It was a week later for me.
July 26
My port was placed on a Wednesday, and my first treatment was the following Monday.
July 25
Great question! The good news is that a chemo port can actually be used the same day it's placed, so there's no mandatory waiting period before treatments can begin.
That said, the timing of when chemotherapy starts is really up to the oncology team and will depend on the overall treatment plan. Some people have their port Show Full Answer
Great question! The good news is that a chemo port can actually be used the same day it's placed, so there's no mandatory waiting period before treatments can begin.
That said, the timing of when chemotherapy starts is really up to the oncology team and will depend on the overall treatment plan. Some people have their port placed just before their first chemo session, while others may have a short gap. A few things worth knowing about the port placement:
- The procedure is typically a short outpatient surgery, around 45 minutes
- Some soreness, bruising, and swelling afterward is normal
- Recovery is generally quick, with discomfort easing within a day or two
It's always best to ask the care team directly about the specific timeline, as they'll tailor the schedule to individual needs and treatment goals.
July 25
Mine was actually placed after I'd already started chemo because they couldn't get me in for port placement any sooner! I had to have an IV put in for my first two doses. One thing to remember is to get your port flushed every 4 to 6 weeks if it's not being actively used. ๐
July 26
Mine was installed on a Thursday afternoon, and my first chemo was the next morning.
July 25