Hi! I'm a twenty-one year old senior in college, and I was recently admitted to the hospital (aka, the resort<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) in June/July, and we discovered that my veins are shot (what a shock, right?). They can't even get PICCs in anymore. So my doctor wants to implant a Port in my chest, and I'm a little weired out. I was wondering if anyone can share any experiences that they've had with this. How visible is it? How limiting is it? Stuff like that. I'm taking a full course load, and I carry heavy books, so I'm wondering if this affects the line. But any info. would be great. Thanks!
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port IV?
- Thread starter Lizzie04
- Start date
Hi Lizzie <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">It depends on where you get the port. Having my port in my chest has been limiting only in the way that my physical therapist couldnt reach the upper lobe of my chest with CPT, but since I have the vest I have no problems with the port. I am also in school and carry a very very heavy bag <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> kind of stuff all my books in there at once <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> but yeah, your straps will be on ur shoulders and shouldnt be a problem. With the visibility, it reduces over the first few weeks, but the skinnier or less fat you have on ur chest, the more visible its going to be. I was left with quite a hefty scar after mine, but that was also because I had to have mine put in as an emergency.. I was basically dying at the time, and needed some nutrients through IV very quickly. It should not limit you very much in any way.. I have heard some people have problems going through metal detectors yet I dont have that problem. This has saved the veins in my hands and arms so the pro´s outweigh the cons. Its quick and easy to put needles in (I do mine myself, your hospital can teach you) and it lasts for a week at a time before you need to change needles. I was always worried to wear a bikini because i thought it would show so much, but the actual port doesnt show, just the scar, which is usually very minimal and fades after a few months.. I hope this has been good info <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> good luck!
I love my port! I can't even tell that I have it. After years and years of damage to my veins, I finally got a double port. I suggest getting a double lumen port instead of a single. There are many times in the hospital in which the were both used at the same time. It doesn't add much in the look but it is so helpful, especially if one gets clogged. My port is located right above my right breast and works out great. Showering is rather difficult but I usually cover it with plastic and avoid direct contact. Also, I change my own port needle so I don't have to go to the hospital to have it maintained. Good luck!
I love my port! I can't even tell that I have it. After years and years of damage to my veins, I finally got a double port. I suggest getting a double lumen port instead of a single. There are many times in the hospital in which the were both used at the same time. It doesn't add much in the look but it is so helpful, especially if one gets clogged. My port is located right above my right breast and works out great. Showering is rather difficult but I usually cover it with plastic and avoid direct contact. Also, I change my own port needle so I don't have to go to the hospital to have it maintained. Good luck!
Hello!I have had 3 different ports put in and prefer it to be in just under the collar bone... the one i have right now is just under my right breast.. you will have to excuse me for being forward with you but, because of where my port is now it broke during sex... having ribs hitting and having it sitting on top of my ribs made for an excellent breaking situation... my port now moves about 2-3cm in every direction... and it is not supposed to move at all... so just to let ya know, maybe mention to them that it is not a preferable spot to have it on your lower ribs..e the ones that i had on my right side under my collar bone was fine, the only thing that was visibly was the scar... carrying a bag of books shouldn't be a problem... i was just told that i couldn't play contact sports, like hockey and rugby and stuff cause it could knock it out of place... so yeah.. hope some of my babble helps some what... bye byeLove Julie18wcf, 3 sisters nocf
Hello!I have had 3 different ports put in and prefer it to be in just under the collar bone... the one i have right now is just under my right breast.. you will have to excuse me for being forward with you but, because of where my port is now it broke during sex... having ribs hitting and having it sitting on top of my ribs made for an excellent breaking situation... my port now moves about 2-3cm in every direction... and it is not supposed to move at all... so just to let ya know, maybe mention to them that it is not a preferable spot to have it on your lower ribs..e the ones that i had on my right side under my collar bone was fine, the only thing that was visibly was the scar... carrying a bag of books shouldn't be a problem... i was just told that i couldn't play contact sports, like hockey and rugby and stuff cause it could knock it out of place... so yeah.. hope some of my babble helps some what... bye byeLove Julie18wcf, 3 sisters nocf
