Hello, I’m Sebbie (female aged 54), thought I’d say hi!
My second time joining a forum, I’ve joined the illeostomy group too this week.
A bit about me, I had an obstruction detected in my bowel in Oct 2021 and had it removed. It was malignant and I have a stoma bag that still dictates quite a few things for me although I’m getting on with it as it is what it is and a reversal isn’t possible while I still have cancer.
Currently receiving chemo, now every 3 weeks instead of 2 because I still have cancer which was only detected 3 months after my surgery from a CT scan.
I have a question please: I wanted to ask if anyone has a port (instead of a PICC line) and how do you find it? Is it inconvenient or do you forget it’s there? Does it hurt when blood is taken or when a drip line is used to insert chemo?
I need to make a decision on whether to get a port instead.
I am aware there is little/no maintenance except flushing with saline every 4-6wks if unused. And I would be able to shower freely unlike with a PICC line that I have to cover.
Thanks in advance for any useful advice.
Sebbie 
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Hi Sebbie.
I have a portacath.
My surgery didn't go perfectly (issues with anaestetic) and it took weeks for swelling and discomfort to settle - but i think i was just unlucky and this is not the norm.
Now the portacath generally behaves well. There are split opinions amongst healthcare about bloods thro portacath and bloodclots. So it's up to you - you can choose whether you use your port for chemo only or also for bloods.
My portcath is not generally painful to connect and disconnect, bar the last 2 cycles when the needle imsertion cause short piercing (couple of seconds).
I can shower, swim, etc with portacath, with exception of times your connected to IVs.
Mine gets flushed every 2 weeks as part of chemo IV routine and have had interrim flush when they were ruling out bloodclot.
Thanks for replying so quickly CrumpetsOrToast I really appreciate hearing your experience. Pleased to hear things settled with your portacath. The pros seem to outweigh the cons… so I’m leaning towards getting done if I am restricted less and it only needs flushing if all goes well.
Thanks again for sharing your experience. I hope you continue to experience only positives after the 2 recent blips.
Thanks again
Sebbie ️
Thanks Sebbie. Feel free to ask if ypu think of anything else - am just a few keystrokes away 
Dear Macc
Thanks so much for your reply which is really helpful.
Definitely leaning towards getting a port after your & several mostly positive messages about ports.
Wishing you all the best with staying all clear for the future.
Take care
Sebbie ️
I have a port .. although I use it when I have antibiotics for my cystic fibrosis - they’re the same thing 
Can’t even tell it’s there by sight, you can feel it sometimes but only when you’re touching the area, you can’t actually feel it inside. It doesn’t hurt when blood is taken. It only slightly hurts when it is needled (pressure pushing into skin). You can shower, swim, play tennis, dance. I get mine flushed about 2 months, 3 months at the latest when I go for clinic appointments.
I have photos if you’d like to see.
Dear Indomitus
Thank you for replying, I really appreciate it. I have spoken to my Oncologist to refer me to get a port after positive feedback.
Pleased to hear your port serves you very well.
Take care
Sebbie ️x
