Port Removed today - initially inserted in Nov. 2016

cheerful
cheerful Member Posts: 261 Member

Hi Ladies:

 

  Just an update on my cancer port. I had it removed today in a short procedure at my hospital (Crozer) in Delaware County, PA.  The procedure lasted about 15 minutes to a half an hour. It ws medically glued in from the removal of the port.  My blood level has remained normal since May of 2017, but my oncologist wanted mt to see how long it would remain at a normal level - he was very cautious as I had checkups about every month or so since I had it put in in November of 2016.  Intiially in October of 2016, my CA levels were high 134 and in January of 2017 it came down to about 62 and then it fluctuated between the 40 degree to 60 degree range for my CA level. Since May of 2017 it came down to normal and has been that way every since.

   I am so glad, relieved and happy this port was finally removed. It was bothersome at times, but I tolereated it well. Now I won't have to go for blood flushes anymore and was going every 6 to 8 weeks. Now my next appt is for post op on June 18 and I will see how often my oncologist will want to see me from then on.  

  I cannot drive for 2 days since I was given a local anehtheisia through my IV in my arm and it was not in my mouth which was even better.  I arrived at the hospital at 7:15 in the morning and my procedure was at 10:30 and I was in recovery at 11:15. I was at the hospital until 12:30 then I went home and had breakfast at a local restaurant in my area with my husband as he treated me to a 3 egg omelet, 2pieces of toast, 3 cups of decaf coffee and a cinnamon bun (which I had half of and will have the rest of the cinnamon bun tomorrow for breakfast. I was so hungry since I did not have anything to eat since last night for dinner at 7:00 p.m. so it was about 18 hours since I ate.  I had a dinner of half a cheese hoagie along with some homemade potato salad. My oncologist is great and I really like him a lot as he was very cautious with my going through this reoccurrence journey over the last year and a half. He has 30 years of experience in the cancer field.

 Anyway, just wanted to update you ladies on my cancer journey. Both of my oncologists are really baffled as to why my cancer just left me with a reoccurrence in the fall of 2016 and they each have 30 years of experience. So I am one for the books as they say! To me, I credit my family and friends with saying prayers for me with the reoccurrence and going to Mass every week and saying prayers. This is really a miracle that I did NOT need chemo the 2nd time around. I first was diagnosed with UPSC in February of 2011 and had 6 rounds of chemo along with 3 rounds of brachytherapy with stage 1 and had a reoccrrence in the fall of 2016 after 5 1/2 years so this is really wonderful and great that I did NOT need chemo this second time around. I just hope this will continue for me to remain cancer free for many years to come.

  I will check on the Uterine Board periodically to see what is going on.  Thanks to you ladies for all your support for me over the past several years.

 Cheerful

a/k/a Jane

 

Comments

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    How Wonderful!

    Congtats cheerful and I wish you a long, cancer free life. 

    I don‘t think I’ll ever be getting my port removed. : (

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,360 Member
    Jane, I am so happy for you. 

    Jane, I am so happy for you.  We have to celebrate the victories.  We also lift our warrior friends who continue to fight.  Prayers for all the ladies.

  • Northwoodsgirl
    Northwoodsgirl Member Posts: 571
    Port removal

    Jane, It sounds like you are in good hands with your provider team. I am glad your doctors were so cautious about removing the port too quickly. It is nice to have it out. Here’s to living life with NED! Stay strong and enjoy life!

    Grace and peace, 

    Lori

  • SF73
    SF73 Member Posts: 317 Member
    Congrats, Cheerful! What a

    Congrats, Cheerful! What a great milestone. I just read your medical history from your page and found it to be fascinating. So you had a recurrence five years after the initial diagnosis and did not need any chemo since your CA125 levels slowly went down. And your doctors think that your immune system managed to deal with it. How wonderful! Can you tell us if you had a surgery at the time of your recurrence? What did you do to strengthen your immune system? Are you on any supplements/medications and particular diet or exercise regimen?