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TraceyM's avatar
TraceyM
Member
13 years ago

Questions about the port

Hello everyone This is my first post. Diagnosed mid August, had mastectomy and axilla clearance 3 weeks ago, port inserted yesterday. Stage 3A, grade 3, scared but getting on with it all. Have my husband and 3 young children to focus on! Chemo starts on Tuesday. The port area is really sore and swollen and bruised - is this normal? And the pain in my underarm, arm and chest wall etc from the axilla clearance continues - how long can I expect that to last? Also the difficulty in stretching my arm straight out? Would love to hear any comments, especially if you know of someone in a similar situation to mine as the only ones my age (38) and stage i have heard of haven't made it. Thank you and wishing you all the best.
chemotherapy
mastectomy
side-effects

2 Replies

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Tracey, I had a port put in as well and started chemo 2 days later.  At first it was swollen and sore and felt alien, but it quickly settled down and just became part of my chest.  It will be your best friend during chemo.  You will put Emla cream on 1/2 hour beforehand to numb the port area, and then the chemo nurse can link you up with no pain or fuss.  It is so worth it.

    As Deanne says, keep up your physio exercises to get your arm back to normal as soon as possible.  Mine took 6-12 months to become completely flexible again, but now I am back at yoga.  It needs work, though, so persevere to get the full benefits of your exercise.  You will get there.

    All the best with your chemo - I hope you are one of the lucky ones with only a few side effects, as I was.  The sooner you start, the sooner you finish!  Big hug, Michelle x

     

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Tracey, I had a port put in as well and started chemo 2 days later.  At first it was swollen and sore and felt alien, but it quickly settled down and just became part of my chest.  It will be your best friend during chemo.  You will put Emla cream on 1/2 hour beforehand to numb the port area, and then the chemo nurse can link you up with no pain or fuss.  It is so worth it.

    As Deanne says, keep up your physio exercises to get your arm back to normal as soon as possible.  Mine took 6-12 months to become completely flexible again, but now I am back at yoga.  It needs work, though, so persevere to get the full benefits of your exercise.  You will get there.

    All the best with your chemo - I hope you are one of the lucky ones with only a few side effects, as I was.  The sooner you start, the sooner you finish!  Big hug, Michelle x