Port Insertion Tomorrow
Hi All I'm having a port inserted into my chest tomorrow prior to starting chemo next week (my veins are too fragile to cope with lots of needles apparently). Just wondered if anyone had any advice ...
Forum Discussion
I had mine under general anaesthetic, but the after effects may be similar.
You have a 2cm approx wound in your chest.
You should have an X-ray after the procedure to make sure it is in the right place. Very interesting to look at!
I had strange symptoms from the next day and for about two to three weeks later.
I swear I could feel it in the vein going down into my heart. I had strange referred pains behind my opposite ear and jaw, pains in my upper chest and neck, weird feelings in my throat especially when I swallowed. I was quite miserable for a week or so after the operation.
I did ring and check with my specialist about them and they told me if they continued for another week to come in and get checked, but by then the symptoms had reduced.
The area was bruised and sore for about 10-14 days after.
Using the port for the first time was very emotional, I only had in put in a week before chemo started so the area was still quite tender, and it hurt accessing it. Maybe ask if you can take pain tablets beforehand, I think it would have helped.
It helped having my husband there to hold my hand as it was accessed.
It was as much the realisation of the start of chemo and what it meant as the discomfort of accessing the port though.
Once the port settled down it was okay, just rubbed on the seatbelt when I was a passenger (left side port) and was irritated by some bras.
Accessing it became easier, less confronting and quick.
It was a real bonus in Hospital on IV antibiotics as you have your hands free without worrying about catching the tubes on anything.
You still have to use your veins for scans, bloodtests and some other things, but at least it saves your veins for them.
Good luck with your port insertion and chemo following.
You have a 2cm approx wound in your chest.
You should have an X-ray after the procedure to make sure it is in the right place. Very interesting to look at!
I had strange symptoms from the next day and for about two to three weeks later.
I swear I could feel it in the vein going down into my heart. I had strange referred pains behind my opposite ear and jaw, pains in my upper chest and neck, weird feelings in my throat especially when I swallowed. I was quite miserable for a week or so after the operation.
I did ring and check with my specialist about them and they told me if they continued for another week to come in and get checked, but by then the symptoms had reduced.
The area was bruised and sore for about 10-14 days after.
Using the port for the first time was very emotional, I only had in put in a week before chemo started so the area was still quite tender, and it hurt accessing it. Maybe ask if you can take pain tablets beforehand, I think it would have helped.
It helped having my husband there to hold my hand as it was accessed.
It was as much the realisation of the start of chemo and what it meant as the discomfort of accessing the port though.
Once the port settled down it was okay, just rubbed on the seatbelt when I was a passenger (left side port) and was irritated by some bras.
Accessing it became easier, less confronting and quick.
It was a real bonus in Hospital on IV antibiotics as you have your hands free without worrying about catching the tubes on anything.
You still have to use your veins for scans, bloodtests and some other things, but at least it saves your veins for them.
Good luck with your port insertion and chemo following.