Attempted portacath insertion

Hi lovely ladies,
                            I had surgery to implant the port yesterday and all is good. I can breath a sigh of relief over this.
Thank you again for all your advice. 

Sam09,

oh oh no I'm sorry my post has scared you, just like you I was scared but I can not tell you how glad I am that I finally got the port inserted, yes it was annoying, frustrating and a little scary having to have it done twice, but I don't think I would have coped well without it, but in saying that many do. My nurses were adamant that I have it inserted and I am forever grateful they were so vocal about it.

I finished my chemo in September, and still have the port inserted, just go every 6 weeks to have it flushed. Just keeping it in until I have my first lot of scans at the 1 year mark.

I started with a Personal Trainer last week, and am lifting 2kg weights with no issues (more issues with my left arm as that is my BC side, port is inserted on my right). Sometimes I feel the port in when I'm laying down or wearing certain clothing but most the time I forget it is there. No dr or physio has said I can't do weights while I have the port inserted. Obviously when it first went In I had to let my body adjust to it but all good since.

I recommend if you can get it in to do it, I know your scared but it will save your sanity and veins. The amount of blood tests I had I lost count, but my port was used for them all.

Message me if you like, I'm happy to chat if you have any questions, all up I had a lumpectomy and did 4x AC and 12 x Paclitaxol, and 33 radiation.

much love to you, we are all here if you need to vent, question or just chat to. xx

@Christel glad everything went well the 2nd time around, a port certainly makes life a lot easier going forward with treatment & blood tests. 

Hi Sam09,
I was absolutely terrified at having the port inserted.  I spoke to the hospital about this and they arranged some medication to help me.  I also took a friend who kept me distracted while waiting for the procedure.  I really didn't want it done but felt that this was part and parcel of my treatment and just had to deal with it.  One foot forward.  The veins in my arm had collapsed and I could barely move my arm so any chemo was going to be difficult and painful.  Treatment was so much better with the port inserted.  I do hope that you go ahead with the procedure.  It is not all bad news.  Wishing you all the best xx

@Sam09 dont be frightened to get the port, its the best thing. I to am quite small & I had no dramas though I did have a radiologist assisting, I think you will find most do. It makes blood tests & treatments so much easier. I finished Chemo in March but I am keeping my port because it makes life so much easier..

Why does the port mean no weights???? I do everything I used to do, the port gives me no trouble at all except I do find the car seatbelt can annoy it so I remedied that by buying a sheepskin seatbelt cover to cushion that section.

hI Sam
It is  very understandable to be frightened and confused about what might be best for you. There are lots of advantages to having a port, especially when you have veins that are tough to find. However, If you are not ready to go down this path yet, maybe have your first treatment through your  veins and see how it goes. Drink lots of water the day before you go to chemo so you are well hydrated as that can make finding a vein a bit easier. You can also ask the nurses to put a heat pack on your vein first or soak you arm in warm water for ten mins or so. The chemo nurses are usually really skilled at finding veins but over time it can get tough. Make sure you let them know that lifting weights is important to your well being. You might even be able to ask for a referral to an exercise physiologist who could help you work out a weight program that could factor in a port.
Let us know how you go.
Best wishes
Danielle

Oh No I am so frightened now. I am booked in to have a port inserted on Monday I am cancelling it. I am extremely petite and it seems from you lovely ladies that this may be a problem. I just want to crawl under a rock and forget this nightmare. How do you do it. I keep telling myself that I can do this and be strong but the fear is ingolfing me. Today I was told stage 4 do chemo or the alternative is good bye for good and this sent great fear coursing through my veins infact I cannot remember driving the 60 ks home at all. What happened to my wonderful life it seems 7 months ago it went for good.  I looked on here hoping to find some relief and comfort however my worst fears are confirmed now. It seems my tiny veins and the trouble I go through and uncomfort may be a better option than what has happened to you guys. Perhaps I am being stupid here however I do weights heavy ones and somehow it makes me feel in control. The port means no more heavy weight sessions. Misery for me not being in control of something in my life makes me very sad. I have only tonight to decide. Has anyone on here had taxol herceptin and perjeta for her 2 cancer without a port if so can you advise me please. I would apprecialte it very much.

Thank goodness! Glad to hear it went well! I had chemo through my port the day they put it in so they may still decide to use it, you never know. Good luck with the rest of your treatment! 

Em x

That's great news Christel! 

I hope your port heals well & wishing you well for your first chemo this week.

Hugs to you too xox

 

hi Caitlin,

Oh no, I hope your last cycle goes well and you are healing from that deal.

sucks having crappy veins!

c.

xxx