PortaCath – or not?
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Thanks everyone for the information. I will definitely be sharing it with Ben. We have two more “interviews” this week for Oncologists to determine who will “win” as the administrator so I guess we will see. Although, I would definitely like him to start the chemo as soon as possible, so maybe we start without the port and have it installed later…but that decision will be Ben’s.
Tom
I cant imagine going thru treatment with out one. It is such a minimal evasive surgery. Why not using one, would even be an option is boggling.
I had to have mine removed after gettin a blood invection after second transplant, I probably was more upset about that then the cancer!
It made all blood draws and ivs easy and pain free. My vote and advice is get one quick! CathyTlsinftl:
My husband Tom just had a ‘power port’ installed in his upper right chest about 2 weeks ago. It is the best thing ever. The last time he was at the ER it took them 7 tries to get an IV started. Poor man looked like a pincushion! Not to mention that he was upset, hurting and eventually angry about being poked so many times.Now that he has the power port, they do everything via the port. Blood draws, IV chemo, etc. etc…. No more bumbling RN’s trying to start IV’s in his arms. Eventually Ben’s will not have good veins and will encounter bumbling RN’s that will have a hard time starting IV’s….
Many people resist a port but in the long run it can save Ben a lot of pokes, bruises, bad veins, etc.
My husband Tom wishes that they would have done this two years ago instead of two weeks ago.
Go with God and KEEP KICKIN’ THAT cancer.
Margaret
Ben,
I have a Bard Power Port too. I started chemo without out, and after 2 treatments, it was determined my veins were already getting difficult to find a vein and it would take sometimes 10-15 mins. to finally get one started (and 2 or 3 sticks to find it). The chemo nurse recommended the port and I am really glad that I did get it.
You can wait too to see if you do have any trouble. If not, not need for the port, but if you do, they can put it in (in out-patient surgery) on one of your off weeks from chemo.
Linda
I have the same attitude as Ben. Don’t want one unless/until I have to. The chemo nurse did make the comment that the veins in my one hand look like they have taken a beating, but she still got it in fine with one try. For now, it’s still don’t want one unless/until I have to. Some people do have trouble with them, and I just don’t want one yet.
My suggestion would be to give Ben all the information you have about the particular port that would be put in place, but let him made the decision.
Kathy
I do appreciate reading all the positive posts people write about them. Maybe preparing myself for a day that might come.
I have had my Bard Power Port since February of this year and I would not want to try to do without. Chemo can be so hard on veins and I have few good ones so the choice was not difficult. If you anticipate a prolonged treatment period you may want to consider one. I am not currently receiving any treatment but will keep my port in the event more chemo is prescribed.
I have had a port-o-cath for two years. It makes blood draws and other access, like for CT scans, relatively painless. It draws blood every time and is really convenient for both me and the nurses. Because it is under the skin, you can still bathe normally.
I recieved 6 rounds of chemo at Sloan through my veins by the 6th treatment my veins were getting pretty thin, harder and harder for them to stick me. I then had surgery my new oncologist at Bruckner oncology insisted on a double port from day 1. However they would not draw blood from it or andminister dye through it for fear of infection which whould then delay my chemo. I barely know I have it I finished chemo on Aug 18 and will keep the port in and have it flushed once every 4 to 6 weeks. God willing I will never need to use it again and will have it removed after 3 years which my surgeon tells me is a proper waiting period after surgery for recurrence. Jane is correct a port can be implanted at any time during treatment so no hurry to make your decision. I just found it to be easier u can get up and walk around with your chemo hanging from the pole it was easier to socialize, go to the ladies room etc…. Best of luck to u both I will keep u in my thoughts and prayers.
When I was diagnosed in April my oncologist recommended I have a port implanted — it was optional. Its the best decision I made. I know a lot is going on when you first get diagnosed but its one less thing that I have to worry about with treatment. I have a Bard Power Port, I don’t have to do anything to maintain it (the first couple of weeks until its healed over it was a pain showering and protecting it). But I get all my blood drawn from the port and chemo infused there. I never felt any discomfort with chemo or had any issues with the nurses ‘trying to find a vein’ which could become problematic as you receive more treatment.
When I first started treatment all my chemo could have gone into my arms but about 2 months ago I needed to switch chemo to a 48 hour continuous infusion which could not be done unless I had the port. So it was easy for me to switch to the new therapy.
Whether you get a port or not, its something that can be implanted at any point, so you don’t need to rush into it. It’s all a matter of preference.
Jane
My Mom had a port installed and it was for her the best possible situation.
She was able to have blood drawn through it, get contrast for CT scans and chemo was a breeze.She said several times it was a great decision and she was glad I encouraged her to consider it.
It’s a personal decision though, and all I can say is talk to other people that have had one placed.
Hugs!
PamSo, Ben and I are still “interviewing” local oncologists to adminster the chemo regimen ordered by MD Anderson and we met with another one yesterday. So far, we have had one oncologist recommend a portacath be installed, and the oncologist yesterday says he doesn’t use them unless he absolutely has to, so he starts without them. Ben says he would prefer not to have one – (he has “good veins” according to all the doctors/nurses), but I am wondering – as long as chemo can go on….wouldn’t it be better to have them (although the regimin right now is only 2-3 days per month).
Just wondering what other people’s experience was…
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