For those with power ports

Can you see the 3 bumps poking up from just under the skin?  Mine are so pointy and close to the surface now that it is all healed it feels like it is going to work its way out of my skin.  Yuck.  In the picture in my pamphlet it looks like there is a little more flesh between the bumps and the skin.  I really hope it doesn't come jumping out of me.  It makes me feel like that movie Alien.  Thanks, Marie

[Tybear]

I have never heard of a power port...what is it? It sounds totally different than a regular port-a-cath...
Just curious...whatever it is, it doesn't sound too pleasant!
Take care,
Becky

[Arlynn1]

Marie,

My power point sounds just like yours.  The 3 points are right under the skin too.  The nurses told me that they like them like mine beacaue they can get to them easier.  It doesn't hurt at all. If I wear a shirt that shows it, I get a lot of questions of what it is but I take it as an opportunity to educate the people who ask about ovarian cancer.  I figure the port has a job to do for me and its working so I can live with the unsightleness (sp?) of it

Arlynn

[marie3B]

It is an I/V access port that can be used for CTs too.  They are used alot at my cancer center.  The nurses and CT techs love them.  It is so nice not to get stuck, but this seems too close to the surface.  Figures I would have a problem with mine. My luck has not been really great for a while!  Marie

[marie3B]

Thanks.  Now I don't feel like such an oddity!  It doesn't hurt, but I can feel it all the time.  I think I need to pad it up really good when the baby is here.  He manages to bump it alot.  Marie

[JC145]

I have a single port and it is buried pretty deeply .. I don't think the nurses love it because of that.  Judy

[Tybear]

Oh My Gosh...that sounds awesome!! I HATE going for my CT scans because my veins are so deep and hard to find...my last surgery, it took 4 anesthetists over an hour just to put an IV in my arm!
I had no idea those even existed...those would be great for people like me, especially because my CA 125 isn't a marker and I have to have a CT scan every 10 weeks.
I think I'll ask about it next time I'm in...
My port-a-cath is buried very deep too, Judy - don't know that it will be easy to remove when the time comes!
Take care,
Becky

[Angie_Lou]

Hi Marie,

I don't have the power port, just the titanium port and you can see the round image of the disk protrude just under the skin (I actually can run my finger across it and feel it.)  

You mentioned you have a pamphlet, but the manufacturer (Bard Access Systems, Inc) has a brochure on line with detailed instructions, etc for the doctor that is about 8 pages.  If this is not the pamphlet you have, go on the manufacturer's website and download the pdf of this involved brochure.  It might help explain why the power point is inserted as it is...  and then again, it might tell you something to be cautious about that you can ask your doctor further.

P.S. to Tybear: I have had only three ct scans in 1 1/2 years and the radiologist nurse just pokes a less invasive needle in the back of my hand for the dye.  My titanium port is good enough for all other blood tests, transfusions and chemo.  So, I guess this is the reason my hospital did not insert the power point in me.  However, surgery procedures never came to my mind....but, I don't think I'll be going down that road for a long, long time, (well, I hope never!)

My best, Angie

[Tybear]

It's been great for my surgeries...I've had at least 5 minor ones already this year  - and it's only April!! I think I've actually developed needle phobia because everyone has such a hard time starting an IV line...

My veins are so bad, that just tonight, I sat down in a chair and put my arms on the wooden arms of the chair and I guess the way my wrist layed across the end of it, it actually blew a vein...very strange - I didn't even bump it or anything!!

I'm definatley going to look into the power port though...I'll check out the manufacturers website - thanks for the info!

Becky

[Dee09]

Hi.  I have a power port and it sticks up too.  I know exactly what you mean about coming through.  It feel like one good scratch (and it does itch sometimes) will rip the layer of skin right off (sorry to be graphic).  I'm thin there so the nurses say that's normal.  Yours is probably is fine as long as it's in the vein properly and they don't have problems accessing it, don't worry about it sticking out.
Best of luck,
Diane

[kitty1446]

A related discussion, bard power port was started.