Krishnamurthi says many folks are happy with their ports. Vascular Tunneled Central Catheter Access. To sleep on the side without applying pressure to the chest, people can try: After doctors insert a chemo port, it is fairly normal to experience some discomfort. If you wear a bra, your port will be about 1 inch from where your bra strap lies. It can be used to give you medication for several days in a row. This is the part of the port where needles will be placed. Your care team will give you instructions for how to shower safely until your incisions heal. A chemo port is a small, implantable device that attaches to a vein. Thrombosis is another common reason that ports are replaced. Rethink Breast Cancers mission is to empower young people worldwide who are concerned about and affected by breast cancer. The port is largely invisible under clothes and can be submerged under water while bathing or swimming. Stage II with a portI am stage 2 and after my 5th Folfox treatment my onc said no more oxi for me because of intense neuropathy in hands & feet/legs. They should be able to contact your care team if they have any concerns. Once youve healed from your procedure, you can shower, bathe or even swim with your chemo port. This article explains why a chemotherapy port is needed and how the device is implanted. A soft tube called a catheter connects it to a large vein above your heart. All rights reserved. University Health Network. The dressing will help to keep the needle in place. Cancer sucks alright. If you have this, call your doctor right away. It is important to speak with a doctor if a chemo port is causing significant pain, discomfort, or difficulty sleeping. Natural remedies for chemo rash: Options and what to know, the chemotherapy causing other symptoms that disturb sleep, the effects of cancer and cancer treatment on, changes to the daily routine, such as sleeping in late or having frequent naps to cope with, using body pillows to support their body and prevent them from rolling onto their front, placing large pillows on one side of the bed to discourage sleeping on the side of the body with the chemo port, swelling or discoloration long after the initial procedure, excessive pain, especially without a clear cause, bleeding around the port that does not stop after applying pressure for. Do not apply lotion or place adhesive on top of the tape or bandage. Chemotherapy ports are implanted under the skin of the upper chest and connected to a large vein. Your feedback will help us improve the educational information we provide. This is medication thats put into one of your veins. Some chemotherapy medications can only be given through a port because they are too caustic for the veins in your arm. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. September, year after treatment over.I had my port placed for my rectal cancer, then used it during my subsequent breast cancerthen, at the 'all clear' 1-year mark, I had it removed.