PICC vs Port

[lightNlife]

I LOVE the Port. My first one lasted for 10 years, and I just had a new one placed a few months ago. You can visit my blog and read about a port (I've got some pictures of my old one--they let me keep it for show and tell after they removed it!) Here's the link <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingwellwithcf.blogspot.com/search?q=port">Out With the Old...pictures of my port</a> Here's another link to a brief article I wrote about PICC lines <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/300957/understanding_picc_lines.html">Understanding PICC lines</a>
If you scroll down on the Livingwell with CF blog, you'll see a posting I did about the procedure itself. I needed a blood transfusion before hand, but that's just me; it's not part of the usual procedure. I found the Port insertion to be far less traumatic than having the PICC placed. They didn't give me general anesthesia because of the risk to my lungs. With the PICC I was only numb at the site, and so I did have the pain meds addressing the rest of my soreness when it was all over. For example, my shoulder and elbow ached when I had a PICC placed because of the way I had to hold my arm out.

I hope my blog and my article give you some good info. I also have a slideshow around here somewhere of me accessing my port. Hmmmm...

Also, you requested a list of pros and cons, so here you go.


<b>PICC Line PROS</b>

No permanent, visible site
Easily replaced if it gets blocked
Better than a heparin-lock IV
Can be hidden under sleeves
Can shower while it's in
Outpatient procedure

<b>PICC Line CONS</b>
Limited mobility
Can be very positional (i.e. you have to keep your arm straight)
Can cause the arm to ache
Can only be placed in certain locations
Sometimes hard to hide/camouflage it
Limits certain activities
Cannot be accessed w/o medical personnel
Typically only lasts for several weeks before needing to be removed
You need a new PICC each time you need a tune-up
<b>
PORT PROS</b>

Outpatient insertion procedure
Can be placed in a variety of locations on body
Self-accessing can be learned
Decreased risk of infection (compared to PICC)
No limited mobility while it's accessed
Far less likelihood of the line getting kinked.
Infusions are more comfortable since you don't feel the medicine (I could always feel some of it burn in my arm when I had a PICC)
The port can last for more than a decade if well maintained
Can be placed in a discrete location on body

<b>PORT CONS</b>
Can be a self-image issue if it's visible
Recovery after insertion may take longer than with a PICC
Depending on location, Vest may be uncomfortable when accessed (But vests are designed now to mitigate that)

 

[lightNlife]

I LOVE the Port. My first one lasted for 10 years, and I just had a new one placed a few months ago. You can visit my blog and read about a port (I've got some pictures of my old one--they let me keep it for show and tell after they removed it!) Here's the link <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingwellwithcf.blogspot.com/search?q=port">Out With the Old...pictures of my port</a> Here's another link to a brief article I wrote about PICC lines <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/300957/understanding_picc_lines.html">Understanding PICC lines</a>
If you scroll down on the Livingwell with CF blog, you'll see a posting I did about the procedure itself. I needed a blood transfusion before hand, but that's just me; it's not part of the usual procedure. I found the Port insertion to be far less traumatic than having the PICC placed. They didn't give me general anesthesia because of the risk to my lungs. With the PICC I was only numb at the site, and so I did have the pain meds addressing the rest of my soreness when it was all over. For example, my shoulder and elbow ached when I had a PICC placed because of the way I had to hold my arm out.

I hope my blog and my article give you some good info. I also have a slideshow around here somewhere of me accessing my port. Hmmmm...

Also, you requested a list of pros and cons, so here you go.


<b>PICC Line PROS</b>

No permanent, visible site
Easily replaced if it gets blocked
Better than a heparin-lock IV
Can be hidden under sleeves
Can shower while it's in
Outpatient procedure

<b>PICC Line CONS</b>
Limited mobility
Can be very positional (i.e. you have to keep your arm straight)
Can cause the arm to ache
Can only be placed in certain locations
Sometimes hard to hide/camouflage it
Limits certain activities
Cannot be accessed w/o medical personnel
Typically only lasts for several weeks before needing to be removed
You need a new PICC each time you need a tune-up
<b>
PORT PROS</b>

