming from and he relieved it instantly but I now have to continue with manipulating the port out of the way and a lymph node massage. On top of that, the port itself keeps pinching me. When I get the lymph nodes out in three weeks it would be a bigger issue so OUT it goes when they remove the nodes and my poor battered boob. Sorry for the rant. I know a lot of you ladies are dealing with much bigger issues. I am afraid I don't deal with pain well.
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
Yeah, best not with the head reading thing. There are not enough loony bins to accommodate us all...both the readers and the readees. :)