As a caregiver to someone who appeared to have perfect veins, I'd recommend anyone undergoing chemo get a port.

This was not an option offered to us, and no one warned us about the damaging effects of chemo on the veins. Even if you are only scheduled for 3 chemos (like my husband was)...there are weekly blood draws and extra draws for when/if there are fevers or hydration needed.

Then, my husband's regime switched to weekly chemo.

On one of our last visits at the chemo center, he was poked by 3 nurses for 1 1/2 hours and they still couldn't get enough blood to do lab work...and, they were working with a pediatric needle.

And, when he got a staph infection post treatment, when the IV antibiotic was given it blew a vein and they had no idea how much medication he received.

It was terrible. I am a big advocate of a port for any H&N patient going through chemo.