Outpatient insertion procedure
Can be placed in a variety of locations on body
Self-accessing can be learned
Decreased risk of infection (compared to PICC)
No limited mobility while it's accessed
Far less likelihood of the line getting kinked.
Infusions are more comfortable since you don't feel the medicine (I could always feel some of it burn in my arm when I had a PICC)
The port can last for more than a decade if well maintained
Can be placed in a discrete location on body

<b>PORT CONS</b>
Can be a self-image issue if it's visible
Recovery after insertion may take longer than with a PICC
Depending on location, Vest may be uncomfortable when accessed (But vests are designed now to mitigate that)

 

[lightNlife]

I LOVE the Port. My first one lasted for 10 years, and I just had a new one placed a few months ago. You can visit my blog and read about a port (I've got some pictures of my old one--they let me keep it for show and tell after they removed it!) Here's the link <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingwellwithcf.blogspot.com/search?q=port">Out With the Old...pictures of my port</a> Here's another link to a brief article I wrote about PICC lines <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/300957/understanding_picc_lines.html">Understanding PICC lines</a>
If you scroll down on the Livingwell with CF blog, you'll see a posting I did about the procedure itself. I needed a blood transfusion before hand, but that's just me; it's not part of the usual procedure. I found the Port insertion to be far less traumatic than having the PICC placed. They didn't give me general anesthesia because of the risk to my lungs. With the PICC I was only numb at the site, and so I did have the pain meds addressing the rest of my soreness when it was all over. For example, my shoulder and elbow ached when I had a PICC placed because of the way I had to hold my arm out.

I hope my blog and my article give you some good info. I also have a slideshow around here somewhere of me accessing my port. Hmmmm...

Also, you requested a list of pros and cons, so here you go.


<b>PICC Line PROS</b>

No permanent, visible site
Easily replaced if it gets blocked
Better than a heparin-lock IV
Can be hidden under sleeves
Can shower while it's in
Outpatient procedure

<b>PICC Line CONS</b>
Limited mobility
Can be very positional (i.e. you have to keep your arm straight)
Can cause the arm to ache
Can only be placed in certain locations
Sometimes hard to hide/camouflage it
Limits certain activities
Cannot be accessed w/o medical personnel
Typically only lasts for several weeks before needing to be removed
You need a new PICC each time you need a tune-up
<b>
PORT PROS</b>

Outpatient insertion procedure
Can be placed in a variety of locations on body
Self-accessing can be learned
Decreased risk of infection (compared to PICC)
No limited mobility while it's accessed
Far less likelihood of the line getting kinked.
Infusions are more comfortable since you don't feel the medicine (I could always feel some of it burn in my arm when I had a PICC)
The port can last for more than a decade if well maintained
Can be placed in a discrete location on body

<b>PORT CONS</b>
Can be a self-image issue if it's visible
Recovery after insertion may take longer than with a PICC
Depending on location, Vest may be uncomfortable when accessed (But vests are designed now to mitigate that)

 

[lightNlife]

I LOVE the Port. My first one lasted for 10 years, and I just had a new one placed a few months ago. You can visit my blog and read about a port (I've got some pictures of my old one--they let me keep it for show and tell after they removed it!) Here's the link <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingwellwithcf.blogspot.com/search?q=port">Out With the Old...pictures of my port</a> Here's another link to a brief article I wrote about PICC lines <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/300957/understanding_picc_lines.html">Understanding PICC lines</a>
If you scroll down on the Livingwell with CF blog, you'll see a posting I did about the procedure itself. I needed a blood transfusion before hand, but that's just me; it's not part of the usual procedure. I found the Port insertion to be far less traumatic than having the PICC placed. They didn't give me general anesthesia because of the risk to my lungs. With the PICC I was only numb at the site, and so I did have the pain meds addressing the rest of my soreness when it was all over. For example, my shoulder and elbow ached when I had a PICC placed because of the way I had to hold my arm out.

I hope my blog and my article give you some good info. I also have a slideshow around here somewhere of me accessing my port. Hmmmm...

Also, you requested a list of pros and cons, so here you go.


