Portacath Advice
Hi Lovely Ladies, I'm scheduled to have a portacath inserted as I've got Herceptin every 21 days until April '18. I've read some past Portacath discussions here but I'm scared to have another scar,...
Forum Discussion
If you don't (really don't) want the port, make them talk to you feet.
When I had my recurrence I demanded a port before chemo. Lessons learned as I had miserable plebitis during my first treatment and my veins were knackered.
Anyway, in the interim I had to have numerous IV episodes. I only had one arm as option after ax. clearance and decided that was my 'emergency arm.' So anyone who wanted access had the option of using my feet.
I will admit I can be a raging pain in the arse, but there are reasons for that. Every single time I said my arms weren't viable, the person with the needle tried to convince me that everything was fine/they could see a good vein/they were an expert. Every single time. I'd see that speculative gleam in their eye, all of a sudden it's all about them. The usual argument is 'It really hurts if we use your feet' Like someone stabbing you twenty times with no result doesn't?
They can get stuffed. I found that any good phlebotomist will consider your feet and ankles if you ask them. I had a couple throw tantrums so I asked for someone more skilled. It works for me. Yes, it hurts sometimes, but it works. Maybe they are worried I'll kick them? Who knows. Funny thing to see is the look of triumph and confusion when a reluctant practitioner realises how easy (comparatively) it is.
As far as the port is concerned, it's better than the feet. The scar is only an inch long, it takes couple of weeks either side of insertion and removal for everything to settle down, but it made everything so much easier. And much, much less painful.
When I had my recurrence I demanded a port before chemo. Lessons learned as I had miserable plebitis during my first treatment and my veins were knackered.
Anyway, in the interim I had to have numerous IV episodes. I only had one arm as option after ax. clearance and decided that was my 'emergency arm.' So anyone who wanted access had the option of using my feet.
I will admit I can be a raging pain in the arse, but there are reasons for that. Every single time I said my arms weren't viable, the person with the needle tried to convince me that everything was fine/they could see a good vein/they were an expert. Every single time. I'd see that speculative gleam in their eye, all of a sudden it's all about them. The usual argument is 'It really hurts if we use your feet' Like someone stabbing you twenty times with no result doesn't?
They can get stuffed. I found that any good phlebotomist will consider your feet and ankles if you ask them. I had a couple throw tantrums so I asked for someone more skilled. It works for me. Yes, it hurts sometimes, but it works. Maybe they are worried I'll kick them? Who knows. Funny thing to see is the look of triumph and confusion when a reluctant practitioner realises how easy (comparatively) it is.
As far as the port is concerned, it's better than the feet. The scar is only an inch long, it takes couple of weeks either side of insertion and removal for everything to settle down, but it made everything so much easier. And much, much less painful.