I did not get a port for chemotherapy or immunotherapy but regret it now. Some IV nurses struggled to find a vein. It took more than one try sometimes to get the catheter working. There were two skilled nurses who were gifted to make it look easy. Phlebotomists had difficulty to draw blood and bruised up my veins. During chemotherapy blood was drawn weekly, after that every 3 weeks for a year. It caused me additional stress not knowing which nurse or phlebotomist would be assigned and what skill level they had.

In an other discussion one group member noted that the port
can get "plugged" or "sore". While I was waiting for an infusion one patient expressed disappointment about her port. There was no time
for more details.