I have my first port put in 5 1/2 years ago, I had it taken out and a new Power Port put in. It's the best thing I ever did! Having a port is so much easier than constantly getting IV s. It's really simple gettiing it put in, it's a little sore for a couple of days but after that you dont' even feel it. They usually don't get in any hurry to take them out. My doctor told me that I could have in out if I wanted but recomended that I leave iy in. I'm glad I did because my cancer came back and I would have had to get another one. You can't see or feel them unless you push down on it. Well you can see a small lump under the skin if you are extremely thin. Make sure you ask for a power port, you can use those everything, blood draw.chemo, the die for scan... they also have 3 dots on them that the nurse can feel so it easier for them to stick in the right place.

You need a driver for the procedure, I was pretty knocked out afterwards. I was glad for the pain pills but only used them a short time. I still have mine but have been advised to have it taken out. There is a small bump in my chest and I can feel the vein insert in my throat but only if I look for it. A port is the way to go if that is what your Dr. suggested.

Well Kate,
I noticed not many responses on this question. I hesitated because I don't want to frighten you. I did not have a very good experience. I went in expecting to pop out and go shopping or something. I was sore and uncomfortable, I had a hematoma underneath that persisted. I doubt that it was a common experience. Although I have a friend that had a terrible time this past week. So, I guess expect the best and prepare for uncomfortable? Wear your bra so they can see where your bra strap rests, so they can place it where that won't rub.

I will say this... I am really glad I had it put in. It makes the Chemo injections really easy.
I m still promising to skip out of the surgery center when they remove my port. : )

I've never had a problem with my port & no problems when it was put in.. It's been in place for about a year now.

Hi Kate, I am probably the only one here that didn't get a port or iv. I got what is called a Picc Line. No pain at all, it only takes about 5 minutes to put in, and take out. It is left in the entire time you will be getting the chemo. It is removed the day of your last chemo treatment. It is a long tube (aprox 15 inches) that is fed into your main vein (or artery) through the upper part of the inside of your arm (between elbow and arm pit). They feed it into the vein and stop somewhere in the middle of your chest. Then they just hook up your chemo stuff and it drips into you just like a port. I loved it, had no problems at all. (couldn't get it wet, so wrapped it up for shower time,and no swimming) You should look into this. Take care, gg

I went to the out patient surgery center to put the ports in but my first port was taken out in the doctors office who put it in. He numb the area, it took 10 minutes. I have a small scar where it was.

Hi Katie,
I hope all of this info isn't overwhelming you. It is sort of a mixed bag, the information. I hope that all goes smoothly for you what ever you decide. We all know that it is a lot to take in... diagnosis and then all these steps toward treatment and recovery.
Wishing you all the best,
MPNC

I have a power point it's easy and makes everything go easier. I'm a hard stick so I hated to give blood,but they use it for everything. Its good for 3,000 sticks and can last for years.

I had a port put in two weeks ago when they also put in a J-Tube for tube feeding for my gastroparesis to bypass my stomach. While the surgeon was in there, due to the unexplained stomach pains I've had ever since last September when I was found to have colon cancer, he took a look around to make sure he didn't see any masses outside. I don't have to have chemo unless the cancer returns, but I've had so much trouble keeping food down that I've lost 50 lbs since October and steadily going down. I could afford to lose weight, but my nutrition was very bad.
I had no problems with pain at my port site but am still in excruciating abdominal pain. I was rushed back to the ER the Thursday after my surgery for two days of IV therapy and the port was very handy, as it took the anesthisologist six times to get an IV going for the surgery. My veins are so bad they had trouble even drawing blood from me at clinic so the doctors decided I needed to have a port put in for easier IV access.
Liz

Hi Kate, Took about 30min. I was given 3 needles to numb the incision area. Then I was able to have a chat with the surgeon as he installed my port. After, it felt weird, but I was okay. The next day I felt a bit sore from bruising, but it improved after that. 5 days later I forget it was there.

It made treatment easier. Having the port was easier to administer the chemo, and like Vikki mentioned, they were able to take bloods and administer any other drugs needed via the port. They'd give me a patch to put over the port 40min before I went in for my hook up to chemo, and I had no discomfort when connection occured. It was uncomfortable when I put my seatbelt on, but you guys drive on the wrong side of the road anyway, so your belts might be on the opposite side too lol.

Also don't allow 13yo daughters near them. When they want to annoy you, they pretend it's a button and go 'beep beep'. Removal was a little uncomfortable, but hey, I'd just been through 8 months chemo. That wasn't a problem. The tissue grows around the tube, and they tug a bit, but it comes out okqy. A few stitches, a little itchy for a while, but it healed up well.

I had forgotten about the seat belt issue. Mine hit my port area and the major incision. But looking back, it is slowly fading away to small stuff.

One of the nurses before it was installed said it would feel like there was something about the size of an eyeball underneath your skin, slightly poking out. I never did it, but had though about having someone use a sharpie and paint the bump to look like an eye! But I have a warped sense of humor. :>

Everyone has been so helpful. I don't feel scared anymore. And indychuck - I was already thinking about drawing an eyeball. How odd we are on the same wavelength. Humor is definately the way to go!