Iv Port Shifted

My dad was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer in January, 2008.  It has been a tough road.  He had a g-tube inserted for feedings (liquid only) and an IV port for the chemo.  He has been dehydrated alot and has had to go in at least twice a week for fluids.  Everytime he complained that he felt the fluids were just "staying" in his chest.  He had a "full feeling" and told the nurses he was concerned that the fluids were not going into his vein.  Finally, three weeks later, today, he had a chest x-ray and they found that the port "shifted" and he has to go back to hospital for a "revision".  Of course, we are all upset about it and are now concerned whether the chemo went through his vein or not.  We don't know if it ever was right. No way to know.  So...I want to know if anyone knows what happens to the chemo if it doesn't go into the vein directly and just sits in his body.  His doctor told him she was concerned about the amount of naseua he was experiencing, she said it was unusual, so now Im wondering if its because it wasn't going in the way it was suppose to.  I tried to get the answer from dr today but wasnt able to reach her.

 If anyone knows or has any experience with this please let me know.

Thank you so much!

That is a great question, and I'd be very curious to hear the answer.  I myself was diagnosed about six weeks ago, and I'm still very active.  I play golf once a week, and try to remain as mobile as possible.  They told me that golf was fine and shouldn't bother the portacath, but now I wonder if I shouldn't be asking my onc nurse to check it somehow with each (weekly) chemo treatment.

I'll keep you posted.

Mark

Hi Mark

Well, my dad went in for surgery last Thursday to fix what the doctor's told us was a "shifted" port.  It turned out that the port was clogged or blocked in some way.  The doctor said it was either a blood clot or scar tissue that formed.  The doctor tried to correct the problem by attempting to use another vein but was unsuccessful after 15 attempts.  Dr did not explain why.  So....the next day he got a PICC line put in and a nurse has to come to his house once a week until the PICC comes out to change the dressing and make sure there is no infection forming.  Anyways.....many other details I can share with you, however, I know that wasn't the point of your question.  I am sorry I was not able to help you with your question.  I agree you should ask your doctor if that is possible.  I would ask the internest who put it in. 

I am really happy for you that you are still living an active life.  My dad has been confined to his bed since he started treatments, it has been hard for him to move around too much because he is so weak.   I hope you make a full recovery and that you are able to golf everyday for many many years.  God bless you!