Port for opdivo???

I do not have a port.  I have received 56 infusions of Opdivo by IV.   Nurses can easlily see my veins.

Having two years of treatment under my belt, I strongly recommend having the port put in. My port was placed on my upper chest. The port will save you from needle pain and also will preserve the vein in your arm. Susan, I wish the absolute best for you with the treatment.

Because of complete lymph node dissection, I limit blood draws and infusions to one arm.  The blood draws are in the elbow area and the infusions are in the hand.  5 Nivo infusions completed and only had one issue with veins (4 attempts).  I try to stay hydrated so my veins are easier to see.  I'm on track for 24 treatments (every two weeks) and see no problems so far.  

Susan – my husband had a port put in 5+ years ago and continues to use it for lab draws, infustions, etc.  Eliminates a lot of hassle in the lab.

Ann

I fought getting a port for the first 6 months.  I had a CLND of the right axilla so my right arm is off limits for IV and lab draws.  My left arm got poked so many times in those early months.  It got to the point where they struggled to even get blood from my left arm.  The port has been awesome for me.  So much easier and they can fill as many lab tubes as they need.  I am a lab rat for a couple studies so they draw as many as 15 tubes at times.  I strongly recommend a port.  I love mine and wish I would have gotten it right away instead of being stubborn and scared. 

Brad

I guess it depends on your situation:

I had complete lymph node dissection on my left side so no blood, shots or BP from that are.

All is done on the right every two weeks, 1 for blood draw and the second for my Opdivo infusion.

So far So Good.

I am not a fan of a port as I have two special needs girls who climb all over and I would be afrad that they may pull it out OR it could get infected.

Best thing is to drink lots of water as it helps keep your veins closer to the surface so they can find them better.

This may all change if I get iissues with my infustion.

Good Luck

raco

I don’t know anything about ports in the arms but I have a port in my upper chest and it is the best thing I’ve ever had! And there’s no way to pull it out because it’s under the skin. They have to pierce the skin each time to go into the port but it is so much easier than finding a vein every time.  I can’t even imagine doing this without one! 

My Opdivo infusions are every 4 weeks. I don’t think I would want a port when infusions are this infrequent. But if you are doing infusions every 2 weeks then a port could be nice. If you are not on the 4 week Opdivo cycle consider asking your Oncologist about it.

I had infusions every three weeks with no port for a year and a half with tiny veins.  The nurses all would complain about my tiny veins yet they would always find one with one stick.  Now I am one of those people that doesn't mind getting stuck with a needle all that much.  If it bugged me, I might have gone for a port (or if they had to always stick me multiple times, but they don't).  I got the impression that a port would make things easier for them, but not necessarily for me (other than needle sticks, but I don't mind those that much).