<b>PICC Line PROS</b>

No permanent, visible site
Easily replaced if it gets blocked
Better than a heparin-lock IV
Can be hidden under sleeves
Can shower while it's in
Outpatient procedure

<b>PICC Line CONS</b>
Limited mobility
Can be very positional (i.e. you have to keep your arm straight)
Can cause the arm to ache
Can only be placed in certain locations
Sometimes hard to hide/camouflage it
Limits certain activities
Cannot be accessed w/o medical personnel
Typically only lasts for several weeks before needing to be removed
You need a new PICC each time you need a tune-up
<b>
PORT PROS</b>

Outpatient insertion procedure
Can be placed in a variety of locations on body
Self-accessing can be learned
Decreased risk of infection (compared to PICC)
No limited mobility while it's accessed
Far less likelihood of the line getting kinked.
Infusions are more comfortable since you don't feel the medicine (I could always feel some of it burn in my arm when I had a PICC)
The port can last for more than a decade if well maintained
Can be placed in a discrete location on body

<b>PORT CONS</b>
Can be a self-image issue if it's visible
Recovery after insertion may take longer than with a PICC
Depending on location, Vest may be uncomfortable when accessed (But vests are designed now to mitigate that)

 

[lightNlife]

I LOVE the Port. My first one lasted for 10 years, and I just had a new one placed a few months ago. You can visit my blog and read about a port (I've got some pictures of my old one--they let me keep it for show and tell after they removed it!) Here's the link <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingwellwithcf.blogspot.com/search?q=port">Out With the Old...pictures of my port</a> Here's another link to a brief article I wrote about PICC lines <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/300957/understanding_picc_lines.html">Understanding PICC lines</a>
If you scroll down on the Livingwell with CF blog, you'll see a posting I did about the procedure itself. I needed a blood transfusion before hand, but that's just me; it's not part of the usual procedure. I found the Port insertion to be far less traumatic than having the PICC placed. They didn't give me general anesthesia because of the risk to my lungs. With the PICC I was only numb at the site, and so I did have the pain meds addressing the rest of my soreness when it was all over. For example, my shoulder and elbow ached when I had a PICC placed because of the way I had to hold my arm out.

I hope my blog and my article give you some good info. I also have a slideshow around here somewhere of me accessing my port. Hmmmm...

Also, you requested a list of pros and cons, so here you go.


<b>PICC Line PROS</b>

No permanent, visible site
Easily replaced if it gets blocked
Better than a heparin-lock IV
Can be hidden under sleeves
Can shower while it's in
Outpatient procedure

<b>PICC Line CONS</b>
Limited mobility
Can be very positional (i.e. you have to keep your arm straight)
Can cause the arm to ache
Can only be placed in certain locations
Sometimes hard to hide/camouflage it
Limits certain activities
Cannot be accessed w/o medical personnel
Typically only lasts for several weeks before needing to be removed
You need a new PICC each time you need a tune-up
<b>
PORT PROS</b>

Outpatient insertion procedure
Can be placed in a variety of locations on body
Self-accessing can be learned
Decreased risk of infection (compared to PICC)
No limited mobility while it's accessed
Far less likelihood of the line getting kinked.
Infusions are more comfortable since you don't feel the medicine (I could always feel some of it burn in my arm when I had a PICC)
The port can last for more than a decade if well maintained
Can be placed in a discrete location on body

<b>PORT CONS</b>
Can be a self-image issue if it's visible
Recovery after insertion may take longer than with a PICC
Depending on location, Vest may be uncomfortable when accessed (But vests are designed now to mitigate that)

 

[jodijp]

Thank you all so much for all the great input. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Lisa, as with your husband, one of my concerns is accessing a port. I'm pretty squeemish about poking myself. Took me YEARS to give myself an insulin shot without an injector. Ironicly, the procedure, recovery, scar etc does not bother me, it's just the access thing. The thought of not having to go into radiology every session is appealing for sure.

rotandroll, thank you for not thinking I'm crazy. I understand the whole concept of the port being a better tool. But I seem to have this mental block that my brain thinks 'oooh I need a port now, I'm in the next stage downward.' The PICCs still go in OK and I've never had a blockage or problem - knock on wood as I sit here infusing as I type.

Lauren, the links you provided were great, thank you as well for the pros/cons list. I agree that having a PICC placed is not my idea of fun, so skipping all those procedures is definitely a pro. I'd love to see your slideshow if you can find it and link to it! Maybe shed some light on a big mystery to me if I could actually see how to access it.

