Keep Port in or not for year long Herceptin?

frenchiegal

I am finishing up with Taxol in two weeks (yippee) and then will continue having Herceptin every three weeks for a year.

I plan on having my reconstruction done sometime in the next few months. Did anyone have their port taken out during the reconstruction process and just get the herceptin through your arms instead of the port?

If I keep the port in through reconstruction I am assuming I will have to have another surgery to have it removed when I am done with Herceptin if I don't have it removed during reconstruction. Wondering if that removal only surgery is a big deal or easy?

Thanks so much!!

Oncearunneralwaysarunner

I kept my port in for the year of Herceptin and I'm glad I did. I have very small and hard to find veins so it made things much easier. I can't speak about the removal process because that is happening tomorrow. Though from what the scheduling lady told me over the phone, it seems pretty minor. I was told it was done under local anesthetic and that they don't give you any sedatives. I could drive myself there and back if I want to.

Hopefully someone else who has been through it will post, but I'll post at some point tomorrow once the whole thing is done!

Kay_G

I kept the port in for the year of herceptin, and also very glad I did. The surgery to remove the port was just as oncea runner described. Local injection to numb the area and that was it, no anesthesia or sedatives. I walked out very shortly after the removal. With everything else you've been through with treatment, the port removal is a walk in the park.

Spookiesmom

I plan on keeping my port forever, but did ask BS about removal process. Was told it's done outpatient at hospital.

frenchiegal

That is so good to hear! I was worried it would be yet another big surgery to add to the list. LOL.

Bippy625

i have very good veins and want the port out during BMX in December...I HATE the sticks there, they hurt no matter what freeze spray they use.

I think I can handle Herceptin in the arm or hand veins for a year....going to ask doc about it. If it did not hurt I may let it be, but also I just hate it being thereit constantly reminds me.

Oncearunneralwaysarunner

frenchiegal, here is how it went down for me this morning:

I got to the hospital and checked in with the vascular access people (they are the ones that put in and take out ports at my hospital). They then had me take off anything I was wearing on top and put on a gown. I kept my pants and shoes. They then called me into the "operating room", really it should be called a procedure room, not as crazy sterile and high tech as the other operating room I was in for my surgery. They set everything up. They disinfected me, then draped me with the sterile dressings. The doctor came in and numbed me up good. I didn't feel any pain but I did feel the pressure of the doctor doing what she was doing. I think it took more time to get sutured than it took for the port to come out. They put some steristips and a big bandage on top. I sat up and walked out of the room myself. Apparently the incision made was right where they made the one when they put it in. I guess I'll see when I can take off the bandage

I'm not sure if all hospitals follow the same procedures but that was my experience this morning. I'm home and feel fine other than a bit of pain where the port was. I'm sure part of it is the freezing wearing off and I took a Tylenol to head off the pain.

I hope this helps with your decision.

frenchiegal

Oncearunner - That is very comforting to hear that it wasn't too big of a deal. Glad everything went smoothly for you! I will chat with my surgeon but I think I will just keep it in for the rest of my targeted therapies. I do not like the darn thing in because it bothers me when I workout but I think it might be easier then them trying to get my veins each time I get treatment.

muska

Hi frenchiegal, I went through exchange surgery with the port in and had no issues whatsoever. My PS told me before surgery she would not take the port out during the exchange even if I wanted to - this has to be done by the same folks - interventional radiology - who put it in.