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 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.
22 Replies
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.
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.
I had first 4 chemos in arm, was a struggle, arm ached so much, hard to find vein. So then they suggested a port. Was quick to put in , but soo much bruising. Glad i had 2 weeks to heal before they used it. Others had to get chemo with it within days .But then it was so much easier to have chemo via it , is weird, but other big plus is had both hands free to read etc during chemo. They still have to use arm for blood tests etc during the month , as only the chemo nurses allowed to access port. later on a few time i had to get it flushed regulary towards end of treatment once chemo finshed then there was still a few herceptin only infusions. Taking it out was quick, but soo weird as awake but knumbed up. Glad i did it. I have heard a couple times people having problems , but not many. Heaps ladies at support group have them, But of course everyones body is different, different risks, different length of chemo , i think i had it for 17 or after the 4 in arm .
For the times they had to do blood tests from arm , such as a couple days before each chemo ,extra fluids, staying warm, meditation etc helped. Get to know when your fav good blood draw ladies shifts are at your local lab. Some seem to have a knack. Best wishes . Hard decision if your doctor not sure .
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.
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.
Port was the best thing I ever did. I did one chemo without it and it was unbearableJovdp 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.
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- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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. - 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 - 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
