Hi Anna
I had a port fitted Aug 2010 and it is the best ever.
Mine was fitted under general - day case surgery.
It is about size of €1 and totally under skin in chest, with a little line running to a vein in my neck. You can feel it under the skin, similar to bone in our wrist, and most people don't notice the line in neck. I have a small scar about 1" in chest, just above the breast.
Since I was asleep the mechanics of the placement and scan no worry, the nurse showed me what looked like an xray probably with some contrast used to test it's position etc. after.

Ok after the placement there is mild pain/discomfort for a couple of days, painkillers work fine on it, until the stitches /strips removed in about a week.
The port can be used immediately.

Then it settles in and at this point I don't know its there.

To access for chemo it is no more than a pin prick using a special huber needle catheter.
This is most comfortable ie least discomfort if you can lie flat for the access and they will ask you to take a deep breath as they access. It is so easy it doesn't even bleed when removed, no bruise, just a pin mark. The line covered with a sticky clear film plaster while in place.
A blouse or scoop neck tee shirt make easy, access.

It is best not to lift/carry heavy stuff for a couple of months after as it can feel a little uncomfortable if you do.
You will also be aware of it when you lie on that side in bed, also under a seat belt for a couple of months, Its handy to have something like a folded scarf to slip between in the car for longer trips, if you don't wear a jacket.

**Tip remember to Also ask to have it placed the side you don't carry a shoulder bag on.

But it is so worthwhile I am 7 yrs on and my veins had packed up towards the end of my 2nd line treatment, so it was placed before my 3rd line. And there is no way they are getting it back IT STAYS WITH ME FOREVER!!
It has taken all the vein trauma from the treatment days and the blood draws also.
I do still however need to find a vein for ct scans, for the contrast as it cannot be used, but that I can put up with.

If it is not in a phase of regular use, ie chemo, I need to visit the clinic once every 4 weeks for a flush, This is a simple syringe full of water, injected via one of the special access huber needle. (pin prick) 2 minute job but well worth the trip to clinic, and wait that goes with it.

Mine has only had one blip a local skin infection/imflamation around the line about 1 month after placement. This was treated with heavy dose of oral antibiotics for 10 days and daily trips to clinic to monitor it. It did at that time delay the next chemo cycle until they were happy it was ok. But I enjoyed the extra time between cycles instead.

I can so reccomend it. The lack of vein trauma more than compensates for any minor inconviences.
It should be standard for all recurrant patients, with vein issues!!
Go for it
M

Hi Anna,
No experience with a port, just wanted to wish you well.

Love Dorothy

Oh Anna I do feel for you. My veins are giving up and I may need something similar next time. So far the only mention has been a hickman line or central line both of which can only be left in for a limited period and need redoing so I am interested in the port and all the info from M.

Good luck to you! I had not realised you had to have insurance as well as health service in Spain! I assumed that ex pat residents had to pay state healthcare similar to NI. My ex husband and his sister both live in Spaiin and there has been no mention of additional insurance. Must ask my kids.

Margaret

Hello Anna,
The comments above are very reassuring and from people who have experienced the introduction of a post. In terms of the pain when they have to use needles for bloods etc, I think a good way to deal with that is to tell yourself that although it can be sharp, it is virtually momentary, not ongoing. Here's wishing you all the best with the implant. Lill

I have a port which was fitted under a local. The procedure was weird rather than painful - just the fact of hearing the surgeon and nurses chattng away and being pulled about was odd but I couldn't say that it's been at all painful although I always know it's there (it's just under where the adjuster is on my bra' strap!)

Here in France we get an anaesthetic patch to put on two hours before the chemo so I have never even felt the needles going in. Brilliant thing!

Anna
Forgot to mention last night, The port once placed is totally under the skin and semi-permanent you can expect 2-5 years use from it.
So once placed and healed it is as if there is nothing there. No issues with showers, swimming or clothes.
While a hickman line is external and therefore has more maintenance required and higher risk of infection etc, and hence more likely to be removed after treatment series.
I would definately opt for a port, if available.
M

I had a port fitted a couple of weeks ago. I was really nervous as I had it done under local rather than general and I'm a real 'wuss' when it comes to hospitals and 'ops'. However rather than me 'building myself up', the actual procedure was not bad, as said before, just weird. I didn't like the feeling of the tube being inserted, but had no pain at all. I've had my first chemo treatment and having the port is great, I previously had chemo without a port and this way is so much easier. It has felt a little alien to me having the small bump in my chest, but my head is getting used to it now. I would say, go for it and be positive. Good luck with your treatment. M

Hi Anna,
sounds like the answer to a dream. Next time I need chemo I think I will have to have something as my veins are shot to pieces, only the most experiences nurses can get one. I had mentioned having soemthing last time, but they thought they could manage and see what happened. Fingers crossed it will be a long time until I need it.
Good luck

Hi Anna,
I had a PICC line put in. This is inserted just above the elbow under local anaesthetic and xray guided. Bit of pulling but no pain. Picc lines are similar to Hickman lines. So much more comfortable than having the poor nurses searching for a vein in our well used veins.
Hope things are improving for you.
Luv'n'hugs
Sue x

Ladies, thank you so much for a great response. I have already got a letter today from my Onc. to have one fitted if I need one. I will go for a port as obviously living in a hot climate we have a pool and I do swim.

