OK...Port Removal....Local or put to sleep

lisa42

Get knocked out!
I'd ask for whatever you feel most comfortable with! When I had to have my port removed due to having a crack/leak, then have it replaced again, I insisted that they give me the most stuff possible so I wouldn't feel anything or be aware of what was going on. I told them about the awful time I had when my first port was put in- it felt like someone was pounding on my chest with a sledgehammer! Having it removed isn't nearly as bad as having it put in, but if you're worried, I'd say alleviate your worries by asking to be put out as much as possible.

Best wishes!
Lisa

PamPam2

Port removal
Well Buzz Wish I had been given the choice. My removal was painful and unpleasant, the local hurt like he ll and it was tough to get out, heard it all, and he had to cauterize and i could hear and smell that. AFTER I was told the longer you have one in more tissue grows around it and its tougher. Mine was in about 4 or 5 years. Nuff said. Sleeeep
Pam

kuastoi

Milk of amnesia.....
Go with Propofol - induces mild/moderate sedation in small doses and has an amnestic effect too. Just had some lymph nodes biopsied on my neck, it work well with no residual drowsiness after.

Tom

plh4gail

Sleep Buzz, sleep.....
Gail
Sleep Buzz, sleep.....

Gail

VickiCO

Out for sure!
I've had two taken out - both times as outpatient surgery. The only way to go....and the drugs are great!

Many hugs, Vicki

Jewells

Awesome!!!
When I had my port removed, I just had a local. I wasn't given the option to be put to sleep :} It really wasn't a big deal. It didn't hurt at all, just pressure and pulling. You'll do great no matter which way you choose and you will definitely feel a sense of freedom when it's over! Congrats!!!!

Unknown

Jewells said:

Awesome!!!
When I had my port removed, I just had a local. I wasn't given the option to be put to sleep :} It really wasn't a big deal. It didn't hurt at all, just pressure and pulling. You'll do great no matter which way you choose and you will definitely feel a sense of freedom when it's over! Congrats!!!!

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

pete43lost_at_sea

go the local and be a man
hey buzz,

I had mine put in under local and he was pushing and shoving it here and their. its a great time to join in the small talk of the operating room.

pretend to be asleep and then just listen to what they did on the weekend. then surpise the hell out of them by asking some questions.

I watched my port on the way in and I'll watch the **** on the way out if I can.

either way just have one dam big party. I might get mine to take home as a reminder of all the chemo the little port pumped into me. its not a bad visible reminder of chemo part of the journey.

welldone buzz, its awesome its coming out anyway.

Pete

pete43lost_at_sea

go the local and be a man
hey buzz,

I had mine put in under local and he was pushing and shoving it here and their. its a great time to join in the small talk of the operating room.

pretend to be asleep and then just listen to what they did on the weekend. then surpise the hell out of them by asking some questions.

I watched my port on the way in and I'll watch the **** on the way out if I can.

either way just have one dam big party. I might get mine to take home as a reminder of all the chemo the little port pumped into me. its not a bad visible reminder of chemo part of the journey.

welldone buzz, its awesome its coming out anyway.

Pete

PhillieG

You forgot option #3
They can take it out before the cremation. That and my HAI pump. I'm still using port but it's hardly a nuisance at all and I just assume leave it in case it's needed down the road.

"the only way they'll get my port is when they pry if from my cold dead...chest"
;-)

PhillieG

Jewells said:

Awesome!!!
When I had my port removed, I just had a local. I wasn't given the option to be put to sleep :} It really wasn't a big deal. It didn't hurt at all, just pressure and pulling. You'll do great no matter which way you choose and you will definitely feel a sense of freedom when it's over! Congrats!!!!

Jewells
How do you get your chemo now?

P_I_T_A

Glad to hear that's gonna be history...
Just get knocked out, easy peazy!!

schnauzerheads

Zzzzzz
I was halfway between fully knocked out and awake for the install, I'm not sure how you would request that but that's how they described it. Had Propofol for the colonoscopy, which was great, and something a bit stronger for the port going in. I can remember bits and pieces of the surgery, and was pretty much wide awake toward the end... could feel some pressure and hear the conversation when they were closing me back up. I was up and walking around ready to hit the buffet within an hour. I'm going to avoid the seriously heavy sedation whenever possible because I've never enjoyed the idea of being kept alive by machines... will opt for the light route when I get this thing out (hope) in 6 months. My $.02, go for the light sedation. Congrats on getting it out!!

Kevin

Jewells

PhillieG said:

Jewells
How do you get your chemo now?

Hey
Sorry, I haven't been on for a few. They put a new port in in the other side when they found out the cancer came back. They said there is no way they would use my veins. The chemo would hurt them. I don't think I will be so quick to have my port removed this time.

bigCrandy

go local
Hey Buzzard, if I were you I would opt for having it removed in the doctor's office, that's where I had my first port taken out, it was a breeze. My first port got plugged up, plus the cancer was gone, so the surgeon who put it in asked me how I wanted to have it taken out. He told me he could do it right now in his office with his nurse and I said let's do it. He gave me a couple of novacane shots and in 20 minutes I was stitched up and gone. No pain what so ever, besides it's a lot cheaper in the office than as an outpatient. Of course the cancer came back and I had a second port put in on the other side. Installing the port must be done as an outpatient, but removal can easily be done in the office. Hope this helps and congrats for having it removed, Randy