My Port Placement Procedure

By Racheli Alkobey

A power port is extremely common when it comes to chemo! If you’re bound to receive a good amount of chemo, it is likely that your healthcare team will suggest getting a port in order to prevent your veins from being damaged and to make it easier to receive your treatments. Here is a video of my experience getting my port placed!

Did you get a port?

Please comment or reach out to me via instagram, if you have any questions!

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Ann Harper Moderator
My daughter Crystal was also allergic to the tape. She found out after she did the biopsy. The doctors didn't believe her. They said they never had anyone else who was allergic to the tape before. Now I know she's not alone. Her port implant was similar. She hated it from the minute she got it and is looking forward to its removal this summer.
1. Ann Harper Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo" user-id="3647991"/> Thanks! It's removed and she is so happy!!
2. Ann Harper Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Racheli Alkobey" user-id="3651245"/> Yes, her too!
donnap
OMG! I was severely allergic to the tape! I also hated the port. The minute I was done with chemo I wanted it out! Unfortunately, I had to wait until I underwent 25 sessions of radiation therapy and then a PET scan. I was so happy when it was removed!
1. Racheli Alkobey Moderator
 The moment it was removed felt like a huge weight (literally) off my chest... it was FINALLY over. I feel you!!
Amber Lynch Moderator
My port placement was one of the most traumatic experiences during my treatment. My oncologist definitely didn't let on how painful it would be. I was allergic to the tape too. Whenever I had chemo I used the sensitive skin tape packet. The only problem was it was harder to take off even if less irritating. Getting the port out was very significant.
1. Racheli Alkobey Moderator
 I'm so sorry that was your experience! I hope that having the port was still significant for you in regards to access/treatment though! We used to make these makeshift bandages instead of using any of the packets they had for the port so I always had like cotton and regular tape on my chest.
Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator
Racheli, you're the bomb girl! I never got the pleasure of this procedure... I was very hesitant based on that heavy feeling as you mentioned. However, It was a drag finding an already depleted vein for treatments, and the talks got close to going down this port lane a few times. Thankfully, remission struck me so that this conversation could go away for the moment and hopefully forever. Thank you for expressing and showing.
1. Racheli Alkobey Moderator
 Hi dear! Thanks, girl! I'm so sorry that happened with your veins! Butttt I'm so happy that the conversation ceased for now and that you don't have to even think about what you'll need to do next! That makes me really happy.
Carole McCue
Rachell, Thank you for such helpful info. I did not have a port for my chemo but my veins are really limited. I am sure I will need a port in the future when my follicular lymphoma “wakes up”. Wishing you good health🥰 Carole
cocopuff816
I too had a port. I received 1 treatment and it became infected and I got septic. I spent 5 days in the hospital with massive doses of antibiotics,both i v and oral. They removed it before I was released from the hospital and I had a pic line inserted in my right arm and continued my treatment. Not a pleasant experience but so far worth every minute of pain and being so sick.
1. Racheli Alkobey Moderator
 Oh no! Those pesky side effects from the port! I'm so happy that you were okay and able to get the picc line and still get treatment via a line as opposed to directly in your veins!
harry-pantiuk
It's been almost three years since my Port Placement Procedure. My CLL required six months of high dosage chemo treatment and two years of "maintenance". My Port hasn't bothered me and I forget that I even have it. Now they have a new procedure to administer Rituxin with an injection. I do not know what will happen with the Port but I don't have any complaints or regrets. It is a small inconvenience compared with the alternative.
1. Racheli Alkobey Moderator
 Amen! Is the injection going to go in the port or is it a muscle shot?
sheila
I still have a port. I was put under general anesthetic when it was put in. It took several weeks before I did not feel the soreness from the surgery. I think it was definitely better to have for chemo. Note to those with ports in their body. Don't forget to use the lidocaine cream before accessing the port. I found that it takes 2 hours for the lidocaine to be totally effective. Once I forgot and it felt like I was being stabbed in the chest. Yeoowie!
1. Racheli Alkobey Moderator
 Oh interested! I personally didn't ever use lidocaine but I've heard from so many people that it was such a life saver!
marciabg
I had a port installed before my first chemo treatment. It wasn’t painful then (2013), never was and still isn’t. I have blood tests every two weeks and infusion of Opdivo once a month. I don’t use lidocaine and it’s all been a pain-free experience. I’ve often said that it’s my ‘favorite’ part of having cancer. I can only imagine the discomfort of NOT having a port!
1. Racheli Alkobey Moderator
 Omg ditto to all of that! It was never really painful for me either. Everyone always told me I should use the lidocaine but then I couldn't on my first time and since it didn't hurt... I never did! The only thing that bothered me was the flush... it left such an icky taste in my mouth!
Matt Goldman
Racheli, I'm impressed that you actually recorded your port placement. It's real helpful to share this with others. I, like all of us, was pretty frightened when I heard I'd have this thing inserted under my skin. But now I so happy to have my port, it makes life so much easier. thanks another great video.
DennisGolden Moderator
Several years ago my 4 year old grandson needed a port installed to treat childhood Leukemia. Within a matter of days he developed a deadly sepsis infection. Why? No one knows. The effect on the family was significant. Move ahead a few more years. I am diagnosed with blood cancer and told it would be best to have a port installed for my chemo treatments. Needless to say I was VERY concerned. Overall the procedure is not as simple as the oncologist described (small incision and they just pop it in) - it is surgery and it took a few days to recover. That said it was installed on a Wednesday and on Friday treatment started. Wow no wasted time with this process! I did not experience any real issues with the port other than the minor discomfort of an object (lump) being in my chest. Removal of the port in early 2021 was much the same. Today I have a small scar that reminds me of both my grandson and of my successful journey with chemo. Strange how somethings impact you. Dennis(Blood-Cancer.com TEAM)
DennisGolden Moderator
My port was installed in August of 2020 and was in May of 2021 - Procedure was similar to the placement. It took 2 months for the swelling ( a lump) to go down and for everything to return to normal - the scar is hardly noticeable but still a reminder