Hi Ladies can anyone share their experience with having a chemo port in their chest . I had a pic line 18 years ago but dr is suggesting the chest port this time .
I have been reading online a bit about them and they sound a little more intense than my oncologist mentioned . Day after inserted bed rest ? No lifting more than 10 lbs for a week ?
Any tips if experiences would be appreciated .
Luann
Get the port. You’ll be glad you did.
My sister had one and it was a super short procedure and I'm pretty sure she was back to work the next day. It made things so much easier.
Thank you so much for this information . When I looked it up on the web it said bed rest for a day afterwards and no lifting anything over 10 LB for a week . So I was a little concerned . I had a pic line with my initial treatment 18 years ago and it was much better than using my veins . After it was placed I had slight weakness in my arm for a few hours but the next day I was good to go .
I feel better hearing it was not difficult for her . I hate to not be able to do things during the holidays .
Luann
I have a port. It’s a breeze. Works great. Use numbing cream on it about an hour before your treatment and you won’t even feel the stick.
😃
When the port was put in did you have to rest and take it easy for a few days ? What is the name of the numbing cream ? And do you need a prescription for it ?
Thank you so much for sharing .
Luann
They did put me to sleep to do it. I can’t remember how “easy” I had to be afterward. I don’t remember it hurting the next day or anything. I think I pretty much went about my normal routine the next day. They glued my skin back together so no stitches or anything. No water restrictions. I could shower as usual also.
It’s lidocaine cream and yes you have to have a prescription. Put a big blob right on the “hump” and cover with a piece plastic (I cut a sandwich baggie into a square) and tape around it. Do this about an hour before your appt time. Works like charm.
You will not regret getting one. I got mine in Feb of 2019. I still have it and use it every three weeks. In fact I have a treatment tomorrow.
I am sorry that I can't remember the name but I do believe it was prescription. Ask your doctor for it. It works well. You put a quarter size drop of cream on an hour before and put a piece of clear plastic wrap over it.
I just got my port 3 weeks ago, I was kind of awake for procedure but it didn't hurt that after the procedure. I did have to take the next day off work but I was in between switching treatment and had been really tired anyway. I had the procedure Monday back to Wednesday. I love my port makes life so much easier. You will not regret it.
My port was put in a month ago. They used a twilight sleep and no general anesthesia. It was simple and there was some some soreness for a day or two with no heavy lifting for a week. I received the super or sometimes called the power port. This allows the port to be used for testing and scans where a "push" is needed for the medication used. It spares me the IV pokes needed for those scans, CTs, etc. It serves a dual purpose for blood tests as well as medication if needed. I highly recommend as it reduces the poking portion of the scanxiety we all experience. It is far different from the pic line and doesn't require the flushing maintenance and infection risk. It is the size of a gumball with a small thin line (2") above. The numbing RX cream eliminates any feeling when the port is used for access for a blood draw or medication. I highly recommend. Anything to make any part of the process painless that we all endure is worth it!
Thank you for sharing. It is very helpful . I wasn’t nervous until I looked it up online.
Luann,When I had a port put in during my first dx, it was easy and quick.
They gave me light anesthesia and I was sort of awake.
I was sore for one day and then I was fine. It was one of the easiest things they had done to me on this rollercoaster!
Thank you for your reassuring words , the hospital just called , lucky me gets a Port for Christmas Dec 23 . I guess my husband will cook his first Christmas Eve dinner & Christmas turkey lol ,
Luann
Hi Luann. Unlike most people diagnosed de novo, my first oncologist started me off on chemo. (I have since found a new oncologist, and am on hormonal treatment now). Anyway, I had twilight sedation for my port placement, and felt fine afterward. You can't take a bath or swim for (I think) two weeks, but I was able to shower (without covering it at all) within a few days. As I am heavy breasted, I made sure to wear a bra all day because I had read (and found this to be true) that the breasts can pull on the skin around the incisions/port a bit... which can put more stress on the port area (this isn't going to open your incisions or anything... but the nurse at my procedure had breast cancer and showed me her port placement scars... and she suggested wearing a bra to minimize how noticable the incision scars will be later).
You might need to experiment a little bit about how you sleep at first, but I was able to tolerate stomach sleeping within days. As for any pain, I had some tenderness for a few days but no pain. I didn't even need any Tylenol. My biopsies hurt more afterward than port placement did. For example, I had no arm pain after the port placement but did with breast biopsies. I also needed to ice my biopsy areas, but not my port.
I do seem to recall lifting restrictions, but I am sure it wasn't for a whole week. And, I was back to work the next day (but I work at a computer).
Thank you for sharing !
I put together a little video for my friends about MBC, my treatment, and why I am more hopeful than I was a couple months ago. (Learning about research, etc. helped a lot.) Anyway, I chatted on the phone with another gal from this forum a few days ago, and she is really worried about getting a port. Turns out, in the video I recently put up on Facebook, I showed my friends what my port looks like. I cut down the video to just that portion and shared it with my new friend from this site. Sounds like you aren't as worried about what it looks like, etc. ...but rather your recovery time. But I'd be happy to share the short video clip with you, if you like.
Sure if you don’t mind . And you are correct about the appearance . I just like to know what to expect with recovery . Thank You
Luann
I've had my port for 14 years and I HIGHLY recommend getting one. It can be used for scans if it is a power port! Otherwise it can also be used for labwork. It has been my best friend since 2006!!! Chemo took away any chance I would ever have good veins again. This is a sure bet! Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your positivity, 14 years is amazing you are a warrior . So it has not had to be replaced in 14 years ? Do you use the numbing cream each use ?
I don’t have to use numbing cream, but you can. Honestly my port does not hurt when they use it and is so less invasive than digging in my arm for a vein. I really appreciate having this port.
I agree about not needing the numbing cream. You just take a deep breath, breathe out and they poke you I really don’t notice it anymore. It did take me a couple of weeks to get used to having the port in me. I did feel it with my seatbelt and when I would sleep on that side. However now I don’t notice it at all. It’s funny though, it was one of the things I worried about the most before getting.
Thank you Sandra . Your knowledge is always appreciated. The last couple months have been a challenge to navigate. I will call the clinic to confirm it is a power port . I hope you have been able to rest and take care of you .
Luann
I love how organized you are.
Pop in any time girl . I appreciate it . Everyone s knowledge and experience Helps eh ! Lol
Hi Sandra, I had a port 16 years ago taken out after 2 years post treatment when all looked ok... now I have a large cavitation by my left collar bone. I am on Ibrance x4 months and hope to continue as long as possible. You seem knowledgeable so I wanted to ask... when I need a port where will they put it? Opposite side up high over right breast? Is that doable? Thanks for any insight.
The port is the best ever. Relieves the stresses of finding veins and all that. It’s a minor surgery to have it put in, but it’s worth it. Hope this helps.
Yes it is a power port and will be done in the radiology department and I was told that they will give me a prescription/ samples of the Elma cream . Now just to wait for my CT scan and results on Dec 14 . And see where I go from there.
Having a port is SO worth it! I resisted when I was diagnosed initially, and my veins were toast by the end of treatments. I have had zero problems with mine, and I am so thankful to have it.
The port is so much better than the pic line. I've had mine for almost 6 years.
Are you still on IV chemo ? If so May I ask what combo ?
I came off chemo at the end of October. I was on iv chemo for 26 months 3 different kinds (Abraxane was first then Eribulin then Navelbine) I found out I had a braca2 mutation (from a liver biopsy)so I just started lynparza pills at the end of November.
Was this the first time you had been tested for the braca2 mutation ? I hope your current treatment is successful but gentle on your body
Luann
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