Portacath for Heceptin Administration ?

Hi LeiitrimLady,

didn't have a portacath, got all mine via canula. Mind you by the end of treatment my veins were in bits & we had many a day hunting down good veins. I suppose the decision is based on veins v's risk of infection with portacath. Suggest you talk it over with BC nurse to help get it in perspective.

Take care.

I'm the same as funkychick went through the hand each time. I think that decision is made, based on how hard it is to get a vein. I M just on herceptin now and yesterday no vein so the can go in through your wrist or arm, but not with the chemo it must go thought the hand . Best of luck with it all , we are here if you need us

Hi Leitrim Lady,

I thought I should reply on this as I did have a portacath - seems to be the standard procedure with my oncology team (in France).

Everyone I've met who had one found the portacath pretty much trouble-free after the first few days. Except me. The worst pain and nausea I had during all of my treatment was caused by the portacath. I had to sleep on my back for 15 months, my bra strap rubbed against it, it hurt to carry anything on that side, and it was painful. Not all of the time but often enough to wish I had never had it put in.

Even now, 5 months after it was removed the site is still painful and the muscle around there is stiff and not as flat as the other side.

I think my case is fairly exceptional, thank goodness. If you can manage without it, and can put up with the hunt-the-vein sessions, it will at least mean one less scar on your chest.

Hugs

Kath

Hi LL and Kath,
Sounds like you had a truly awful time with your port Kathleen. Mine was inserted because I am without lymph nodes on both sides and the fewer needles I have the better. Apart from a little pain and discomfort for a few days after insertion it was completely trouble free and meant that taking bloods and administering chemo was so much easier. It was removed in Nov and I have just a tiny scar and slight discoloration left under my bra strap. I was very dubious when my breast care nurse said it would become "my friend" but in my case she was completely right.
Best wishes LL,
Invicta

Thanks again for replies. Crikey Kath, not how it was meant to be !!They didn't like the look of my veins today and I will be getting a port . Assured that 99% of time they are trouble free. I wont have it inserted in time for my first session next week but will have for remainder. I guess I will take anything that can make some of this stuff more bearable. And now I have a new question now on herceptin injections that I will post separately.
Thanks so much x

Hi Leitrim lady, I had a port put in because my veins couldn't take the carboplatin chemo. It's been great and I have had no problems with it. It saves a lot of time looking for veins, they just plug me in. They take bloods from it too, so it's very handy.