Reasons I love my port

[beleache]

I love mine too !!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni

 

[tarheel]

to answer some questions some have had (I too have a port, I am on my second one)
1. The procedure to put it in is a surgery, they knock you out cold and you wake up with it in.
2. I really wouldn't call anything associated with the port "painful"- painful is blood draws where they can't find a vein that will give blood, they're so scarred. I don't use emla or anything for my access either. My port is just above my right breast.
3. Exercise/sleeping is just as comfy as ever- just wait for things to heal. I've even done pec exercises with it accessed

Reccomendations (based on personal experience)-
1. Wash with hibiclens (surgical disinfectant you can buy at drug stores) before monthly flush. My first port fell to infection, but it was always tender and we know it was not put in "right". Still, better safe than sorry.

2. Don't have sunburn on your chest when you go into surgery to get a port. 'nuff said.

 

[tarheel]

to answer some questions some have had (I too have a port, I am on my second one)
1. The procedure to put it in is a surgery, they knock you out cold and you wake up with it in.
2. I really wouldn't call anything associated with the port "painful"- painful is blood draws where they can't find a vein that will give blood, they're so scarred. I don't use emla or anything for my access either. My port is just above my right breast.
3. Exercise/sleeping is just as comfy as ever- just wait for things to heal. I've even done pec exercises with it accessed

Reccomendations (based on personal experience)-
1. Wash with hibiclens (surgical disinfectant you can buy at drug stores) before monthly flush. My first port fell to infection, but it was always tender and we know it was not put in "right". Still, better safe than sorry.

2. Don't have sunburn on your chest when you go into surgery to get a port. 'nuff said.

 

[tarheel]

to answer some questions some have had (I too have a port, I am on my second one)
<br />1. The procedure to put it in is a surgery, they knock you out cold and you wake up with it in.
<br />2. I really wouldn't call anything associated with the port "painful"- painful is blood draws where they can't find a vein that will give blood, they're so scarred. I don't use emla or anything for my access either. My port is just above my right breast.
<br />3. Exercise/sleeping is just as comfy as ever- just wait for things to heal. I've even done pec exercises with it accessed
<br />
<br />Reccomendations (based on personal experience)-
<br />1. Wash with hibiclens (surgical disinfectant you can buy at drug stores) before monthly flush. My first port fell to infection, but it was always tender and we know it was not put in "right". Still, better safe than sorry.
<br />
<br />2. Don't have sunburn on your chest when you go into surgery to get a port. 'nuff said.

 

[sawyer]

This is a good thing to hear because after a really streeful time trying to get my last picc in (and failing!) I've finally caved and decided on a port.

My question is where should i get it? My doctor told me the various places they can place them (chest, arm, groin, side) but I want to know where the easiest place to access it is when doing it myself? How comfortable is it? And how visible it is?

 

[sawyer]

This is a good thing to hear because after a really streeful time trying to get my last picc in (and failing!) I've finally caved and decided on a port.

My question is where should i get it? My doctor told me the various places they can place them (chest, arm, groin, side) but I want to know where the easiest place to access it is when doing it myself? How comfortable is it? And how visible it is?

 

[sawyer]

This is a good thing to hear because after a really streeful time trying to get my last picc in (and failing!) I've finally caved and decided on a port.
<br />
<br />My question is where should i get it? My doctor told me the various places they can place them (chest, arm, groin, side) but I want to know where the easiest place to access it is when doing it myself? How comfortable is it? And how visible it is?

 

[serendipity730]

I love my port too!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> It def. beats getting PICC after PICC. Mine is above my left breast and isn't very noticeable at all. I was really surprised at how discreet it was. There is a scar (about 2 in), but even that is easily hidden. I even wear binkinis and don't feel like it is that visible (of course, I have a foot long scar across my abdomen, so I am not too self conscious about scars any more).

I have a home care company that comes and accesses mine monthly. That is realy the only down side. I am told that my port moves around a lot, so sometimes they have difficulty accessing it. I doubt I would be able to do it myself.

All and all, I am sooo glad I got one, though!

 

[serendipity730]

I love my port too!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> It def. beats getting PICC after PICC. Mine is above my left breast and isn't very noticeable at all. I was really surprised at how discreet it was. There is a scar (about 2 in), but even that is easily hidden. I even wear binkinis and don't feel like it is that visible (of course, I have a foot long scar across my abdomen, so I am not too self conscious about scars any more).

I have a home care company that comes and accesses mine monthly. That is realy the only down side. I am told that my port moves around a lot, so sometimes they have difficulty accessing it. I doubt I would be able to do it myself.

All and all, I am sooo glad I got one, though!

 

[serendipity730]

I love my port too!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> It def. beats getting PICC after PICC. Mine is above my left breast and isn't very noticeable at all. I was really surprised at how discreet it was. There is a scar (about 2 in), but even that is easily hidden. I even wear binkinis and don't feel like it is that visible (of course, I have a foot long scar across my abdomen, so I am not too self conscious about scars any more).
<br />
<br />I have a home care company that comes and accesses mine monthly. That is realy the only down side. I am told that my port moves around a lot, so sometimes they have difficulty accessing it. I doubt I would be able to do it myself.
<br />
<br />All and all, I am sooo glad I got one, though!

 

[lilywing]

Just wanted to join in on this PORT-LOVE session!
I LOVE my port, and I look forward to a spending many more years with it! My port kicks the ass of IV's and PICC lines any day! And since I've gained some weight, my boobs grew, and you can't even see the darn thing anymore! Yeah for boobs, and yeah for PORTS!!!

 

[lilywing]

Just wanted to join in on this PORT-LOVE session!
I LOVE my port, and I look forward to a spending many more years with it! My port kicks the ass of IV's and PICC lines any day! And since I've gained some weight, my boobs grew, and you can't even see the darn thing anymore! Yeah for boobs, and yeah for PORTS!!!

 

[lilywing]

Just wanted to join in on this PORT-LOVE session!
<br />I LOVE my port, and I look forward to a spending many more years with it! My port kicks the ass of IV's and PICC lines any day! And since I've gained some weight, my boobs grew, and you can't even see the darn thing anymore! Yeah for boobs, and yeah for PORTS!!!

 

[crystalina0814]

Hi guys, sorry I just saw your response Karla!

Relatively pain-free for me means, it pinches when being accessed. They do prescribed emla cream (numbing cream) to make it 100% pain-free, but I am too lazy to wait 30 min for it to numb, so I just grin and bear it.

Sometimes the tape itches around the site- normal with ANY IV. The nice thing is, with a port....I change my tape and give it a good scratch (with the alcohol sticks) often.

I am sure Makailyn will love the ease of it-and will be less traumatized (IVs and PICCS we always a fear of mine). It did hurt initially after surgery- for about 2 weeks it was tender. I chose to not be sedated, but was offered versed and/or to be put under. I am sure they will do what is most comfortable for her.

 

[crystalina0814]

Hi guys, sorry I just saw your response Karla!

Relatively pain-free for me means, it pinches when being accessed. They do prescribed emla cream (numbing cream) to make it 100% pain-free, but I am too lazy to wait 30 min for it to numb, so I just grin and bear it.

Sometimes the tape itches around the site- normal with ANY IV. The nice thing is, with a port....I change my tape and give it a good scratch (with the alcohol sticks) often.

I am sure Makailyn will love the ease of it-and will be less traumatized (IVs and PICCS we always a fear of mine). It did hurt initially after surgery- for about 2 weeks it was tender. I chose to not be sedated, but was offered versed and/or to be put under. I am sure they will do what is most comfortable for her.

 

[crystalina0814]

Hi guys, sorry I just saw your response Karla!
<br />
<br />Relatively pain-free for me means, it pinches when being accessed. They do prescribed emla cream (numbing cream) to make it 100% pain-free, but I am too lazy to wait 30 min for it to numb, so I just grin and bear it.
<br />
<br />Sometimes the tape itches around the site- normal with ANY IV. The nice thing is, with a port....I change my tape and give it a good scratch (with the alcohol sticks) often.
<br />
<br />I am sure Makailyn will love the ease of it-and will be less traumatized (IVs and PICCS we always a fear of mine). It did hurt initially after surgery- for about 2 weeks it was tender. I chose to not be sedated, but was offered versed and/or to be put under. I am sure they will do what is most comfortable for her.