Porthacath and chemo same day

Emla really is great. You can buy it at the chemist but it's expensive - the day oncology where I have my 6-weekly port flushes give you either a little tube of it, or a patch, if you ask for it, & it's free.

I find that the cream works better than the patches for me, there is absolutely NO sensation at all. I think it says in the info pamphlet for it that it only has to be put on 20min before the procedure, but you can leave it on for 4 hours max, I find that 2 hrs is perfect, but 1hr will do.

I think everyone is different, you can try it on a little patch of your skin & just lightly scratch over the top with a paperclip or something to test how long you need. 

Ha, I sound like a drug rep or something, no, I don't work for Emla! It has just saved me so much stress through all this. Cancer is bad enough, without freaking out over needles. 

For me, chemo wasn't as bad as I had imagined, of course I had imagined all the worst case scenarios but I actually had so few side effects that sometimes I wondered if it was working! It's not a walk in the park, but I think most ladies on here will say that it's doable. Just remember that if you do have side effects, tell the oncologist or nurses straight away because they probably have medication to fix it, or they can tweak your chemo recipe a bit for the next batch. This site is also a great resource for hints and little extra ways to get through. 

It's always better to get it over with! The waiting is the worst!

 

Hi Yetbeung,

Thanks for writing and giving me the hint about Emla numbing cream,  will definately get some. 

Will be glad when my first chemo is over with so i know what to expect as in how they do it etc.

Best wishers to you as well and take care.

Michele X

 

Hi Yetbeung,

Thanks for writing and giving me the hint about Emla numbing cream,  will definately get some. 

Will be glad when my first chemo is over with so i know what to expect as in how they do it etc.

Best wishers to you as well and take care.

Michele X

 

Hi Yetbeung,

Thanks for writing and giving me the hint about Emla numbing cream,  will definately get some. 

Will be glad when my first chemo is over with so i know what to expect as in how they do it etc.

Best wishers to you as well and take care.

Michele X

 

I was terrified about having my port put in, & all the stuff that "could" go wrong, but it was the best thing ever. I use Emla numbing cream for all needles (it's FANTASTIC) , and it was great having the port as I knew exactly where to put the cream and I didn't feel a single chemo needle...perfect! It sure beats them having to poke around for veins.

 I had my first chemo a week after the port was put in, it was agony - I still had stitches and swelling and they couldn't feel it, so they had to press really hard. I was wishing they had done it all on the same day.  I finished chemo in March, but I've kept the port and will probably keep it another year or so whilst I have to have regular blood tests. 

Best of luck with whatever you decide :-)

Hi Liztay82, Silks, HelenJill and Maxine6755

Thank you for your replies which are much appreciated.

Today I ended up ringing where i'm having the chemo (port and chemo are being done at 2 different hospitals) and spoke to a lovely lady who said she would talk to my Oncologist and will get back to me tomorrow.  She did mention that he doesn't like it when someone has to have a port and chemo on the same day. Especially someone who has just had a mastectomy.

When i saw him last week I had asked him about different complications regarding a port being inserted.  He did tell me a little on what can go wrong i.e bleeding, port not working well, chemo leaking onto chest etc. but did tell me it was the best way to go and I am happy about having the port.

You read so much good and bad and because i have had complications before, from an op ( complication being one of the side effects)that went wrong i guess i'm very wary and don't want to take any extra risk.

Will take all your comments on board.

Wishing you all the very best with your treatments.

Michele X

 

Michelle,

I had my port put in after my first chemo, whilst I was in isolation in hospital on IV antibiotics. My port was accessed immediately for antibiotics with no problems.

All the best with your treatment.

 

Helen.

Hi when I had my port in I had chemo in the afternoon and everything went well Maxine

That happened to me they just changed my appointment to the week after I think I informed them in oncology