Can you advise please? The last 2 out of 3 infusions I’ve had problems with my portacath. The issue is no blood return or blood draws being possible. The first time they drew blood from arm instead and then passed me to infusion centre. The second time I wasn’t having blood test that day so went direct to infusion. Both times they couldn’t set up blood return functionality. The first time after lots of poking and prodding, arm raising, raising feet above head and massage of portacath site and internal tubing, they removed needle, tried a new one and it worked. Yesterday, younger less experienced nurse, just set up and did infusion even though there was no blood return. She asked if I’d had previous issues and I told her about the problem time before last and how they solved it. Of course I’ve come home and googled, seems that yesterdays infusion never have happened and infusion should have been stopped due to potential internal leakage of chemo drugs. It seemed to go okay, drip rate set at usual hour rate and liquids went in without discomfort. Should I be concerned? I’m back again for another infusion on Wednesday this time with bloods to be taken. I’ll flag previous issues. If they can’t draw bloods I’ll make sure it won’t be used, there is obviously a problem.
