@viking1 - i have terrible veins, so I got the port inserted after someone suggesting it. I have only had one round of AC so far, but it definitely seems to be worth the pain to have it done. - it hurt really badly for about 36 hours after, then the pain eased. So if you do get one, insist on some endone or similar as they told me i'd not need it, my cancer care co-ordinator agreed! i just got my GP to prescribe the endone the next day when i went for a dressing change, but i'd had so much trouble sleeping with the pain in my neck that first night.
The port is perfectly safe though, and much more simple i am told by friends who's had one in the past.