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.

I had my port put in in September 2017 and helped me beyond measure. I have been on blood thinners for another medical condition for over twenty years now, which means I have to have my blood checked on average once a fortnight. As a result of all these tests over the years, all my available veins are badly scarred and tend to hide when needed. My port solved all these problems and it still remains in my upper chest. My other medical issues mean that I'm in and out of hospital and my port is used for blood tests, general IV line for antibiotics and steroids, blood transfusions and more. I have it flushed and heparin locked every six to eight weeks and I'll keep mine for as long as it gives no problems. I've had no infections or blockages or twisting of the catheter or any other issues at all.

I had a port inserted nine years ago and have continued to have three weekly infusions of Herceptin - there have been no problems other than the tube showing from actual port to neck vein, this might have bothered me a bit if younger but at retirement+ age I prefer comfort. XXXXXXX

Mine was moody, but having had chemo without in 2006 and with in 2016, I can honestly say it was worth the occasional glitch. There are still some issues with pathology services and hospital hospital departments not having staff trained to access them, but completely changes your experience in the Oncology ward. When they work (I'd never say ANYTHING is failsafe) Go for the port and chemo like a pro; hands free. MXX

thanks everyone, you’ve certainly helped put my mind at ease and ha e made decision to have it put in. Off to surgery tomorrow morning. Scared, sad and overwhelmed at the moment but sure i will get there. xx

Hi @Jovdp, I am a sorry you are dealing with so much. I have a port and I am very happy I have it. I had 4 x AC and I am about to have the last of the 12 x taxol and the port has made the treatment so much easier. I had a cannula the first round as I started quickly over Christmas/New Year and it was tricky getting a time to have a port inserted, but I got it for the second cycle. A cannula takes a lot more time to set up each time whereas a port is ready to go. I also believe that the chemo drugs can effect the veins and can make access difficult. I have never had an issue with my port. My only advice would be to have it put in under a general anaesthetic. The nurses are extremely careful with infection control when they are accessing your port. I know how overwhelming all of this is - I felt the same - I didn’t even know what a port was and yet there I was being asked to have it put in! My surgeon has been excellent and really advised strongly to have a port. You will get through all of this. Once you get the plan in place, you will know what is happening and then you just take it one step at a time. You have got this! Sending you hugs and positive, healing wishes. X

To port or not to port... | BCNA Online Network

18 Replies

Afraser
Member
18 hours ago
I didn't have a port or a PICC line but I would be confident you can have one put in later if your veins don't cooperate. I had one useable arm for most of my treatment (lymphoedema struck in week 6) so all chemo, blood tests were from my right arm. The practicalities lie with the skill of your chemo nurses and pathology staff. Some are great, some are not - I did have to request (only once) that one staff member at my pathology clinic not do my tests but it turned out that the clinic had parted company with her two days before anyway. Smaller needles help. Chemo nurses used a warm arm bath a couple of times. Your hand of course is often easy but tends to bruise badly. Give it a shot but ultimately whatever works for you is what you want. Best wishes.
Julez1958
Member
2 days ago
I know this is an old thread but wondered if anyone had a port for chemo and how they found it versus chemo injections/ infusions into the vein in the arm/hand.
- GorgyS
  Member
  19 hours ago
  I had a PICC line for 6 months. I really did not have a choice as my veins were so weak, and the port was not recommended to me. I did not have any problem with a PICC line. If you opt for the PICC line, make sure that they take you blood test from it as well. It is much easier, and you need to take advantage of it and save your veins.
- arpie
  Member
  24 hours ago
  Hubby tried a Picc Line & it got infected & it was a real pain, as it had to be kept dry in the shower etc …. (Putting a small elastic ‘slip on’ bandage over it, keeps it ‘tidy’ and prevents it 'catching' when putting on your clothes.)
  The Port was much better for him. A minor surgical procedure under ‘twilight’ sedation …. A few days ‘recovery’ and bingo!
  They also take bloods thru it - so less needles in your veins. They usually give you a bunch of ‘anaesthetic patches’ - you put one on when you leave home, so it is numbed by the time you get to the clinic - as there is a sharp ‘**bleep**’ as they access the port both for blood and the chemo xx
  
  My sister sewed a couple of zips into TShirts, for easy access to the port (which was especially good during winter.)
  
