I don't think you can personally detect a clogged port. It is usually when the nurses try to use it that you find out it is clogged. And they have ways to get it to work, like putting you in different positions and other things. And they usually flush it when finished with chemo, to keep it open. To me, those chemo nurses are wonderful and very knowledgeable.

I kept mine in for 10 months after chemo and Herceptin was finished. And then my last appointment with the doctor he said it was time to get that thing out. So in October 2014 it was removed. It was in me for just under two years. And I really thought it was so nice to have during chemo. I would see the nurses struggle with other patients who don't have ports and I was so glad that I had one. Made life so much easier.

The nurses flush your port with heparin and saline after every use to clean it out. Even after chemo it needs to be kept clean every 3 months or so by flushing it out at the docs office.

I go every six weeks to have it flushed being that I am done with chemo and started my radiation. My onc feels that the first two years will be critical , therefore she wants to keep the port in for two years. So I pray for NO RECURRENCE and then in the spring of 2017 I can have that port removed!!!!!
Prayers for that.
Prayers for all of us sister warriors to be well and have many many many years of good health ahead of us.

They will flush it everytime you get blood taken or get your infusion. If you chose to keep it after treatment is done (i didnt) you will have to go every 6-8 weeks to have it flushed.