Port Questions

clariceak
clariceak Member Posts: 752
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I had a port inserted last fall due to only having one "good" arm.  When I completed treatment in May I didn't ask to have it removed and my onc didn't suggest it.  It really doesn't bother me and it was so traumatic to have it inserted that I didn't want to relive that experience.

When I saw my onc last month she said I should have it removed in May. Her explanation was that she wants to avoid problems with blood clots.  Has any had a similar experience?  Is there recommended length of time to have a port?

I know it's silly but I almost feel as soon as I have it removed, I'll need it.

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Comments

  • LittleFlower
    LittleFlower Member Posts: 405
    edited December 2010

    clariceak,

    I know exactly what you mean.  I felt like i was tempting fate having that darn port removed.  It was very helpful for treatment, but it was also a pain.  It took a long time for me to adjust having it in, and i had it taken out a couple months after treatment.  It's true that if you keep it in you need to have some meds put through it to prevent blood clots.. i can't even remember the exact word for this procedure anymore (LOL).  I was pretty happy when it was out.  I pray to God that i'll NEVER need it again!  Having said all that, you don't want to live with this thing in you, you are not waiting for cancer to come back.  You are DONE with treatment, and in your own time, you will move on with life, if you haven't already.  Having it taken out wasn't terrible.  Perhaps you could ask for options that might make it easier?  When i had it put in, they administered some conscious sedation, which helped.  When i had it taken out it was a local anaesthetic they used, and i probably took an ativan beforehand ( i can't quite remember).  Good luck with everything. All these choices are tough ones Undecided.

    LittleFlower

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited December 2010

    Every 3 weeks it is supposed to be flushed with heparin to avoid clotting. It is a foreign body and can cause problems just by being there. I got mine out at the first opportunity and I'm not looking back!  It was also much easier coming out than going in, so don't let that scare you.

    If I need another one in the future, I'll get one, but why would you want to keep it? I know it feels like a security blanket to you now, but as soon as it is removed, you will be glad it is out!! Removing it helped me feel more like a survivor and less like a patient. Just my two cents.

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited December 2010

    i had my port removed 5 months after completing treatment. the docs thought i should leave it in but i said no.  they said ok.....and it was one of the most healing things i did was to get rid of the port.  i was so glad to get that port removed; i felt like a new person**

    hugs

    diana

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited December 2010

    There was no discussion about when my port would come out----just "OK, now that chemo is over we need to make you an appointmen to get your port removed".  Fine with me!  It's been gone since April of last year and as some of the other ladies have said, taking it out was a non issue.

    Take care,

    Sharon

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  • Kathleen26
    Kathleen26 Member Posts: 210
    edited December 2010

    Originally they said my port would come out at the end of chemo during my mastectomy.  At mx time, they said let's wait a few months.   Now that radiation is coming to an end, they are saying let's wait a few years.   It's not bothering me to have it there, so I think I will just leave it, unless I get tired of going in to have it flushed, or it starts bothering me.   I'm told this needs to be done every six weeks, but I've gone 8, and was told this was not a problem.

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  • skigrl
    skigrl Member Posts: 53
    edited December 2010

    I had my port taken out about a month after my chemo, THEN i had it made into a necklace that i wore as a badge of courage, and survival!!!!

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited December 2010

    I got my port out when I had my Hysterectomy in Oct.  Oncologist agreed to it then since my year was almost up.  He normally leaves them in for a  year.

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  • Bambaloos
    Bambaloos Member Posts: 85
    edited December 2010

    I had mine out when I had my lumpectomy (approx 1 month after chemo was finished) at MD Anderson in Houston. My Onc there did not seem to have a problem with it coming out so soon after chemo.  

    LMAO Skigrl - good for you!!

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