I had my first chemo yesterday (TCH+P) - by IV and it didn't hurt until they put in the last one, which I believe was the Carboplatin, which was put it at quite a quick rate. And then the was with the saline hurt too! I've been referred for a port because I'm a hard stick. At first they said no port because Tx is every three weeks. What do you all think? Port or no port. I'm leaning to the port given the pain in my arm today!
I had a port and it was the best decision. My veins are very tiny and it is too hard to use them. My rounds were 3 weeks apart. They also used the port for the scans, getting blood draws, and one time even for anesthesia. It saved me a lot of grief.
Get the port. I only had four rounds of chemo with no port and it was not a good experience. The first three rounds the vein at the IV sites became inflamed so I had to take antibiotics. For my fourth treatment we had to do a pic line which worked great. They can't use one of my arms for blood due to lymph node removal, and the only place they can find veins now in my other arm is my hand.
If I had it to do over again I would have the port. I too was advised against it by the onc nurse who examined my veins and pronounced them good. Now they are shot because of the chemo and to top that off I can only give blood out of that same arm which has now become a major hassel post chemo. I would definitely recommend the port.
I opted for the port, was much easier on me and the nurses.
Port for sure! You won't regret it. So much easier!!!