Port O Cath????
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Port O Cath????

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Port O Cath????

  • Post
    • September 30, 2016 at 5:01 am
    snow white
    Participant

    I am just wondering if placing a Port O Cath is normal when undergoing treatment.  I know when I was going through chemo 4 years ago, I had 18 treatments and had a Port that made things much easier.

    Is this also the protocall for Melanoma treatment?

Viewing 23 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 30, 2016 at 5:05 am
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Depends on the patient. If veins are not easy, typically in elderly patients this can be the case, then a port makes infusion process and even blood draws way easier for both the patient and the medical staff. But, not everyone gets them. It's a case by case basis. 

      • September 30, 2016 at 5:05 am
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Depends on the patient. If veins are not easy, typically in elderly patients this can be the case, then a port makes infusion process and even blood draws way easier for both the patient and the medical staff. But, not everyone gets them. It's a case by case basis. 

      • September 30, 2016 at 5:05 am
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Depends on the patient. If veins are not easy, typically in elderly patients this can be the case, then a port makes infusion process and even blood draws way easier for both the patient and the medical staff. But, not everyone gets them. It's a case by case basis. 

      • September 30, 2016 at 10:37 am
      Shaneswife
      Participant
      My husband got a picc line for his 1 month initial interferon induction therapy.
      • September 30, 2016 at 10:37 am
      Shaneswife
      Participant
      My husband got a picc line for his 1 month initial interferon induction therapy.
      • September 30, 2016 at 10:37 am
      Shaneswife
      Participant
      My husband got a picc line for his 1 month initial interferon induction therapy.
      • September 30, 2016 at 12:07 pm
      Johnjk04
      Participant

      Had a port for two years while on ippi / nivo trial.

      I loved my port, miss it so much now.

      My opinion : Go for the port.

      • September 30, 2016 at 12:07 pm
      Johnjk04
      Participant

      Had a port for two years while on ippi / nivo trial.

      I loved my port, miss it so much now.

      My opinion : Go for the port.

      • September 30, 2016 at 12:07 pm
      Johnjk04
      Participant

      Had a port for two years while on ippi / nivo trial.

      I loved my port, miss it so much now.

      My opinion : Go for the port.

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:23 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thanks John, I agree!

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:23 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thanks John, I agree!

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:23 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thanks John, I agree!

      • September 30, 2016 at 1:04 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      My veins are pretty easy to find… and now even easier, as the docs/techs/nurses can just target the scars! HA! Between blood draws, infusions, and contrast IV's, I was getting jabbed 5 times every three weeks, for three years. Things have slowed a little, but had I thought about it, a port may have been the way to go. Although, I don't know what kind of cleaning maintenance is required and odds of infection… sooooo… I think it's a doctor/patient discussion to have. 

      • September 30, 2016 at 1:04 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      My veins are pretty easy to find… and now even easier, as the docs/techs/nurses can just target the scars! HA! Between blood draws, infusions, and contrast IV's, I was getting jabbed 5 times every three weeks, for three years. Things have slowed a little, but had I thought about it, a port may have been the way to go. Although, I don't know what kind of cleaning maintenance is required and odds of infection… sooooo… I think it's a doctor/patient discussion to have. 

      • September 30, 2016 at 1:04 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      My veins are pretty easy to find… and now even easier, as the docs/techs/nurses can just target the scars! HA! Between blood draws, infusions, and contrast IV's, I was getting jabbed 5 times every three weeks, for three years. Things have slowed a little, but had I thought about it, a port may have been the way to go. Although, I don't know what kind of cleaning maintenance is required and odds of infection… sooooo… I think it's a doctor/patient discussion to have. 

        • September 30, 2016 at 1:46 pm
        Gene_S
        Participant

        For the port it needs to be flushed every 4 – 5 weeks if not being used.  If it is used for medication or blood draws then it is flushed after the use.

        • September 30, 2016 at 1:46 pm
        Gene_S
        Participant

        For the port it needs to be flushed every 4 – 5 weeks if not being used.  If it is used for medication or blood draws then it is flushed after the use.

        • September 30, 2016 at 1:46 pm
        Gene_S
        Participant

        For the port it needs to be flushed every 4 – 5 weeks if not being used.  If it is used for medication or blood draws then it is flushed after the use.

      • September 30, 2016 at 2:04 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi Snow white, some thing to consider is if you are active or not. There have been some studies done on active people(doing sports) that use a port run the risk of developing blood clots. On a personal note, I have been on the trial of  Nivo/ ipi called checkmate 067 for 32 months now and I still haven't gone for the port or a pick line!!! Best Wishes!!!Ed

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:21 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you for the Best Wishes Ed and for your input 🙂

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:21 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you for the Best Wishes Ed and for your input 🙂

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:21 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you for the Best Wishes Ed and for your input 🙂

      • September 30, 2016 at 2:04 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi Snow white, some thing to consider is if you are active or not. There have been some studies done on active people(doing sports) that use a port run the risk of developing blood clots. On a personal note, I have been on the trial of  Nivo/ ipi called checkmate 067 for 32 months now and I still haven't gone for the port or a pick line!!! Best Wishes!!!Ed

      • September 30, 2016 at 2:04 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi Snow white, some thing to consider is if you are active or not. There have been some studies done on active people(doing sports) that use a port run the risk of developing blood clots. On a personal note, I have been on the trial of  Nivo/ ipi called checkmate 067 for 32 months now and I still haven't gone for the port or a pick line!!! Best Wishes!!!Ed

      • September 30, 2016 at 3:17 pm
      Julie in SoCal
      Participant

      Hey Jennifer,

      i went for many years (2008-20014) without a port. I was always a hard stick, and sometimes it took multiple tries, but it wasn't until "old faithful" my last remaining vein wouldn't accept a catheter that I decided to get a port.

