Hello my lovely pink sisters in arms! Thank you so much for all your kind messages of support and encouragement. You were all there 'with me' on Thursday when I started chemo (Docetaxol - taxotere) and Herceptin....whispering to me messages of courage and strength. Thank you. They had a terrible time finding a decent vein on Thursday, and strongly suggested I get a'line' put in. I was shown the PICC line and the Bard implanted port (a purple love heart shaped powerport device) that is inserted under the skin. I wasn't given any other options, and was wondering what others are using? It was explained to me that there are advantages and disadvantages to each device...and to be honest I'm not sure what to do. I thought I'd decided on the PICC but now I'm not so sure. I need to do something, but would love to hear any experiences or views people have on the devices. It appears that with the ports, you still need to have needles to access it?..but with the PICC you dont? The PICC has to be kept waterproof whereas the port doesn't? My understanding is that I need chemo for up to 9 cycles (minimum 6) and herceptin (i think for a minimum of 12 months or until condition stables), plus regular blood tests, scans etc, so I need something for the 'long term' I guess. Would love to hear what people think. Celeste xx

Hi Celeste My understanding of Her2positive ABC is that Herceptin is pretty much a forever drug. I know of women on a US site that I visit that are now off Herceptin but these are women who have been fortunate enough to be disease free for many years - at least 6-7. The others off Herceptin are off it due to heart issues. I can personally highly recomend the port - I found the procedure very easy and non-invasive. I see others at chemo having a lot of trouble with their PICC's - allergies to tapes especially but also having it strapped to your arm all of the time and needing to keep it dry. No one can tell I have a port and I don't even notice it. I have a powerport so I can receive contrast in mine and I have most of my bloods done that way too, you can also have blood transfusions through them. With the port the access is via a "gripper" - I feel no pain at all with this - it is just a needle inserted into the skin where there port opening is - they then flush and get a blood return to see it is working well. After the chemo and herceptin are delivered, they flush and then heparin lock it (so it doesn't clot). Then they pull it out - again no pain and no blood (for me anyway). They can get infections in them - I haven't had one but have had neutropenia and they do need to rule out it as a source of infection when that happens (I imagine that would be the same with a PICC). I believe if you are not having the port accessed you need to get it flushed and hep locked every 3 weeks - no bother while you are on chemo or herceptin 3 weekly as it is flushed and hep locked then. I'll try to add a picture of mine - Feel free to send me a message asking any more detailed questions and I am more than happy to share my experiences with the port. I just saw your other post about the allergic reaction - I hope you get to the bottom of it and are feeling OK now. Hugs to you. Amanda x

Mmmmm - seems my picture didn't work - if you message me and are happy to share your email address I will email you the pic. Amanda x

Hi Celeste I had a port inserted on the inside of my upper arm. I had six treatments of TCH and then a further seven of Herceptin. It was actually a relief to have it particularly when you have to be there for such along time. I always felt really bad when others had such difficulty with their veins and mine just went straight in with no fuss. I had no trouble with infection and after a few days post op you forget you even have it. I am really glad I listened to my surgeon who suggested it would be a good idea for me. Good luck with your decision. Kay

Hi Celeste, I agree with Amanda. I am very glad I had the chest port put in. It is only the one needle every three weeks and that also sorts out the flushing issue. It's waterproof and basically doesn't really need to have anything done by you to care for it. The port can also stay in for quite a few years if necessary (which will be the case for me), whereas I think the PICC line would be removed once you had finished treatment, and while I hope you wouldn't need it again, if you had to start another tretment down the line, then you would have to have it redone. I have watched many people with the PICC line getting their treatment and when they watch me being set up, they have been amazed at how quick and easy it is. The chest port also doesn't seem to move around as much as the ones in your arm. Hope this helps. Take care and all the best. Tracey xx

