Patient Stories: From California to Colorado for Port Placement

Patient Catherine M. shares her story

I needed an arm port* for chemo treatment. The proposed treatment involves using a vesicant, which is a highly toxic chemotherapy treatment that cannot be injected using an arm vein.** I also wanted the arm port for cosmetic appearance reasons, and because I sleep on my tummy.

I discovered RIA Endovascular through a web search and traveled from Los Angeles specifically for the RIA Interventional Suite.

I loved the doctors, especially Dr. Kooy, the nurses and the care I received. I absolutely love the physical placement of the port, you cannot see it and it does not bother me at all! I have no restrictions with activity, except rowing, and love that I don’t have a big ugly chest port and scar as a daily reminder of my plight.

There is minimal scarring, and the recovery was immediate. Medical personnel have not had any issues whatsoever at all with accessing the port. I have had no pain, clots or infections.

Dr. Kooy had the best bedside manner I have EVER had in a surgical setting.

It was a calm and extremely clean environment, everyone was extremely professional, the state of the art surgical suite was spectacular with snow capped mountain views, lovely waiting room and loving staff, from the receptionist forward. I went into surgery with complete peace about my decision. The cleanliness of all of the rooms I was in was pristine; it was a seriously sterile environment!

Best endovascular center in the West!!!

Patient Catherine M. traveled from California to Colorado for her port placement.

*A chest port is placed in the left upper chest; an arm port is placed in the upper, inner arm. Arm ports are often preferred by women because it isn’t bothersome for bra straps and seatbelts. Port placement is a patient’s choice, but not all practices offer arm port placement.

**Chemotherapy treatment is harsh on the vein walls and can destroy the vein wall over time, making it more and more difficult to get IV access in the future. The port catheter is designed so that the administration of the chemo does not result in the destruction of the vein.