I haven't done the research on ports lately, but Vandy tells me that the Bard Powerport is supposed

GregP_WN
GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
edited June 2020 in General Cancer
For those that have had a port and looked up the info, what's the difference between a power port and a "regular" port like I'm sure I had before? I know the old one I had was probably twice as big as this one. It had a lot more metal on it too. Do you know any of the differences?

Comments

  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited June 2020
    In the category of "interesting things you can learn on the internet", you can buy a Bard power port, with instructions on how to install it, for $2,557.00 I have some sharp knives and a couple of big mirrors. I could have probably done this myself. ....maybe
  • Bengal
    Bengal Member Posts: 518
    edited June 2020
    Hardy har. I had a Bard PowerPort. Never had any problems with it. But, no I don't know the difference.
  • po18guy
    po18guy Member Posts: 329
    edited June 2020
    I had (still have on the wall in a shadowbox) a Bard Power Port. 7 years and zero problems. It was pulled as it was not compatible with Extracorporeal Photophoresis (ECP), which needs a 2-way flow. I had a vortex port for about 1 1/2 years, but it gave signs of giving up, so it was pulled. I was scheduled for a new funnel-shaped port, but then it was decided that I had received all the benefit I could from ECP. So, for the past 2 or so years, I have been portless.
  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited June 2020
    Po, back in 89 when my first port gave up the ghost and was removed, the second one put in, they told me that those two locations were "used" a port couldn't be put back there. Of course, that was back in the day when we were still using kerosene lanterns for lights. So I'm assuming that they have made a little progress. Anyway, that second port stayed with me for 15 years because I kept hearing that voice in the back of my head saying I couldn't have another. When the doctor finally talked me into taking it out, I was diagnosed again for the 3rd time 3 years later. I still have that port too.
  • LiveWithCancer
    LiveWithCancer Member Posts: 470
    edited June 2020
    Bard is what I got 6 or 7 years ago. I once knew the difference between a power port and a "regular" port, but for the life of me, I can't currently remember what it was. I know the power port is considered preferable - it can be used for more, somehow, I think.

    Did you get your new port? And, so, it IS possible to get a port a 3rd time? (Somehow, I thought 2 was the limit. No idea where I got that idea.)
  • po18guy
    po18guy Member Posts: 329
    edited June 2020
    I think the limitation may be the point at which the cannula enters the vena cava. Scar tissue develops, which can restrict blood flow. Or, a clot can form in the outer jugular above the cannula, as occurred in (you guessed it) my case. 4cm perma-clot in my R outer jugular. In my case, it was apparently due to having both the power port and a Hickman line in close proximity - the Hickman being placed for transplant.
  • LiveWithCancer
    LiveWithCancer Member Posts: 470
    edited June 2020
    @po18guy, that makes sense. I never even thought about that part of the port apparatus ... which is a key component, to be sure.
  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited June 2020
    Live, yes I did. They put that little booger in with no problems. I was awake for the whole process. I didn't hear anybody getting excited and throwing things or screaming STATT!!! You know, that's what they always scream when someone is going down on one of those medical TV shows. So I think that's never a good thing to hear.

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