The Port

[lilacbreastedroller]

It took me six months or so to really adjust to my port. I still don't like to touch the area because it feels gross, so I dont. I went to the beach last month and of course put on sunscreen. Well, I never touch the port area, so I didn't. Well.. I got a big circle of sunburn on and around my port because I never put sunscreen on it... D'oh!

[Peabody5422]

I had port place in my left shoulder and received a bad burn at the same time so 2 weeks later after the onoc nurses freaked out, the surgeon removed it. 5 days later I had one place in the right side with no problem. I had to go to wound care for 5 months trying to get the hole in my right side to fill in. My only issue is that my collar bones hurt right above the "old" site and above the new one. Don't know if all this chemo and surgery is the cause or I am just getting old. Ouch!

[Bat-Mom]

I could see/feel the bump. It didn't bother me. Onc said I could keep or remove she didn't have a preference. I weighed superstitions. If I kept the port in it was like I was saying that I believed the cancer would come back. Then I thought if I removed it then I was tempting fate.

I ended up removing it. Hope I don't regret that.

[MrsOssie]

I forgot about my port being in and got used to that little bump and seeing the "wire" along my collar bone.

Butt... When I was done with my chemo, I waited 6 months and then took the thing out. My onc said that, if I ever needed it reinstalled, they would have no problems putting one in again. The day the butcher/junior Dr took it out it was a great day of celebration and very gross. I took pictures of the port and then said goodbye. However, the decision to take it out was HUGE. You worry that taking it out will mean if you need chemo again then you'll have to go through the pain of having it put in again or have to get a PICC line. You also worry that taking it out means that you really don't think that you're done with chemo or cancer.

So, for me, taking it out was a symbolic F U to my 5FU and has freed up time so I don't have to have the thing flushed each month. No right or wrong way to go, IMHO.

[kiwiinoz]

Had mine in for 2 years and am looking at getting it out soon.
I don't carry a lot of weight on me and it is really noticable when I wear business shirts (Mon-Fri) and when I wear short sleeved shirts (6 months of the year)
On the whole it doesn't bother me but I notice it a lot more recently when I go running and I seem to feel it perhaps as I am pushing it around a bit more.
On the whole I am really glad I have had it in but seems like a good time physically, and mentally, to have it out
Kiwi

[elise]

I hate my port. It's uncomfortable when I lie on my side and a constant reminder of my situation. And yes I can definitely see and feel the catheter. GAG!

[Peabody5422]

The big yuck is that you still have to have IVs even thou you have a port. Those things hurt to someone like me with rolling veins!

[mstults]

The only time I've needed IV's is for arterial gas and extra access when I was in ICU. I was sedated when in ICU so that was ok. For the artery, 3 nurses refused to touch me. The 4th got it first try. My veins are very small and hard to find. I love my port, catheter and all.