The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Thank you for being a part of the Cancer Survivor Network community. Survivors and caregivers like you have played a unique role in fostering an online environment that encourages connection among those needing support, community, and education. On May 28, the Network will be discontinued. More details are available here . If you have any questions, contact CSNSupportTeam@cancer.org. Thanks again for the support you’ve provided each other over the years. We remain committed to supporting you in other ways throughout your cancer journey.

PORT

Holdtight
Holdtight CSN Member Posts: 151
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Is there a certain amount of time the same port can stay in? Does it have to be removed after so long? Any help I would be thankful. Hugs.
Like Care

Comments

  • Patteee
    Patteee CSN Member Posts: 945
    #2
    I think it is basically
    I think it is basically individual choice. My oncologist, so confident I was done with cancer for good, said I could have it out the day of last chemo, he didn't care. Then when pushed a bit, he said, OK, a year. I did keep it for my take down surgery, which was 6 weeks after chemo ended. Thought I would keep it a year- but had to go in monthly and have it flushed. Every time I went in I would start to have these flashbacks (PTSD) and then the dang thing wouldn't flush, it was clogged. So I said, "**** this ****" (my mouth was so bad, I blame it on the chemo clouding my judgment) "and take the **** ******* thing OUT". He said no problem- and I had it out within a week.
    Like Care
  • HollyID
    HollyID CSN Member Posts: 946 Member
    #3
    When I talked to my surgeon,
    he says some keep them forever. Some want to get them out as soon as possible, and some wait for a few years to be sure the cancer doesn't come back. Of course they still have to be flushed to keep them patent.

    Love and Hugs,

    Holly
    Like Care
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard CSN Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #4
    Holdtight........
    Each have their own perspective about it. My Onc wants mine to stay in for the full 5 year waiting period. I think it depends on the situation but I am supposedly clear so I would like to have mine removed now. I guess I could push it but since its not bothering me I guess I will wait...It has to be flushed pretty often. I have different reasoning for that also, but thats another story. I really think the choice would be yours. If its a matter of emotion or mental status as it can seem to be then I would say get it removed...It is a reminder of a bad time for me but then again it seems as a button I push that starts my new life every time I wake up.....for me being a mental thing I reversed the reasoning of it...I don't mind it at all now.......Love and Hope to you.....Buzz
    Like Care
  • Holdtight
    Holdtight CSN Member Posts: 151
    #5
    Buzzard said:

    Holdtight........
    Each have their own perspective about it. My Onc wants mine to stay in for the full 5 year waiting period. I think it depends on the situation but I am supposedly clear so I would like to have mine removed now. I guess I could push it but since its not bothering me I guess I will wait...It has to be flushed pretty often. I have different reasoning for that also, but thats another story. I really think the choice would be yours. If its a matter of emotion or mental status as it can seem to be then I would say get it removed...It is a reminder of a bad time for me but then again it seems as a button I push that starts my new life every time I wake up.....for me being a mental thing I reversed the reasoning of it...I don't mind it at all now.......Love and Hope to you.....Buzz

    Hi!
    Thanks everybody. I think it is mainly muscular. I feel like it causes me aches and pains in my upper body sometimes. Oh well I have to talk to the doc and see what he thinks. One more PET will tell which is in two weeks. God Bless you all and have a great 4th of July. Talk to you soon!!! Hugs.
    Like Care
  • mommyof2kds
    mommyof2kds CSN Member Posts: 519 Member
    #6
    Holdtight said:

    Hi!
    Thanks everybody. I think it is mainly muscular. I feel like it causes me aches and pains in my upper body sometimes. Oh well I have to talk to the doc and see what he thinks. One more PET will tell which is in two weeks. God Bless you all and have a great 4th of July. Talk to you soon!!! Hugs.

    I had mine removed when my
    I had mine removed when my chemo was done, the sooner the better for me, I didn't want to have a constant reminder, its always in the back of my mind anyway, but it felt like my battle was won and over. I needed that to continue to start living again and to feel cured. Petrina
    Like Care

Discussion Boards