Port fitting

Hi Lloydy, it feels like being on a conveyor belt at times doesn't it? Things should get easier once your treatment starts and there's less chaos and more structure and routine. I had a port fitted in 2021 under local anaesthetic (although if I'm honest, I felt fully knocked out) before I started chemo and it was completely painless and a very quick procedure. I had to wait a couple of hours in the hospital afterwards and to go for an x-ray to make sure it was positioned correctly, then I was allowed home.

The port was really great during chemo, I felt like an electric car being plugged in at sessions and had no stress about finding veins. I was prescribed numbing patches to put on my port before each session so I never felt a thing when I was plugged in. I also remained very active during chemo so it was nice to not worry about the port catching and it was very discreet. I hope this helps to put your mind at ease. I had some axillary nodes removed after chemo so they reopened the same incision and took the port out at the same time while I was under. Now I have a small scar just under my clavicle.

Compared to all the operations you've just had, the port fitting will be an absolute breeze. I wish you the best of luck with your journey ahead! x

Daughter had a picc line for her first chemo cycled, pre surgery. She decided on a port as they wanted to do 14 further chemo cycles post her op.

She was nervous before the fitting but said it really wasn't a problem. Only the local anaesthetic injections were uncomfortable. Once they were done, there was a feeling of pressure several times but no pain. It was sore enough to need painkillers for a couple of days afterwards, especially at night.

Three chemo cycles on, daughter is really glad she has the port. It's much easier to live with than a picc - no worries showering, no need for a cover on your arm. It's been really easy to use for chemo too.

You'll be fine with it, best of luck. x

I had a port fitted under local anaesthetic. The procedure took around an hour. I wrote about it in my blog at the time, hope this helps. community.macmillan.org.uk/.../i-ve-got-the-power

Thanks so much rose222...I had a wobble today and a bit of a pity party and you've put my mind at ease..thank god for these forums and all the people on here..x

Thankyou coddfish I will deffo have a read of your blog..x

Thanks cherry2..that's good to hear and I'm glad your daughter is happy she decided on a port...hope everything is going well for her..x

Finally got my portacath approved.  Chemo has been fun without it, veins just not playing ball.  I get it fitted on Thursday under local at Malaga hospital.   Here’s to easy plug ins and quicker infusions,  In the end the head chemo nurse had to weigh in and push for it for me, without her kind advocacy guess I still be waiting.

Good report on port fitting.   Glad I read in advance so I know exactly what to expect.   Oncologist only gave me very brief description of procedure, told me it would be simple and painless.    I’m better if I have full picture so I know fully what to expect.  Thank you x

Thanks so much more for posting this. 

I'm having a port fitted today. Advised after having my first EC infusion on Tuesday. I had the assessment on Friday and seems straightforward, well, as other's have said,  in the context of all we've already gone through, it maybe is. 

I've had left mastectomy and right mastectomy with bilateral sentinel node removal. 

I wish you well with the procedure and beyond Let's hope it eases the chemo sessions.  

Sending healing vibes, Shaka