Surely. The maintenance with the port is very easy. Once a month I have to access it with a 22 gauge needle (regular earrings are only an 18, and as gauges get larger in number, the needle size gets smaller) and flush it with Heparin to make sure it doesn't clot. Other than that, I never touch it unless I'm using it for IV meds. IV meds, the needle has to be in whenever I am up for a dose, but it's really easy. You don't get phlebitis or anything with it (which was the reason I got the port in the first place). And it's a much bigger line, so you don't have to push fluid slowly like you do with a PICC. It can go as fast as you can push it.
Only a few months after I got it surgically implanted, I learned how to access the port myself. Which means when I go on IV meds, or flush it to keep it from clotting, I do completely free of nurses. I do my IV meds at home by myself, I never have to stay in the hospital long (if I do, it's because of a new med, where they have to monitor me for a day or two just to be safe). I access it myself, I flush it myself, I change the needle as needed. Same as with a PICC, it can't get wet when it's accessed, but having the port and accessing it myself is much simpler. If I decide I really need a shower, I can take it out long enough to shower, enjoy said shower, and then re-access it when I'm finished before the next dose is due.
All in all, I think it's much easier and a much better way to do things. It changes person to person, but I had a lot of trouble with PICC lines, so my port is lovely in comparison. If you have any other questions just ask on here, I don't mind answering. Maybe regarding the surgery itself or whatever. Feel free to ask. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">