portacath insertion

I was told it would be done under local in the day surgery unit. However I didn’t go ahead with chemo so it wasn’t needed. It will be easier than having to insert a cannula every treatment. Here’s a link to cancer research’s article on them  

www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../portacath

Hi Angua1,

Thank you very much. I'm so scared of needles I rather they put me to sleep. 

Hi, I don't have a port but have a PICC. 

All I can say is, if you're afraid of needles a port or PICC is the way to go because you have blood taken before every chemo. Then the day of chemo they put a cannula in - both of these involve needles. So if you're having 6 cycles of chemo that's 12 times to be stabbed with a needle. I had 12 cycles and my veins haven't been great so the PICC was definitely the way to go.

Im not sure about the port but the PICC insertion was a bit uncomfortable but painless. 

Hi, I had a port inserted with local anaesthetic and it was fine. They put a sheet up so I couldn’t see anything and all I felt was a little bit of tugging.

I was offered sedation but I’m not a big fan of that as the other time I had it, it made me dopey for hours. Maybe you could enquire to see if that’s an option for you - it does make you very relaxed.

No pain at all during the procedure. It was a little bit sore afterwards but paracetamol took care of that. 

Everyone reacts differently to chemo, personally I didn’t find it that bad. The sessions were very straightforward and after a couple, were actually a bit boring. Make sure you have a book, puzzles, phone whatever in case you need something to keep you occupied. 

There’s a thread on here dedicated to chemo where you can find others going through it and can find and share tips to help get you through. I found some really helpful information when I had chemo last year:

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/chat-breast-cancer/f/questions-about-diagnosis-and-treatment/229557/december-2021-january-february-2022-breast-cancer-chemo

Wishing you all the best for your treatment x

Hi NBI 

Thank you very much. I will ask about the sedation so far I have no idea what's going to happen.

My cancer nurse is off since Christmas Eve and all I'm left with is two books on chemotherapy and Breast Cancer.

The oncologist said she will explain to me but so far nothing. I've been seeing my information on patients know best site nothing in writing or a conversation.

Hopefully tomorrow when I see the doctor I will explain to him my concerns.

I'm having neoadjuvant treatment which is going to be a long process.T

Thank you very much for your advice

Regards jadore75

Hi jacala

Thanks very much. Will ask tomorrow if I really need it. I have fibromyalgia and I'm in constant pain don't want something that's going to cause more pain. 

Will let you know how it goes.

Hello , I had my port put in under general anethetic. Having a port is s game cchanger, it honestly makes everything so much easier.

Hi

Thank you. I've heard everyone talk about general anaesthetic but what I've gathered from the my letter it's going to be local. 

Will speak to my oncologist tomorrow and ask for general anaesthetic.

Hi Jadore75.  How did your port insertion go inthe end ?   I have mine next week and like you all my life I have been petrified of needles.   Did you feel the port discomfort in your daily life ?

Hi @Susie70, the post you have responded to is quite an old one and it may be the OP  is no longer active on the site. I can see you are looking for information on what it’s like to have a port fitted and to live with it.

i had a port fitted in May, before I started chemo. This blog entry describes what it was like having the port fitted https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/a-trip-with-triple-negative-breast-cancer/posts/i-ve-got-the-power

It’s been very easy to live with - I don’t notice it in day to day life unless I touch the skin where it sits - when I can feel it under the surface. It works really well for chemo too and there’s very little risk of it getting infected as there’s no open wound. To use the port they put a special needle into it. Obviously that has to pierce the skin but they will supply numbing cream. I have had it accessed without the cream and it’s just a brief prick.