To port or not for Oxi

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AJQ
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:29 am
Location: CA

To port or not for Oxi

Postby AJQ » Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:28 am

Hi,

I have a question about a port. I am selecting between two treatment centers and one of them is requiring a port, the other is saying IV only. I fly internationally frequently and a bit of hard stick. I need about 4 or 5 infusions of Oxi and would like to know if I should get a port or go with IV.

Thank you
AJ
53 yr, stage 4 adenocarcinoma of appendix(PD) and Cecum
5/16/17: LAP Appendix Removal
5/22/17: Diagnosed. T4 poorly differentiated with LVI
6/21/17: LAP RHC: 1/21 positive Lymph. T4N1M0
7/27/17: started Xelox (Capox) cycles
10/17: CT scan. Multiple Peri and Pelvis mets. Stage 4
11/17: CRS/HIPEC. All nodules removed- low PCI
1/18: CT. 2 lung nodules. next CT on 4/24
7/18: multiple Liver nodules. 3 additional lung nods. Started targeted therapy
1/19: CT scan and Liver resection planned for 2/1/19

cbsmith
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:45 am
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby cbsmith » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:30 am

Port! So much easier than IV. I watch people get IV infusions and it is hard to find a vein sometime, it burns or damages the vein, they have to slow the infusions down.

I have a port and have flown internationally a few times and it never shows up in X-ray or the full body scanners.
06/14-DX with FAP as 36yo Male
07/14-total colectomy, rectum removal, permanent ileostomy
08/14-DX Stage IIIC, KRAS mutant, MSS
09/14-04/15 - 12 rounds of FOLFOX
07/15-CT showed para-aortic lymph node, onc thght inflammation
10/15-DX Stage IV, CT lymph node tripled in size, 1 small lung met
11/15-FOLFIRI + Avastin
06/16-lymph node is stable, now have a 2nd lung met
01/16-lymph node is stable, lung mets grown 2mm. Still on FOLFIRI + Avastin
11/17 - no chemo since. Lung growth minimal, lymph node is stable

AbbyDoo
Posts: 134
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 2:25 am
Location: So.Ca.

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby AbbyDoo » Fri Jul 21, 2017 12:37 pm

Ask about Picc line.
It a plastic tube that runs up your arm and stops just above your heart. No surgery involved to install or remove.
The only down side is that it can't get wet and dressing needs changed once a week.
53 yrs old
4/30/15 colonoscopy Mass found
5/21/15 staged 3 C rectal cancer
7/3/15 finished xeloda and radiation 28 rounds
9/30/15 LAR
10/29/15 picc line installed
11/2/15 start chemo 5 fu Oxaliplatin
3/7/16 Finish Chemo
4/29/16 Ileostomy Reversal.
7/13/16 colonoscopy clear.
CRC survivors know there Sh%t

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Jacques
Posts: 678
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:38 am
Location: Occitanie

Oxaliplatin package insert warnings

Postby Jacques » Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:08 pm

Here is the official package insert for Eloxatin (oxaliplatin).

Please read this document before you start oxy, especially the boxed warning, Section 5: Warnings and Precautions

http://products.sanofi.us/eloxatin/eloxatin.html

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betsydoglover
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Facebook Username: Betsy Lindh Williams
Location: Maryland - outside DC

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby betsydoglover » Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:31 pm

I did 6 rounds of oxaliplatin without a port. We decided that if I had to do more we would get a port.

My only side effect from IV oxy was a stiff, tingly arm after infusion - only lasted a few days and didn't hinder my daily life.

Remember , you can always start with IV and switch to a port if you need to. (My husband had a PICC line for another reason - total PIA and I don't recommend it.)