Oh and Rokiss12, come over sit next to me, we'll figure it all out together!

I find it interesting that those of you that have ports say you LOVE them. I certainly can't say that at all about the PICC - heh heh! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I guess this is exactly what I need to hear from others who have had both and can compare the two. You guys are all so great with your extensive knowledge and experience that even a Doc cannot relate to us not ever having to go through what we do. Keep it coming and thanks so much!

 

[jodijp]

Thank you all so much for all the great input. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Lisa, as with your husband, one of my concerns is accessing a port. I'm pretty squeemish about poking myself. Took me YEARS to give myself an insulin shot without an injector. Ironicly, the procedure, recovery, scar etc does not bother me, it's just the access thing. The thought of not having to go into radiology every session is appealing for sure.

rotandroll, thank you for not thinking I'm crazy. I understand the whole concept of the port being a better tool. But I seem to have this mental block that my brain thinks 'oooh I need a port now, I'm in the next stage downward.' The PICCs still go in OK and I've never had a blockage or problem - knock on wood as I sit here infusing as I type.

Lauren, the links you provided were great, thank you as well for the pros/cons list. I agree that having a PICC placed is not my idea of fun, so skipping all those procedures is definitely a pro. I'd love to see your slideshow if you can find it and link to it! Maybe shed some light on a big mystery to me if I could actually see how to access it.

Oh and Rokiss12, come over sit next to me, we'll figure it all out together!

I find it interesting that those of you that have ports say you LOVE them. I certainly can't say that at all about the PICC - heh heh! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I guess this is exactly what I need to hear from others who have had both and can compare the two. You guys are all so great with your extensive knowledge and experience that even a Doc cannot relate to us not ever having to go through what we do. Keep it coming and thanks so much!

 

[jodijp]

Thank you all so much for all the great input. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Lisa, as with your husband, one of my concerns is accessing a port. I'm pretty squeemish about poking myself. Took me YEARS to give myself an insulin shot without an injector. Ironicly, the procedure, recovery, scar etc does not bother me, it's just the access thing. The thought of not having to go into radiology every session is appealing for sure.

rotandroll, thank you for not thinking I'm crazy. I understand the whole concept of the port being a better tool. But I seem to have this mental block that my brain thinks 'oooh I need a port now, I'm in the next stage downward.' The PICCs still go in OK and I've never had a blockage or problem - knock on wood as I sit here infusing as I type.

Lauren, the links you provided were great, thank you as well for the pros/cons list. I agree that having a PICC placed is not my idea of fun, so skipping all those procedures is definitely a pro. I'd love to see your slideshow if you can find it and link to it! Maybe shed some light on a big mystery to me if I could actually see how to access it.

Oh and Rokiss12, come over sit next to me, we'll figure it all out together!

I find it interesting that those of you that have ports say you LOVE them. I certainly can't say that at all about the PICC - heh heh! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I guess this is exactly what I need to hear from others who have had both and can compare the two. You guys are all so great with your extensive knowledge and experience that even a Doc cannot relate to us not ever having to go through what we do. Keep it coming and thanks so much!

 

[jodijp]

Thank you all so much for all the great input. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Lisa, as with your husband, one of my concerns is accessing a port. I'm pretty squeemish about poking myself. Took me YEARS to give myself an insulin shot without an injector. Ironicly, the procedure, recovery, scar etc does not bother me, it's just the access thing. The thought of not having to go into radiology every session is appealing for sure.

rotandroll, thank you for not thinking I'm crazy. I understand the whole concept of the port being a better tool. But I seem to have this mental block that my brain thinks 'oooh I need a port now, I'm in the next stage downward.' The PICCs still go in OK and I've never had a blockage or problem - knock on wood as I sit here infusing as I type.

Lauren, the links you provided were great, thank you as well for the pros/cons list. I agree that having a PICC placed is not my idea of fun, so skipping all those procedures is definitely a pro. I'd love to see your slideshow if you can find it and link to it! Maybe shed some light on a big mystery to me if I could actually see how to access it.

Oh and Rokiss12, come over sit next to me, we'll figure it all out together!

