Port just put in: Does it get easier to have the port?

It sounds like it’s becoming a little easier now and that’s great!
My port wasn’t painful but it did hurt sometimes but mostly it’s just annoying especially when on my stomach. I don’t have much body fat in that part of my body so it was very obvious but I would make the same decision today. 5 months of them trying to find a vein was not appealing. I ended up using it for other things as well like a medicine to boost red blood cell numbers and a hydration boost. I’m now on Kisquli and need blood draws until my blood numbers level out.
So as you can see it’s much more practical to have the port.
Hang in there, we are all here for you! As I have heard said many times, we all are in a club we never wanted to join. 😔🫶

@mjmac Thank you! I think because I have low body fat and bruise easily is why it hurt. I have my 1st infusion on April 13th. My next challenge! So appreciate this group. It can feel so lonely. God bless you all!

@auntieoakley Chemo treatments finished in 2023, then took a 1 yr break to recovery from muscle loss and stamina. Started 20 mg Tamoxifen in 2025, however due to severe side effects, Mayo reduced to 10 mg. I still get fatigue, drowsy, brain fog and hot flashes but its manageable.
I have a Mayo appt in April, annual checkup.

I had 4 rounds of chemo done without a port, in my arm, cytoxin and adriamycin, in 2009. I was a nervous wreck while they injected the adriamycin, afraid of burning. All went well but I vowed that if I needed chemo in the future I’d use a port for them peace of mind and ease.

Good luck on your treatment, and I hope the port feels better.

I had discomfort. Especially the tube. After the bandage period, I wouldn't touch the incision, but did keep touching the tube. I couldn't stop myself. I felt the tube all of the time. I mean without touching it. But overtime I did stop being aware of the port. I had 20 infusions. The port was very helpful. Especially for the AC chemo I understand. For infusions I put on the Lidocane. If you forget, put it on even for a few minutes. I learned that in those circumstances the needle hurt momentarily. I had read that it hurt a lot without the lidocaine so I had the cold spray once. It hurt a lot. So I skipped it the next not much time with lidocaine time and the needle going in didn't hurt it contrast to the spray, just momentarily. The nurses insert the needle all the time so they are good at it. Also, I learned at the infusion center that the spray discolors the skin perhaps from that time on. I did have discoloration from the one time spray but it did clear after several weeks. I hadn't read about that online. Maybe others have experience with that. ... The port insertion was, for me, a big "this is real" moment. I was just in shock. I had cancer. I felt out of body. Floating through the whole process. But after the first infusion I came back into my body. I was doing something. I was fighting for the lack of a better phrase. You go!

@rosback Thank you for sharing. Yes, with the port now in, it just got real! My 1st infusion is April 13th, 4 rounds. 20 is alot! I pray that you are now free of this body invasion.

Yes, thank you. I had a pathological complete response. Currently cancer free. Best wishes to you!