PORT REMOVAL

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lajohnso4
lajohnso4 Member Posts: 31
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had a port installed to receive my chemo treatment for BC in Ocotber 2003. As of yet,I have not had the port removed it is flushed every six weeks. I never really think about it and it doesn't bother me. How long have some of you kept your port in? How is it removed? My oncologist informed me that I can have it removed it any time that I like.

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  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #2
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    As a nurse educator, I teach that a port is "good" for a year, but I have seen many patients who have them in longer than that. Removing it is the reverse of putting it in - check out the responses to the same question from "jdubious", posted some days ago now. The longer it's in and being accessed (which is what happens when it's used to give medication, or when it's flushed)the greater the likelihood of a complication occuring - mainly, infection - so you don't want to leave it there forever. They can always put another one in, if you ever need it; and hopefully you WON'T have any need. Good luck to you.
  • Donna27
    Donna27 Member Posts: 1
    #3
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    I had a port put in oct 2004 and had nothing but problems..2 blood clots..I would get it out as soon as possible..it leaves a scar, but is relatively painless to get out..they numb you and you dont feel anything..just sore after for a few weeks..
  • lindatn
    lindatn Member Posts: 229
    #4
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    I would get it out. Once that port is out you will feel like that whole chapter of your life is over and done with. Best of luck God Bless Linda
  • Kathy1108
    Kathy1108 Member Posts: 62
    #5
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    As soon as my onc doctor told me that I could have my port removed, I did it. I had it removed two week after I finished chemo. Getting the port out is very fast and easy. My surgeon numbed the area then took the port out. I was a little sore for a couple of days. Taken the port out does leave a scar though.
  • Kathy1108
    Kathy1108 Member Posts: 62
    #6
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    As soon as my onc doctor told me that I could have my port removed, I did it. I had it removed two week after I finished chemo. Getting the port out is very fast and easy. My surgeon numbed the area then took the port out. I was a little sore for a couple of days. Taken the port out does leave a scar though.
  • denbarlow
    denbarlow Member Posts: 2
    #7
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    I kept my port for 11 months. It was removed May 05. I could have kept it as long as I wanted (it did not bother me) but my oncologist encouraged me to have it removed as a symbol of moving myself from being a cancer patient to a cancer survivor. I think the choice is yours. I got tired of going in to have it flushed each month. The removal caused some soreness but the scar is not much more than what was there from the insertion.
  • jena12
    jena12 Member Posts: 6
    #8
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    I took mine out immediately after treatment. I was getting another minor procedure done so my doctor took the port out at the same time. Mine didn't bother me either but it jutted out a bit. I just wanted the removal to be a positive experience like - "I've done my treatments and I am now well and dont need the port."

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