Chemo question - PICCs and Ports.

I was offerred a Port at the recommendation of my Oncologist.
I had Mastectomy with Axillary Clearance, and therefore now at risk of Lymphodema.
Because I went ahead and had the Port, my only arm for use of veins has been saved scarring and damage.
Since my year of active treatment in 2020, I have had many other surgeries.
(Reconstruction x2, Knee Replacement x2, and a few more minor procedures)
I do not have good veins in my unaffected arm, so I am very glad that I didn't damage them with Chemo.
I highly recommend having a Port.

Hi! I had a port inserted before my first chemo dose and the port and I are best friends. Love it. My chemo is finished now but we are leaving it in a while longer just in case. It doesn’t bother me at all.

Hi there. I didn't want to get a port either because the idea of something under the skin grossed me out. I ended up struggling by until I had weekly Taxol and the nurses battled my veins each week. The port procedure was easy and after a while I didn't notice it. Getting a port shaved about half an hour off my treatment time and avoided unnecessary pain each week. I wish I had done it sooner. 

Thanks Shelley, I hope your PICC works really well for you.  It sounds like a good idea since you were having problems already, now things should go more smoothly, H xo

I found it's a see as you go kind of affair I wanted to go as far as I could before considering either PICC or portacath however, 1st chemo took 2 cannulations my 2nd took 3 so PICC is booked. The portacath is a surgical procedure & at my health facility difficult to get due to patients with more of a need than mine requiring one, so I'd be near end of chemo before an appointment would be available. 
Good luck x

Good thinking, good luck! 

Thanks @Afraser - I also have just the one good arm, and I was a wuss but getting better by the week! No missed punctures so far. And as long as I don’t look I seem to be ok.

I didn’t have either and had only one ‘usable’ arm due to lymphoedema, but consideration of how good your oncology nurses are at finding veins may be an issue unless you are pretty relaxed about unproductive punctures! 
I wasn’t too fussed - the senior nurse was a ‘gun’, never missed first time, but others weren’t so good. So if your veins are accessible and you have arm choices, it may be fine. See how you go! Best wishes. 

Thank you very much for all this @arpie ❤️

Hi @HelenlovesSnoopy

The Picc line has dangly bits and from memory needs to be flushed every week or two (and you need to keep it dry in the shower too) but the port is put in just under the skin (a short procedure, sometimes with light sedation, sometimes under a local) & is very tidy and waterproof once it has healed - you can swim etc  ....

All your bloods get taken thru them, so it saves your veins - particularly from some nurses who aren't good at 'finding the vein'!  :(    They should also put a little 'anaesthetic sticker' onto the surface of the port before commencing chemo to deaden the skin - they gave me a few so I could put them on at home before leaving, so we knew it was 'deadened' - (ie putting the 'needle thingie' in) so there should be no discomfort whatsoever.

It is often in the upper chest area - so have a think about seat belts possibly annoying it .... if you are the main driver, maybe have it put on the side the seat belt won't have impact (whether a driver or passenger!)

This is a post I put up when hubby ended up having both, but the Port was the best one .... also with some tips on clothing for 'easy access' to the port/Picc ... my sister made us a few shirts, with zips like this.  It made it SO much easier.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/205373#Comment_205373

Which ever you choose (look seriously at the Port) I am sure you'll be happy with it.

take care & all the best with your decision making. xx