Port out????
I'm worried about having the surgery, because of the risk of infection due to low count. Anyone have the port taken out under the same circumstances? Please tell me what you all think.
I'm sorry to ask this again but I only got one response to my concern. I really want to know because if I want to delay it I'm sure Dr. will although I would love to be rid of this port.
Thanks in advance.
Annette
Comments
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If you trust your doctor
I would do whatever he/she recommends. Many of us struggle with fluctuating WBC counts after chemo/surgery/rads. If, by chance, an infection develops (which is probably unlikely), you would be put on an antibiotic and would be fine.
Try not to worry about this--it will work out.
Hugs, Renee0 -
Getting ones port out is
Getting ones port out is usually not a big procedure, per se~ it is most often done in the doctors office with a numbing anesthetic. It feels ( if you will forgive me) not much different from the tug one feels when removing a tampon. Mine had been in for over a year, and whereas I did not have a low WBC, I was on blood thinners for a long time and that also posed no problem with removing the port. Rely on the expertise of your Dr, and by all means, if you are concerned, please also voice your fears/concerns to your doctor!0 -
It was my decision whenchenheart said:Getting ones port out is
Getting ones port out is usually not a big procedure, per se~ it is most often done in the doctors office with a numbing anesthetic. It feels ( if you will forgive me) not much different from the tug one feels when removing a tampon. Mine had been in for over a year, and whereas I did not have a low WBC, I was on blood thinners for a long time and that also posed no problem with removing the port. Rely on the expertise of your Dr, and by all means, if you are concerned, please also voice your fears/concerns to your doctor!
my surgeon proposed to take my port out when I was undergoing radiation treatment. I did not want to do it and waited for 3 more weeks. While it is a relatively easy procedure, I was very weak and it took me at least 1 week to recover. If you have concerns please let your doctor know that you want to delay it. If you do not have blood clots, there is nothing urgent in taking port out. Please make sure that your port has been flashed every 4 weeks.
Hugs0 -
Most Docs I know would neverNew Flower said:It was my decision when
my surgeon proposed to take my port out when I was undergoing radiation treatment. I did not want to do it and waited for 3 more weeks. While it is a relatively easy procedure, I was very weak and it took me at least 1 week to recover. If you have concerns please let your doctor know that you want to delay it. If you do not have blood clots, there is nothing urgent in taking port out. Please make sure that your port has been flashed every 4 weeks.
Hugs
Most Docs I know would never perform surgery(albeit minor) with such a low WBC. This is not something you need to worry yourself over. When your counts return to normal, I'm sure they will schedule you for surgery.
"May you be at Peace; May you be Free of Suffering,"
Dianne0 -
I'm Keeping Mine In
I've talked with my oncologist and chemo nurses and I have decided to keep my portal in. I was told that as long as I come in every six weeks to have it flushed out, there will be no problem.
I am on my 5th chemo treatment and will be doing Herceptin for quite a while. I've also had to have several blood transfusions during this time and the portal makes it so much easier.
I had my first chemo infusion in my wrist and I was not a happy camper since I am a Major Big Bsby. The portal is just wonderful and I call it my "flip top cap."0 -
Talk to your Dr.
Just because you CAN have your port taken out at a particular time does not mean that it has to be taken out. (Unless you are experienceing problems taht necessatite it comong out a taht time (clots, infection, etc.) Mine has been in for over 1 1/2 years and hasn't been used in over a year - it is staying right where it is just in case it's needed again. All it takes is going every 4 weeks to have it flushed (takes less than 1/2 hr.). Some go every 6 weeks (the Center I did Chemo at said every 4 - 6 weeks) but the info I was given with it says every 4 weeks so it's done at the Clinic every 4 weeks.
Talk to your Dr about your concerns.
Susan0
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