Port flushes after chemo

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Artista928
Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
edited March 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I'm almost done with chemo. I'm planning on keeping my port for at least 2 years since MO is going to monitor me often. Right now the port is flushed after chemo as part of the chemo routine. After, who writes the orders for the infusion center for just a monthly flush? The MO? BS?

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited March 2016

    Arista, I finished chemo over 2 years ago, My Oncologist wants me to keep my port for a couple of reasons. He still sees me every 3 months, I get it flushed then and then 6 weeks later, so I am on a 6 week schedule for flushes. In answer to your question I would assume your Onc. My best to you always.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited March 2016

    Thanks Meadow. I hope going 2 months without a port flushing or a bit longer than 2 months isn't dire. My insurance screwed up this month so now I can't get chemo or my port flushed until April. 2/9 was the last chemo/flush..

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2016

    I go to my infusion center every six weeks and have my port flushed, the center is part of my MO's office. My insurance writes an auth for the year that includes the port flushes and the MO visits (were every three months after chemo finished, now every six months), also covers my Prolia injections and any labs drawn prior to the MO visits.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2016

    My PA puts the order in for flushes yearly. For me, it's a bit different than most as my care is through with VA so no insurance to worry about. They did outsource all of my active IBC TX to the local Cancer Center but for my post TX time, I have to go to VA and they flush it in their small Chemo area.

    My port has been in 6 1/2 yrs. At first, I had monthly flushes as that is what the card from the manufacturer (Bard) said to do. There is newer information that says that 6 - 8 weeks between flushes is fine so I now do 6 weeks between flushes but thinking about possibly going to 8 weeks. Not proud of it, but I did once go 10 weeks (we had several back to back blizzards) and as I have to drive 45 miles each way to Ft Meade, I just kept putting it off - had no problem at all.

    Artista - is that cutie a guinea pig or a small bunny? I'm thinking a GP. I have a small Mini Rex that is my 'buddy' and goes lots of places with me (when weather permits - not too hot or too cold.).

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited March 2016

    Thanks Kicks. Infusion Center here says monthly flushes so I was getting stressed about it being 8 weeks or more from the last one. Pic is my sweet guinea pig, Mooshy. Moosh is farsi for mouse. She looks mousy plus she is quiet like a mouse so that's how she got her name.

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