chemo Port

[bankusboysmom]

For those of you with a port, where is it placed? Starting my infusion journey and this is all new to me. As always, thanks for everything…Melinda

[Iwasborntodothis]

Hey there,

My port is on the right side of my chest halfway below my shoulder blade and my breast. The placement was no big deal - out patient. A little sore the next day. I scar spectacularly so it still looks pretty bad now 6 months later. You can't see it unless I wear a really thin tshirt or something v-necked but I don't wear a lot of stuff like that.

It makes blood draw and infusion so easy. No stress!

[bankusboysmom in reply to Iwasborntodothis]

Thanks. I do wear v-neck, so I’ll have to rethink that. Oh well, time for some new clothes 🤗

[Iwasborntodothis in reply to bankusboysmom]

I meant collar bone but yes my port "peeks out" sometimes and I can see people look at it. I'd rather not share my situation outside my circle so i am sensitive about it.

[Iwasborntodothis in reply to bankusboysmom]

Oh and my husband bought a padded velcro thing for the seatbelt so it didn't rub on my port - Body Glove product

[bankusboysmom in reply to Iwasborntodothis]

Never thought of that but I will get something for seatbelt, thanks.

[vickilutz]

My port was just under my collarbone on my left side, opposite of my surgery side. Surgeon made sure it wouldnt be near my bra straps.

[bankusboysmom in reply to vickilutz]

Had not thought of left side…my lumpectomy is on right side and I sleep on my right side. I’ll ask about left side, thanks.

[Contrarielle]

hi! I got mine in 2 weeks ago. It has been used for 2 chemos and it is WAY better than IVs in my hand. The port lump is onthe right hand side of my upper chest. Unnoticeable if i wear crew or polo neck.

[bankusboysmom in reply to Contrarielle]

Gosh, I hate when they put it in my hand, I bruise terribly. Doing infusion every three weeks, my hand would never heal. I wasn’t thrilled about a port but it will be nice not to get an IV every time. Thanks

[Shelly1009]

Mine was about halfway up my upper/inner arm between my elbow and my armpit. It was supposed to be on my chest but my tissue expanders infringed on the space where it needed to go. I liked it being there. Very discreet and when I had it removed a few years ago the scar was unnoticeable. And now I need one again.....

[bankusboysmom in reply to Shelly1009]

Hate to hear you’re getting another one…that doesn’t sound good. Is the arm easy to get to? Do you wear sleeveless tops?

[Ursula_I]

hi, my port is a few inches below my collar bone on the left side. Usually it is put on the right side I believe, unless the cancer is to your right breast, which in my case it was.

My first port was when I had primary cancer, after all my treatment was over it was taken out... lo and behold five years later MBC, I had another one put in in the same place!

My surgeon was excellent, minimal scarring and the port itself is just a little lump sticking out of my upper breast, it's barely visible.

No problem wearing v-neck tops, and in fact I need loose necks/low v-neck on infusion days so they can access the port with no problems.

You won't look back!

Lucy

[bankusboysmom in reply to Ursula_I]

Thanks for encouragement. I’ve been on oral therapy for 9 years now, so this is going to be a whole new ball game.

[Aquamoron]

Hi! Had chemo port 6 years ago and it was great not having to use my arm. Was located on my rt side below collarbone and above breast. Side note: Lidocaine cream rx helps if put on 1hr before infusions to help minimize discomfort. I also scar easily and yes, its still there but covered with swimsuit/tank top strap. Make sure your surgeon/MD considers this when determining placement. Best of luck.

[mariootsi in reply to Aquamoron]

Yes. I had same placement and lidocaine worked well.

[bankusboysmom in reply to Aquamoron]

Thanks for tip on Lidocaine and using it before arriving…never thought of that.

[morty87]

I've had my port for 16 years (my choice) and it has become a life safer! I've been very fortunate that it doesn't cause me pain. My placement is rather deep (completely unseen or felt without searching for it.) It can be ornery at times (a great technician can access it any time) but I'd rather have it than go through arm/hand sticks. I was in remission for 11 years and kept the port the entire time. MBC came back and I've been in treatment for that almost 5 years. Good luck to you!

