Port Question

[Nancy B]

I had a port put in on Tuesday. I guess I had no idea what was involved. I am still VERY sore and bruised. Is that typical? When will it feel normal again? Also, how do you wear a seatbelt with this thing? Thanks

Nancy B

[Don]

Hi Nancy

It takes about 2 weeks to get over the soreness. The seatbelt issue is use small pillow but it will get better. Small pillow at night while sleeping if you lay on that side. When they access your port they do have a cream(numming agent) that can be used 10-15 mins before they stick you and always take a deep breath when going in and out of your port. That really helps. Dont let anyone access that port but your chemo nurse. If someone needs blood use your arm. There is a high risk of infection if the port is used for anything other than chemo. Hope this helps.

God Bless

Don

[Connie B]

Hey Nanc,

How you doing??? I know when I had talked to people that had a port, they also shared that is was sore for several days. But, once that goes away, they are a GODSEND!

Your ALWAYS in my thoughts and prayers.

Sending Get Well Hugs,

Connie

[purplelady47]

I am so glad for all this info - I get my port next Tuesday and need to know what to expect.

Hope you feel better soon Nancy!!!

And thanks to everyone else for your comments~

Pam in FL

[dchurchi]

Hi Nancy,

As others have said, Alan was pretty sore for about 10 days.

the port was a big help as his poor viens were in such bad shape.

Hope you are doing ok.

Are you going to Sonoma?? Did you go Already?

Prayers coming your way.

[marym]

Nancy,

I don't remember being sore - but I was bruised like you couldn't believe it. I think my location - rt side about 4" from base of neck and a little deep was a good location.

I do use my port for all blood work that can be done and for MRI contrast etc. These are all done under sterile conditions and my veins are shot. The port makes it so much easier.

Mary

[Ry]

Wow Nancy- You poor thing. John was not bruised at all. The site where the button (I'm sure this has a technical name) is was tender but that's all. Make sure you don't swim or get any bacteria near that site until it's completely healed over. Get a prescription for the cream that numbs the skin prior to chemo- it will help. Good luck with it.

Rochelle

[kimblanchard]

After a few days you won't even know it's there. Mine never hurt much and seat belts were never a problem. Mine is on my right upper breast. I don't give it a second thought and Ohhhhhhhhh it makes chemo so much easier!!

jim

[Carleen]

Keith's port still hurt for about 2 weeks. In addition, over the 3rd week if he over exerted himself or was very physical it hurt again.

When Keith and I went to the University of Iowa, they had a woman there who made small pillows for seatbelts. They are thin pads with straps on the back that wrap around the seat belt and velcro shut.

If you want to PM me your address I will send you the one I have here from Keith.

[Cindy RN]

I never thought about a pillow for the seatbelt

I put my belt on and put the shoulder part behind me so I really just have the lap part on. In the truck the airbag is turned off for me. In the car I guess I just take my chance

Cindy

[trish2418]

I had my port installed before I began chemo and I don't remember any discomfort with it at all. I do know that I was sent home after the surgery with pain killers but I never had to take any. Sorry your experience was so unpleasant.

Trish

[Geri]

My port was in for 3 years and after he first couple of weeks I didn't know it was there. I do remember having to sleep on my other side or back for a while until the tenderness eased.

I had my port used for everything too, my veins roll real easy and the port always performed well for blood tests and contrasts.

The prescription is Emla (sp?) Cream, I used it about an hour or so before my appointment and then I felt nothing (you put the cream on and then cover it with the adhesive pad provided), if I didn't use it there really wasn't any pain invovled, just a prick the same as any needle and my port was positioned right under the incision so the access needle had to go through the scar tissue (some smart dr I had!!).

I'm sure there's far more info from me than you need, hang in there I'm sure you won't be sorry you had a port put in.

Take care

Geri