but, those who have the Ports put in for either chemo or IG have all said that it's 'tender' [whatever THAT means] the first couple of times and after that it's easy as pie....IF [a big IF!] the IG nurse really knows how to access the port. Otherwise all kinds of not fun things can happen...I've asked when I'd had infusions in the hospital, because I too felt this would be on my menu down the road.
It really depends on the SKILL of the IV nurse you have. Mine have been extraordinarily experiences and for that I am eternally grateful. To only have had bad lines 4 times in almost 4 years of infusion is exceptional in most folk's books. I DO know how BAD that site can hurt when the vein is blown or it leaks at the site etc...
As for they HYDRATION part, I've what they call 'rolling veins', meaning they are small, squirmy and hard to stick. I start 'hydrating' two days before infusions...a lot...If I get to the need to visit the bathroom every 30 minutes the nite before my early AM infusions, then I'm as hydrated as I should be, without going overboard.. The fatter those little life-lines are, the easier it is for both the nurse and me....When you get soo hydrated you are NOT going, then that's waay too much and a different problem...I do only water for this. Sodas, tea, coffee, juices aren't what's needed.
DO ask your doc if he means a port or a PIC, the care and feeding or each type of access is quite different. The port, from all I gather is much more lo maintenance. Hope this helps... - j