      While I was in active treatment I loved it. It made everything easy, and getting it flushed was no big deal.  Now that I'm not seeing the dr all the time I'm going to have to go in just for the port to be flushed. I'm not sure how much I'm going to love it then.

      Peace,

      Julie

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:22 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Julie!  From one So Cal person to another, I appreicate your input.

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:22 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Julie!  From one So Cal person to another, I appreicate your input.

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:22 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Julie!  From one So Cal person to another, I appreicate your input.

      • September 30, 2016 at 3:17 pm
      Julie in SoCal
      Participant

      Hey Jennifer,

      i went for many years (2008-20014) without a port. I was always a hard stick, and sometimes it took multiple tries, but it wasn't until "old faithful" my last remaining vein wouldn't accept a catheter that I decided to get a port.

      While I was in active treatment I loved it. It made everything easy, and getting it flushed was no big deal.  Now that I'm not seeing the dr all the time I'm going to have to go in just for the port to be flushed. I'm not sure how much I'm going to love it then.

      Peace,

      Julie

      • September 30, 2016 at 3:17 pm
      Julie in SoCal
      Participant

      Hey Jennifer,

      i went for many years (2008-20014) without a port. I was always a hard stick, and sometimes it took multiple tries, but it wasn't until "old faithful" my last remaining vein wouldn't accept a catheter that I decided to get a port.

      While I was in active treatment I loved it. It made everything easy, and getting it flushed was no big deal.  Now that I'm not seeing the dr all the time I'm going to have to go in just for the port to be flushed. I'm not sure how much I'm going to love it then.

      Peace,

      Julie

      • September 30, 2016 at 4:17 pm
      beans920
      Participant

      Have had a power port since. Feb.2014.  Left side had lymph nodes removed so all blood draws  and treatments were done on right side for 2-3 weeks.  Thats all it took for me to figure it out how easy it would be with a port.  I have been off treatments for a period of over a year but still had quarterly blood draws through port.  Does need to be flushed every 4-5 weeks but My clinic does it and it takes a couple of minutes and I'm done.  Best decision I made was for a port placement.. Beans

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:23 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Beans! 🙂

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:23 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Beans! 🙂

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:23 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Beans! 🙂

      • September 30, 2016 at 4:17 pm
      beans920
      Participant

      Have had a power port since. Feb.2014.  Left side had lymph nodes removed so all blood draws  and treatments were done on right side for 2-3 weeks.  Thats all it took for me to figure it out how easy it would be with a port.  I have been off treatments for a period of over a year but still had quarterly blood draws through port.  Does need to be flushed every 4-5 weeks but My clinic does it and it takes a couple of minutes and I'm done.  Best decision I made was for a port placement.. Beans

      • September 30, 2016 at 4:17 pm
      beans920
      Participant

      Have had a power port since. Feb.2014.  Left side had lymph nodes removed so all blood draws  and treatments were done on right side for 2-3 weeks.  Thats all it took for me to figure it out how easy it would be with a port.  I have been off treatments for a period of over a year but still had quarterly blood draws through port.  Does need to be flushed every 4-5 weeks but My clinic does it and it takes a couple of minutes and I'm done.  Best decision I made was for a port placement.. Beans

      • September 30, 2016 at 6:20 pm
      Polymath
      Participant

      Hi Jennifer,

      Following your story, its clear Dad has immunotherapy in his future, and nowadays, these treatments can go on for a year or more.  Besides infusions, the port is used for blood draws (required prior to each infusion), and contrast in the inevitable periodic scans.  I LOVE my port and am so glad I choose to get it.  By the way, its an easy procedure, and when and if the day comes when you feel it's no longer needed, it's just as easy to remove.  This question has come up many times here.  The overall consensus has been to go for it.

      Gary

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:20 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Gary!  I think he wants a port.  I went through 6 months of Chemo in 2012 and he was at every infusion with me, so he saw first hand how easy it is.  I am hoping he is able to get one in the beginning, possibly next week. Thanks for your input. 🙂

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:20 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Gary!  I think he wants a port.  I went through 6 months of Chemo in 2012 and he was at every infusion with me, so he saw first hand how easy it is.  I am hoping he is able to get one in the beginning, possibly next week. Thanks for your input. 🙂

        • October 1, 2016 at 1:20 am
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Gary!  I think he wants a port.  I went through 6 months of Chemo in 2012 and he was at every infusion with me, so he saw first hand how easy it is.  I am hoping he is able to get one in the beginning, possibly next week. Thanks for your input. 🙂

      • September 30, 2016 at 6:20 pm
      Polymath
      Participant

      Hi Jennifer,

      Following your story, its clear Dad has immunotherapy in his future, and nowadays, these treatments can go on for a year or more.  Besides infusions, the port is used for blood draws (required prior to each infusion), and contrast in the inevitable periodic scans.  I LOVE my port and am so glad I choose to get it.  By the way, its an easy procedure, and when and if the day comes when you feel it's no longer needed, it's just as easy to remove.  This question has come up many times here.  The overall consensus has been to go for it.

      Gary

      • September 30, 2016 at 6:20 pm
      Polymath
      Participant

      Hi Jennifer,

      Following your story, its clear Dad has immunotherapy in his future, and nowadays, these treatments can go on for a year or more.  Besides infusions, the port is used for blood draws (required prior to each infusion), and contrast in the inevitable periodic scans.  I LOVE my port and am so glad I choose to get it.  By the way, its an easy procedure, and when and if the day comes when you feel it's no longer needed, it's just as easy to remove.  This question has come up many times here.  The overall consensus has been to go for it.

      Gary

Viewing 23 reply threads
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