Take care,
Betsy
diag. Stage IV, 5/05, liver met
lap sigmoid colectomy, 6/05
6 cycles Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin (NED after 2)
11/08 9x13mm right lower lobe lung nodule; removed via VATS 4/09
NED
6 cycles Xeloda + Avastin
Avastin only 10/09-5/11
Still NED 06/18

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CRguy
Posts: 10472
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby CRguy » Fri Jul 21, 2017 4:12 pm

Personal choice, BUTT mine was
Port over I.V.
and =>>>> NO PICC line

Cheers
CR
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

Swirdfish
Posts: 290
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2016 3:57 am

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby Swirdfish » Fri Jul 21, 2017 4:23 pm

Port very very easy. It means another scar.
06/2016 Went in for colonoscopy came out with a tumor. Age 35
12cm from verge at junction. Rectal cancer.
Clinical stage T3 NO MO
Temp illestomy
Completed 5FU and Radiation
LAR surgery planned 13 Oct 2016
Completed ULAR surgery 11-10-2016.
0/22 nodes
pT3 N0 M0 R1
Stage 2A

Pathology reviewed and changed
ypT3 N0 M0 R0

Started folfox 21-11-2016
5-4-17 NED
Reversal 12-4-17

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juliej
Posts: 3114
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:59 pm

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby juliej » Fri Jul 21, 2017 5:16 pm

Agree with other posters. Oxi is notoriously hard on the body. A port makes all the difference in preserving the quality of your veins. Get a "power port" if you can. It can be used for CT scans in addition to chemo.

As far as flying, I've never had an issue getting through an airport screening with a port. I don't mention it and it doesn't set off alarms. However, the surgeon will give you a "port card" that you can carry with you just in case.
Stage IVb, liver/lung mets 8/4/2010
Xelox+Avastin 8/18/10 to 10/21/2011
LAR, liver resec, HAI pump 11/2011
Adjuvant Irinotecan + FUDR
Double lung surgery + ileo reversal 2/2012
Adjuvant FUDR + Xeloda
VATS rt. lung 12/2012 - benign granuloma!
VATS left lung 11/2013
NED 11/22/13 to 12/18/2019, CEA<1

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LeonW
Posts: 358
Joined: Sun May 03, 2015 4:59 pm
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby LeonW » Fri Jul 21, 2017 5:42 pm

betsydoglover wrote:I did 6 rounds of oxaliplatin without a port . . .
. . . only side effect from oxy was a stiff, tingly arm after infusion - only lasted a few days and didn't hinder my daily life.

Same here. I kind of enjoyed the I.V. days; found encouragement in seeing all troupes lined up that day. That full day also marked the start of yet another cycle to beat the monster. The third weeks (without pills) allowed living as if nothing ever happened. I guess I'd felt being a patient if I'd been carrying a port around.

The CAPOX did take its toll though in that fatigue set in. Am glad that my ordeal started just after having ended a demanding assignment that required 2 or 3 return flights each month. I doubt if I could have managed that while on chemo. Also note that CAPOX reduces resistance to infections. Ask your doc about the risks of spending a lengthy period in a confined space with a few hundred others. I did a 10 hour outbound trip between chemo rounds 2 and 3 with a mouth cap and fell ill (ER + 5 hosp days abroad).

Best wishes, Leon
Dec 2012 - CC 2 unresect liver mets, CEA 41.8 (MM 65yrs)
Jan 2013 - colectomy @ spleen 2/26 nodes IVa T3N1bM1a
Feb-Jul - 1x Xelox-7x Xelox/Avastin, shrinkage from #3
Aug - 2x PV embolization (both failed)
Sep 2013 - R liver resect, 25d hosp (liver failure/delirium, lung emboli, encephalopathy), no living cancer (pCR)
2014/15 - recovery, scopy: 2 polyps
2016 - new town/life
2018, scopy: 2 polyps
2018/20 low (1.0-1.4) CEAs/clean CTs: 4x2014, 6x2015-17, 3x2018-20
next June 2021!

AJQ
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:29 am
Location: CA

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby AJQ » Fri Jul 21, 2017 5:45 pm

Thank you for your replies. Appreciate it.
I understand it is a personal choice. Certainly no PICC line.

