Mel,

The port has been a godsend for my hubby. It so saves you arm veins and negates having to be stuck several times to get a good flow going.

Bill had his port done the same time he had his PEG placed and both healed nicely and quickly. The port incision was about 1.5 inches and closed with steristrips...no stitches. The port is about the size of a quarter and is visible under the skin kind of like a lump. On chemo days(or blood test days,) we use a topical cream prescribed by the MO that numbs the area. We dollop it on an hour or two before the appt. (cover it with a small piece of saran wrap...no gauze cause that absorbs) and viola...no pain at all and your arms are free during treatments!

The port will be your best friend...and those oncology nurses are very good at accessing them.
For Bill, it was one less assault during his treatment...a big help!

Deb