CancerCompass message board discussion started by Nedda H. on 9/12/2002 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,438,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Is anyone familiar with this? Surgeons fear placement of an infusa-port because I'm taking Lovenox, a blood thinner. The Pick line sounds like it will be a hastle as far as flushing & the fact that it is exposed doesn't do a thing for my vanity. Thanks for any input! Nedda H. Thu, 12 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT Hi,I'm from Saskatchewan. I was given the option of a pick line or chemo-port (implanted under the skin by the collar bone)I chose to have the port, even though it was more invasive than the pickline (for the same reasons that you stated). I had to have something done, as I have bad veins, and on my 2nd treatment they blew the vein in my arm. After each treatment/bloodtest, my port was injected with heparin, a blood thinner to ensure that the vein stayed open. This could be the reason that your Dr. doesn't want you to have a port. I do know a person that had a pick line inserted in his chest instead of the arm, maybe that is a possibility? It is a hard decision to make, but having the line does speed up the chemo (they can then run the IV wide open, which saved me about 40 minutes each session,(and saved the nurses from having to stay with me the whole time to ensure nothing went wrong) and as well it is much easier to draw blood and pain free. But, if you have good veins, and no problem having the IV inserted/having blood taken, why do they want to do this? Shelley G. Tue, 24 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT