Port for Keytruda

Paul,

I have one and think it's great.  If you have good veins and both arms are usable you can probably get by without one.  I'm limited to one arm and my veins are not very good so it was a no brainer for me.  I've had mine for about 18 months and it really hasn't had any negative impact on my quality on life.

Brian

Paul,

I have one and think it's great.  If you have good veins and both arms are usable you can probably get by without one.  I'm limited to one arm and my veins are not very good so it was a no brainer for me.  I've had mine for about 18 months and it really hasn't had any negative impact on my quality on life.

Brian

Paul,

I have one and think it's great.  If you have good veins and both arms are usable you can probably get by without one.  I'm limited to one arm and my veins are not very good so it was a no brainer for me.  I've had mine for about 18 months and it really hasn't had any negative impact on my quality on life.

Brian

Paul, we're on a similar schedule.  I had my 4th infusion last week.  I considered a port.  I decided against it when I learned that they will not use it for drawing blood.  I figure that if they need to stick me at each infusion for blood, what's the difference?  (I also have young kids and would worry about the port getting knocked around, though I'm not sure that this latter point is a legitimate concern.)

Paul, we're on a similar schedule.  I had my 4th infusion last week.  I considered a port.  I decided against it when I learned that they will not use it for drawing blood.  I figure that if they need to stick me at each infusion for blood, what's the difference?  (I also have young kids and would worry about the port getting knocked around, though I'm not sure that this latter point is a legitimate concern.)

Paul, we're on a similar schedule.  I had my 4th infusion last week.  I considered a port.  I decided against it when I learned that they will not use it for drawing blood.  I figure that if they need to stick me at each infusion for blood, what's the difference?  (I also have young kids and would worry about the port getting knocked around, though I'm not sure that this latter point is a legitimate concern.)

Hey Paul!

I'm a few infusions behind you and am considering the same thing.  I only have one useable arm and I am so bruised I'm starting to look like a junkie that doesn't care anymore.  So I'm seriously considering it. Especially if I'm on Pembro for the foreseeable future.  

I've been told that they can be used for blood draws, too.  

I'll let you know what I end up doing.

Julie

Hey Paul!

I'm a few infusions behind you and am considering the same thing.  I only have one useable arm and I am so bruised I'm starting to look like a junkie that doesn't care anymore.  So I'm seriously considering it. Especially if I'm on Pembro for the foreseeable future.  

I've been told that they can be used for blood draws, too.  

I'll let you know what I end up doing.

Julie

Hey Paul!

I'm a few infusions behind you and am considering the same thing.  I only have one useable arm and I am so bruised I'm starting to look like a junkie that doesn't care anymore.  So I'm seriously considering it. Especially if I'm on Pembro for the foreseeable future.  

I've been told that they can be used for blood draws, too.  

I'll let you know what I end up doing.

Julie

Hi Paul,

I know they've actually done some outcomes studies based on type of vascular access device a patient uses.  Ports have lower rates of infection, etc.  I actually used to be involved in dialysis research and one of the main areas of outcome studies for hemodialysis patients was how (what type of access) a patient received treatment.  I thought this was a good description

http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/diagnosis-and-treatment/tests-and-procedures/subcutaneous-port/?region=on

I do have a "funny" story from when my mom had cancer (she passed away several years ago).  She was getting chemotherapy and the nurse could never hit her veins and had to take several shots at it.  My mom had very tough hands and had a very high tolerance and tried to reassure the nurse that she was not in any pain.  However, the very empathetic nurse would burst into tears when trying to get the IV in and my mom would try to console her and tell her it was ok,  even brought her in cookies and brownies.  This nurse was so empathetic with her patients, she was just a sweetheart and she really felt like she was hurting my mom.  My mom ended up getting a port just so she wouldn't stress the nurse out!  🙂  

Good luck!

Jackie

Hi Paul,

I know they've actually done some outcomes studies based on type of vascular access device a patient uses.  Ports have lower rates of infection, etc.  I actually used to be involved in dialysis research and one of the main areas of outcome studies for hemodialysis patients was how (what type of access) a patient received treatment.  I thought this was a good description

http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/diagnosis-and-treatment/tests-and-procedures/subcutaneous-port/?region=on

I do have a "funny" story from when my mom had cancer (she passed away several years ago).  She was getting chemotherapy and the nurse could never hit her veins and had to take several shots at it.  My mom had very tough hands and had a very high tolerance and tried to reassure the nurse that she was not in any pain.  However, the very empathetic nurse would burst into tears when trying to get the IV in and my mom would try to console her and tell her it was ok,  even brought her in cookies and brownies.  This nurse was so empathetic with her patients, she was just a sweetheart and she really felt like she was hurting my mom.  My mom ended up getting a port just so she wouldn't stress the nurse out!  🙂  

Good luck!

