The dreaded portacath

Hi, l just had my portacath put in on thurs, my 1st round of chemo is tomorrow. I had a very similar post to yours - l'm terrified of procedures (particularly when l'm awake!) My port insertion went something like this: I had to fast from midnight the night before, as l was having a twilight sedation, some people just have local, but lm far too much of a wuss for that! When l got to the hospital, a lovely nurse explained in not too gory detail how the procedure is done, how the port works, & answered all my questions (there were a lot!) Ive been avoiding google out of principle - my imagination needs no assistance! She also gave me a port to look at & feel, they are quite small & flexible, l was concerned that it might eventually come apart inside me, but after looking at how it's put together, l can now see that this would be virtually impossible. I was taken into the "theatre" & met the other nurses, all lovely. I explained that l was worried about being awake through it, & that l hate needles & all that in general. They were very reassuring& said all l would feel would be some pushing & pulling, but no pain & nothing sharp. The Dr came in, introduced himself & did an ultrasound to work out the best spot for it. I had a fast heartrate due to nerves, so l was given half the sedation then. I didn't feel groggy or sleepy, hard to explain - just more at ease & relaxed? A sheild was put up between me & the surgeon, all l could see was a nurse to my left, no instruments or tv screens etc. There was a bit of random chatter about my nail polish colour, christmas plans, work etc while the surgeon marked out the spot, l was a bit worried that they weren't going to hear me from under the sheild, but it was ok. I asked the surgeon to try not to put it where my bra strap would go, & he's done a good job there. The nurse to my left told me they were going to give local, l didn't feel those injections. She also warned me if there was going to be pushing or pulling sensations. From here, l don't remember much, except that it seemed to take a lot less than the 15-20 min, & chatting vaguely with the nurses in the recovery area. There is some pain afterwards, but not unmanageable with panadeine. Mine feels quite tight at the moment, similar to the lymph biopsy scar in my other armpit. I find it is still quite sore if l bend forward, but standing & laying down is ok. Mine also bled a bit over the next day, l called the hospital & they assured me it was ok. I was also given a list of aftercare instructions before leaving the hospital, l was there about 2.5hrs after the procedure. I'm a bit worried now that it's going to still be sore when they access it tomorrow for the chemo, but l have Emla numbing cream to put on it, hopefully that will help. I can't say yet if it's better or worse for drips / blood tests etc, but everyone else (including medical staff!) seems to think they're brilliant & makes everyones job easier. I'll let you know how it goes... In a nutshell, it was nowhere near as bad as l had imagined, & ask for sedation! It helps a lot. Good luck with it :-) From Bobbie

Hi, l just had my portacath put in on thurs, my 1st round of chemo is tomorrow. I had a very similar post to yours - l'm terrified of procedures (particularly when l'm awake!) My port insertion went something like this: I had to fast from midnight the night before, as l was having a twilight sedation, some people just have local, but lm far too much of a wuss for that! When l got to the hospital, a lovely nurse explained in not too gory detail how the procedure is done, how the port works, & answered all my questions (there were a lot!) Ive been avoiding google out of principle - my imagination needs no assistance! She also gave me a port to look at & feel, they are quite small & flexible, l was concerned that it might eventually come apart inside me, but after looking at how it's put together, l can now see that this would be virtually impossible. I was taken into the "theatre" & met the other nurses, all lovely. I explained that l was worried about being awake through it, & that l hate needles & all that in general. They were very reassuring& said all l would feel would be some pushing & pulling, but no pain & nothing sharp. The Dr came in, introduced himself & did an ultrasound to work out the best spot for it. I had a fast heartrate due to nerves, so l was given half the sedation then. I didn't feel groggy or sleepy, hard to explain - just more at ease & relaxed? A sheild was put up between me & the surgeon, all l could see was a nurse to my left, no instruments or tv screens etc. There was a bit of random chatter about my nail polish colour, christmas plans, work etc while the surgeon marked out the spot, l was a bit worried that they weren't going to hear me from under the sheild, but it was ok. I asked the surgeon to try not to put it where my bra strap would go, & he's done a good job there. The nurse to my left told me they were going to give local, l didn't feel those injections. She also warned me if there was going to be pushing or pulling sensations. From here, l don't remember much, except that it seemed to take a lot less than the 15-20 min, & chatting vaguely with the nurses in the recovery area. There is some pain afterwards, but not unmanageable with panadeine. Mine feels quite tight at the moment, similar to the lymph biopsy scar in my other armpit. I find it is still quite sore if l bend forward, but standing & laying down is ok. Mine also bled a bit over the next day, l called the hospital & they assured me it was ok. I was also given a list of aftercare instructions before leaving the hospital, l was there about 2.5hrs after the procedure. I'm a bit worried now that it's going to still be sore when they access it tomorrow for the chemo, but l have Emla numbing cream to put on it, hopefully that will help. I can't say yet if it's better or worse for drips / blood tests etc, but everyone else (including medical staff!) seems to think they're brilliant & makes everyones job easier. I'll let you know how it goes... In a nutshell, it was nowhere near as bad as l had imagined, & ask for sedation! It helps a lot. Good luck with it :-) From Bobbie

Hi, l just had my portacath put in on thurs, my 1st round of chemo is tomorrow. I had a very similar post to yours - l'm terrified of procedures (particularly when l'm awake!) My port insertion went something like this: I had to fast from midnight the night before, as l was having a twilight sedation, some people just have local, but lm far too much of a wuss for that! When l got to the hospital, a lovely nurse explained in not too gory detail how the procedure is done, how the port works, & answered all my questions (there were a lot!) Ive been avoiding google out of principle - my imagination needs no assistance! She also gave me a port to look at & feel, they are quite small & flexible, l was concerned that it might eventually come apart inside me, but after looking at how it's put together, l can now see that this would be virtually impossible. I was taken into the "theatre" & met the other nurses, all lovely. I explained that l was worried about being awake through it, & that l hate needles & all that in general. They were very reassuring& said all l would feel would be some pushing & pulling, but no pain & nothing sharp. The Dr came in, introduced himself & did an ultrasound to work out the best spot for it. I had a fast heartrate due to nerves, so l was given half the sedation then. I didn't feel groggy or sleepy, hard to explain - just more at ease & relaxed? A sheild was put up between me & the surgeon, all l could see was a nurse to my left, no instruments or tv screens etc. There was a bit of random chatter about my nail polish colour, christmas plans, work etc while the surgeon marked out the spot, l was a bit worried that they weren't going to hear me from under the sheild, but it was ok. I asked the surgeon to try not to put it where my bra strap would go, & he's done a good job there. The nurse to my left told me they were going to give local, l didn't feel those injections. She also warned me if there was going to be pushing or pulling sensations. From here, l don't remember much, except that it seemed to take a lot less than the 15-20 min, & chatting vaguely with the nurses in the recovery area. There is some pain afterwards, but not unmanageable with panadeine. Mine feels quite tight at the moment, similar to the lymph biopsy scar in my other armpit. I find it is still quite sore if l bend forward, but standing & laying down is ok. Mine also bled a bit over the next day, l called the hospital & they assured me it was ok. I was also given a list of aftercare instructions before leaving the hospital, l was there about 2.5hrs after the procedure. I'm a bit worried now that it's going to still be sore when they access it tomorrow for the chemo, but l have Emla numbing cream to put on it, hopefully that will help. I can't say yet if it's better or worse for drips / blood tests etc, but everyone else (including medical staff!) seems to think they're brilliant & makes everyones job easier. I'll let you know how it goes... In a nutshell, it was nowhere near as bad as l had imagined, & ask for sedation! It helps a lot. Good luck with it :-) From Bobbie

Welcome to BCNA. I found this network a wonderful support during my treatment. It can be a very difficult time and finding lots of people who know exactly what it feels like can really help. I did not have a portacath but have heard nothing but good things from people who have had them. People talk about them being a 'best friend' that helps to make the chemo easier. I had 18 weeks of Chemo (3 x FEC, 3 x Docetaxel) which finished 19 September this year. It was not as bad as I thought it might be and I actually had a few good weeks in amongst the not so good ones. Just take it one step at a time, rest when you need to and make the most of the good days. Let others help and get support from everywhere you can. We are here to listen, for advice and to help in any way we can. Take care and let us know how you go. Deanne xxx

Welcome to BCNA. I found this network a wonderful support during my treatment. It can be a very difficult time and finding lots of people who know exactly what it feels like can really help. I did not have a portacath but have heard nothing but good things from people who have had them. People talk about them being a 'best friend' that helps to make the chemo easier. I had 18 weeks of Chemo (3 x FEC, 3 x Docetaxel) which finished 19 September this year. It was not as bad as I thought it might be and I actually had a few good weeks in amongst the not so good ones. Just take it one step at a time, rest when you need to and make the most of the good days. Let others help and get support from everywhere you can. We are here to listen, for advice and to help in any way we can. Take care and let us know how you go. Deanne xxx