I find it interesting that those of you that have ports say you LOVE them. I certainly can't say that at all about the PICC - heh heh! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I guess this is exactly what I need to hear from others who have had both and can compare the two. You guys are all so great with your extensive knowledge and experience that even a Doc cannot relate to us not ever having to go through what we do. Keep it coming and thanks so much!

 

[jodijp]

Thank you all so much for all the great input. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Lisa, as with your husband, one of my concerns is accessing a port. I'm pretty squeemish about poking myself. Took me YEARS to give myself an insulin shot without an injector. Ironicly, the procedure, recovery, scar etc does not bother me, it's just the access thing. The thought of not having to go into radiology every session is appealing for sure.

rotandroll, thank you for not thinking I'm crazy. I understand the whole concept of the port being a better tool. But I seem to have this mental block that my brain thinks 'oooh I need a port now, I'm in the next stage downward.' The PICCs still go in OK and I've never had a blockage or problem - knock on wood as I sit here infusing as I type.

Lauren, the links you provided were great, thank you as well for the pros/cons list. I agree that having a PICC placed is not my idea of fun, so skipping all those procedures is definitely a pro. I'd love to see your slideshow if you can find it and link to it! Maybe shed some light on a big mystery to me if I could actually see how to access it.

Oh and Rokiss12, come over sit next to me, we'll figure it all out together!

I find it interesting that those of you that have ports say you LOVE them. I certainly can't say that at all about the PICC - heh heh! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

I guess this is exactly what I need to hear from others who have had both and can compare the two. You guys are all so great with your extensive knowledge and experience that even a Doc cannot relate to us not ever having to go through what we do. Keep it coming and thanks so much!

 

[blkmsmommy]

hello. i have a little girl that will be 3 next month and she has cf. she also has a port. it is truly a blessing. she plays and every thing just like normal.she has had it for over a year and no problem. get it u will be amazed.
kayla 21 no cf, daughter 2 w/cf, seath son no cf

 

[blkmsmommy]

hello. i have a little girl that will be 3 next month and she has cf. she also has a port. it is truly a blessing. she plays and every thing just like normal.she has had it for over a year and no problem. get it u will be amazed.
kayla 21 no cf, daughter 2 w/cf, seath son no cf

 

[blkmsmommy]

hello. i have a little girl that will be 3 next month and she has cf. she also has a port. it is truly a blessing. she plays and every thing just like normal.she has had it for over a year and no problem. get it u will be amazed.
kayla 21 no cf, daughter 2 w/cf, seath son no cf

 

[blkmsmommy]

hello. i have a little girl that will be 3 next month and she has cf. she also has a port. it is truly a blessing. she plays and every thing just like normal.she has had it for over a year and no problem. get it u will be amazed.
kayla 21 no cf, daughter 2 w/cf, seath son no cf

 

[blkmsmommy]

hello. i have a little girl that will be 3 next month and she has cf. she also has a port. it is truly a blessing. she plays and every thing just like normal.she has had it for over a year and no problem. get it u will be amazed.
kayla 21 no cf, daughter 2 w/cf, seath son no cf

 

[Wheezie]

I love, love, LOVE my port, <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Lauren showed me her slide show awhile back when I asked about accessing the port myself. I still can't do it, LOL. I just go down to our little outpatient infusion place and they access it for me...no going to the doctor or hospital, just a 10 minute jaunt down the street and it takes 10 minutes or less for them to clean the area and pop the needle in; it rarely even hurts.

Getting the port placed wasn't a big deal for me either, surgery-wise. Emotionally though, it was a huge deal. Jodi, I felt the same way - it was like admitting defeat and being faced with the reality that I had reached the next step in the downward spiral of CF. But I have to say, once I overcame that emotional hurdle and decided to go for it, it was probably one of the better decisions I ever made for myself with respect to CF. After I had the port placed, I didn't even need to use it for antibiotics for nearly 2 years!! So it wasn't that I was "sicker" (which is what I thought when the docs recommended it), it was just that it was something to make my life easier. I wish I would have understood that years before - I would have gotten the port a lot sooner!!

AND, it really comes in handy for unexpected things. In an emergency situation, if that should ever happen, it is so much easier and quicker to access a port than to dig around, looking for a good vein, then risk missing it, etc., etc. When the docs need to get IV access FAST, the port is just awesome!

