Forum Discussion

Jovdp's avatar
Jovdp
Member
5 years ago

To port or not to port...

Hi, I have just found out that my WLE to remove 2 tumours  wasn’t as successful as hoped and they didn’t get the healthy margin hoped for on one of them the, also the sentinel node biopsy came back as positive for cancer also.  Surgeon has me booked in for surgery to remove first thing on Monday morning. Then will be followed up with chemo and then radiation. My problem is (apart from the above!!) I have dodgy veins which can be hard to find!!! When it comes to chemo I’m worried about becoming a pin cushion and worst still them not being able to get one at all. I mentioned this to surgeon and he has suggested a port.. When I then spoke to my breastcare nurse she suggested I should think about it with the risks involved etc and that if not really needed and if the chemo treatment plan doesn’t call for it, then not to do. Only problem is I have no idea of my chemo treatment plan yet as this all happened late Friday afternoon and surgery is first thing on Monday morning! Arrhh On one hand I can see the port will make it easier for chemo but then does that outweigh the risks of foreign body in body, infection ......? Is getting the port put in at a later date if they are struggling with the  veins an option ? I would really appreciate any ones reflections of their own experiences? Just all feels very overwhelming today.