One thing that has thrown me though is my GP here suggested a general surgeon would fit it, but Onc.was amazed by this and says a radiologist fits them here in Spain. Any comments please again would be greatly appreciated, although reading your posts some of you do mention the word 'surgeon'.

Margaret, I will answer your question on insurance and state health care here in Spain. When we retired we were under pensionable age so we transferred our UK private insurance with PPP AXA through to Spain. There is no free healthcare under pensionable age unless you work and pay into the system. Once you reach pensionable age the UK has a reciprocal agreement with the Spain re health care, so we are now entitled to free state healthcare.

Of course when my cancer started I chose to go the private route and am very pleased I did, as the care in the state sector is very different here to the UK. But once I went onto drug trials the insurance company could no longer fund them so my Onc took me onto the Spanish state system. I now combine the two, having my scans done privately and I will have a port fitted privately.

Thanks again you have answered my question.

Love Anna xx

Hi Anna! Thanks for the info! Sounds as if you have the best of both worlds! My son wanted me to have treatment privately when I was diagnosed but my GP said he would not use that route even if it were free because it is not holistic.

Good luck with the Port!

M

Hi Anna

I had a PowerPort fitted when my veins gave up after 4 rounds of chemo, and I can honestly say it was the best thing I ever did. I used to dread chemo sessions, and often ended up in tears as they had to insert 4 or 5 cannulas each session. With the port, I hardly even notice I'm having chemo! And, as others have said, you hardly know the port is there, and you can swim, take showers etc without worrying. Mine was put in under general anaesthetic but it's really quick, I was in and out of hospital within 4 hours.

If you can, try and get a PowerPort, as it can then be used for the contrast material in CT scans.

Good luck!
Sue

Hi Anna,

I had a port fitted last November but had to have it removed 3 weeks ago. It was fitted under local anesthetic by a radiologist. I had my last chemo today via cannula but when I need further treatment I plan to have another one fitted.

I will tell you what happened to me but please don't let it put you off as what happened was very rare but I just wanted to explain so this doesn't happen to you (or any one else).

I had the port fitted on a Tuesday and was due to have my first chemo later that day however there was a 2 hour delay with the patient before me. As there was no consultant on duty later that day they waited to the following day before doing my chemo.

The nurse tried twice to get it in but it had twisted slightly so I had to have an
x-ray to check it. It was okay but slightly tilted so another nurse who was more experienced tried to fit the needle. The local anesthetic had worn off by now so it was very sore. She wasn't sure that she had fitted it correctly but then changed her mind and put the pre-meds through which seemed to go in okay. We then started the chemo and within 5 minutes I had a real burning sensation down my arm. I called the nurse and they stopped the chemo immediately.

The consultant checked it and didn't think it had leaked it was just very sore but they finished the chemo through a cannula.

I was in a lot of pain from it but felt sure it would settle down. It was still very painful and bruised ( in fact my whole breast and chest was bruised) when I had my second chemo 3 weeks later so again couldn't be used. We left it another week then I went to have it flushed where they found a little pus in the wound so I had antibiotics for a week. I went back to get it flushed and ended up in theatre again so they could fit the needle to flush it. This was when the radiologist told me the chemo had leaked and damaged the tissues around the port. He did leave the needle in so I could have my 3rd chemo put through it 2 days later. It was brilliant and so easy but I was still in a lot of pain.

I couldn't sleep at night because it hurt so much every time I moved in bed. I couldn't bend over or carry too much because of the pain. Great fun as I am still working as a childminder in between treatments ( however I managed to pass my ofsted inspection between treatment and got outstanding - amazing what you can achieve in severe pain)

I saw my oncologist who actually apologised for this happening to me but I don't think it was anyone's fault in particular just a set of circumstances. We dosed me up with pain killers for the 4th treatment and numbed the area with some special cream but it was still so sore that we couldn't fit it properly so not used again.

I then decided to have it taken out as I really could not stand the pain anymore and I hadn't slept through the night for two and a half months. It came out easily but with loads of blood and gloop ( as they called it) I have been left with some scar tissue under the incision area and just below but it doesn't hurt.

I would say make sure they fit it in the right place. I have large breasts so it should have been sited higher up also if they are going to do the chemo that day or even the next day ask them to fit the needle in place for the first one so the chemo can be put through easily.

I will have another one fitted on the other side when I need one and have already discussed it with the radiologist. We are going to mark the area to fit it before I am laying down.

Anna go for it don't let this put you off but just be aware if they are not sure the needle is in properly don't let them use it. It is very rare what happened to me.

