How Long To Keep Port In

I called to schedule to have mine out the day I finished chemo. My oncologist left it up to me. When my surgeon's response was hesitant and he asked me why I was going to take it out, I said, "Because I am never going to need it again!" Almost three years later I never regretted taking it out. The port drove me crazy, I kept running my fingers over it.... just plain irritating. I also did not want to deal with appointments to have it flushed, and looking at it was a negative reminder for me everyday that that kept me in a bad mind space. I know others have kept it and it has helped them to feel more secure, but for me it felt like I was kind of jinxing myself. I just figured if I ever did need it again, they could just put it back, so I just threw caution to the wind.............

PS Thought I would also share with others.... After all my treatments I started having terrible neck pain, could barely move my neck for several months. I finally asked my oncologist if it could be a side effect of the tamox. He said no, but then said in a abrupt way that if it did not go away he would scan me for cancer in my neck. Ugh! I don't know why he had to say that, especially since I pointed out that I had just had a bone scan, and non of my prechemo scans showed anything in my neck, that I doubted it would show up in my neck so quickly after treatment, Even he said then that it was unlikely. (I think he was trying to scare me on purpose as he was not very nice after I had got a second opinion and the second oncologist called and told him that he should not have reduced my chemo like he did........so after he made that insensitive comment I switched to a different oncologist), Anyway I later realized that I used to always sleep on my stomach, but when I had the port I could not sleep comfortably this way, and could only sleep on my right side. After I got my port out I started sleeping on my stomach again right away. Later down the road it dawned on me, I was certain, that lying flat with my neck twisted for the first time in over a year was what caused the neck pain. I think the radiation also affected my neck flexation too. After I figured it out I stopped sleeping on my stomach and the neck pain went right away. Gradually I was able to sleep on my stomach again. Anyway just thought I would share if anyone else finds themselves with neck pain after port removal, check to see if you changed how you sleep.

Maybe compromise and leave it in for a year. I was also destressed when my onc wanted me to leave mine in after chemo was finished. Having to have it flushed every six weeks was taking a lot of time off from work (the onc's office only had day hours, and nothing early or late). I remember every time I went, I asked if it could please come out sooner.

When he finally said yes, making the appointment with the surgeon was one of the happiest days of my life post-cancer. 

i had one put in late during chemo when i thought i would need more rounds and was having surgery anyway. when i was done with chemo, i wanted to keep it just in case i needed it again.  my surgeon said, you're done now let's get it out of there.  that felt right to me. (i loved him for that.  gave me the confidence to step forward even tho it is all uncertain.)  the port's gone and haven't needed it.  go whichever way you want.  check the insurance tho--that's  a fact ! but cancer coming back is NOT!

take care,

--hattie 

my docs wanted to keep mine in for a couple of years after chemo.  i said no.  it was taken out 6months after i finished chemo. i was told they can always give you another one if needed. so far, so good.

fondak - I have never heard of going 3 mths between flushes. After chemo the Center said 4 -6 weeks but the card/info from the port manufacturer said every 4 weeks. So because my flushes are done at my local VA Clinic we have decided to do it every month either on the 22 or 23 or closest open day so it's easier for me to remember.



I had seen/read so many saying port was out right after end of chemo I was ready for a fight with Dr T as I wanted to keep it. When we talked about I was surprised - he wanted me to keep it as I'm high risk. (All my Drs agreed). So it's been in for 2 1/2 yrs since it was put in and will be for at least another 2 1/2.



I visualize things a bit weird. I see my port as my little warrior/soldier standing sentry duty. The Monster won't raise it's ugly head because the warrior is standing duty and is ready for a battle if needed. So far working - 2+ yrs post TX and still riding NED - not bad for IBC.



I have great veins so it's not used for draws. Actually, the first time I saw the tech who does most of my draws he was running behind because of a guy with bad veins and he expected to get further behind with this 'little old lady' that would likely have 'bad' veins. Wrong - I still get teased about my 'man's veins' in a woman's body.


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My port served me well since I did not have "good"veins at the time. But it was painful when my grandsons would lean against it, so soon after surgery was done ( I had chemo first) I had it removed. My oncologist was good with whichever decision I made on removal. I am glad I had it removed and I plan on not needing another one:).

I had my port in for about a year.  I thought it made sense to keep it in after chemo since I was IIIC, and I'm not skinny so the port really didn't bother me.  My onc said it needed to come out after a year because even with regular flushing the risk of complications would rise.

The original insertation was rough, (conscious sedation lacking the sedation component), so when I had my ooph I jumped at the chance at having it removed while I was totally knocked out.

My onc said I'd have my port for 6 months to a year after last chemo - am guessing since I had a lot of node involvement and the chance of recurrence is high.  I finished chemo in November.  I never heard of flushing the port every 3 months - I was specifically told once a month or not longer than 6 weeks in between. 

I know I'm a bit late to the game with this response. My onc left it up to me. I took it out. When I had a recurrence 6 year later, I got a new one put in. That one is out now too. Before I did, I asked if scar tissue would cause a problem if in the future I needed a third. Vascular surgeon told me no.

If you will be having scans 3 or 6 months out, I'd keep it that long. After that, remove it if it bugs you. I personally felt like a Borg with the first one.

Still have mine in.  But with where it located, it doesn't bother me.  It's actually my second port.  I'm thin (although not as thin as I used to be!) and the first one poked out so bad it finally eroded a hole.  So if I had this one removed and then had to get another one, I'm not sure where it would end up.  Just don't have much fat in that area.

My docs do flushes every 4-6 weeks also.  My SIL is an RN and does infusions and she is adamant about no longer than 6 weeks.  She's seen problems with clotting or pooling and getting infections.  As she points out, it's a direct pathway to the heart.  I'm heeding her advice.

I just remember asking my onc towards the end of my chemo "when do I get my port out?" and she said after your last tx to go ahead and make an appointment to get it out, which I did!  Never any discussion as to whether keep it in or not, so I for one am glad to see it gone.  Also remember you do have to have it flushed out pretty often, so that might be a factor to consider as well.

Take care,

Sharon