Having a port fitted

[Kieran2018]

Morning ,

I’m on taxol and avastin weekly . I’m having difficulty with my veins . I decided to have a port fitted rather than a pick line . Has anyone had a port fitted when having avastin . I’m worried about wound healing .

Thanks xx

[Sunsetime]

Hi , due to being on Avastin I was told I couldn’t have a port or picc line , there needed to be a six week gap to allow for healing. It’s hard finding good veins , hope you can get something sorted out.

[Kieran2018 in reply to Sunsetime]

Hi Sunsetime ,

Thank you for your reply . They want me to have a pic line . I wanted the port . Think I will stick with the veins . Xx

[Sunsetime in reply to Kieran2018]

I wanted a port too, I was all booked in and then told neither a port or a picc line could be offered. You have my full sympathy, finding veins is a challenge and uncomfortable . Still better than getting an unwanted infection or wound not healing. Best wishes x

[Kieran2018 in reply to Sunsetime]

Thank you so much . All the best to you to xx

[anna_z]

Hi. I had a port fitted. Really grateful I had one fitted. Didn't experience any problems with wound healing after they removed it. I really liked the port. It was better than all the faff with small veins etc.

[JayGeeCee]

Hi

I had a port fitted prior to chemo and Avastin (I was treated in France).

After relocating to the UK it was removed. I have two thin scars which I barely see.

I would say don’t worry, it will heal and you will have a slight bump where it is but it won’t hurt to touch.

Good luck

[Pawpaw22]

I was on the same regime. Terrible veins. Opted for port. Magic! Haven't had any problems.

[Frankiedoggo]

Hey, I have awful veins too! The first lot of carboplatin & paclitaxel took 8 hours cos my only "good one" 😅 decided enough half the way. Had the port( like above my chest- not sure cos it's been called both) after one cycle and it healed just fine. Minding at the time I had gaping hole down on my pelvis, discharged with it, and even this healed! Try to stay active and eat well! If you have a disorder that affects healing surely your constant would have taken it in to account.Best wishes

[Janac52]

Hi. I'm having a port fitted next Wednesday. I'm on niraparib with 4 week bloods and 12 week ct scan. The last ct scan 2 weeks ago, it took 3/4 hour with ultrasound to insert the catheter for the contrast. Bloods tend to take 2 to 3 attempts. So I decided I'd had enough and requested a port. My veins were never good but chemo and age have totally wrecked the. I can't wait!So go for it. As someone else said, it should heal pretty quickly x

[Kieran2018 in reply to Janac52]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your advice. I have been told now by my consultant they don’t do ports and being on Bevacizumab they wouldn’t consider it at all. I am disappointed as it takes hours to get a vein . They didn’t say anything about the picc . I think for now I will persevere with finding a vein . Thanks everyone appreciate all your advice. It’s great to hear people’s experiences.

Xx

[Weaves]

I’m sure you’d need to stop Avastin if you wanted a port. I was very ill on Avastin & it turned out to be an internal wound from my initial surgery that wasn’t healing & was infected. I felt so much better when I was taken off the drug. My understanding is that a picc line is more prone to infection than a port, so I’d be wary. When I had my first reoccurrence I asked for a port prior to treatment. Treatment was so much easier once the port was fitted. The only downside to the port is having to get it flushed every month, not many are trained to use it, so the District Nurses have to come out to me. It’s only ever been accessed for chemo. I had quite a prolonged hospital stay following my 2nd debulking & it was never accessed for my almost daily bloods, as no one was trained to use it. Ups & downs really

[delia2 in reply to Weaves]

I’ve had a port for six years in the US and only get it flushed every twelve weeks when not on treatment. Maybe you could at least go to eight weeks?

[Kieran2018 in reply to delia2]

Hi Delia ,

I’m sure it’s great but I can’t have one with been on avastin . My consultant has refused it . They aren’t really used here they go with picc lines . I would have loved one as my chemo sessions takes hours. Thanks for your advice . Xx

[Kieran2018 in reply to Weaves]

Hi Weaves ,

I’m sorry to hear you have had such a hard time . can’t imagine what you have been through. My consultant won’t do it so my decision has been made for me . Listening to your experience I prefer to go without . They told me this is the last treatment available to me so I need to stay on the avastin as long as it’s working. Wish you all the best on your journey to . Xx

[Weaves in reply to Kieran2018]

I find that some nurses are better than others at vein finding, I’m in no way slandering nurses, they are generally amazing, however I find some just have a natural vein finding skill. There’s often at least one nurse they all turn to if they’re having little success, my advice is to find out who that nurse is & ask for her/him. It’s not being awkward, it’s just about making the process more tolerable on this rotten old journey. I wish you well & stay strong x

[Barlow1951]

I was meant to have a port fitted before starting chemo but on the day they decided to do a PICC line instead, telling me that it was more suitable. It was fine but needed flushing every week by district nurse or chemo nurse if it was a chemo week.

[Kieran2018 in reply to Barlow1951]

Hi Barlow ,

The problem I have is being on the avastin . I think I will carry on without anything for now . Thanks xx

[Cheadle]

Hi before I got my port I had lots of trouble getting cannulated. A few tips that might help. Have a long hot shower on the morning of your treatment. Use heat pads on the way into the hospital. Keen well hydrated esp. in the lead up to treatment. These were all suggested by the chemo nurses. You've probably had the same advice already but just in case you haven't xxx

[Kieran2018 in reply to Cheadle]

Thank you Cheadle . I always drink two litres of water prior to treatment . I will start using a heat pack . I travel two hours to have my treatment. Thank you so much for your suggestions. Appreciate your advice . Xx

[msmith1357]

I am on avastin infusions every 3 weeks with a port. But I did not start avastin until several months after my port was put in so it was already well healed by that time. I probably won't get my port removed until well after I'm through with avastin too. I know I had to wait for a couple of months after my surgery before I could even begin avastin. It's so much easier with a port. Before I got mine, I was so bruised up by nurses attempting to find veins. I'm real sorry you have to go through that and hope it gets resolved for you.

[Pianoplayer731021]

Hi, I’m in the states and had a port put in to save my veins from chemo. I was anxious to get the chemo started, because I was stage 3/4. Anyway, they let me start my chemo the following day. It was a little tender, but I didn’t t have any problems. I have been NED for over five years and just get my port flushed every 12 weeks. Hope all goes well for you. xx Donna

[Kieran2018 in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

Thank you all for sharing your experience. Xx