Daisy, I can also totally relate to the fear of needles! Although, as Gary has said, he may find that changes by the time he's been through all this. The port will really help him not have to deal with needles very much during treatment (I had a port too) but also most oncology nurses are very very good with needles. I just went for a followup checkup and blood test to my medical oncologist and the nurse was so good with the needle I barely FELT it!

By all means ask for whatever meds he needs to make this more bearable. I had Ativan to take all through rad and chemo and, although I didn't take it all the time, it definitely helped me get through things (it also helps control nausea which I also needed all the help I could get with)! My medical oncologist's office was really good at presribing whatever was needed for pain and anxiety. if I had whined louder they would have geiven me even more serious drugs but I had this thing about wanting to be as clear-headed as possible which, in retrospect, was silly. He should find he's able to get some real help with this if he talks about it with his medical oncologist. He can do this. You can too.

Nelie