Hi Pat,
I got my port-a-cath Jan 2007 and the first months it was only used for transfusions. Aug 2007 after 40 units of packed RBCs I started with Desferal. You can find a picture of the small home pump at
page 4 in this article:
http://www.cooleysanemia.org/updates/pdf/July2003.pdf
Now I have received 41 Desferal infusions in my port-a-cath during 4 days in connection with transfusions.
I bled a lot when i got the port-a-cath because I have low and dysfunctional platelets (I did get cyclocaprone during 5 days and a platelet transfusion without much effect). Otherwise there hasn't been any problems like infections though I have had very low neutrophils twice. I don't feel the Desferal infusion at all.
Hope you will be able to get Desferal infusions via a port

.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
71 yo, dx MDS Interm-1 May 2006, transfusion dependent from dx, Desferal and Exjade for iron overload and 2 Neupogen injections/week for low WBCs.