DH has had a port for several years as his cancer is in remission. He has had NO problem. You do need to get it flushed out every 4-6 weeks. Your cancer Dr/nurse will tell you that. He likes it it get his blood drawn also, as it is difficult for them to do that due to his veins being small. But, they have to know ahead of time at the lab due to the fact it takes a special trained nurse to do that (here in ND) . You will learn all the tricks etc, just ask lots of questions because if you are getting Chemo, sometimes the nurses forget to do somethings, because they are so busy. Make sure they flush it everytime you get chemo. That is very important.
Good luck

Frank had one for chemo makes it much easier than inserting needle all the time.

((((((Kat Hugs)))))

I was thinking the same as Monica, it will keep you from being stuck and stuck again.

More hugs Kat!!

D@MNDAMNEDCANCER!!!! I know the port with make it easier (Ronnie had one), I'm just so sorry you're having to go through this!!!

Marie gave excellent advice. The only thing I would add...after caring for my husband's throughout his 22 months of chemo...is to make sure the skin surface area around the port stays immaculately clean/sterile...and make sure your chemo nurses keep it that way during your chemo treatments. The port was a Godsend for my husband...but it does pose a risk for infection.

Beyond that...I'm sending you a bushel of hugs as well.

Anne

Blech! Another (((((((Kat))))))

Bummer! But I guess it's for the best. A big HUG from me too. Susan

Kat, you are in my prayers every day. Be strong and know that your KT family is with you in this fight. Hugs!

Awwwwww, Kat, I'm so sorry. Guess getting the port will make a difficult procedure a little easier. My thoughts and prayers are with you, kiddo. Lets hope the magic juice (chemo) will knock your cancer on its a$$. Hugs. Dottie

((((((((((( Kat ))))))))))) Listen to the excellent advice given, and like Dottie, I hope the magic juice rids you of all cancer. My prayers are with you.

(((Hugs)))

I opted for the port too Kat and it was so much easier than the vein...but you are right...It does make it all real...

Prayers and best wishes going out to you.
Veta

(((Kat))) It will make a not so nice experience a little bit easier on you. My thoughts are with you!

My brother had a port and he used the plastic wrap that sticks to keep his port dry when he took a shower. It really worked well and then he just pulled it off after the shower. Maybe that will help others who are trying to keep the port dry, etc. Hope things go well for you.

I hope your treatments go well for you and you knock this horrible disease on its butt. Healthy thoughts going out to you.

Hugs from me Kat.

Sue and Izzi too

Kat , you will be in my prayers .You are such a courageous lady.

june

You know you have my thoughts, prayers and hugs from Iowa!! I hate that you have to go through all this. Cancer SUCKS!

Had a friend who used this method too; made it so much easier for her. My best wishes to you in this fight.
Dee

Kat, Good Luck. I just hope your treatment goes well. I'll be there holding your hand in spirit.

((Kat)) I've had a portacath (sp?) which was suppose to be temporary since Feb. of 2007. Now that I'm going to have to take this antibody by infusion for life, I'll have to get it replaced at some point.

You're not alone, swee'pea. Thinking about you and praying fervently that the chemo kills every one of those horrible cancer cells.

Luv ya lots, Brat

Kat---Keeping you in my prayers!

Hugs, Donna (^_^)

thanks everyone. This new drug is quite a vesicant and the nurses have to sit with me for an hour, checking the blood flow every few minutes to make sure none is leaking. It is worse than the vesicant I had to take with my previous 4 treatments, that was just a shot into the iv tube. The nurses say that this will be so much safer and will save my veins.. Which are very very good they say! lol but my skin is tough and thick! lol

"Now that I'm going to have to take this antibody by infusion for life" Oh, no, I didn't know Gale!

Sorry you have to go through this, but the port is definitely the way to go. DH had one and he was able to take care of it himself.

Kat....I marvel over your attitude. Keep up the good spirit. I know it gets difficult at times. I had lunch with a friend yesterday who has a port....chemo 24 -7 and radiation 5 days a week for the next six weeks. No question this is not fun but focus is on the future. May it be long, happy and healthy.

I've never had one but I bet it'll make things a lot easier, bRAT! Good luck and here's a hug-(((((Kat)))))

(((((((((((Kat)))))))))))) If I ever have to have chemo again, I will be joining you in having a port.

my veins are very visible so didn't have too much trouble with the chemo, but anything that makes this easier, i say go for it! remember everything we/they do is just steps to recovery!

had an appt weds with my gyn oncologist...12 pm appt but didn't get in til 3. at least it wasn't midnight. (yes, he's that busy) he was happy i'd lost 9 lbs...ha! i'm sure being off chemo helps that, lol...no lecture this time about having a lumpectomy over removal...

Kat, I have Leukemia & my Dr. ordered a "Groshong Catheter" .ItÂs on my upper arm .I donÂt mine it because I donÂt have to be poked everytime I have to get blood & itÂs nice where itÂs @ because my clothes hid it.

Praying all goes well for you.

Oh Kat, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Hang in there, chica! I'm surprised how many of us here have had or now have cancer. Don't forget, there is light at the end of the tunnel and the chemo won't go on forever.

Love you,
Sue

Kat, you are in my prayers.

The port is surely the way to go. I got mine 2 years ago and it makes it so easy.

Saying a prayer for all of you going through cancer treatment. I wish all of you good health and bodies rid of cancer. We should all say a prayer that someday cancer will be as remote as polio and TB. So all of you know you're in our thoughts and cheer you on as you fight that damned disease.

(((((((((((((((((Kat))))))))))))))))))))

I had my port put in in Sept of 08,finished chemo last feb,09,and i still have my port in.I have a power port,and while they use it for IV'S i don't let them use it for blood drives,and where i go for that they wouldn't use it anyway as my dr said ONLY an RN,or Dr shoul have access to it,and then they have to be up to date ,having done so in the last year or so and they have to use a special needle to access it.

I go once a month to have it flushed,just went this past monday.My Onc also put me on warfin and said i have to stay on that as well,as long as i have the port.Sure made Chemo a lot easier,if chemo can be easy!!!

One poster said"My brother had a port and he used the plastic wrap that sticks to keep his port dry when he took a shower ".I wonder why he did this?? You can take a shower with this in without covering it.The only thing i have to do is keep the bandaid on for 24 hours after it' been accessed (sp).Goo luck to ya,we'll be praying for a good outcome.
Kathi

Kat, I'm sorry...I have you in my thoughts and prayers.