Port Question

CiAnnaBananna
CiAnnaBananna Member Posts: 105
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Today i just finished my last treatment of Chemo! Praise the Lord! I am also scheduled to have 4 weeks of radiation starting in October. I haven't had a chance to talk to my doctor yet, but i'm wondering when I can get this stupid port taken out! My chemo nurse said that older individuals usually just keep them in, but i am only 28 and I cannot stand this thing anymore. I don't want to deal with going to get it flushed out every month either. Just wondering if anyone can help me out and let me know when you got yours taken out. If it was up to me, i'd go tomorrow and get it out, but i'm sure the doc would prefer it to be in at least until i'm completely done with treatment! Thanks!
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Comments

  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #2
    PORTA CATH
    My understanding is it should stay in for 2 years for maintenance.
  • CiAnnaBananna
    CiAnnaBananna Member Posts: 105
    #3
    COBRA666 said:

    PORTA CATH
    My understanding is it should stay in for 2 years for maintenance.

    ewww
    really? That is so not going to work for me! Is that even for Hodgkins? I haven't talked to my doctor about all the details of what i'll be doing once treatment is done. I meet with him in about 2 weeks but maybe i'll just try and give him a call tomorrow. I really really really hate the port! not that anybody likes it i'm sure
  • forme
    forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
    #4
    Congratulations
    Wonderful news. You must be so happy. I will be thinking only positive thoughts for you during your rads. I am sorry that I can't offer any advice on the port removal. best to you..
    peaceful healing..
    Lisha
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #5
    CiAnnaBananna said:

    ewww
    really? That is so not going to work for me! Is that even for Hodgkins? I haven't talked to my doctor about all the details of what i'll be doing once treatment is done. I meet with him in about 2 weeks but maybe i'll just try and give him a call tomorrow. I really really really hate the port! not that anybody likes it i'm sure

    PORTA CATH
    I have nhl follicular and I will have to be on maintenance for 2 years. What I have is the very slow growing type. I believe if you have the aggresive type there is no maintenance involved because it is treated aggressively from the start with a good chance of cure, but not positive. What type do you have? John
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #6
    Good for 5 yrs
    My port is good for 5 years before it has to be replaced, but for now I only have to use it for 2 years.... Rituxan after my chemo treatments are finished. I would think as young as you are your doctor will take it out as soon as he's sure it's no longer needed. I'm so happy you finished your last treatment and will keep good positive thoughts with your radiation. Love...Sue
  • sapperman821
    sapperman821 Member Posts: 1
    #7
    I just finished up chemo too
    I just finished up chemo too and feel the exact same way about my stupid port! I talked about its removal with my doctor, and im getting it removed several weeks after my last radiation treatment. Im 25 and agree that a plastic nugget in the chest does tend to cramp ones style a bit. Hope that helps.
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #8
    sapperman821 said:

    I just finished up chemo too
    I just finished up chemo too and feel the exact same way about my stupid port! I talked about its removal with my doctor, and im getting it removed several weeks after my last radiation treatment. Im 25 and agree that a plastic nugget in the chest does tend to cramp ones style a bit. Hope that helps.

    I get it...
    Yep..I'd feel the same way...especially if I was 25. The port is not so much of a bother for me, but I'm old and the only thing that cramps my style is a "cramp"...ha! Glad to hear your chemo is all done! Best wishes for you....Sue
  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #9
    port
    My Onc. said that it should stay in for at least two years,I hear ya, I hate this thing!!!!! Vinny
  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    #10
    Ports
    Congratulations on finishing chemo. What a relief to be done! As far as the port is concerned some doctors have the ports removed on younger patients as soon as chemo and radiation is complete. My onc asked if I wanted my port removed on my follow up appointment after my last chemo. I'm keeping it however, as I have really bad veins. I do understand about having that piece of plastic sticking out of your chest. Last night it was really itchy and I thought I was going to pull it out from all the scratching. I did not have Hodgkins but an agressive NHL.
    Best of luck,
    Leslie
  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    #11
    sapperman821 said:

    I just finished up chemo too
    I just finished up chemo too and feel the exact same way about my stupid port! I talked about its removal with my doctor, and im getting it removed several weeks after my last radiation treatment. Im 25 and agree that a plastic nugget in the chest does tend to cramp ones style a bit. Hope that helps.

    Finishing Chemo
    Just wanted to say congratulations on finishing your chemo. Best of luck with your upcoming radiations.
    Leslie
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #12
    Congrats on getting done
    Woo Hoo! There is light at the end of the tunnel...and it's not a train LOL.

    Can't comment about the port, never had one. Was thinking about it should I need treatment later.
  • CiAnnaBananna
    CiAnnaBananna Member Posts: 105
    #13
    yesyes2 said:

    Ports
    Congratulations on finishing chemo. What a relief to be done! As far as the port is concerned some doctors have the ports removed on younger patients as soon as chemo and radiation is complete. My onc asked if I wanted my port removed on my follow up appointment after my last chemo. I'm keeping it however, as I have really bad veins. I do understand about having that piece of plastic sticking out of your chest. Last night it was really itchy and I thought I was going to pull it out from all the scratching. I did not have Hodgkins but an agressive NHL.
    Best of luck,
    Leslie

    thanks for all the
    thanks for all the congratulatory comments. i have my next follow up appointment on the 13th so I guess i'll just have to wait until then to talk to my doctor about it. My veins are still in great shape for having blood drawn so i'm not concerned with that. Just ready to get it out!!!
  • cathyp
    cathyp Member Posts: 376 Member
    #14
    dixiegirl said:

    Congrats on getting done
    Woo Hoo! There is light at the end of the tunnel...and it's not a train LOL.

    Can't comment about the port, never had one. Was thinking about it should I need treatment later.

    port
    In 1994 I had ABVD for recurring Hodgkins Disease. IIRC, I had it in for 1 additional
    year just in case of treatment failure. I was 34, but my daughter was 1 year old and always pushing against it w/her little hand!

    Good luck with your rads! It will soon be over
  • captainswifey
    captainswifey Member Posts: 14
    #15
    I just finish chemo in
    I just finish chemo in AUG-2010 and my dr said I would have my port for a yr after treament.
  • cathtx
    cathtx Member Posts: 7
    #16
    Port
    I finished 6 cycles of ABVD for stage 4 HL on August 18 and had my port removed on Aug 30. My onc said I didn't need it anymore and it was bothering me. I figure that if (God forbid) I ever need another one I will just have it put in again! Good luck and get it out if you can...I didn't want the constant reminder and I believe if we can get foreign things out of our bodies then we should. I am very happy to have it gone!
    Cat
  • CiAnnaBananna
    CiAnnaBananna Member Posts: 105
    #17
    cathtx said:

    Port
    I finished 6 cycles of ABVD for stage 4 HL on August 18 and had my port removed on Aug 30. My onc said I didn't need it anymore and it was bothering me. I figure that if (God forbid) I ever need another one I will just have it put in again! Good luck and get it out if you can...I didn't want the constant reminder and I believe if we can get foreign things out of our bodies then we should. I am very happy to have it gone!
    Cat

    good news
    i'm getting my port out in a week! my doc said there is no need to keep it. And i figure if the cancer comes back, having that surgery is the least of my worries!
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #18
    CiAnnaBananna said:

    good news
    i'm getting my port out in a week! my doc said there is no need to keep it. And i figure if the cancer comes back, having that surgery is the least of my worries!

    GREAT!
    I'm so happy you will be getting the port out! You are such a cutie and I'm thrilled as young as you are that you won't have that darn extra bump on your chest! I'm old and don't care, plus mine doesn't bother me in the least physically. Happy days ahead my dear!
    Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #19
    CiAnnaBananna said:

    good news
    i'm getting my port out in a week! my doc said there is no need to keep it. And i figure if the cancer comes back, having that surgery is the least of my worries!

    Port
    So glad to hear you are getting your "Alien" out! Vinny
  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    #20
    vinny59 said:

    Port
    So glad to hear you are getting your "Alien" out! Vinny

    Bye Bye Port
    Good luck on your port removal CiAnna, way to go. Let us know how it goes and what it is like to be port free. I know you have wanted this alien gone.
    Leslie
  • truckingalong
    truckingalong Member Posts: 445 Member
    #21
    CiAnnaBananna said:

    good news
    i'm getting my port out in a week! my doc said there is no need to keep it. And i figure if the cancer comes back, having that surgery is the least of my worries!

    Good luck onward
    I am so glad to hear that - it is a nusiance to have the port sticking out for long when you don't need it for a long while. Enjoy your life and best of luck!!

    Liz

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