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Hadit
Hadit Member Posts: 1
edited December 2016 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hi, I'm triple positive and finished treatment (Herceptin) in Oct 2016. My onc wants me to keep my port in for 2 more years! Has anyone else been asked to keep their port in , for how long? why? thanks

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited December 2016

    Hadit, there are some doctors who want us to keep the port for a long time in case it's needed later. It's just easier to access an existing port than go through the rodeo of putting one in. Some patients want to keep it, too, as a talisman against recurrence!

    I think most of us want it out, though, and your doctor should be responsive to your (informed) decision. If it's removed and a port is needed later, another can be placed.

    I had mine removed during recon surgery, 9 months after rads were finished. I was happy to see it go.

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  • Hernie
    Hernie Member Posts: 1,016
    edited December 2016

    Here's the other side. My MO said keep it or don't, it doesn't matter. Since it does not need to be flushed, I let it stay. I did not want needless surgery. A year or so later, I was back on chemo. I am glad it's there.

    It's entirely up to you

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited December 2016

    Hernie, I'm so sorry you needed to use your port again. I'm glad it's there for you too.

    Mine needed to be flushed every six weeks.

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

    My oncologist also asked me to keep my port for two years, and this was specific to being Her2+. Due to many other complications and surgeries after systemic treatment was complete I ended up keeping it for four years after Herceptin was done. I just had it removed about three weeks ago. I did need to flush my port every six weeks, but I had no problem doing that - often coordinated it with blood work, Prolia injections, oncology visits. My flushes were done by the onc nurses so I also appreciated remaining on their radar in case I ever needed anything, they knew who I was - and I enjoyed seeing them periodically. They also felt that my presence in the infusion room provided a glimpse of future normalcy to those currently undergoing treatment and on occasion I would be introduced to a patient with a similar diagnosis to offer any advice or words of encouragement.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2016

    I'm also HER2+ and I have LE so keeping my port was a priority to avoid arm sticks for recurrent blood draws. I had mine in 3-1/2 years and as SpecialK said, I had it flushed every 6-8 weeks - usually concurrent with other tests. They were also able to use for port for the contrast for CT & PET scans & MRIs. The power port never bothered me and I was sorry to see it go. I've had a real problem finding someone who will do the 6 month blood draws from a foot.

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

    I'm not HER2+ but as this threax is about ports thought I'd put my feelings in.

    My port has been in since Aug '09 and there it will stay. When it was put in, the protochol was to flush every 4 weeks so did but then it was changed and is now done every 8 weeks.

    When I finished Chemo, Dr said it needed to stay for a year - he didn't tell me at the time that none of my Drs expected me to make it a year - fooled them all!

    I look at it as my little soldier standing guard with M16 at ready so that the Monster knows not to try to attack again as he's there ready. However, IF the Monster should try to attack, he is already there and armed for the upcoming battle and will win. I know - juvenile and somewhat illogic but how I feel so with the approval (and agreement) - it stays. Also IF there is ever another one needed, it would have to be placed in a less convient/comfortable site -so it stays. I have great veins (non-surgery side) so never use port for draws as it's much easier to just hit vein by any blood tech than to have to have an RN with flush education.


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