Port removal?

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tangandchris
tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
edited December 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I'm having my port removed 12/1 :) I'm excited but also a little nervous just because of the "what if" factor. Meaning, what if it comes back and I need another one?

From what I've read and what my BS's office tells me I will be able to work the next day and it is a fairly easy procedure. I've also seen some people say they've had it removed in the office. Mine will be an actual surgery though.

How was recovery for any of ya'll that have had it out? I'm ready to get mine out, I'm hoping this will put some more closure on this ordeal for me.

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  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 2,112
    edited November 2014

    t&g - I had mine out a fortnight after my last Herceptin. I just wanted it out too. Mine was done surgically - with a full anaesthetic. I had it done on a Friday and was back at work on the Monday.

    I take a little bit of time to recover from an anaesthetic, otherwise I probably could have gone to work a day earlier.

    My philosophy was if it comes back and I need another port, I'll get one put in. I'd rather believe I'll never need another one Smile

    Trish

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited November 2014

    Yep, I had mine removed almost immediately following last chemo. Between it and my tissue expanders, I had enough pain for two lifetimes. It really was easy but did undergo general anesthesia. Recovery was easy too. Good luck.

    Amy

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  • Nel138281
    Nel138281 Member Posts: 2,124
    edited November 2014

    Had mine out in OR, but drove myself back and forth.  If I recall correctly - it was a local numbing but nothing more.  Must have been if I drove myself!!

    My cancer did reoccur, and much to my onc's dismay I have refused to have another one put back in.  I am currently having Herceptin infusion every 3 weeks.  Herceptin is not as harmful to veins as a chemo would be. Hence no port. At the point where the Herceptin is not effective any longer, and I return to a chemo, then I will have a port put back in. 

    I was thrilled to have mine out, I think for no other reason except what it represented.  Same reason I an delaying having it put back in. 

    Be well

    Nel

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited November 2014

    I had mine out with just a little light sedation. Some people don't even bother with that, but the surgeon suggested it "for the ick factor!".

    I guess mine had been in for about 5-6 months, and it slid out really easily and quickly. All I felt was a little tugging and prodding, but no pain, although it was slightly alarming when the nurse had to apply pressure to the side of my neck where the line had entered the vein. It was ok, but just a surprise and I think they might have warned me!

    I have heard of people having a tougher time, especially if the port had been there for longer. I had a delay getting mine fitted at the start, and they didn't want to delay my chemo, so I had two cycles through an arm vein.

    I'm glad I got it though, cos even with just two cycles my veins are terrible now, and I only get to use that one side for draws and IVs because of LE on my operated side.

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited November 2014

    Was there much pain after?

    I'm hoping to keep my port after surgery.....I told BS and she said she's had other ask to keep it. I've noticed lately that I've had a lot of itching around the area where the port is. Just ready to get this dang thing out!!

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  • linzer
    linzer Member Posts: 164
    edited November 2014

    My skin got itchy around the port area and I used neosporin on it at the onc nurse's suggestion. The itching went away by the next day. Give it a try :)

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  • Luvmydobies
    Luvmydobies Member Posts: 766
    edited November 2014

    I had mine out three weeks after finishing chemo. They didn't sedate me. Just numbed it up. I had a little soreness for a few days after it was out but it was much less than when they put it in. My parents were with me but I still drove home. I don't know what they're planning to do but if you're more comfortable with light sedation you can tell them. They did ask me if I wanted something so they should give you that option. They told me not to lift anything for about a week if I remember correctly. So while it's an easy procedure, still be good to yourself for a little bit.

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  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited November 2014

    Hoping to have mine out on 12-08 , have to go under to have a cyst removed and hoping they will agree to take the port out at the same time......don't want to go under twice :( If I wasn't tired of covering it while playing soccer I would keep it, doesn't bother me other then I can "feel" it in my throat !!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2014

    I had mine taken out as soon as my oncologist said "okay". That was about 2 weeks after my last taxol infusion. She never once suggested I leave it in longer. My surgeon took it out in his office and my husband watched. Just a local. It was a little weird when they pulled out the neck line, yes.

    I asked my surgeon for my port and he put it in a specimen jar for me; I eventually used it in a recycled art project: theme--my journey through cancer.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited November 2014

    I had my out under light sedation two weeks after my last infusion. You should not have pain afterwards, just be a little sore. I actually did have a glitch....the area kept being tender and sore, and it turned out that a dissolvable stitch did not dissolve. So if you continue to have tenderness, have them check that out (an easy fix in the doctor's office......although I still remember my surgeon saying, 'What the hell?' when he started pulling and a long stitch of about 2 inches emerged. No wonder I wasn't healing!).

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited November 2014

    My removal is an actual surgical procedure....can't eat or drink anything after midnight Sunday. It seems so crazy that some of ya'll just had it removed in the dr's office and my BS is doing surgery!


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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited November 2014

    Hi Tang, my breast surgeon does not have the kinda office for these type of procedures. I was given "twilight sleep", the Micheal Jackson drug, at the hospital. Easy peasy, in & out. The next day I was totally wiped out. I think it was more emotional than physical.


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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited December 2014

    Well the port is now out and I'm sore as heck. I'm hoping that will improve by tomorrow, doc said only ibuprofen and Tylenol for pain.

    It was an easy procedure and I'm glad for that. I am disappointed though, they wouldn't let me keep the port.

    Ahh well...it's done and over now. Time to keep moving forward :)

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited December 2014

    Tang, well done ! It was an odd feeling at first. Try to take it easy tomorrow. My scar is ugly ( no biggie ) but still is itchy, after 5 months. Maybe I should get some of that scar cream?

    Moving forward, it is !!! Some days easy, but it still controls my thoughts.

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited December 2014

    It IS an odd feeling.....I was thinking on this last night. I didn't want to say this, but one of my first thoughts when I came home was "I hope I didn't just jinx myself by taking the port out". I even cried a little over the prospect of it, or I just cried to cry....sometimes I'm not sure why I cry :)

    I even asked BS what if I have to get another port and she said it wouldn't be a problem and we are just gonna keep our fingers crossed.

    It's a relief to have it out and also scary.

    ((hugs))

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2014

    If it is still itchy after 5 months, go in and make sure you don't have a dissolvable stitch that didn't dissolve, that is what happened to me. Once that was pulled, it didn't feel like anything. Thankfully and finally just felt 'normal'.

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  • Deblc
    Deblc Member Posts: 479
    edited December 2014

    tangandchris.....my oncologist wants me to keep the port in for a while after I have finished herceptin. It's up to me but I wanted it out immediately. Now I'm worried if I do take it out, and need to put it back in soon after, sigh. Does not fill me with confidence that my MO wants to leave it in "just in case"

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited December 2014

    Deb-I was surprised that MO said I could have it out, originally she said no she wanted to wait. I wondered if she let me do it to ease my worry....but who knows.

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  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited December 2014

    change of plan !!!! Being de-ported tomorrow morning in the OR !!!! :D

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