Yes, you can hike, backpack, and lift with a port during cancer treatment

When I learned of my first cancer diagnosis in 2018, I was an avid hiker, runner, and gym enthusiast. I was in the best shape of my life before my fist-sized tumor began impacting my daily life. I was incredibly worried that my life would be even more hellish than what I was expecting because I wasn’t sure what I’d be able to do with a port and during chemo.

Thankfully, I realized I could live my life well when I felt good. And that’s what this entire article is for. It is to help those who are about to go through some tough shit that you do not have to sit and mope inside. To an extent, you can do what you want, enjoy life, and keep pushing on.

Who Am I
My name is Alec, and I’m a two-time cancer and bone marrow transplant survivor. My first diagnosis was in the fall of 2018 with grey zone lymphoma, which returned in 2022. In February 2023, I had a bone marrow transplant.
Eighteen months later, I’m doing great and trying to live life to the fullest.

Staying Active During Cancer Treatment

My Port Story

A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I got to the port placed on my upper right chest. I was rightfully concerned and uncertain about what I could do. It hurt a lot (A LOT), and I was worried about disrupting it and causing more pain. I was also scared that while I went through the worst possible months, I wouldn’t be able to do what I loved and enjoyed.

While I was in the gym for low-level cardio almost every day, save the days immediately after treatment, I didn’t lift until January 1. (I should note that in early November 2018, I had to undergo surgery due to my cancer, which impacted my range of motion on my left arm and left me with scars that needed to heal. They collapsed my left lung, drained fluid from around my heart, and gave me chest tubes.)

But come January 1, I began lifting weights again. I played some basketball – though that was mostly later after treatment was done. And I spent more time hiking.

I found great joy in being active; being outside; being free of negative thoughts. It was honestly a life saver to still be able to do what I enjoy and spend time in nature. Without it, I probably would have gone crazy!

Get moving and grooving!

One thing I want to stress is to be as active before and during cancer treatment as possible. While I was in a not-so-great place, right as chemo started, by my second treatment, I was out hiking and running again. And I went into my first round as healthy as someone could be, which gave me a leg up for handling the cruddy treatment.

Always consult your doctor

I’m putting this at the top because this is the most important part of the piece. Listen to your doctor. If they tell you something different based on your unique experience, do it.

Give it time to heal

First things first: You want your port to heal and set before you jump into doing anything overly exertive. I believe the official medical advice I was given was no heavy lifting for 72 hours. I would totally agree with that.

There’s no reason to rush into arm exercises after getting your port placed.

What can I do with my port during cancer treatment?

The biggest thing that I was worried about leading up to getting my port was if I could hike and backpack with it. I wasn’t sure if the port would be in the way of the strap and if it would hurt.

I definitely waited a few weeks to let my port settle in, but three weeks after my first treatment (and about a month with it in), I did a 9-mile hike east of Phoenix. Now, many years later, I can’t be sure if I made a little pad or not to decrease rubbing. But I don’t remember there being a lot of pain.

A few weeks later, I started lifting. Light at first and then I began to build up – though nothing like I used to do. All throughout this I was doing some light jogging and hiking around Phoenix, making sure I stayed active.

Once treatment was completed, I still had my port for about six months. During this span, I played basketball, went backpacking, summited the tallest peak in the lower US, and didn’t hold back from lifting.

Since then, I’ve talked to a few people who have been really worried about doing what they love—be it rock climbing or bowling—and actually stopped doing that. Now, those are slightly more arm-intensive than hiking, but I suggest trying it out in small segments and see how everything feels. If nothing feels off, do a little more.

The worst thing to happen during chemo is you feel more and more depressed. You need to find joy. You need to be happy. If you aren’t, you won’t want to continue the fight.

Some Random Thoughts About My Port

How much does a port hurt?

The first time I got it in, I was in so much pain. I think it’s partly due to not doing a good job managing my pain. So stay on top of Tylenol and ibuprofen to keep the pain down. The second and most recent time i did a much better job and it didn’t hurt as much.

Both times were pretty quick and easy to get out, though the first time was efficient and pain-free. The second time, I remember having more difficulty, but I think it’s because my body latched on more than the first time.

What does it feel like when they access the port? Do I need to use the numbing cream?

I honestly never used the numbing cream or painkillers before treatment or a blood draw. It feels like a nice sharp poke when they access it, and then it’s done. But I have a high pain tolerance, and I just sucked it up, and then it was done.

Did they put your second port in the same place?

Yes, when I relapsed on my cancer diagnosis, the doctors put my port in the same place as it was three years prior. They re-opened that scar and then closed it back up. Thankfully, it all went smoothly, and it has healed amazingly.

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

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