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FYI about ports
Posted by kittylee on August 6, 2009 at 1:33 amI’m not sure where to put this since there isn’t a “chemo” category so I’l try it Metastatic. I wanted to share this helpful tip. My husband has a port in his chest for ease in administering chemo treatments. His regimens have included mutiple treatments in the same week. He prefers to keep his port accessed to keep from getting “stuck” each day. The challenge was keeping the port area dry when showering. We have found that Glad Press ‘n Seal (regular) does a fantastic job keeping the area nice and dry. FYI to all of you chemo patients out there.
I am a caregiver to my wonderful husband, Ron
10/04 Multiple T1G3 – TURBT & 3 yrs BCG –
9/08 Invasive BLC w/distant mets
11/08 – 3/09 Gemzar/Cisplatin chemo regimen
4/09 Radiation to bone mets
6/09 lung and liver met progression – start ITP chemo
10/09 My darling Ron passed awayCHR replied 15 years, 2 months ago 9 Members · 11 Replies11 Replies-
Thanks for the input; however, the Oncologist has postponed Chemo. So we won’t have to deal with that Thanksgiving. Speaking of Thanksgiving–have a happy one!!
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I am a firm believer in the port. I had one put in February 2008 for chemo (which I finished in May of that year). I still have the port (which my oncologist does not want me to take out – probably because I am stage 4 and you just never know….) Anyway – it is no problem at all! I do not cover it when I shower and I only have it flushed every 4-6 months. Just had it flushed last week and it still works perfectly!
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Dear CHR,
I had a port for 6 months while I underwent chemo. Once the incision healed it was maintenence free. The nurse would flush it once she accessed it. I was told that if they had not been accessing it weekly then I would have to come in once a month to get it flushed.
There are different types so you will need to ask the doctor. I loved my port as I am a hard stick. I did have some clotting problems and had to be on warfarin. I have since read that some doctors like to put their patients on low doses of this from the beginning in order to avoid more serious problems later. Again this is something you should ask the doctor about.
The port was the best thing I did for myself. Keeping you in my heart.
Webs
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Ummm…thought my reply would be under the message. OK that was for “didn’t you ask about maintenance?” Since she had a PICC line in–for the above condition–I was aware of the upkeep. Was just trying to put a “port” in my frame of reference. Thanks all for your input.
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Background: Port is not in. We will start chemo on the 23rd and my wife has a history of “blowing out” needles. A nurse at Mayo (who had chemo and was familiar with my wife’s problem suggested a port–since that was what she had). The infusion nurse here, who is also familiar with the problem, said, “ports require maintenance and may not be worth the extra hassle.” We have not discussed this with the oncologist. I’m just trying to get my ducks in order.
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CHR,
For longer term, ports are typically preferred.
There are different types of ports though so it depends on what is being recommended.PICC lines are more maintenance overall and people who have had both seem to really like the ports better.
Best thing would be to ask the doctor about the particular type of port being recommended.
Mike
Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system
My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.CHR, My husband had a PICC line and then a Power Port. The PICC line required daily flushing with saline and heparin which I did in between medical visits. With the Port it only required flushing once a week which was done by the nurse. The PICC line lasted about 4 months and instead of replacing it with another PICC line they went to the PORT. They could use both for blood draws and infusions and transfusions. Once the incision healed with the Port he could shower and go swimming without the Press and Seal.
Julie
Volunteer Coordinator
ABLSCMy mother has cancer and has a port. She was given a special cleaner that she uses due to reactions to soaps. However, she just seals it off when she takes a shower and then still cleans around it really well when done. Keeping the port clean is important because of infections. She has had this for 5 years now and had no problems, but she is diligent in her routine with her port.
It is amazing how much of this is just learned by patients rather than any training.
Dx 10/5 Non Invasive PapillaryGuestNovember 17, 2009 at 4:02 amCHR..did they not give you any instructions? ASK?
PatOther than the “Press and Seal” for showering, how much maintenance does a port require? Do you irrigate it? Is it similar to a PICC line? On a daily basis I can see a definite advantage but how about only weekly infusions? Thanks in advance for any answers.
My Dad, who has a urostomy with ileal conduit, uses the Press n’ Seal to cover his wafer when he showers between “appliance” changes. He says it works great and keeps the wafer nice and dry. Amazing what uses you can find for stuff!
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