[Gingerann1 in reply to morty87]

hi! I’m surprised to hear that you’ve had your port that long. Mine was removed after a year and a half and it had to be cut out as it became really embedded. Can’t imagine what is going on with yours.😳

[morty87 in reply to Gingerann1]

I have chosen to keep mine. It does not cause issue. It is amazing how long I have had it. Once they considered taking it out (about 5 years ago) but it was determined that as long as it worked, it would cause more harm to replace.

It really has become a lifesaver for labwork and scans.

[bankusboysmom in reply to morty87]

Wow…good for you, but I’m so sorry you’re back at it. Hang in there…

[valentinecalico]

Hi - my port is on my right side, just above where my breast used to be. It is so much easier for chemo and blood draws. I had one in 2006 for my initial diagnosis and they put it back in the exact same place - even used the same little scar so there wouldn't be two scars. It doesn't bother me at all if it's visible with my clothes - it's really not obvious, at least mine isn't. (at least that's what I'm thinking lol)

[bankusboysmom in reply to valentinecalico]

I like the way you think😊

[Gingerann1]

I had a choice of left or right and chose left but my car seatbelt sat right on top of it when driving so hindsight being 2020 I would chose right. Big tip: ask your dr to prescribe Emla (sp?) cream for you. I globed on (not rubbed in) about a tablespoon about an hour and a half before having to access and didn’t feel a thing. You cover it with a piece of Saran Wrap to keep in place and protect your clothes. Works like a charm. Sorry, but before I got that cream, when they accessed it, it felt like a thumbtack being pushed into my chest. Maybe that was just me. Placement was outpatient, light sedation but it was sore for about two weeks and started to ease just in time for first access. Definitely all worth it as all my chemo and blood draws were through the port and then I found out I was eligible for Herceptin infusions which were every 3 weeks for a year so having that port and the cream made it so easy and tolerable. Hope you have an easy time with it.

[bankusboysmom in reply to Gingerann1]

Lidocaine has been suggested, but I’ve never heard of Emla, I will ask about it. Silly me, I didn’t realize it would hurt when they used it. Thanks for tip! I’ve gotten such good info from so many of you all.

[Contrarielle in reply to bankusboysmom]

Emla is a cream which contains lidocaine. The nurses offered it to me but the pain from accessing port is SO fleeting i haven't bothered.

[Ursula_I in reply to bankusboysmom]

With a good nurse you barely feel it and even with a more hamfisted one it's fleeting. I just take a deep breath while they push it in.

[Gingerann1 in reply to bankusboysmom]

For me it was painful so why not make it pain free if possible? To each his own. It is a lidocaine cream. You may want to have it on hand….don’t just rub it on though. Glob on at least an hour before it is accessed and cover with Saran Wrap so your clothes are protected and they will wipe off for you. You won’t feel a thing! They do have to poke through your skin each time to access….

[bankusboysmom in reply to Gingerann1]

I’ve always had a high tolerance for pain, and still do, but I don’t know why I would put up with it. No more. I want to be as comfy and pain free as possible. I will be getting the cream. Thanks.

[Gingerann1 in reply to bankusboysmom]

you won’t be sorry…here’s to SOMETHING being pain free!

[BarbieBeat]

my port had to be hidden when I wear my mother of the bride dress this Sunday. The surgeon came in and talked to me because of my insistence. It’s very far to the right about even with my armpit. I can wear any kind of top. I had it placed without sedation, just a local. I had extra stitches internally to hold it into place when I ride horses. I bought 5% lidocaine cream and the plastic they use for tattoos off Amazon to use before they access it. I’ve forgotten sometimes and it didn’t hurt bad. I was hoping they would use it for blood draws but only some nurses are trained to access them so it’s only been used for infusions

[bankusboysmom in reply to BarbieBeat]

Congratulations Mother of the Bride! I’m sure it was a beautiful day. Ok, so plastic for a tattoo … that’s a new one for me. Thanks for the info.