To port or PICC??? | BCNA Online Network

14 Replies

Anonymous
14 years ago
Thank you Karen, so glad you were happy with the port. Yes, imagine if the PICC line got caught on something...? Yuk, that'd be terrible! Thanks for the positive outlook...makes my decision easier, Celeste xxx
Anonymous
14 years ago
Hi Maxene, yes needles SUCK EGGS BIG TIME, especially when your veins are dodgy like mine! I am beginning to feel like a pin cushion, but a very black and blue one which isn't very nice I must say. The Emula patches sound good...do the hospital supply them or do you have to buy them from a chemist? I'm so glad you're happy with the port...I imagine it makes life just that little bit easier! Thanks for sharing xx
Anonymous
14 years ago
Hello, despite the hiccup with the port, you seem to really recommend it which is great news. Thank you for sharing your experience with me, Celeste xx
Anonymous
14 years ago
Thank you Tracey for your very positive post, the port sounds like the way to go. I like your idea about the chest port too (as opposed to the arm)...less chance of knocking it etc. Thanks again for sharing xx
Anonymous
14 years ago
Thank you Joy...I'm a bit like you...want something as stress-free as possible and low mainenance! I'm also a little lazy at the moment! I think the powerport sounds like a good idea, thank you for sharing xx
Anonymous
14 years ago
Thank you Kay for sharing that with me...it sounds like you are really happy with the Port and I think I will be too xx
Anonymous
14 years ago
Hi Amanda, have sent you my contact email info for a pic, thank you kindly xx
Karen10
Member
14 years ago
Hi Celeste

I had a port for chemo. I was really pleased with it. It certainly made a difficult situation better. Emla patches numb the area so it doesn't hurt, just abit of pressure when everything is attached. Bloods can also be taken through the port. The only thing is that to have bloods taken, you will need to go to the oncology ward at the hospital instead of going to IMVS. I didn't mind going to hospital for bloods because it meant less pain. Im a real sook now. A picc line didn't appeal to me. I was worried it would get caught on something. The port was in my chest wall just above lumpectomy scar. Being a public patient it was done as an outpatient under local, then I was taken to recovery for 2 hours before going home. After 2 hours I was feeling fine and ready to go home. Take Care Karen xx
Maxene_36
Member
14 years ago
I'm having 8 rounds of chemo x 3 weekly, 6 weeks of radio + Herceptin, followed by 12 months of Herceptin x 3 weekly. I had the port put in about 2 weeks ago, and its been fine. Mine is in my chest, below my collar bone.

My chemo nurse told me to buy some Emula patches and put one on about an hour or so before each chemo, it numbs the skin and you can't feel the needle going in to the port.

With all the treatment we have to go through, I am very glad I took this option. You can't see anything, a little bump where it is, and as Tracey said to me prior to having it done, a little 'war wound' scar. Not much at all. And I am NOT good with needles AT ALL (suck-eggs to me) so I wouldn't be sitting there letting anyone use me as a pin cushion !! LOL

Another bonus for me is my little 3 yr old son, he doesn't even know it's there!! And work as well.

I haven't seen what a PICC line looks like, but I've been told they have their own set of difficulties. Can't say too much else about them as I'm not to sure myself :-)

I;ve seen some of our ladies have had it done by local, I was actually put under General and they left my line hooked up and I had my first chemo through it the next day.

Anyway, best of luck in deciding which option best suits you, and again, will be thinking of you throughout,

Take Care,

Maxene xx
traxx65
Member
14 years ago
Hi Celeste,

I agree with Amanda. I am very glad I had the chest port put in. It is only the one needle every three weeks and that also sorts out the flushing issue. It's waterproof and basically doesn't really need to have anything done by you to care for it. The port can also stay in for quite a few years if necessary (which will be the case for me), whereas I think the PICC line would be removed once you had finished treatment, and while I hope you wouldn't need it again, if you had to start another tretment down the line, then you would have to have it redone. I have watched many people with the PICC line getting their treatment and when they watch me being set up, they have been amazed at how quick and easy it is. The chest port also doesn't seem to move around as much as the ones in your arm.

Hope this helps.

Take care and all the best.

Tracey xx