I have loved both of my ports, current one is about 16 months old One thing that made accessing the port more comfortable was using a lidocaine/prilocaine cream about 90 minutes prior to the start of my appointment. I would cover the cream with a layer of Press and Seal so the cream wouldn't get on my clothing and would all be absorbed.
Thank you for sharing your experience with using lidocaine cream to make port access more comfortable. It's always helpful to hear about strategies that can help improve the patient experience during treatment. Thank you for watching and being part of the Yerbba community.
Thank you for the video. I never had any issues with my port placement or removal. Having it removed is always a good sign but to be honest, there are times I still wish I had it when the lab has trouble finding a vein. ❤
We're so glad to hear that you found the information helpful and easy to understand. It's completely normal to feel scared and overwhelmed during this process. Wishing you strength and courage on your journey.
One other thing is the port has to get flushed, I think every 6 weeks. Honestly, I was not a fan of my port. I developed a skin allergy both when they put my port in & took it out. I found it uncomfortable sleeping on my side with a port. I also only had 4 chemos and never used my port for my lab only appointments. I’m an easy stick & my veins are easy to find. I know many people who love their port and have no issues so I don’t want to discourage anyone. These are some things to think about
Based on my experience, I would recommend a portal, though my vein in my arm was used for chemo..unfortunately during 1 of my treatments, the needle pushed through my vein resulting in the Chemo drug going into my tissue, resulting in a severe burn of the tissue which encompassed my complete forearm and hand.. I experienced the most severe pain I have had ever for weeks..there has been long term effect of nerve damage in my hand..probably this may not have happened to this extent if the only nurse on duty was not at the other end of the building and reach her until I walked down there pushing my IV pole!!..this was neglience.. also i had asked her to notify my Oncologist which she did not, he didn't learn about it until the next week...future infusions were monitored closely by 2 nurses but unfortunately the IV had to be inserted in the hand which was burned. Thanks for reading..I would like to assure others, this experience is hopefully the true exception to the rule..please tell the nurse at all times if you feel any discomfort and concern during the infusion.. God bless
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice with us. We hope your message helps others avoid similar issues. Some chemotherapies, when they go through the vein into the tissues, can cause serious problems such as in your case. Nurses, doctors, and pharmacists who give chemotherapy can generally avoid this by ensuring the iv is in the vein. If, despite these precautions, the chemotherapy "extravasates" as it did with you. It is indeed an emergency.
I called my port Persephone (Queen of the Underworld) and she was put in a bad spot. I had very large breasts (now I’m flat after DMX) and it was put in too low, another dr said that my breast size wasn’t taken into consideration by the Dr who put it in. I needed the clot buster twice, it suctioned all the time and took forever to actually get a blood draw and after 12 chemo doses she has almost flipped over. I’m glad she is out but even with the issues I would get one again if I had to. Much better than cannulas all the time.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like Persephone was a challenge for you! We can only imagine how frustrating that must have been. Despite the issues, it’s great you found the port to be better than repeated cannulas. We're glad Persephone is out now, and I hope things get easier from here!
Great question. In general, chemotherapy ports stay in until chemotherapy is finished. After that, we do recommend it be removed because of the long-term risks of having a foreign body.
Thanks Dr Griggs your videos are so much helpful during my journey. I had mastectomy with sentinal node biobsy last week after neoadjuvant chemo. My left armpit is swelled and it hurts alot from 1st day .incisions are healing and the other armpit is fine the left one is killing .. what to do ? My post op is still after 4 days .
It is very likely that you'll have sufficient pain control with local anesthesia. It can help to relax deeply during the procedure if possible. Sending you good energy for a smooth procedure.
@@yerbba thanks d Docror,..But One of the nurse Suggested me that I should go for port Because the nurse used to find Difficult to Insert IV tnrough my hand Veins ..And Port was something new to me , so I decided to go for what she suggested ...Without knowing any outcome would happen And that landed Infetion in my lower back I had A lot to face with antibody and was at palative care in ER
Great question. A port can be used to access the venous system for many reasons. In people who need a lot of scans, there is a special type of port required that allows contrast to be injected at a sufficiently high rate.
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I have loved both of my ports, current one is about 16 months old
One thing that made accessing the port more comfortable was using a lidocaine/prilocaine cream about 90 minutes prior to the start of my appointment. I would cover the cream with a layer of Press and Seal so the cream wouldn't get on my clothing and would all be absorbed.
Thank you for sharing your experience with using lidocaine cream to make port access more comfortable. It's always helpful to hear about strategies that can help improve the patient experience during treatment. Thank you for watching and being part of the Yerbba community.
Thank you for the video. I never had any issues with my port placement or removal. Having it removed is always a good sign but to be honest, there are times I still wish I had it when the lab has trouble finding a vein. ❤
Totally understand that. Thank you for watching!
Thank you for the informative and honest information. This is a scary process and your simple yet thorough explanations are very helpful. :)
We're so glad to hear that you found the information helpful and easy to understand. It's completely normal to feel scared and overwhelmed during this process. Wishing you strength and courage on your journey.