To answer Kate's question - the surgery for me was not traumatizing at all. I was a little worried about the port looking funny, so I asked the docs to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible (to hide it better, hehe). In retrospect, that was a mistake because it makes it a little more difficult to access, but the point is that the docs placing it were really open to my input about where to place it. It was a little sore after being placed, but I think it only bothered me for a couple days, if that; not a long recovery time at all, and really, so worth it! I don't believe it's a very risky surgery either, but I don't have any statistics on that. I suggest talking to your doctor about the risks. There are always "risks" with any surgical procedure, but I can't imagine there are many with getting a port placed and I would guess that the risks that do exist have pretty small odds of ever even occurring.

Good luck to you both!

 

[Wheezie]

I love, love, LOVE my port, <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Lauren showed me her slide show awhile back when I asked about accessing the port myself. I still can't do it, LOL. I just go down to our little outpatient infusion place and they access it for me...no going to the doctor or hospital, just a 10 minute jaunt down the street and it takes 10 minutes or less for them to clean the area and pop the needle in; it rarely even hurts.

Getting the port placed wasn't a big deal for me either, surgery-wise. Emotionally though, it was a huge deal. Jodi, I felt the same way - it was like admitting defeat and being faced with the reality that I had reached the next step in the downward spiral of CF. But I have to say, once I overcame that emotional hurdle and decided to go for it, it was probably one of the better decisions I ever made for myself with respect to CF. After I had the port placed, I didn't even need to use it for antibiotics for nearly 2 years!! So it wasn't that I was "sicker" (which is what I thought when the docs recommended it), it was just that it was something to make my life easier. I wish I would have understood that years before - I would have gotten the port a lot sooner!!

AND, it really comes in handy for unexpected things. In an emergency situation, if that should ever happen, it is so much easier and quicker to access a port than to dig around, looking for a good vein, then risk missing it, etc., etc. When the docs need to get IV access FAST, the port is just awesome!

To answer Kate's question - the surgery for me was not traumatizing at all. I was a little worried about the port looking funny, so I asked the docs to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible (to hide it better, hehe). In retrospect, that was a mistake because it makes it a little more difficult to access, but the point is that the docs placing it were really open to my input about where to place it. It was a little sore after being placed, but I think it only bothered me for a couple days, if that; not a long recovery time at all, and really, so worth it! I don't believe it's a very risky surgery either, but I don't have any statistics on that. I suggest talking to your doctor about the risks. There are always "risks" with any surgical procedure, but I can't imagine there are many with getting a port placed and I would guess that the risks that do exist have pretty small odds of ever even occurring.

Good luck to you both!

 

[Wheezie]

I love, love, LOVE my port, <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Lauren showed me her slide show awhile back when I asked about accessing the port myself. I still can't do it, LOL. I just go down to our little outpatient infusion place and they access it for me...no going to the doctor or hospital, just a 10 minute jaunt down the street and it takes 10 minutes or less for them to clean the area and pop the needle in; it rarely even hurts.

Getting the port placed wasn't a big deal for me either, surgery-wise. Emotionally though, it was a huge deal. Jodi, I felt the same way - it was like admitting defeat and being faced with the reality that I had reached the next step in the downward spiral of CF. But I have to say, once I overcame that emotional hurdle and decided to go for it, it was probably one of the better decisions I ever made for myself with respect to CF. After I had the port placed, I didn't even need to use it for antibiotics for nearly 2 years!! So it wasn't that I was "sicker" (which is what I thought when the docs recommended it), it was just that it was something to make my life easier. I wish I would have understood that years before - I would have gotten the port a lot sooner!!

AND, it really comes in handy for unexpected things. In an emergency situation, if that should ever happen, it is so much easier and quicker to access a port than to dig around, looking for a good vein, then risk missing it, etc., etc. When the docs need to get IV access FAST, the port is just awesome!

To answer Kate's question - the surgery for me was not traumatizing at all. I was a little worried about the port looking funny, so I asked the docs to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible (to hide it better, hehe). In retrospect, that was a mistake because it makes it a little more difficult to access, but the point is that the docs placing it were really open to my input about where to place it. It was a little sore after being placed, but I think it only bothered me for a couple days, if that; not a long recovery time at all, and really, so worth it! I don't believe it's a very risky surgery either, but I don't have any statistics on that. I suggest talking to your doctor about the risks. There are always "risks" with any surgical procedure, but I can't imagine there are many with getting a port placed and I would guess that the risks that do exist have pretty small odds of ever even occurring.

