Chemo port access shirt-diy?
 

My best friend will start chemo next week, and she has asked me to put zippers in the front of her shirt for easier port access. I have googled and searched, and cannot find a tutorial. This picture is what she has in mind. Will it work to just slit the shirt and put in the zippers? Do I need to finish the edges of the shirt where I cut it?

https://pin.it/of3b3psxoyoijs

I think it would be her preference as to finishing the edges. That is a nice shirt and a nice thing you are doing.

The shirt in the photo looks like a knit, and knits don't really ravel. If you use a knit shirt, like a T shirt, you could cut and then insert invisible zippers without worrying about the edges. Sew a scant seam when you put the zipper in... like 1/8" if you can.

Don't see why she needed two zippers. I'd just make one where the port is.

This is a lovely thing you are willing to try for your friend. I think I would take an old shirt of my own and try a couple of techniques to see which would work better. Good luck.

Added--I would definitely put two lines of stay stitching where the zipper will be going, before slitting the fabric.

Why does she need to put a zipper in? My husband has a port and he never had a problem with them accessing it. He wears a regular button front shirt and they simply unbutton a couple buttons and have easy access. As long as he has a button front shirt he does not have to worry. If you put zippers in a shirt as you have described she will be wearing the same shirt or shirts day in and day out. The placement of the port is usually near enough to the neck area so it causes no problem being able to access it. I have never seen anyone with one of these shirts with zippers. If this is what the lady wants that is fine but I see no need to go to all this work unless you are sure this is what she really needs. After starting the chemo she may find that such a shirt is entirely unnecessary.

I had a port when I had chemo after surgery for breast cancer. Had a blouse with buttons in the center front from my neck down to the bottom of the blouse. Un-buttoned a couple of the buttons and everything was fine. My chemo was scheduled for one day of a week -- every Tuesday at 10 o'clock for me. My port location did not create any problems with my undergarment -- bra.

I will ask my friend about her shirts. I know she used more than one, when she was going through chemo. I know she's not a front button shirt kind of gal...neither am I for that matter! She used athletic type shirts, should be fairly easy. Comfort is critical, and lovely thing to do for your friend.

Well heck!! This might be the time to dip into her hubby's closet for a couple of shirts. Sure would be easier than cutting up her tees. Plus guy's shirts are super comfy (and cute on a gal-no matter the situation)

I'm a two time survivor and I've never had any problems with the port and chemo. I wore button front shirts, V-necks, and scoop neck or boat top neck. No need for a zipper top, in fact I wouldn't advise it. After several rounds of chemo things change, skin gets dry and itchy. I would not want the zippers on my skin. Chemo is tiring, if she has a t-shirt on she can go home and crash without changing her top.

Just thinking, if you use a shirt with raglan sleeves, maybe you could just use a seam ripper to take stitches to the length you want. Then, put in the zipper.