I'm having infusion this morning and this sweet little old lady gets wheeled in to the next booth. S

Coloman

The tech that is trying to get an iv started was just as calm and easy as he could be. She said when she sat down that it was usually an ordeal to get an idea started. He poked a couple times and couldn't find a vein. She was obviously hurting.

My question is simple, why does she not have a port? It's obvious she needs one.

Bengal

I don't understand this either. When I had my chemo no one ever asked me if I "wanted" a port. It was simply part of the "routine" if you will. I was told I would have my port put in on Friday and have my first infusion on Tuesday. Slam, bam, thank you m'am. At the time I didn't even realize it was an option NOT to have a port. So glad I did however. I can't imagine having to go through a new IV everytime. I feel so bad for the last you mention.

BruceB

No idea, honestly. But a couple ideas come to mind:

• She was offered the choice and said no
• She was deemed too fragile to withstand the operation without complications
• Maybe she's on a short-term course and she or her docs decided it wasn't worth the hassle

Definitely agree with Bengal though: glad I don't have to get a "fresh poke" every time I go in. It's bad enough having to get the poke for the blood work. (I have a subcutaneous port, so I still get poked, but at least it's always in the same spot and less painful than an elbow poke - and no bruising)

(Another reason I'm glad I got one - no choice offered - was that when I went into the hospital for my big surgery, they were able to use it to administer some of the IV drugs. Potassium in particular produces a burning sensation when infused through a regular vein.)

GregP_WN

man I can picture that lady, I've seen so many. Like Bruce said, we have no idea about her personal situation but for me, if they can't use my port, the treatment ain't happening.

LiveWithCancer

I have known several people (at least) that just simply, no matter what, didn't want a port. I don't understand why. Or, maybe she was like I was when I was first diagnosed. I had NO idea about a port or why it might be good to have until long after they had ruined my veins with chemo. I got a port when I changed hospitals and treatment protocols (when I started getting Opdivo). My first oncologist never mentioned or suggested a port.

po18guy

1. They do not offer one.
2. She does not want one.
3. Treatment is short course.
4. Placement of a port might endanger her for reasons we do not know. Maybe the last port, PICC or Hickman line became infected. Who knows?

Used to have great veins. Lately, I have gone home with up to 4 IV access attempts. That's life and I 'choose' to shrug it off or even laugh it off.

cllinda

I wasn't offered one. I had done some research and found out about it. So when I saw the doctor, it was part of my plan. But not every doctor tells their patients about them. And I would have asked her why she didn't have it. A port just makes life easier.

GregP_WN

When I had chemo for my first dx, they didn't say anything about a port and I knew nothing about them. But, after only 4 treatments I was to the point that getting a vein stick was getting hard to do. Then they said I would have to have one. The second diagnosis, I still had the port from the first, and happy that I did. The third diagnosis, chemo was not an option, so a port was not an issue. The fourth Dx was surgery only, no port, no radiation. 3 months later when I relapsed again it was determined that my only option left was Immunotherapy and a clinical trial. When they said that immunotherapy and a clinical trial was my only option left I said " I will be needing a port". I didn't as if I could have one. I just told them that I was going to go through all of the blood draws, treatments, etc getting stuck 2, 3, 4, times. So, the port wasn't an issue this time either. And man, how I have missed it!

PO, you said you once went home with 4 battle scars from the day's attempts to get stuck. My personal record is 9. This was attempts to get an IV started for a surgery I was having. So, it started in my room, two nurses tried twice each, they said go get nurse XXXXXX she can stick anybody. NOPE. They sent me from there down to the holding room outside the OR where the nurse there looked at me in shock almost screaming "where's your IV"? I just said, "you're up". FAIL.

They wheeled me on into the OR, the anesthesiologist looked at me and repeated what the holding room nurse had said. He was a little ticked, that's ok, they need more to do anyway.

After that day I've said that if I ever get another port it will never leave me. I kept my last one for 18 years.

andreacha

I am very much like that woman. My veins are terrible. I was only on oral chemo but it seemed like I was in the hospital every few weeks with one thing or another. The nurses asked me why I didn't have a port and I couldn't answer them. When I next saw my Oncologist I asked him. He said he would wait as long as possible before having a port placed because I had so many infections.

alivenwell

I wonder if dehydration was part of her issue. I know somebody who regularly gets blood tests and sometimes it was hard to find a vein. It became easier with drinking water. Now that I think of it, I realize that was why they hooked me up to a bag of water before chemo. But, they started me off with a port and kept it regularly cleaned. I am not a frequent drinker of water, but probably should be one. I am doing the preparation for a colonoscopy this week.