HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Anyone using port for herceptin injection?

Support Forums
>
Breast Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/26/2006 8:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone - My daughter is on herceptin after having had both chemo and radiation.

As her veins are hard to hit, just wondered if any of you have used a port and if so, where they put it, and how hard it is to keep safe from accidental removal and to keep clean.

She is having herceptin every 3 weeks for a year.

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it. - Maura

Posted 4/26/2006 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Maura! I have been on Herceptin for 3 yrs now. 26 months weekly (with Navelbine) when I was diagnosed w/ a recurrance. In Feb the cancer was gone. I am now on monthly Herceptin, like your daughter. I also get a IV med that helps to keep the bones strong. My port was put in at the time of my mastectomy (almost 5 yrs ago) and I have had no problems w/ it. In fact, I even forget that it is there. I have had friends that have had a port put in after surgery and it is a fairly simple procedure. You can't knock it out or move it as it is put in under the skin and sutured there. I would strongly suggest that your urge your dd to talk to her surgeon and see how soon she can get one. It makes blood draws and chemo so much easier.

BTW...Herceptin is a pretty easy chemo to handle. Other than some muscle spasms and my hair getting a little thinner, I haven't experienced any serious side effects. Kuddos to her onco for starting her on the herceptin!

Hugs...Deb

Posted 4/26/2006 11:04 PM (GMT 0)

DebbiR - Thanks so very much for your quick reply. I will phone my daughter and let her know what you have told me.

It is a real comfort to talk to people who have experienced these things and have such great advice. Thanks again - Maura

Posted 4/27/2006 1:23 AM (GMT 0)

I just took Hereptin # only God knows. . I have been on Herceptin either weekly or bi-weekly since April 2000 . . no joke. . . Port works just fine.

Jackie

Posted 4/28/2006 6:57 PM (GMT 0)

Maura-

I had a port in after not wanting one, and going thru 3 chemo cycles with iv's in my arm.  When the veins became hard to hit, I gave in to getting port.. once it settled in (took about 2 weeks on advil) it was GREAT!  ask for Emla cream and put it on 2 hrs before the dr. appt (cover it with a band-aid, dont rub the cream in, just let it sit on the port site) and she'll never even feel the needle AT ALL.  it was the BEST, and yes i had herceptin for 1 year too.  we took it out... that was 4 yrs ago.  for worrying about it as much as i did before i agreed to it, it ended up being a very good thing.

good luck, and hugs!  Stefanie

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply