Paddling with Infusion Port and During Chemo?

[ruralwaters]

Hello,
I am interested in hearing from anyone who paddled during their chemo treatments and/or with an infusion port implanted below their collarbone.  Has it been done?  Any tips?

Feel free to pm me if you prefer an off-line convo.

Thanks in advance.

[TallDude]

I asked my wife who's an oncology nurse, and she said "absolutely not"! That port enters directly into your blood stream right near your heart. It would be hard to waterproof the port area completely. Your risk for infection is higher already....... Dry land training is good. Stay strong. Going to have to wait a little bit before you start paddling again. 

[ruralwaters]

Thanks TallDude.  I appreciate the info.  I should of explained that the port is implanted completely under my skin and can only be accessed by a needle.

[blackeye]

I assume your interest is whether some side effect of paddling like immersion would affect the port. That I don't know.

If your interest is whether exercise is an issue, I can relate that my wife's recovery was off the charts because she worked out hard. Wasn't always comfortable and she often didn't feel like it, but she was part of a study and had to show up. Her edema from losing lymph nodes was less than the general population. She set new standards for respiratory recovery after radiation that included an area around her lungs.

I think the conditioning also creates that positive mindset that allows the patient to fight harder. I contrast that to a colleague, same age, same cancer, not fit and not interested in being fit. Her approach was and is passive. Part of the recovery is regaining mental health which my wife managed to do and I don't think my colleague ever will. Then again, my wife is the sort of gal who raced sailboats while pregnant. No lying around eating bon bons. She wasn't a fitness fanatic, she just liked being active.

If paddling makes you feel good - go for it!

[ruralwaters]

Thanks for sharing your wife's experience Blackeye.  The research on chemo and exercise clearly shows how essential it is for a good recovery.  Thus my interest in continuing to paddle  .  Time on the water is like no other.   

The port is supposed to be fine for swimming once the incision heals.  I was more curious about if folks found ports to be uncomfortable during the stroke (e.g. reach and catch) or any other part of paddling.

[cnski]

Hi ruralwaters- I have placed 100's if 1000's of port-a-caths into people. It's not a good idea to paddle with one if it is accessed. Bacteria could seep around the needle and potentially enter your bloodstream if the area is immersed in water. If it is healed and not accessed you should be fine. Keep in mind that after your port is de-accessed you need a couple days for the hole to heal. Use a Tegaderm. Tegaderm bandages made by 3M are excellent to keep water out of a healing wound. We have our patients use them after the intial insertion of the port to keep dry during showers while the incision heals. Tegaderms are great for cuts too. They are a little tricky to use at first but are super sticky and stretchy. I use them all the time on myself and friends who don't want to miss out on any water time waiting for a wound to heal. I hope your treatment goes well!!

[PonoBill]

Tagaderm is the clumsy buggahs friend. I'm constantly bleeding from somewhere. between tagaderm and advanced healing bandaids I generally stay infection-free.

[Bean]

I wonder if a dry suit would give you some additional options.

[ruralwaters]

Many thanks for all the great info and ideas.  You folks are the best!