Do cancer patients with ports find them helpful despite the scary procedure?

Many community members have shared that while getting a port can feel intimidating at first, it often becomes a real game-changer for making treatments much easier and more comfortable. The procedure is typically done with sedation to keep discomfort minimal, and most people find that having reliable access for treatments and blood draws makes such a positive difference in their care experience.

I have a port. In the long run, it was a good thing for me. It did take a while to heal and was painful for a while. I have APML and go through 20 day cycles of chemo, so it was the best choice for me.

Thanks Renee! I have a 28 day cycle

Joanie, my platelets are down after chemo. They are at 15, had platelets yesterday. Go for labs on Tuesday to see if platelets came up. Most likely I will have platelets on Wednesday.

Kenneth, my platelets dropped to 18, 2 days after infusion when they went up to 32. Dr will do another blood draw tomorrow and I’m hoping and🙏🏼that they don’t drop more, otherwise another transfusion

Joanie, chemo does take toll on platelets and white cells. It’s feels good to be on chemo vacation, but have to go for platelets. I feel like Sloan is my second home.

I know! I’ve had 4 blood draws this past week

Joanie, when I go for chemo, I leave the needle in my arm for 5days, so I don’t have to be a pin cushion. 🤣

Good idea

Joanie, I've been in hospital now almost 6 weeks. On my 3rd port. Much easier than getting stuck all the time. It doesn't hurt, itmakes it easier for transfusion platelet and fluids. Since I went into blastt AML my numbers constantly shift up and down. And have to get numerous transfusions with the chemo cycles Chris

Chris, How come u have had to have 3 ports? Didn’t the others hold up? How long have you had AML & how long before it went into AML.

Joanie, I have no ports.

Joanie, 1st port taken out from an infection, 2nd was I was getting released from hospital. 3rd was put back in when readmitted 2 days later. When I was first admitted to hospital 6 weeks ago from a fall at home they took bloodwork and found my blood numbers had all changed and that I went from cmml to blast aml. We always knew it would eventually happen, but surprised it came this early.

Hi I'm Judy I have AML I was diagnosed in February 2024 after 4 hospitals and they finally figured out what I had . I had absolutely no veins left they put a pick line in they hurt so bad putting it in and it failed so I had a port port in the best thing I could have done.. I have lost count on how many blood transfusion I have had pretty much 2 or 3 units every other week

Hi Joanie, I have a port and it's a life saver. I had one 29 years ago when I had brest cancer and I had one put in after they almost destroyed my arm Having transfusions of platelets and blood transfusions and I have lost count of how many blood transfusions, so don't be scared it's the best thing I did I just had 3 units of blood transfusions on Wednesday I was 5.4 hemoglobin. Good luck to you I hope it all works out 🙂

Hi Joanie We “chatted” about 6 weeks ago. I too have CMML and it looks like you are about 2 mnths ahead of me. Had the port installed 12/27 and the chemo will begin 1/5. Let’s stay in touch. I’m on a 28 day cycle. How is it going for you right now? Tom

I haven’t been able to put in a port bc of low platelets. Basically, they leave needle in for 3 days so I don’t have to be poked 5x. I am on Azacitidine for five days then 3 weeks off. I guess it’s a 28 day cycle. I will start my fourth round on Jan 12th.