Good Morning-
I'm thinking about getting a subcutaneuos port, the kind that goes in your chest but you can't see anything from the outside. It's been 5 months since I started weekly treatments and there's no planned endpoint, so that means I get stuck with an IV once a week, and it always takes at least 2 tries to get it in.
A PICC line is out of the question since I have a toddler at home and he'd yank on it.
I know this has been discussed on the forum, but I've got specific questions for anyone who had this type of port:
1. I'm worried about my son hitting or stepping on the port site(when we are playing). Would it hurt if you were to press on it from the outside?

2. How does getting stuck in the port compare to getting stuck for an IV, pain-wise?

3. Can you feel the port in there or do you get used to it?

TIA!
Melissa

I had one of those... they are great, chemo is so much easier that way. You hardly feel the injections, it is feels more like someone presses on you chest.. it was preferable to a regular iv and of course they hit every single time.

It is not a big deal at all, it does not hurt to have it. I am not sure about hitting it howerever. Also, I tried not to have the seatbelt driectly on it.. just in case you actually need it (the belt). BTW when the time comes to take it out... this is done in 15 minutes and off you go.

Markus

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

I had a port like the one you describe and here's my experience in answer to your questions

1. If the port site got hit directly with some pressure it would probably hurt more than some other part of your body-especially right after it was put in--but it wasn't a super-sensitive body area at least for me.

2. Since I have veins that roll it is pretty common for me to have to get stuck 2 or three times if someone is setting up an IV, and there's even more pain if they think they are in but actually aren't and try to inject something. So the port was a godsend for me--you can barely feel it when they put the IV in and it works right the first time every time.

3. If by "can you feel the port in there" you mean is there pain or discomfort or some other sensation all the time from having it in, no there wasn't. But it made a bulge under my skin so if you touched that area of my chest you could easily feel it was there--if that's what you mean. But of course that's the point--so the nurses can find it!

Overall, I would say get one. I had no regrets about having one and it made lots of stuff way easier.

Nelie

Mel---I would have LOVED one!
My 'maximum stickings' was 5 times--and still it didn't work, had to go back next day!
I also had veins which popped/collapsed several times and the pain was intense.
Fortunately, I'm now on monthly bloods/Zometa, all of which can be done via a 'healthy' vein in the crook of my arm
You seem to have different 'palliative/shrinking' regimes in the US. I asked my doc about this last review and he said the chemo had achieved maximum hoped-for shrinkeage, can be repeated if necessary.
At the moment am glad for a break from the incessant poking, and during it, was many a time wishing I could have a port!

Hope you get answers that are right for you and take your family-life into account

Brends x

Thanks for the responses everyone. I will definitly ask my doctor if I can get one, no painful sticking sounds great!!

Brenda, the treatment I'm on is not typical for the US either- it's because my pathology is very rare so there's no set treatment. I don't have squamous cell like most people here, I have spindle cell and it also has some sarcoma elements(a different kind of cancer). So they are doing the cisplatin/Erbitux with a "wait and see" approach. The other people I've seen on this board with mets are on something similar to yours, a combo of chemo drugs for a set amount, then it can be repeated later.
I'm like a one-woman clinical trial
Melissa

Hi Mel, Sending you lots of strength. Hope the chemo does the job! XOXO Kate

Hi Guys-
3 months later, I've finally gotten and used my port. I LOVE IT!
It is so much easier than the IV, and it hardly hurts at all to get stuck. It doesn't hurt if my son accidentally knocks it either. The area was sore for about a week afterwards, and that was it. I can't believe I even thought about not getting it.

I haven't been posting/reading much lately, but here's a quick update- I've stopped cisplatin for the time being as the lung mets have shrunk to pretty small. So now I'm on Erbitux alone for the time being. I don't have many side effects from the Erbitux treatment so I'm trying to cram in as much fun as I can right now...phew..it's exhausting!
Mel

Mel, I'm so glad the port is working well for you and also that you get a break from the cisplatin and are "cramming in as much fun as you can"....Thanks for the update, you have been in my thoughts and will continue to be.
Nelie

Brilliant Mel! So pleased at this rapid result--Here's to lots of fun!!!

Brenda