After talking to my dr. and the infusion center I think I'm going to have a Port put in. It doesn't sound like fun.....but it's more permanent and doesn't move around after being installed. So now I have to get in touch with the surgeon and get an appt set up for the outpatient surgery..........any thoughts on this???

more along the lines of what I thought SHOULD and would happen.
While I respect your fears about this 'foreign' thing being put into you. I know many IVIG and cancer folks who have and have had them...some for many years.. They all endorse it for the long term. I've followed this issue closely because I've had IVIG for 3+ years and well, I'm running outta good 'hole' sites?
All I can say is that what Brenda said in your earlier posts is key to this all..IT really does make a difference as to the skill of the nurse doing the port 'access'. You will HURT if they are bad, not if they are good...tho maybe a bit uncomfortable...Big difference. I myself think that the nurses you have had for home infusions aren't really schooled about IVIG nor are they skilled at getting 'lines' in. Just my opinion, tho..Finding, Getting and keeping a good IG nurse is like GOLD! Look at how Melody 'fetes' her nurse...I do not do as much, but I do try to show my appreciation in as many ways as possible...Once you find one..never let 'em go!
I figure that I too, will probably have a port in the next year. So, my dear person....I wanna know every single detail...Got it? Hugs and all that! - j

I give them all dinner and dessert and whatever the heck they want. Some do bring their own food, but I like to feed people. Hey, they're in my house for over 4 hours. Sometimes longer.

What the heck. We can do it easy, or we can do it hard.

I prefer the easy way.

And they seem to like my cooking!!!!!AND THEY LOVE MY MUFFINS.

I now make brownies. Oh they are going to die for them!!!!

lol

Mel

HI Mel........Can I come to your house and eat goodies?? LOL They always sounds SOOOO yummy! LOL

HI J! Actually I have a great nurse. She's the head nurse who does the first few infusions for newbies for IVIG. Luckily she really liked me and we enjoy sitting and chatting so she continued to do mine and I do treat her like a queen! lol I feed her too and we watch tv shows we both enjoy while she's here. I'm very lucky. I guess I just have really rotten veins...probably from always being so unhealth since I was a kid.
I hope the Port goes well for me. The nurse at the infusion center said for the first few days after it's installed I'll be in terrible pain and I'll need to live with a heating pad
J, I'll let you know how things go.......which I hope is uneventful! lol Take care!

Hey Roxie,
My grandson had a port for his IVIG, post bone marrow transplant as his veins were shot after chemo/radiation, the only thought that I can add is asking for EMLA you can apply prior to your infusion, especially if your skin is very sensitive to the poking. Joey swears by it, he had his port removed after being officially discharged from cancer treatment(YES! he is six years post diagnosis for AML leukemia) and he hates being poked so he still packs EMLA for blood draws.
Although annoying at first it is highly preferrable to PIC lines that don't last that long and get in the way of everyday life. Good Luck and I will be thinking of you, good thoughts and best wishes in this new year.
Janna

HI Janna,
That's wonderful news about your Grandson being cancer free! What a worry that must have been! My Granddaughter was born without a bladder.....so I know worry first hand!
I will make sure I ask for EMLA! I am very sensitive and hate needles! Thanks for letting me know about that stuff and for posting!

I think you'll be happier with the port.
I had mine put in as outpatient surgery. They used twilight sleep and I don't remember anything. It was sore for awhile but not anything like when I had my lumpectomy, so for me it was not a issue. The main problem I had was trying to lay on that side and it pushes the port area and was uncomfortable for some time.
Also if your seatbelt goes across where your port is, it's a pain.
But overall, I'm happy with my port and not having to be dug around on to find a vein.
From what I've been told, there's much less of a risk of infection with a port, than a pic or central line, just due to it being under the skin.
For me my port is (most times) just a bump under my skin, and I forget it's there.
When I was in between chemos for a few months, I had the port flushed once a month while at my Oncologist appointment.
Hope everything goes well for you.

If you are going to be on IVIG for good, I think the port will give you more of a normal lifestyle. My sister in law had one put in for chemo and she is done with chemo, and the port is still in there and doesn't bother her a bit.

HI All, I made an appt with the Thoracic Cardiovascular surgeon for this Tues. afternoon to meet him and for him to examine me. I hope he will do the Port this week.
It's good to hear that you've had a good experience with the Port Brenda. I hope I do too. I've heard the Port surgery is very painful to start with......not looking forward to that! But in the long run it sounds like it's the best route to take.
Cyclelops, I think I'll be on the IVIG as long as the insurance will pay for it. I'm hoping that's a long time!

Yes, it'll probably hurt, but as long as the IG nurses keep truly really impeccable sterile procedures when plugging into the port you should be just fine. Those I know who have had them say that, yes! it hurts a bit at first, but in the long run it's a no-brainer for infusions...so much easier.
Face it, one can only get 'jabbed' so much for so long? After a couple of infusions when I'd some problems with either the line or the vein...well I felt a desparate need to wear long sleeves? So's people wouldn't 'wonder'? Even in summer.

Brenda - thanks too for your imput! I'm probably going to get to the 'port' issue myself sometime soon. My last infusion my IV nurse was sooo upset about getting bad lines in I was afraid she'd quit on me! That cannot happen, but I hate to see her upset...it affects her professional pride too.
Really, honest input about such things is key to helping others understand the whole process and what all it means in the short and long runs.

Soo, Roxie? I for one am gonna plague you with questions about all the details, as I may have this 'experience' as well soon. Hey! It'll be my turn to ask questions of all sorts! You've beaten me to the punch-so to speak!
HUGS 's and best of 'events' please - j