I too have a port mine is placed on my left lower ribs. I love it there. Its easy to hide and aint that visible when doing meds or something like that. I had mine for 7 yrs now and mine moves alittle to my docs say its fine as long as i'm still getting a blood return and its flushing. My sister had one placed in her chest (for cancer) and she didnt like it at all. It showed to much and was constantly being hit while playing with her kids. I guess it depends on the person. Either way a port is a blessing when u're vains are shot. If ya have anymore questions just email me jmazz8098@yahoo.com<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I too have a port mine is placed on my left lower ribs. I love it there. Its easy to hide and aint that visible when doing meds or something like that. I had mine for 7 yrs now and mine moves alittle to my docs say its fine as long as i'm still getting a blood return and its flushing. My sister had one placed in her chest (for cancer) and she didnt like it at all. It showed to much and was constantly being hit while playing with her kids. I guess it depends on the person. Either way a port is a blessing when u're vains are shot. If ya have anymore questions just email me jmazz8098@yahoo.com<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
i had a port placed in me [pardon my english, not my first language] a year and a half ago, and overall, it's a wonderful thing. before i got it, it was very difficult to finish a two-week IV course, because my veins were very fragile and it was a trouble to hold in an IV. so i had to have the port. i had concerns mainly about how it would look [i'm 20, just turned 19 when i received the port, and obviously looks matter] and whether i was still sexually attractive, clothes limitations and stuff. mine is placed on my left side, right under the breast and to the side. gives me no trouble in the looks/clothes department. the only thing is i try to buy bras that aren't really tight, like, i'm 34/36D and i only get 36 now, sometimes even 38, because when it's too tight, it makes pressure on the tube that goes into the vein, and it can be uncomfortable. no problem with having sex, either. i usually show it to the other person way, way before we even get intimate and it's no big deal. a friend of mine even called it once "lois's third nipple" and we had a great laugh over it. the medical aspect of it is awesome. it doesn't hurt a bit and it's pretty easy to handle the home IV, just have to keep it extra sterile when i have IV's. basically, it's a great thing. it's about a 40 minutes surgery, two scars - one right above the port's box [mine's very white and not really showing] and one on the neck where the tube went into the vein [mine's almost gone now, and it's very small and pink-reddish, looks like a hickey, which also was fun with friends afterwards]. great thing.
i had a port placed in me [pardon my english, not my first language] a year and a half ago, and overall, it's a wonderful thing. before i got it, it was very difficult to finish a two-week IV course, because my veins were very fragile and it was a trouble to hold in an IV. so i had to have the port. i had concerns mainly about how it would look [i'm 20, just turned 19 when i received the port, and obviously looks matter] and whether i was still sexually attractive, clothes limitations and stuff. mine is placed on my left side, right under the breast and to the side. gives me no trouble in the looks/clothes department. the only thing is i try to buy bras that aren't really tight, like, i'm 34/36D and i only get 36 now, sometimes even 38, because when it's too tight, it makes pressure on the tube that goes into the vein, and it can be uncomfortable. no problem with having sex, either. i usually show it to the other person way, way before we even get intimate and it's no big deal. a friend of mine even called it once "lois's third nipple" and we had a great laugh over it. the medical aspect of it is awesome. it doesn't hurt a bit and it's pretty easy to handle the home IV, just have to keep it extra sterile when i have IV's. basically, it's a great thing. it's about a 40 minutes surgery, two scars - one right above the port's box [mine's very white and not really showing] and one on the neck where the tube went into the vein [mine's almost gone now, and it's very small and pink-reddish, looks like a hickey, which also was fun with friends afterwards]. great thing.
Hi everyone...thanks so much for all the opinions and help. I wasn't too thrilled about this whole idea to begin with, but after hearing how much you guys like it, I think it'll be OK. I was mainly concerned about how much it would restrict my activity, but I'm glad to know it shouldn't. Thanks so much!
Hi everyone...thanks so much for all the opinions and help. I wasn't too thrilled about this whole idea to begin with, but after hearing how much you guys like it, I think it'll be OK. I was mainly concerned about how much it would restrict my activity, but I'm glad to know it shouldn't. Thanks so much!