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twinkle

Posts: 6
From: birmingham
Registered: 25-Nov-2006

Port Sites
Posted: 05-Dec-2006 09:52

Reply

Morning All,
I know it's early but I'd be very grateful for your thoughts on the following...
I have an appointment with vascular surgeon coming up as I'm due to have my 4th port put in soon.
My first port was put in my femoral vein and was sited just above my right thigh... needless to say that was a bad idea but I was young and I'm afraid vanity prevailed, it had to come out after just 3 months because it had became infected.
The next one was sited on the left hand side of my chest(not sure which vein they used), and it was quite happy there for 8 years, the one after that was sited on the right side of my chest and I'm pretty sure that one was in the vena cava. I had to have it removed last Sept because it became infected, never mind it had given me 4 loyal years of service but I was hoping I'd get the same milage out of that one as I did number two - Ho Hum!
So, I would be very interested to know of anyone elses experiences with port sites.
Although I stay pretty well (relatively speaking!)my port is my lifeline. I've been lucky enough to have them all done under local and would also like to know if the site of your port dictates what kind of anaesthetic is used.
Thankyou for bearing with me through this very long post sorry to ramble on!

Twinkle x

Callie

Posts: 22
From: London
Registered: 16-May-2004

Re: Port Sites
Posted: 05-Dec-2006 09:58

Reply

My port is in my left arm, nestling by my bicep. It doesn't bother me there at all, and is in an easy place to access. However, it's a slightly different port - a pas-port and is smaller than a regular port. They aren't available everywhere so may not be an option for you, but worth asking about if you think it would be for you. I've had it in for 14 years with no issues so far, touch wood.

twinkle

Posts: 6
From: birmingham
Registered: 25-Nov-2006

Re: Port Sites
Posted: 05-Dec-2006 10:05

Reply

Thanks Calli,
I usually have IVs every 3 months, do you use your port much? (Don't answer if that's too personal!)
I'm also quite 'slim' with not a great deal of meat on the ol' bones! Just wondering if that could be why I've always had them on my chest.

Callie

Posts: 22
From: London
Registered: 16-May-2004

Re: Port Sites
Posted: 05-Dec-2006 12:05

Reply

Hi

I used to use my port every 3 months as well but mostly manage to keep IVs to every 6 months now. I too used to struggle terribly with my weight (not so much now though), so I'm not sure whether weight had any baring on where my port was put. Basically, I think in Leeds, where it was fitted, they were able to fit either the normal one in my chest or the pas-port in my arm. They gave me the choice and I chose the smaller one in my arm - not even sure why now, although I'm glad and would rather it was here that in my chest.

As I said though - might not be available everywhere and in my London hospital some staff have never seen/heard of it!

Hope you manage to sort something out anyway

lisa_h

Posts: 13
From: Nottingham
Registered: 19-Nov-2006

Re: Port Sites
Posted: 05-Dec-2006 13:13

Reply

Hello Twinkle,

Well I have had 3 ports on my left forearm which i loved having it there but sometimes it bothered other people as they could see the tubes so sometimes I have to wear long selves in the summer. The other in on the side of my right breast but this was put in too deep and the CF nurses couldn't needle it and I got stressed every time and I could see the girls getting worried every time too. Now ive got mine on my right hand side of my back just below my arm pit and I can wear pretty much anything with that. Like you my port is my life line would be lost without it.

Take care and good luck with your chat with the Vascular Surgeon

Lxxx

Darkies Gem

Posts: 89
From: Doncaster, UK
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

Re: Port Sites
Posted: 05-Dec-2006 14:47

Reply

I've only had my port 2 years, but love it. It's sighted in the let hand side of my chest wall, and is saton my second rib I think. It brilliant as it's above my braline,and is hidden by normal t-shirts. Although the vanty thing has never ever been a problem for me. The site of a port is much nicer than the site of scars in my arms from long lines. I don't get asked if I'm a druggy anymore

The only trouble I've had with it, is when i was slightly overweight, I had a lot of fat brewing at the top of my chest, so a normal 3/4 inch needle wasn't long enough. An inch needle was too long though, and stuck out quite a bit, and there also wider and left a lot of scaring. Now I've lost that bit of weight though I'm back to 3/4 inch.

I had my port under general. I enjoyedit as they give me valium first, which spaced me out so much it was awsome. I originally wanted it done under local, so I didn't have to wait, but my doc wouldn't allow that.

The only trouble I had with the general, was that my throat really hurt from the O2. And I ended up having a big tearful arguament with nurses, as my throat was hurting, I wasn't taking enough breaths when the O2 came off, so my SATS kept dropping really low. But i didn't want the O2 on. And I came back from theater absolutely starving, and the CF team had promised me food, but as none ofthem were around, the ward nurses were saying i had to wait at least half hour before i could even have a drink. Then this evil flabotomist woman came and stole my blood, and bruised me, and made me have a plaster on, which im highly allergic too. If none of that had happened, I'd have been the best patient ever, as i was home within 24 hours after waking up.