Crae, You never know what your schedule may be. It is a bit of an expirmentation process to figure it out. Some people once de-ironed can go a year or two without getting another one. Some can go every few months and some like me have to go every three weeks. Get your ferritin down to 50 and then try to maintain it there. I keep mine at 20 because I feel the best then but some do not like it that low.

Went to surgeon today for consultation for port. I will be having it put in on the 28th.
I will keep this updated.
Sandra C

Had port placed today. Everything went very well. I am pretty sore. I will probably call tomorrow and see when I will be able to start the phlebs.

I have my first phleb on Thursday Aug 12th.

Hi Sandra - After 15 years of phlebotomies, my veins were shot. I decided to get a port a year or two ago and it has made my visits much quicker (not to mention less stressful for me and my phlebotomists with the multiple sticks and set ups). I was starting to feel bad about all the medical waste I was generating. I have grown to appreciate my port very much. I'm heading out for a phlebotomy right now, but you are welcome to contact me with any questions.

One thing to consider: you will need to get a port "flushed" every 4-6 weeks whether or not you need a phlebotomy. I always need the phlebotomy, so I don't mind. I have pushed it as much as 7 weeks, but any longer than that you risk clotting in the port - which would probably result in removal/replacement.

Another consideration for women are bra straps. I can give you more details later if you like. ; )

Sorry - just read down and realized you already got the port! If it doesn't work at first, don't get discouraged. Mine didn't work well until the fourth time and I hear (from my friends in the chemo room) that's pretty common. It has worked well since then.

Is yours right under your bra strap? It never occurred to me before I had it placed. I am quite busty and haven't worn a bra since because it irritates my port. I now wear the stretchy camisoles that are so popular lately ; ) Good luck with your phlebotomy this week!! I'm off to get mine now...

I am so glad to hear from someone that has had a good experience with a port. I have a Bards Power Port it is very low profile, can't really see it sticking up. I am large busted also and had just purchased 3 new bras, but thank goodness they curve over kinds toward my arms and are not near the port area so not irritation at all. What do you usually eat before you go for your phleb?
My appt is Thursday at 4:00. I know I am going to take a Zanax before I go. Any other suggestions.

I went for my phleb today. Port flushed perfectly, but there is a small clot on the end. They are going to use a clot buster med in the port next week, it will have to stay in 2 hours, then the port shpld work fine. In the meantime they wanted to try and phleb me anyway. They tried to stick me 3 times 2 times in let arm and once in right hand. When she pulled the needle out of my left hand the blood looked like a string. My blood is so thick it won't flow. I took Omega 3 capsules I took 2 81 mg asprins I drank water all day and they gave me a bag of fluids still did not thin it any. So the are putting me on Coumedan. Pray for me next week Sandra

YOU HAVE MY PRAYERS! Sorry it was such a bad experience!

SUCCESS PORT WORKED TODAY. Finally got my first phleb today. Port would not work last week had a small clot on end of line. A clot buster was put in port for 2 hours today. It finally worked. Thank God. They removed 500cc.
I will find out my ferritin level on Monday.

Port has worked only 2 times. Had to go and have port dye study yesterday. They put a clot buster in, it took 4 hours for the infusion. Still would not work. There is a little slack in the port line, this may be causing it not to work. I have a appt next week with my surgeon to see if it is going to have to be replaced. A possible option is to go thru groin and run a line thru to the port line and and straighten the slack out. No guarantee that it will stay. I am so discouraged.