Jackie

Hi Paul,

I know they've actually done some outcomes studies based on type of vascular access device a patient uses.  Ports have lower rates of infection, etc.  I actually used to be involved in dialysis research and one of the main areas of outcome studies for hemodialysis patients was how (what type of access) a patient received treatment.  I thought this was a good description

http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/diagnosis-and-treatment/tests-and-procedures/subcutaneous-port/?region=on

I do have a "funny" story from when my mom had cancer (she passed away several years ago).  She was getting chemotherapy and the nurse could never hit her veins and had to take several shots at it.  My mom had very tough hands and had a very high tolerance and tried to reassure the nurse that she was not in any pain.  However, the very empathetic nurse would burst into tears when trying to get the IV in and my mom would try to console her and tell her it was ok,  even brought her in cookies and brownies.  This nurse was so empathetic with her patients, she was just a sweetheart and she really felt like she was hurting my mom.  My mom ended up getting a port just so she wouldn't stress the nurse out!  🙂  

Good luck!

Jackie

Hey Paul, I been on a BMS study of Ipi and Nivolumab for 16 months now. I decided not to do the port line since I try to still be as active as possible. I still lift weights and mountain bike from time to time. The Ottawa General hospital did a study a couple of years ago and found that there was an increased risk for getting blood clots for people who are very active and have a Pic or port. I must admit that I am getting tired of getting picked for scans every 6 weeks, brain Mri every 3 months and blood draws and treatments every two weeks. Wishing you the best!!! Ed 

Hey Paul, I been on a BMS study of Ipi and Nivolumab for 16 months now. I decided not to do the port line since I try to still be as active as possible. I still lift weights and mountain bike from time to time. The Ottawa General hospital did a study a couple of years ago and found that there was an increased risk for getting blood clots for people who are very active and have a Pic or port. I must admit that I am getting tired of getting picked for scans every 6 weeks, brain Mri every 3 months and blood draws and treatments every two weeks. Wishing you the best!!! Ed 

Hey Paul, I been on a BMS study of Ipi and Nivolumab for 16 months now. I decided not to do the port line since I try to still be as active as possible. I still lift weights and mountain bike from time to time. The Ottawa General hospital did a study a couple of years ago and found that there was an increased risk for getting blood clots for people who are very active and have a Pic or port. I must admit that I am getting tired of getting picked for scans every 6 weeks, brain Mri every 3 months and blood draws and treatments every two weeks. Wishing you the best!!! Ed 

I almost got a port but was having problems choking so now better but haven't had it done yet. A power port can be used for everything except pet scans as far as I was told. So basically blood draws, iv meds, ct and mri scans. A non power port has limitations for what it can be used for but they are smaller. One of my older posts I think from dec has some info about ports especially what Celeste said about things you need to make sure you know so you make sure the nurses use it right.

Artie

I almost got a port but was having problems choking so now better but haven't had it done yet. A power port can be used for everything except pet scans as far as I was told. So basically blood draws, iv meds, ct and mri scans. A non power port has limitations for what it can be used for but they are smaller. One of my older posts I think from dec has some info about ports especially what Celeste said about things you need to make sure you know so you make sure the nurses use it right.

Artie

I almost got a port but was having problems choking so now better but haven't had it done yet. A power port can be used for everything except pet scans as far as I was told. So basically blood draws, iv meds, ct and mri scans. A non power port has limitations for what it can be used for but they are smaller. One of my older posts I think from dec has some info about ports especially what Celeste said about things you need to make sure you know so you make sure the nurses use it right.

Artie

I'm on a similar schedule as several others here, and with an undertermined number of future Pembro infusions, as well as blood draws, scan contrast dyes, I opted for the port which will be used for all sticks.

I'm already glad I did, and now, barely two weeks after port installation, I'm heading to the swimming pool.

Best wishes for a full and durable response!

I'm on a similar schedule as several others here, and with an undertermined number of future Pembro infusions, as well as blood draws, scan contrast dyes, I opted for the port which will be used for all sticks.

I'm already glad I did, and now, barely two weeks after port installation, I'm heading to the swimming pool.

Best wishes for a full and durable response!

I'm on a similar schedule as several others here, and with an undertermined number of future Pembro infusions, as well as blood draws, scan contrast dyes, I opted for the port which will be used for all sticks.

I'm already glad I did, and now, barely two weeks after port installation, I'm heading to the swimming pool.

Best wishes for a full and durable response!