Forum Discussion
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...
HiJulez1958 I had a port installed in a day procedure under GA and it was too short notice to get it inserted straight away so I had it put in after my first dose of chemotherapy.
I was glad to have it as it seems my veins are hard to find and the reality is not all nurses are as experienced as others. It was also recommended because the neo adjuvant TCHP treatment (for Triple Positive breast cancer) took about 4 hours to administer the 4 drugs plus a saline and the medical team thought the port would help preserve the veins. It turned out for the best because I also needed rehydration several times during my Neo adjuvant therapy.
Interestingly in contrast to some other people’s experiences my pre-chemo blood tests were not drawn via the port. Apparently the nurses have specific training to use a port and maybe the patrologist clinic nurses were not trained.
The port was inserted just below the bicep on my right arm and above the crook of the elbow. The nurses on the day ward were always vigilant about port flushing after chemotherapy and offered me patches to desensitise the skin but I didn’t need them.
After 17 infusions and 6 rehydrations it was a red letter day last July when my port was removed in a quick day procedure.
I didn’t have any issues with infection.
All good wishes to you!
The Chemo Nurses used to draw hubby's blood from the port & I would run it across the road to the pathology place for processing .... as yes, they said the Pathology blood collectors were not trained for it.
Gosh I've not heard of the port in the arm!! Only on the upper chest.