Having a port fitted

I have had one in place for over 3 years (I have metastatic cancer). It’s fantastic. It’s sealed under the skin so doesn’t need to be kept dry, doesn’t limit swimming or any other form of exercise. It took 45 minutes or so to fit under local anaesthetic. It just needs to be flushed every 4-6 weeks when not being used. Brilliant, no regrets. 

Thank you so much for your reply. It has really reassured me. 

Good luck x

I agree with everything that Coddfish has said. My port was taken out after nine months but I had had no problems with it. At my hospital it was put in with a general anaesthetic and a short operation. Once the skin healed....about two weeks ...I had no discomfort.

I was given a small local anaesthetic patch to put on an hour before each chemo and felt nothing when the infusions were connected.

Now I have a small scar just under my collar bone. It has faded with time and people can only see it if they know to look.

I hope you have the port fitted soon and that your chemo goes well. 

Hi, sorry you missed your chemo, that sounds stressful once you're geared up for it. I asked for a port but my oncologist said a definite no, and that I had to have a picc line. They cancelled my first chemo because I didnt have the picc line put in and they wouldn't do it via a cannula. I have had the picc line in for about 12 days and had my first chemo through the picc line but it gets in the way and makes washing, dressing and sleeping a bit tricky so I think the port will be so much better than the picc from what I've read and heard. If you're having EC through a vein that can cause problems. So I hope all goes well, sounds like the best option x

Thank you so much for your reply. It really does help. 

Hi, Thanks you so much for your advice and I agree the port sounds so much better so will try and insist on that.

Good luck with everything x