Hello again - just stopping in to just say hi and ask a question

jessenj

I just completed my 4th of 12 rounds of Folfox-6 and 8th of 26 rounds of Erbitux. I've had a few bumps in the road but so far so good. No lasting side effects so I'm thankful every day.

I had a personal preference question - since I'm Stage IIIb with NED after surgery and 1 of 23 node involvements, would it be a bad idea to remove my port after the chemo is completed? Is that tempting fate? I'm 37 and my little kids kick and hit it all the time. It is also very noticeable even under clothing, and I don't want to spend the years I have with my kids covered in clothing due to embarassment. I know it sounds trivial in the grand scheme of things, but I just wanted to hear your take.

Thanks again for being so supportive.

Jesse

grammadebbie

Nothing is trivial
Hi Jesse,

I am Stage IIIc 8/32 lymph nodes positive. I had 11 rounds of chemo Folfox with oxy for 6 months. Had to discontinue at 11 due to bad reaction. They removed my PICC right after I finished chemo. I had a CT scan and labs all clear so they took out my PICC line out. It felt good to have it gone but I sure am thankful for what it accomplished. It will be 2 years this month since my resection. Yeah I'll be praying for you.

God Bless You,

Debbie (gramma)

Kathryn_in_MN

You might want to keep it
You might want to keep it till after your first scan. It can be used for CT, PET or MRI too, so you don't have to get an IV started. Then if you had to get more treatment, you'd be prepared.

Then again, if necessary, you can always have another one inserted later if you choose to get this one out right away.

Are you on the clinical trial for Erbitux use in stage III?

Alysha23

Port & Kids = discomfort
Jesse

I feel your pain with the port. I am 36 with anal cancer. I'm done with my treatments and awaiting my fate. I have a 16 month old boy who is very active. He's either climbing, jumping, and pounding, usually on me. It never fails he always can find that one spot. I don't know about you but, because its always aggravated, I have alot of pain from it. No swelling just a lot of discomfort and dull pain.

Being a women I was very embarassed when I first got mine. I'm in Texas and this summer was crazy hot and tank tops are a favorite. It always seem as if people were starring. Now I just don't care. I just want this thing out of me.

Its not trivial, its your body.

I'll be praying for you! Enjoy your kids!

dianetavegia

HI Jesse, My port was removed less than 3 weeks after my last chemo. I'm also 3B. My onc wanted it out right away. My surgeon didn't have an opening until week 3.

Diane

Patteee

I finished chemo in Jan 09
I finished chemo in Jan 09 and had my port taken out in April. I initially thought about keeping it a year- but got to the point of wanting it out just "because". My onc didn't seem to care one way or the other. So out it came.

Shayenne

Patteee said:

I finished chemo in Jan 09
I finished chemo in Jan 09 and had my port taken out in April. I initially thought about keeping it a year- but got to the point of wanting it out just "because". My onc didn't seem to care one way or the other. So out it came.

Hey Jesse!
It's good seeing you here, I'd do what you have to do, if you don't want it in now, take it out, you can always have it back in, should there be any type of recurrence, or you get sick of your arm being poked for tests. Mine's in for life looks like with maintenance thereapy, since my liver is inoperable, they can only maintain me through chemo, so the stupid port stays with me unfortunately.

Hugsss!
~Donna