  Take care xx
Katy_Sodapop
Member
5 years ago

Jovdp said:

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.

Port was the best thing I ever did. I did one chemo without it and it was unbearable
I didn't have any issues with it but I know it can be a thing. If you need chemo, bloods taken it's so good to have the access to a port
gumnut
Member
5 years ago
Hello @Jovdp
I have a port and am very happy with it! I have pretty good veins but the first chemo treatment took 4 attempts to get a vein and then for the next few treatment sessions I had a reaction - veins sensitive to the chemo apparently. I had a port put in in December and its been great - I have 3 weekly Herceptin and Perjeta and each time I get a little patch from the nurse or receptionist and put this on the port one hour before treatment and there is no pain. When I had the first treatment after port insertion it was quite tender but it is fine now and a lot less stress than trying to find a vein. It takes a little bit to get used to - I find the car seat belt can rub on it as can some clothing but you can just make adjustments. All the best and I hope that this helps a little xo
Abbydog
Member
5 years ago
I needed little convincing. Was told that my mastectomy arm was out of bounds for bloods, BP's, injections etc.
With poor veins and only one arm, it was a great choice. I have just finished EC for 4 treatments, now 12 of Paclitaxel.
I'm going well for now. Take it as it comes, don't expect the worse. Best wishes
Shellshocked201
Member
5 years ago
Hi Jovdp, sorry to see you here but welcome.
I finished my treatment last October and I didn’t have a port. I had a PIcc line, and ended up with blood clots in my arm, other ladies had a port put in and had no issues.
If I had to go through this again I would definitely have a port put in place.
I can only have blood taken from one arm now due to full auxiliary clearance on my left side, just had a recent CT scan and they couldn’t find a vein for the dye so had to have it done via ultrasound, had to go deep.
Learn from my mistake ( or misfortune), you can have it there for as long as you like.
As mentioned above have it done under anaesthetic.

Wishing you the very best for surgery.
You have got this xx
ara
Member
5 years ago
Hi Jovdp,

For me, I had a port put in. I have a very small veins as in and I think for my first round of chemo it took 3 attempts for them to successfully put the needle. I am not scaring you but thats base from experience. Both my arms are so bruised from the encounter. Anyway, if you take good care of yourself the chance of having infection from the port is bare minimum.
Tinks
Member
5 years ago
dear @Jovdp sad scared and overwhelmed is natural and normal and we’ve all felt that way. Once you get started after finishing your surgery many say it’s better, it was for me, you are on your way then for your chemo and have something concrete to be getting on with.

Take each day as it comes and allow yourself what your body needs, as much as you can. Every day is different.

I suggest stock up a small tube EMLA cream, from chemist, sanitise you’re hands, dab about 5 c piece size only right on centre of port without rubbing in up to 2 hrs before they are expected access it at start of chemo. Cover with a clear film dressing or at a pinch some glad wrap to keep cream on port.

Then needle insertion to port is painless - I don't like needles and that is one thing less, it all counts!

You’ve done so well, don’t worry if port insertion point is sore and takes a few days to settle in, this happened to me but not to a friend of mine who had one two Days ago and it was comfortable from the start. Mine took about five days or so and now I just don’t notice it.

I made sure to drink plenty of clear fluids the day before chemo, and every day after. It really helps.

You will have both hands free now during chemo for reading small crafts like knitting and eating and drinking!

Following instructions re port you will be soon able to shower etc with it in, the surgery site being healed sufficiently etc. the port colour under skin is a darker blue grey in my case- this is the device - not bruising!

Thinking of you for your op.

lots of love Tinks xx
Jovdp
Member
5 years ago
thanks everyone, you’ve certainly helped put my mind at ease and ha e made decision to have it put in. Off to surgery tomorrow morning. Scared, sad and overwhelmed at the moment but sure i will get there. xx
Zoffiel
Member
5 years ago
Mine was moody, but having had chemo without in 2006 and with in 2016, I can honestly say it was worth the occasional glitch. There are still some issues with pathology services and hospital hospital departments not having staff trained to access them, but completely changes your experience in the Oncology ward. When they work (I'd never say ANYTHING is failsafe)
Go for the port and chemo like a pro; hands free. MXX