@isadora2021
Thank you for your kindness as it made an already dreaded first time even worse. So hard to remain positive that I chose the right path when I felt that my body was telling me in no uncertain terms that I was making a mistake.

I was offered the port a week ago but told of risk of infection so opted out. I also asked again after they failed twice, and they said usually patients get ports of it's going to be a lifetime of infusions.
They only put a warm towel around my forearm and never said to squeeze and unsqueeze like they do at a blood donation. Also the first nurse used a light to help her see the veins which neither of the next two used.
The third nurse was the most experienced, and told me to take a deep breath in as she inserted and then exhale loudly and it worked great! So hopefully she'll be there the next time.