I will most likely go with a port but hate to be cutup again...thinking :(

AJ
53 yr, stage 4 adenocarcinoma of appendix(PD) and Cecum
5/16/17: LAP Appendix Removal
5/22/17: Diagnosed. T4 poorly differentiated with LVI
6/21/17: LAP RHC: 1/21 positive Lymph. T4N1M0
7/27/17: started Xelox (Capox) cycles
10/17: CT scan. Multiple Peri and Pelvis mets. Stage 4
11/17: CRS/HIPEC. All nodules removed- low PCI
1/18: CT. 2 lung nodules. next CT on 4/24
7/18: multiple Liver nodules. 3 additional lung nods. Started targeted therapy
1/19: CT scan and Liver resection planned for 2/1/19

Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby Aqx99 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 5:53 pm

I got my port put in this morning. It was a very quick, simple procedure. I was nervous about it, but shouldn't have been. I'm sure I will appreciate it on Monday when I have my first infusion.
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby Lee » Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:07 pm

Port,

I took my 1st infusion in my hand. Ports were new and Onc had to fight my insurance to get mine. I was hooked up to IV pole for 2-3 days, guess if there was any blood in tube, go to ER ASAP :shock: . Had to do everything at home with one hand, and could not leave the house, sleep only one way at night, not a lot of fun.

My 2nd infusion was much better, with my new port. Two hands, much more mobile. just remember to bring my fanny pack with ever I was getting off the chair or bed.

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

Tupelo honey
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2016 7:57 pm

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby Tupelo honey » Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:37 pm

betsydoglover wrote:I did 6 rounds of oxaliplatin without a port. We decided that if I had to do more we would get a port.

My only side effect from IV oxy was a stiff, tingly arm after infusion - only lasted a few days and didn't hinder my daily life.

Remember , you can always start with IV and switch to a port if you need to. (My husband had a PICC line for another reason - total PIA and I don't recommend it.)

Take care,


I had the same experience described above. Finished all my rounds by IV. Numb tingly funny arm for a few days after each infusion. Although I disliked the sensation,due to a family history of blood clots, I was glad to avoid a port. All effects were temporary and faded after a few days.
Rectal Cancer Stage 3A 10-22-2015 T2N1M0
Start Chemo radiation 11/2015
LAR TME w/ total hysterectomy 3/14/2016 pT2N1M0 No ileo, straight connect
Start Xelox 4/21/16 1 week on/1 week off
Switch to Xelox 2 weeks on/1 week off 6/1/2016
Supplements: Curcumin, PSK, Celixicob, Cimetidime, Glutamine, L-Acytel Carnitine, Vit D, Vit B6, Vit B12, magnesium, calcium, aspirin, metformin, modified citrus pectin
10/2016 NED
03/2017 NED
07/2017 NED
11/2017 NED
05/2018 NED
11/2018 NED
11/2019 NED
11/2020 NED
8/2021 NED

LaciK
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 2:10 pm

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby LaciK » Sat Jul 22, 2017 2:02 am

I am a very difficult stick so I kept my port for follow up blood work and the CTs. I've had no issues. I had it installed the day before my first infusion and it was fine.
DX 9/23/15 rc (age 50)
CT & EUS revealed T3N1 Stage 3b
Chemo/Radiation Oct/Nov 2015
LAR 1/15/16 w/temp ilieostomy
Xelox 3/17/16 - 2 rounds then paused for ilieostomy reversal 4/22/16
& to Clear up C. Diff infection
Restart Xelox 5/19/16 - Final infusion 7/21/16
Finish Xelox (oral Xeloda) 8/3/16
8/17/16 CMP & CBC normal; CEA Zero!
9/26/16 Colonoscopy clear
10/5/16 CT clear

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horizon
Posts: 1668
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:10 pm

Re: To port or not for Oxi

Postby horizon » Sat Jul 22, 2017 8:14 am

betsydoglover wrote:Remember , you can always start with IV and switch to a port if you need to.


That's what I was going to say. I hate needles and they couldn't get an IV started for my chemo. Then during it my arm got tingly and irritated. I knew I couldn't do six months of that and got a port. No regrets.

I flew several times with my port and no one in security said a word to me about it.
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 12 years NED). Is this real life?


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