Good luck Jackie

M
A quick update ... I asked my onc about a port but apparantly they don't do it at my hospital gutted
Sue

Jackie, so sorry you experienced such a horrid time with your port and no I won't let that put me off. This is one reason I have opted to have it done privately, as my GP did say it is a bit barbaric having fitted on the State system. You can virtually insist on anything you want when the Insurance Co is paying, so I want putting out completely.

I remember before my debaulking I had to have a colonoscopy and a bronchoscopy and I asked if they could do them both at the same time. They said it was unusual to do a bronchoscopy under sedation, they did a colonoscopy under sedation. But they did it, I didn't know what what happening but assume it was looking up and down both ends at the same time lol

So again you have answered my question and have had both surgeons and radiologists fit them, so both my Onc and my GP are correct in their thinking. As my chemo is maintenance chemo and I am on it for the rest of whatever life I have left, I guess I shall take the plunge and go for the port.

Sue thanks for the hint on the power point.

At the moment I am suffering dreadful stomach problems and my Onc is at a loss to know what the problem is . There is no fluid in the stomach, the external examination seems fine, so is the chemo treatment of Cisplatin and Gemcitbane not working, or has almost 4 years non stop treatment taken a toll on my stomach. The problem is he won't allow an endoscopy because of the potential bleeding. So I have a scan booked for Fri morning with the results on Tues pm. I had a CA 125 taken today when I had my chemo and I go back to Malaga again next Wed when a decision will be taken if I continue with the same treatment or look for something else. The last scan in Dec showed minute shrinkage of tumours !!

Is anyone else finding they have problems with stomach cramping and vomiting after eating certain foods ?

I was disappointed to hear that they are not running trials anywhere in Spain with PARP inhibitors. My Onc. was in the forefront with using Avastin as he has been using the drug for at least 7 years now, but nothing with PARP inhibitors which is a shame as he thinks I could be an ideal candidate.

I am also saddened at the loss of yet another friend, a lovely Danish lady I knew from hospital. She sadly died on Monday, so since Dec I have lost one friend just before Xmas and another one in Jan and now Ellen in February. This blasted disease can we ever really zap it ?????

Love Anna xx

H Ladies,

Thanks for all your input on the port. My Insurance Company have given the go ahead to get it fitted, so last night I went to see the consultant who will fit it. The only problem is as my bloods were so bad last week and the platelets very low, I had to have another blood test this morning to see if I will need a platelet transfusion before the port can be fitted.

The other downside is the rush as I restart on my Avastin next Wed and once I start on that it isn't possible to have any surgical intervention. You have to be off the drug for 6 weeks before anything can be done. So fingers crossed the platelets will be OK and we can get it fitted the end of this week. We have son and heir visiting for one week until next Tues so at least I will have a driver.

It will be done under proper theatre sterile conditions and under full sedation, the consultant commented it is more likely for infections to occur when it is fitted by a radiologist and not in the sterile surroundings of a theatre. I can't say I am looking forward to it, but it will be better than continuous problems finding veins and very bruised arms.

Love Anna x

Hi M,

Now all the years I have been having chemo, I have never heard this one.

Downside is the platelets are even worse than last week so they are trying to arrange a platelet transfusion prior to fitting the port.

Right that's it, no work for me tomorrow. Son and hubby can look after me lol

Love Anna xx

I had a phone call late this afternoon, that despite the platelets being low, I am still getting the port fitted. I have to be at hospital for 8.30 am to have a platelet transfusion. I will then go straight to theatre to get the port fitted.

Can anyone answer me this question. I have been told to use Emla cream when they access the port for bloods and chemo. When they take the blood do they leave the needle in for the chemo a few hours later or do they remove it and put a plaster over it?. If so surely more Emla cream would have to be used.

Sorry for asking such a silly question, but this is all new to me !!

Love Anna xx

Hi Anna
Great they can get round the platelets issue I looked back and my rest day pulled my platelets up from 80 to 120 enough for chemo.
For me there is nothing used when my port is accessed as it really is no more than a pinprick, no pain.
It is however more comfortable if it is done when you are lying down, (and I find they get a better blood flow back for blood draws)

Here it is accessed as a mini surgical procedure ie they use the sterile kit, so they wipe over the area with some sterile antibac wash on cotton wool then
They normally ask me to take a breath in as they place the needle.
Then they either draw the blood required for test or if its between use like mine at the moment it is just flushed with a syringe full of saline the needle removed and that is it.
Not even a plaster needed. Done that simple. Painless and no bruises.

When it is being used for chemo they just place one of those clear sticky patches about 5cm square over it to hold in place. Then I would be free to go off while I wait for the chemo to arrive up from the pharmacy (usually a couple of hours) So on chemo days a scoop neck tshirt or buttoned blouse and cardigan is handy.

I normally have the needle removed after the chemo (as all sticky plasters/dressings irritate my skin if left on too long) But when I was an inpatient for dehydration at one point I had the needle in for a couple of days with no problems, so if your treatment is a 2-3 day type one I guess they will leave it in place overnight if you don't mind either way.

Hope this helps sort out the questions for you, feel free to ask any more.
All the best
M