Chest Port Question

I've had mine for over 2 yrs. When it's not accessed, I very rarely even feel it.
Give yourself more time to heal. It's not a big surgery, but you still had an incision.

If you are concerned, have a nurse look at it the next time it's accessed.

I think you'll like having a port. It makes life so much easier.

Tina it is still a little soon, plus if the girls are bumping while in your lap that will add a little fire to the fuel to the fire. My new pump was put in Feb 6 and it is still tender. It is not where the old pump was & I have clipped it several times with the broom handle, while having the broom in one hand and the dust pan in the other.

Take care.....Susie

Hi Tina,

I had a chest port put in a week ago and am hungry for information as this is a very scary process for me. I too have two incisions, one where they had to access the vein and a larger one to insert the port itself. I always thought I had a very high pain tolerance, but this little thing has been most trying. I can't say that it is the same as my normal pain, but as you described it is very sensitive, it hurts to lay on my right side and for me to reach for things etc. my port in my opinion is located in a very odd place, it is literally placed in my cleavage area on the left side of my right breast! I am very thin, well under a 100 lbs, I'm guessing that is why the port was placed where it was, but I'm wondering if that is adding some sensitivity as well.

I know in my heart this is going to be a blessing for my infusions and future blood draws and all the added pain right now will be worth it. Any input or comments from anyone who has experienced this would be most appreciated at this time.

Thanks so much

Melissa

It will go away. I have had my for 3 years now and don't even knows its there now. I do remember it being tender for about a month. But as others have said...it will go away. Best of luck. My port has been amazing! I love not having to mess with IV's or lab work with my horrible veins.

I've had this port about a year and a half and its been amazing. After it healed I only feel it if I lay on my stomach or pull the wrong way with my left arm.
Question: when I need labs they always make me attempt an arm stick twice before they'll access the port.. Which they always end up doing. Do you all deal with this? I hate being stuck knowing they'll only leave bruises and get no blood

This was my original post from May..... but wanted to give an update and respond to Melissa.

After I got the port, the level of pain was tremendous. 2 weeks out - it was still extremely tender.... you could literally "see" the vein they accessed (from the first small incision to the port placement) bulging out of my skin. I had immediate regrets!

Then........ some wise people here on the our forum, lol -- told me - "Hey you've just had surgery". Yes, it was minor - but it was still two incisions....

As I thought about it (I was "foggy" on fentanyl/versed) - I remember the surgeon having time accessing a vein and pulling/tugging to get it in. That's probably why my recovery was longer and hurt like heck!

So........... point is - I was one of those that took a good month or better for it to heal.

I'm so glad I got it. I'm still "aware" of it..... My scar is much bigger and more "pronounced" than most.... I don't care though. It makes things so much easier vs. 30 IV sticks.

Melissa - While I'm bummed to hear that you, too, are in pain -- I'm glad to hear you say you had two incisions. Many people I spoke to didn't know what I meant when I said I had two. Anyway - I'll give you the same advice that I was given - and that is - you just had surgery..... give it another 2 or 3 weeks (I know, hard to do).... but I'm sure you'll feel better. If you get a chance - give an update, as I'll be curious to see how you do.

Take care, Tina

Tina I think your right about accessing the port. When the lab tech would come up to the onco unit in the mornings to do the blood draws, they would have to get one of the RN's on the unit to do the blood draws from the patients with port caths, as they were not authorized to do it. There are several reasons they do not like to draw blood from ports. Its considered a sterile technique and these ports can easily get blocked by clotted blood if not properly flushed after a blood draw. These ports are mainly used to give intravenous medications and blood, not necessarily to draw blood from, and usually blood draws from ports are avoided if the patient has viable veins to use. At least that was the way it used to be at the hospital I worked at.

White Beard