I am Wendy, 53 years of age from North East Victoria and this is my first time writing a blog. I had a Masectomy and axillary clearance in February 2011 and have been undergoing chemo every 3 weeks for the past few months, after my treatment on Tuesday I will change to 12 weekly treatments of Taxal. I am going in for day surgery on Monday to have a Porta Cath inserted as the veins in my left arm have been very sore and they have had trouble finding a suitable vein to administer the chemo, I am feeling nervous as I haven't spoke with anyone that has had this done. Anyone been there done that?

Hi Wendy, As you can gather I call mine Penny. She is a bit of a b....... but I have learned to live with her. I had surgery on my left side and she is on my right side. I had her inserted 2.5 weeks after I finished radiation therapy and the day before I commenced chemo. I have a blood disorder so my surgeon put me in hospital to have it inserted. I had a general - bit gorey to have a local. It is inserted pretty deep into your tissue. It is nearly eight weeks since I had the insertion and I still have yellow bruising. I'm a bit of an unusual case though. At first it was a bit hard to sleep - one side very tender from radiation and the other extremely bruised and sore from portacath insertion. I learnt to sleep on my back. I hope I snored to compete with my hubby.!!! When I have chemo I feel so pleased that I have it when I see some others having struggles with veins. My veins are shocking and I cringe every time I need to give blood. One thing my surgeon stressed to me was "Don't let any Tom, Dick or Harry access your portacath" In other words only the experts - oncology nurses etc. I had to go into hospital after my first chemo and it was the oncology nurse who was called in to acces the port for the antibiotics drips. When the oncology nurse accesses it for chemo, it doesn't hurt and it is much easier for them. Good luck XLeonie

I had my portacath installed a week before starting chemo. It s the best thing i have done so far. It was inserted while i was under general anesthetic. No way was I only having local. The Oncology nurses love portacaths and not hunting for veins. I have finished my chemo and am now getting herceptin every three weeks for one year. So I will have it for a while yet. You can have it in place for up to 5 years. I hope it all goes well for you. Cheers Chrissy D :)

Hi Jane Thankyou for your information it is really comforting to know that you have had such a positive experience with your porta cath. I was feeling a bit aprehensive after talking with the surgeon and having him explain what can go wrong during surgery (as they have to for legal reasons) I said to him am I doing the right thing and he said definately. I am sure it will make chemo a lot easier and quicker not having to find the veins each time. My very best wishes to you on your journey. Wendy

Hi Leonie, Thankyou for information it is really interesting to hear how others have handled the situation as everyone is so different. It is nice to hear your honesty and that it is all worthwhile. I am not sure if I am having a local or a general but definitely hoping it is done under a general as I would rather wake up and it is done, not be aware of what is happening. Thankyou and best wishes with your journey. Wendy

Hi Chrissy - Great to hear you have had a positive experience with your porta cath, I am keeping everything crossed that I will have a general anesthetic not a local. Hope everything goes well for you on your journey. Wendy

Porta Cath | BCNA Online Network

Casjsa
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Chrissy and Fiona,

I don't know if I will have a Portacath yet but my surgeon seems to think I will and I am seeing the oncologist that he recommended. I guess they've worked together for a while and they know each other's preferences.

The idea sits well with me, I'd much prefer to have one small surgery than have someone constantly digging around in my arm. I'm mainly a student at the moment working only one day per week so I can work in surgeries quite easily.

Cas
Casjsa
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Chrissy and Fiona,

I don't know if I will have a Portacath yet but my surgeon seems to think I will and I am seeing the oncologist that he recommended. I guess they've worked together for a while and they know each other's preferences.

The idea sits well with me, I'd much prefer to have one small surgery than have someone constantly digging around in my arm. I'm mainly a student at the moment working only one day per week so I can work in surgeries quite easily.

Cas
fionaf
Member
12 years ago
Hi Cas I had portacath in May this year and started chemo a week later, I had my last chemo on Monday this week and had portacath out this morning. Both procedures done under sedation as day surgery in hospital where I have had all my treatment, a few stitches on both occasions but no problems and much easier for treatment. Take care and all the best Fiona
fionaf
Member
12 years ago
Hi Cas I had portacath in May this year and started chemo a week later, I had my last chemo on Monday this week and had portacath out this morning. Both procedures done under sedation as day surgery in hospital where I have had all my treatment, a few stitches on both occasions but no problems and much easier for treatment. Take care and all the best Fiona
Casjsa
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Chrissy,

I don't mind another surgery. I almost bounce out of the hospital and often before they tell me I can leave (not this time).

So this portacath sits under the skin or on top? I've seen pictures where you can only see a bump under the skin, sort of like a pacemaker but smaller and then I've seen pictures where you have the port (for want of a better word) sitting on top of the skin. I don't know why they are different? Is one for long term use and the other for semi short term?

I'm also told that they have an anchor for a few days? I assume this is a stitch so that it won't move until it settles in?

Cas (good at asking questions, sorry)
Casjsa
Member
12 years ago
What happens to the portacath when you've finished your treaments? Do they take it out and is that another operation?

Cas
traxx65
Member
14 years ago
No problems Wendy. All the best with your treatment and I hope it goes well for you.

Tracey x
Wendy_Manzie
Member
14 years ago
Thanks Tracey - Yes I am glad that I have had it done as it was certainly easier than having them looking for veins for the chemo on Tuesday. Good luck with your treatments I hope those drugs are not to hard on you, I start on Taxol Tuesday week for 12 weeks so my porta cath will be with me for a while also.

Best wishes

Wendy
Wendy_Manzie
Member
14 years ago
Thanks Tracey - Yes I am glad that I have had it done as it was certainly easier than having them looking for veins for the chemo on Tuesday. Good luck with your treatments I hope those drugs are not to hard on you, I start on Taxol Tuesday week for 12 weeks so my porta cath will be with me for a while also.

Best wishes

Wendy
traxx65
Member
14 years ago
Hi Wendy, I'm lagging a bit behind with the info. I had my porta cath put in just before christmas. I was a nervous wreck just thinking about having it, but now, I am grateful that I had it done. I had a twilight sedation which worked really well. I am having my last chemo on Thursday this week but will be on Herceptin and Bondronat ongoing so mine will be staying with me. It is certainly a much quicker option for getting set up. Hope all goes well with your treatment.

Take care.

Tracey