One other thing is the port has to get flushed, I think every 6 weeks. Honestly, I was not a fan of my port. I developed a skin allergy both when they put my port in & took it out. I found it uncomfortable sleeping on my side with a port. I also only had 4 chemos and never used my port for my lab only appointments. I’m an easy stick & my veins are easy to find. I know many people who love their port and have no issues so I don’t want to discourage anyone. These are some things to think about
We generally advise against a port for only 4 cycles unless someone has terrible veins. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you. A friend of mine is having one put in for her breast cancer, thanks for making me understand 😊
We're glad you found this video helpful. Wishing your friend all the best with her treatment.
Based on my experience, I would recommend a portal, though my vein in my arm was used for chemo..unfortunately during 1 of my treatments, the needle pushed through my vein resulting in the Chemo drug going into my tissue, resulting in a severe burn of the tissue which encompassed my complete forearm and hand.. I experienced the most severe pain I have had ever for weeks..there has been long term effect of nerve damage in my hand..probably this may not have happened to this extent if the only nurse on duty was not at the other end of the building and reach her until I walked down there pushing my IV pole!!..this was neglience.. also i had asked her to notify my Oncologist which she did not, he didn't learn about it until the next week...future infusions were monitored closely by 2 nurses but unfortunately the IV had to be inserted in the hand which was burned. Thanks for reading..I would like to assure others, this experience is hopefully the true exception to the rule..please tell the nurse at all times if you feel any discomfort and concern during the infusion.. God bless
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice with us. We hope your message helps others avoid similar issues. Some chemotherapies, when they go through the vein into the tissues, can cause serious problems such as in your case. Nurses, doctors, and pharmacists who give chemotherapy can generally avoid this by ensuring the iv is in the vein. If, despite these precautions, the chemotherapy "extravasates" as it did with you. It is indeed an emergency.
I called my port Persephone (Queen of the Underworld) and she was put in a bad spot. I had very large breasts (now I’m flat after DMX) and it was put in too low, another dr said that my breast size wasn’t taken into consideration by the Dr who put it in. I needed the clot buster twice, it suctioned all the time and took forever to actually get a blood draw and after 12 chemo doses she has almost flipped over. I’m glad she is out but even with the issues I would get one again if I had to. Much better than cannulas all the time.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like Persephone was a challenge for you! We can only imagine how frustrating that must have been. Despite the issues, it’s great you found the port to be better than repeated cannulas. We're glad Persephone is out now, and I hope things get easier from here!
Thank you for your educational/ medical information.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for another informative video. Is it necessary to have the port removed after chemo or can it be left in indefinitely.
Great question. In general, chemotherapy ports stay in until chemotherapy is finished. After that, we do recommend it be removed because of the long-term risks of having a foreign body.
Very good video . I'm getting a port put in in 2 days. It's for chemo therapy.
We're so glad you found this video helpful. Wishing you a smooth and reasonably comfortable port placement.
How many years can you keep the same port?😢😢😢
Thanks Dr Griggs your videos are so much helpful during my journey.
I had mastectomy with sentinal node biobsy last week after neoadjuvant chemo. My left armpit is swelled and it hurts alot from 1st day .incisions are healing and the other armpit is fine the left one is killing .. what to do ? My post op is still after 4 days .
Given the severity of your symptoms, calling your surgeon's office would be advisable. Hoping you feel better soon.
I’m getting my on Wednesday. I’m at not happy that I will be awake for it.
It is very likely that you'll have sufficient pain control with local anesthesia. It can help to relax deeply during the procedure if possible. Sending you good energy for a smooth procedure.
Then I was on antibody for a month while my chemo was stopped during those times while I was on receiveing antibody (piperacillin Tazobactam )
This sounds quite dreadful and is one of the reasons we do not recommend ports unless people really need them.
@@yerbba thanks d
Docror,..But One of the nurse Suggested me that I should go for port Because the nurse used to find Difficult to Insert IV tnrough my hand Veins ..And Port was something new to me , so I decided to go for what she suggested ...Without knowing any outcome would happen And that landed Infetion in my lower back
I had A lot to face with antibody and was at palative care in ER
What else can a port be used for besides meds? Taking Blood? CT contrast? Anesthesia?
Great question. A port can be used to access the venous system for many reasons. In people who need a lot of scans, there is a special type of port required that allows contrast to be injected at a sufficiently high rate.
Thank you🩷
Thank you for watching, Yerbba appreciates you!
But that ended up with Infection, at my lower back pain .I was admitted to ER FOR FOUR DAYS WHILE I WAS ON CHEMO ..
This sounds quite dreadful and is one of the reasons we do not recommend ports unless people really need them.
Doctor with port can I sleep like sideways mostly ?
You should be able to sleep in any position that is comfortable for you.
Most people can sleep however they want. However, I found it uncomfortable to sleep on my side with the port
@@snowcat4895 Oh thankyou ..I m sometimes comfortable with it .but still feel a bit wired on the side that the port is inserted
I can't sleep on any side only on my back because I'll start feeling pain 😢 I had my port for 6 months already.