Port or no Port?

[hailstorm]

Just wondering how many of you on the R-CHOP 21 protocol ended up getting a mediport or portacath installed?

The subject was never even broached with me, so they've been sticking me anew each time for the treatments thusfar (cycle 3 begins tomorrow) But I don't think I would want one regardless, as the only advantage I have seen is convenience in accessing the vein, but the chances of have a complication or infection seem to be significant.

To those of you who have made a choice, how did you decide?

[vbass]

I was never asked if I wanted a port or not. I just get asked if I have a port every time they stick me! From what I've read on this forum I don't think I want one. I also have my 3rd treatment of CHOP-R 21 tomorrow.

[hailstorm]

Wow, same day, same DLBCL, same extranodal! We're chemo brothers!

[softballmom]

I did 6 rounds of R-CHOP without a port. My onc felt that my veins were good and wanted me to try chemo without a port. I didn't have any trouble with my infusions.

I think it depends on a person's veins and whether they're bothered by needles, etc., but I was very happy to skip another surgical procedure and chance of infection or blood clots. I think most people do very well with ports though.

I hope you have an easy infusion today. Three down and three to go!

Heidi

[JeanneK]

George has small veins; in his case, a port made great sense. However, you should be aware that with a port, there's a risk of infection -- which can be a big deal after the fifth and sixth rounds, when white cell counts dip to their lowest levels.

A lot of people love the convenience, however. And I've heard that over time, veins tend to give out.

Jeanne

[kklarocca]

Well I wasn't given the option because I was starting treatment before I was recovered completely from my surgery. He thought my veins were good enough. The only problem now is that my veins are no longer good and it is difficult to have blood work drawn. So I guess if I had my choice, I may have gone with getting the port

[pine soul]

I had a PICC line which is partly external unlike a Port which is totally under the skin. Having a line put in does not involve a general surgery either. They just numb the area with lidocaine. It's about a 45 minute procedure. I too read about peoples veins being shot after chemo and I appreciated the ease of my catheter for greatly reducing the number of times I would get stuck. I don't mind needles but inserting an IV line is often a hit or miss procedure and can involve multiple sticks. As far as infection that is a risk and I had my line pulled once for a possible infection. I would think a port offers less chance of infection than an external catheter being under the skin.

[JeanneK]

In the long run, George was very grateful to have the port installed. He had a freak occurrence of a staph infection (before he started chemo) in his biopsy incision. It went dormant because of the steroids, but became life-threatening after his sixth infusion.

He had to be treated with Vancomycin IV for eight weeks. We really needed the port then, since I set up the IVs at home myself (twice a day). The port made it SO much easier.

The surgery for it is quick and went easily for George; same with the removal.

Jeanne

[fishnbanjo]

Did the R-CHOP 21 and had a port installed in my left pectoral. I was awake during the installation and had the surgical team in stitches laughing with my jokes. Still have the port and completed chemotherapy just prior to Thanksgiving. If I get a NED again next month the onc will decide what maintenance I will have and the port will probably get removed.

[mr47]

I wasn't asked nor did I have any problems without a port. The nurses loved my veins, like shooting fish in a barrel. If you're good without a port, then I would stay that way. However you should always feel free to ask your doctors or nurses any question that pops into your mind. Find out why they didn't suggest a port for you. Good luck!