Re: Mediport blood clots - cc with no identifying info

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thank you so much for posting. What an ordeal!

I need to learn more about this subject, but I don't think a port is always

required; that it can depend on the status of your veins, treatment history,

and the type of treatment you will receive ... and perhaps most importantly:

how often?

As your experence shows, ports have risks too (clotting - and infection) and

these complications can sometimes be signficant. It would be good to know

how common these complictions are, and if certain factors predispose us?

Two resources describing these devices that includes risks and benefits:

Vascular Access Procedures

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=vasc_access & bhcp=1

emedicine:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/venous_access_devices/article_em.htm

~ Karl

cc: Other lymphoma support lists because this topic might be of general

interest. Note: Full names and email removed from this reply to protect

privacy

Subject: [nhl-follic] Mediport blood clots

I am conflicted about making this post. First want I to say that

having my first mediport greatly facilitated my active CHOP/R

treatment two years ago but a recent medical emergency risked my

life. Back in June Drs determined at round three of maintenance

rituxan that my port no longer functioned. Redivase striping to

unclog it was unsuccessful. Therefore the port was removed and

exchanged for a higher tech version -a Smart Port CT that could be

used for contrast dye. Very few people are trained on this so it

wasn't a big advantage anyway. My normal radiology center doesn't use

them due to liablity. Besides, they are excellent with IVs. The tip

goes into the jugular vein which I wasn't told about before surgery

and did not like. I really didn't want another port but my oncology

nurse strongly urged me to since my veins are poor.

Now here I am in the hospital 9 days after I came to the ER. First

step was an ultrasound on the port that revealed no clots. Second

test was a CT scan. I was greatly swollen with fluid from chest area

(including my arms) to my eyes. Possible diagnosis was retropharngeal

abcess and an ID was done. Some fluid drained but not much. Second

diagnosis was angioedema from a sudden allergy to my ACE inhibitor BP

med. I was pumped full of steriods but continued to worsen. Nurses

tried unsuccessfully to access my port since my veins were all

blowing. Redivase stripping was done and thought to be successful. It

accepted fluids but I got more swollen like the Michelin man. I

called my allergist myself and he checked me out and said no allergy

a port problem. Since fluid from the first surgery revealed cultured

bacteria, an infectious disease Dr (a genius) checked me and

recommended a second more extensive ultrasound. It revealed several

blood clots including one in the area that showed none originally.

Evidently, the redivase procedure set up a " Perfect Storm " of events.

As I was consulting with the surgeon about port removal surgery, he

wanted to put a third one in. I said no thank you! My pulmonologist

told me that blood clots are common for some people with mediports.

Four days later I am still sitting in the hospital waiting to be

cleared with coumadin management and for the MRI results post surgery

to make sure no other problems exist. My oncologist actually said I

would probably need another port. No way! I'm almost done with

maintenance rituxan. I've been told that lifting weights can make

your veins pop up better. I think I'll try that strategy first. I've

learned you don't want to be in the hospital over weekends too.