Port Questions

[momto3gsds]

I'm sure I could run this by my Doctor later, but I thought some of you might have some experience that might help answer my questions sooner.

I have a Power Port which is used for chemo. It's located in under my skin around my collar bone on my left side. Does anyone know if I have to be careful with this on any rides? For example, do I have to be careful to make sure restraints don't hit me there?

Also, I have a card but do you know if the Port will trigger the alarm at security at the airport?

Thanks.

 

[dawnhaze]

The only over the shoulder restraints I can think of at WDW are on Stitch and RnRC. Test Track has standard shoulder-lap seat belts on the side seats, but just lap belts in the center seats.

 

[momto3gsds]

Great point, I didn't even think of that The roller coaster is not something I would do so I'm ok there. I did kind of want to do the Stitch Ride though. But if that's the only one I'd have to miss out on that's ok with me. (just had to use this cute little icon)

 

[LilyWDW]

Great point, I didn't even think of that The roller coaster is not something I would do so I'm ok there. I did kind of want to do the Stitch Ride though. But if that's the only one I'd have to miss out on that's ok with me. (just had to use this cute little icon)

You won't be missing anything if you skip the Stitch ride. I think it is the most hated attraction at Disney.

But I do think only the over the shoulder restraints would be an issue. I can't think of any other restrictions that my mother had when she had a Port in general. It sat under the skin so it usually wasn't a problem.

 

[PlutoPony]

PowerPort has never caused an alarm in the airport for me. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure there's any metal in it as you are able to do CT's and MRI's with them.

Agree with the others that over the head restraints may be uncomfortable if they are right on top of the port. At this point for me, I think it would take a lot to cause pain around my port area. YMMV obviously.

If you think of it, please post back after you talk to your doctor. Am interested to see his take on it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) MrsRustyScupper had such a port for her chemo.
2) She was able to do most of the rides.
3) However, the doctor DEMANDED she not do attractions/rides with jolts or sudden movements.
4) Thus, she avoided
. . . all coasters and Dino, due to "violent" side-to-side movements
. . . Stitch & RnRC, due to shoulder restraints

 

[momto3gsds]

PowerPort has never caused an alarm in the airport for me. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure there's any metal in it as you are able to do CT's and MRI's with them.

Agree with the others that over the head restraints may be uncomfortable if they are right on top of the port. At this point for me, I think it would take a lot to cause pain around my port area. YMMV obviously.

If you think of it, please post back after you talk to your doctor. Am interested to see his take on it.

Your so right!!! It can't have metal since I have the CTs done. Never thought of that! I'm glad. I really didn't want it to be an issue at the airport.

 

[momto3gsds]

Thanks for pointing out the few over the shoulder restraints. I don't feel so limited. If I can't do Stitch, oh well. I'd much rather be safe. Even though the Ports been in for over a year now, the area is still sensitive. I don't think I would be comfortable at all with something pushing on it. In fact, I know I'm not.

I'll update with what the doctor says but I'm thinking he will agree with whats being said here.

 

[SueM in MN]

PowerPorts do have a very small amount of metal in them. It is not an issue for MRI and is usually not going to be an issue for TSA metal detector screening.
There is no guarantee that the metal detector will not go off; it all depends on the sensitivity that TSA has set the metal detector at. It can even change at the same airport because they may increase the sensitivity based on 'terror threat'.

You should be able to use the more advanced imaging screener as long as you can stand in position with both hands over your head for the time of the scan.
The other option would be a pat down.
This TSA document gives a bit more information than you need, but should still be helpful.
http://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/fi..._external_cancer_medical_devices_7_3_2014.pdf

I agree with the other posters - the only attractions I can think of with overhead restraints are Rock N Roller Coaster and Stitch's Great Escape.
Rock N Roller Coaster has an inversion, so would not be recommended at any rate.
As the others mentioned, Stitch is not exactly a favorite of most people. It's not a ride - nothing moves and the 'restraint' in Stitch doesn't actually restrain guests from anything except getting up and leaving (it can be unlocked by pushing up on it if a guest has to leave). It's purpose is provide most of the special effects during the attraction. Those include sensation of Stitch 'walking' on your shoulders, which may be uncomfortable for you.

As far as other attractions, there is a list of attractions with warnings on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (follow the link in my signature or look near the top of this board). You can look at those and discuss them with your doctors. They may have no problems with you doing some of the attractions or have specific ones they recommend you skip.

 

[alexrules14]

I have a port due to frequent medication infusions, I have had mine for over a year and a half and I forget it's there. It didn't limit anything I used/did at disney. I went on stitch and I don't think the bars even touched my port, it went on my shoulders, but not chest. It did hurt my back, and it's not a huge loss if you don't do it.
At the airport, I went through the new metal scanner thing, and it set off an alarm that I had "something" in my chest/shoulder area, so I explained to them, and then they manually patted that area down. It was uncomfortable, and awkward. Oh well!
Don't let the port slow you down! They are such a life saver!

 

[momto3gsds]

Thanks Sue, I'll check out the FAQ's. I remember when the Stitch ride was an Alien ride and what the restraints were like then. That is exactly the type of thing I want to avoid.

While I am very thankful for the Port, its always felt weird to me. Between blood draws and chemo, its used nearly every week and that area is very sensitive.

I'll just have to be ready for TSA. Hopefully, it won't automatically trigger the alarm but if it does I'll just have to deal with it. I guess I can't complain too much-I'm going to WDW

 

[kgsmith]

My port is on my left side. The only time I had an issue was on Test Track when I sat in the left seat -- I just felt like the belt was too tight against the port. Now I always make sure I'm in the right seat.

 

[disfan07]

I have a power port as well for TPN and iron infusions....mine is on my right side though. I've never traveled with it but we leave in 2 weeks for Florida.

The main information I've gotten, mainly from my home health nurse, is to be careful with anything that would hit where the port is placed and avoid any rides with a lot of upper body movement. The other thing I was told was to be careful about how much I lift.

From what my nurse said, the port should not trigger the alarms. But she said that there is a greater chance of getting pulled aside for additional screening. The card is good to have, and iif you go to the TSA site, they have specific information about flying with a port and they mention the possibility of additional screening.

I completely understand what you mean when you say it's very sensitive. Mines accessed 24/7 and gets reaccessed once or twice a week.....I wish it would get less sensitive as time goes on!

Hope your trip goes well!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I have a power port as well for TPN and iron infusions....mine is on my right side though. I've never traveled with it but we leave in 2 weeks for Florida.

The main information I've gotten, mainly from my home health nurse, is to be careful with anything that would hit where the port is placed and avoid any rides with a lot of upper body movement. The other thing I was told was to be careful about how much I lift.

From what my nurse said, the port should not trigger the alarms. But she said that there is a greater chance of getting pulled aside for additional screening. The card is good to have, and iif you go to the TSA site, they have specific information about flying with a port and they mention the possibility of additional screening.

I completely understand what you mean when you say it's very sensitive. Mines accessed 24/7 and gets reaccessed once or twice a week.....I wish it would get less sensitive as time goes on!

Hope your trip goes well!!

My mom has a PowerPort and the literature that came with it says it does contain a small amount of metal and could possibly trigger the metal detector.

It really depends on what sensitivity the scanners are set to; airports vary the sensitivity depending on the risk level. There is a link to the TSA information in my other post.

 

[cobright]

Could you place a large bandaid over it? That would mitigate some of the effect of a shoulder bar rubbing it.

 

[cassiejo2711]

My port never triggered any alarms at security. My port was accessed 24/7 (so needle/tubing, etc actually coming out of my chest. Because of the metal needle I always tell security and they have me go through the separate screening machine.

As far as rides go, it really depends on the level of tenderness you have associated with your port. If it isn't accessed and you don't have to worry about the needle or lumens being yanked around the port can withstand a lot. Mine sticks out quite a bit so it can be uncomfortable to have things pressing down on it.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[cassiejo2711]

I have a power port as well for TPN and iron infusions....mine is on my right side though. I've never traveled with it but we leave in 2 weeks for Florida. The main information I've gotten, mainly from my home health nurse, is to be careful with anything that would hit where the port is placed and avoid any rides with a lot of upper body movement. The other thing I was told was to be careful about how much I lift. From what my nurse said, the port should not trigger the alarms. But she said that there is a greater chance of getting pulled aside for additional screening. The card is good to have, and iif you go to the TSA site, they have specific information about flying with a port and they mention the possibility of additional screening. I completely understand what you mean when you say it's very sensitive. Mines accessed 24/7 and gets reaccessed once or twice a week.....I wish it would get less sensitive as time goes on! Hope your trip goes well!!

Yaaaay TPN! (Sarcasm). I totally know what you are going through. When the port is accessed continually it makes a big difference. When I was on TPN and accessed full time there was a lot more to manage than just having the port. Typically for chemo you are only accessed when receiving treatment. So now I am only accessed on those infusions.

If you are traveling with your TPN you can carry the box through security. I provided a letter from my healthcare provider that stated what the bag of liquid were and they were packed in a cooler box that was labeled as medication. This box did not count toward my carry on bag allowance.

You do have to be a little more careful on rides if you are accessed so the needle stays put. It isn't a problem for the port mechanically to be on any rides, but I definitely had some discomfort.

Hope this makes sense. Feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss the joys of TPN ;-)