To Port or not to Port

I had power port inserted today and after now researching see some websites mention I should have received an Identification Package.  It may be necessary at security at Airports.  I am travelling next Friday before starting chemo.  I do not have breast cancer, have appendix cancer which had spread.  I had a perinectonomy 2 months back and now beginning chemo in near future.  Just asking whether anyone else received such a package, I was given an infusion pack which I think are used for CAT scans.  Thank you for any advice received.

I have PICC in my right arm, cant use my mastectomy left side.  Also veins in right arm so deep and keep collapsing which made blood drawing and chemo a whole lot more painful than it should have been.  Have had the PICC for last 2 chemos with 2 to go.  It has made it painless.  Cant say it was painless to have installed though, was supposed to take half hour and took three and a half, lots of pain, lots of tears and trauma and terrible bruising that is now fading one month later.  But had chemo again today and everything to do with the infusions and blood drawing was painless so have to recommend this type of proceedure, port or picc same diff.

Good luck, Louisa:)

I have PICC in my right arm, cant use my mastectomy left side.  Also veins in right arm so deep and keep collapsing which made blood drawing and chemo a whole lot more painful than it should have been.  Have had the PICC for last 2 chemos with 2 to go.  It has made it painless.  Cant say it was painless to have installed though, was supposed to take half hour and took three and a half, lots of pain, lots of tears and trauma and terrible bruising that is now fading one month later.  But had chemo again today and everything to do with the infusions and blood drawing was painless so have to recommend this type of proceedure, port or picc same diff.

Good luck, Louisa:)

I had my power-port put in last week on Wednesday, and had my first chemo through the port yesterday - Thursday.

It was absolutely painless - I put an Emla patch on it 1.5 hours before chemo - and all I felt was a bit of pressure with no pain of any kind.

There is a bit of bruising, which will fade soon, and it certainly beats finding veins, as my chemo will be weekly for 18 weeks.

I highly recommend it for easier chemo.  Good luck, stay strong,

Michelle x

oops - just re-read that last para and it should say that it's so much easier and less stressfull ...... (not less easy) 

oops - just re-read that last para and it should say that it's so much easier and less stressfull ...... (not less easy) 

Hi Claire

I had six chemos and unlike Sam, my treatment was not continual. But like you both, my veins were dicky so I had the port surgically implanted prior to the first chemo. (It took about four nurses to get blood out via my veins, so there wasn't much choice really.)  The procedure to insert the port was relatively simple (compared to everything else we go through!) and also the removal was simple. 

The downside for me, was the scarring - I scar badly (keloid/lumpy scars). Even after having the scar re-done, it still looks a bit unsightly. However, I know other women who scar well, and their port scars are nearly invisible. 

In saying that, if I needed to have another port, I wouldn't hesitate - it is so much less easier and less stressful than being a pin cushion with collapsed veins.  The port patch (numbing cream) made using the port completely painless each time I had chemo. 

Hope that helps with your decision making.  Good luck for your treatment. 

Cheers, Kym

i have a port as my treatment is continual..i have one compromised arm and the veins in my 'good' arm are quite fine & deep.. all the chemo drugs, scans & treatments over the past 2.5 yrs have punished them a little.  My chemo drugs have always gone thru my port, it is painless (u can use numbing cream b4 u go for ur infusion) ..it is a relatively small/easy operation to have it inserted and u can have it removed when u no longer need it..

i would highly recommend having one, hope my input helps u make the right decision for u

Sam :)