Good luck to you both!

 

[Wheezie]

I love, love, LOVE my port, <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Lauren showed me her slide show awhile back when I asked about accessing the port myself. I still can't do it, LOL. I just go down to our little outpatient infusion place and they access it for me...no going to the doctor or hospital, just a 10 minute jaunt down the street and it takes 10 minutes or less for them to clean the area and pop the needle in; it rarely even hurts.

Getting the port placed wasn't a big deal for me either, surgery-wise. Emotionally though, it was a huge deal. Jodi, I felt the same way - it was like admitting defeat and being faced with the reality that I had reached the next step in the downward spiral of CF. But I have to say, once I overcame that emotional hurdle and decided to go for it, it was probably one of the better decisions I ever made for myself with respect to CF. After I had the port placed, I didn't even need to use it for antibiotics for nearly 2 years!! So it wasn't that I was "sicker" (which is what I thought when the docs recommended it), it was just that it was something to make my life easier. I wish I would have understood that years before - I would have gotten the port a lot sooner!!

AND, it really comes in handy for unexpected things. In an emergency situation, if that should ever happen, it is so much easier and quicker to access a port than to dig around, looking for a good vein, then risk missing it, etc., etc. When the docs need to get IV access FAST, the port is just awesome!

To answer Kate's question - the surgery for me was not traumatizing at all. I was a little worried about the port looking funny, so I asked the docs to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible (to hide it better, hehe). In retrospect, that was a mistake because it makes it a little more difficult to access, but the point is that the docs placing it were really open to my input about where to place it. It was a little sore after being placed, but I think it only bothered me for a couple days, if that; not a long recovery time at all, and really, so worth it! I don't believe it's a very risky surgery either, but I don't have any statistics on that. I suggest talking to your doctor about the risks. There are always "risks" with any surgical procedure, but I can't imagine there are many with getting a port placed and I would guess that the risks that do exist have pretty small odds of ever even occurring.

Good luck to you both!

 

[Wheezie]

I love, love, LOVE my port, <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Lauren showed me her slide show awhile back when I asked about accessing the port myself. I still can't do it, LOL. I just go down to our little outpatient infusion place and they access it for me...no going to the doctor or hospital, just a 10 minute jaunt down the street and it takes 10 minutes or less for them to clean the area and pop the needle in; it rarely even hurts.

Getting the port placed wasn't a big deal for me either, surgery-wise. Emotionally though, it was a huge deal. Jodi, I felt the same way - it was like admitting defeat and being faced with the reality that I had reached the next step in the downward spiral of CF. But I have to say, once I overcame that emotional hurdle and decided to go for it, it was probably one of the better decisions I ever made for myself with respect to CF. After I had the port placed, I didn't even need to use it for antibiotics for nearly 2 years!! So it wasn't that I was "sicker" (which is what I thought when the docs recommended it), it was just that it was something to make my life easier. I wish I would have understood that years before - I would have gotten the port a lot sooner!!

AND, it really comes in handy for unexpected things. In an emergency situation, if that should ever happen, it is so much easier and quicker to access a port than to dig around, looking for a good vein, then risk missing it, etc., etc. When the docs need to get IV access FAST, the port is just awesome!

To answer Kate's question - the surgery for me was not traumatizing at all. I was a little worried about the port looking funny, so I asked the docs to place it as far down into the breast tissue as possible (to hide it better, hehe). In retrospect, that was a mistake because it makes it a little more difficult to access, but the point is that the docs placing it were really open to my input about where to place it. It was a little sore after being placed, but I think it only bothered me for a couple days, if that; not a long recovery time at all, and really, so worth it! I don't believe it's a very risky surgery either, but I don't have any statistics on that. I suggest talking to your doctor about the risks. There are always "risks" with any surgical procedure, but I can't imagine there are many with getting a port placed and I would guess that the risks that do exist have pretty small odds of ever even occurring.

Good luck to you both!