Port Removal--When?

Smile_On

When is the time that most people have their port removed who receive Herceptin?  My last Herceptin is in October and they scheduled me to have my port removed in November.  It has become a little like a security blanket and it worries me to have it out in case I need it again in the future.  I have lymphedema in my right arm from mastectomy/axillary dissection so I only have one good arm for pokes & IV's.

Also for those who have had their port removed, what is the procedure & recovery like?  I plan to get married at the end of Nov. and really don't want an oozy mess in pictures with a strapless dress.

Jenna1961

Hi Smile_On
When you therapy is over, it is assumed that you will not need more of it any time soon. Unless you have unclear situation, it is not assumed that you might need another chemo in the near future. So don't worry and get that port out ...

The procedure is very simple - in the doctor's office with some local anesthetic. It takes fifteen minutes in all.  There was not much redness in my case and in two days you couldn't tell if anything happened.

My scar is quite visible though. And hard to hide! It would be hard to find a strapless dress that can cover that!
All the best,

Jenna

amlg1

I finished with herceptin 6 months ago,I still haven't removed my port.I think it is my security blanket also.I don't know what to do either.i see onco in May,maybe I'll decide then.

Leslie1962

I finished Herceptin three weeks ago and had my port removed 4 days ago. The procedure was quite simple compared to when they put it in. They used local anesthetic and went through the old incision site. Experienced slight tugging and pulling sensation and all was done in about 10-15 minutes. I asked to see the port when all was done - very interesting. You will do just fine. My Onc told me we should take it out. If left in then I would have to go in every so often to have it flushed. Take care.

~ Leslie

208sandy

I've had my port in since May of 08 - I didn't have herceptin but I did have an unusual breast cancer so the oncs left it in - then I moved back to Canada and my PCP wanted it out by my onc didn't - now they've decided that after the next scans which will end at the end of May then they'll take it out - geesh!  I go in every six weeks for it to be flushed which is a pain but whatever.....

Sandy

suzieq60

I had mine out 6 days after the last herceptin. I've been using Dermatix silicone gel on the scar and I think it has helped with the appearance.

Sue

Smile_On

Thanks guys, that makes me feel a little better.  I'm okay with the scar--I have a pretty intense one from when it was put in because the derma-bond didn't hold that well and it split open a bit and healed rather wide compared to my mastectomy scars.  If it is a scar I'm okay, just didn't want it to be really sore or glaringly yucky.  I'm hoping maybe it will be at a point where I can cover it with some makeup, but either way hopefully people will be looking at me not that.  I think I'll call my surgeon's coordinator to make sure, but it sounds like getting it out will be no problem.