Chemo port

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Mariadelpilar
Mariadelpilar Member Posts: 65
edited February 2020 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

hi everyone,

I have my last chemo treatment tomorrow and 3 weeks later I start 7 weeks of radiation. My question is when does my port come out? Do they do radiation the port in? I also don’t want to have the surgery to remove it to soon after chemo is done for fear of infection.

Thank you for your answers

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  • lifeb4me
    lifeb4me Member Posts: 39
    edited February 2020

    Hi,

    The port can stay in for as long as you want. You just have to go to your treatment center once a month to have it flushed. Some ladies here keep theirs for years and use them for blood draws or exams. I hated my port and wanted it out as soon as possible , now I just hate the scar :). I had it taken out a couple of weeks after chemo was over, as soon as they could fit me in.

    I don’t regret having taken it out, I regret ever having it put in. I am going through a recurrence and am doing the chemo without a port. My doctor trained at Dana Farber and he said they don’t really use ports there so he is fine with it.

    Bottom line, it’s your decision. I wouldn’t worry too much about infection, you do what you can but it’s really not in our hands.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited February 2020

    Agree, the port can come out whenever. I’m one whose port has been in 8 years. I don’t want it out. Yes, rads can be done over the port, as I did last year with my recurrence.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2020

    I kept my port for several years. I had Lymphadema, so wanted to use it for everything to avoid sticks in my arms - blood draws, contrast for CT or MRI, saline solution if I got dehydrated. No problem leaving it in as long as you're comfortable or can handle it.

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  • Mariadelpilar
    Mariadelpilar Member Posts: 65
    edited February 2020

    thank you, this is helpful 💕

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  • Mariadelpilar
    Mariadelpilar Member Posts: 65
    edited February 2020

    I hate my port too! Feels weird and it is uncomfortable laying on that side. My dr. Said that if the vein collapsed or they missed it, the chemo could cause damage !? Plus my veins are kind of crappy.

    I will try to remove it as soon as I can!

    Thank you.

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