Question about keeping port..

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Sam726
Sam726 Member Posts: 233
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am wondering how soon you opted to get port removed? I am done with chemo...but will be getting herceptin every three weeks until September 2010. Have any of you kept your port for the purpose of the herceptin? I would like to have it removed but think it might be a little premature? I assume they cold remove during my lumpectomy...two birds, one stone? lol
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  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #2
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    Sam...
    Hello!

    Yes, I did keep my port for the purpose of Herceptin. I did so for a couple of reasons, actually. One was that the Herceptin, while only every 3 weeks, would still take a year to complete. I didn't mind if the used my arm for it, but got to thinking that inasmuch as I really only have one arm that they can use, I didn't want to risk it with "over-use". I generally have all of my blood draws taken out of my arm.
    The other reason is that my chemo nurse recommended that I keep it until I was finished. In fact even though I finished Herceptin in October of this year, I did have something show up in a lung that the onc is not too concerned about at present. I am having a follow-up CT in February, just to be on the safe side. But they recommended I keep the port until after the CT, just in case...

    Hugs,

    CR
  • pattimc
    pattimc Member Posts: 431
    #3
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    CR1954 said:

    Sam...
    Hello!

    Yes, I did keep my port for the purpose of Herceptin. I did so for a couple of reasons, actually. One was that the Herceptin, while only every 3 weeks, would still take a year to complete. I didn't mind if the used my arm for it, but got to thinking that inasmuch as I really only have one arm that they can use, I didn't want to risk it with "over-use". I generally have all of my blood draws taken out of my arm.
    The other reason is that my chemo nurse recommended that I keep it until I was finished. In fact even though I finished Herceptin in October of this year, I did have something show up in a lung that the onc is not too concerned about at present. I am having a follow-up CT in February, just to be on the safe side. But they recommended I keep the port until after the CT, just in case...

    Hugs,

    CR

    Sam
    I wanted my port out, too. I'm done with all my treatments but when I saw the surgeon the other day he said he likes to leave them in for at least 3-6 months after treatment. Mine doesn't bother me at all, except you have to have it "flushed" every 6 weeks if it's not in use. I still have them do any blood draws from there which is the same thing as having it flushed.

    I want it out so I can really feel finished!!
  • Skeezie
    Skeezie Member Posts: 586 Member
    #4
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    I finished my chemo 12/11 and hope to keep my port
    for the rest of my life. I have absolutely no veins in my left arm and altho I have a great vein in my right arm that could be used for blood draws I am not supposed to use that arm. After 4 surgeries this summer and other tests without a port and the agony of being poked and poked and finally having them put it in the group of veins in my wrist (very painful and I could feel every drug that was put into the IV) I don't ever want it out. I don't mind going for monthly flushes. My onc said she had one patient keep hers for 8 years. I will see my surgeon next month and of course I will discuss this with him.

    But for now it's heaven not to have any pain during blood draws etc. The port does not bother me, don't even know it's there....

    Hugs, Judy :-)
  • chickad52
    chickad52 Member Posts: 497
    #5
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    2 years
    I was told by the onc. nurse that the doc likes to keep them in for 2 years after treatment. I'm going to ask him at my next appointment. I will be having Herceptin until Nov. 2010. so I will be glad to have the port for that.
  • m_azingrace
    m_azingrace Member Posts: 399
    #6
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    chickad52 said:

    2 years
    I was told by the onc. nurse that the doc likes to keep them in for 2 years after treatment. I'm going to ask him at my next appointment. I will be having Herceptin until Nov. 2010. so I will be glad to have the port for that.

    My port
    My port was installed in anticipation of chemo. The plan changed, but the oncologist said since it was already there, it would be usedful for the monthly Zometa infusion, and if/or when I might have chemo. Yes, it is useful for blood draws, but only if the tech has been properly trained to use the port.
  • newbiefromcananda
    newbiefromcananda Member Posts: 234
    #7
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    hi sam
    I had my port placed
    hi sam
    I had my port placed due to the fact that I will be getting herceptin for a year..my onco thought it would make sense? hope this helps take care...Lisa xoxo
  • slsouth59
    slsouth59 Member Posts: 1
    #8
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    Sam, I couldn't wait to get
    Sam, I couldn't wait to get my port removed because it was painful. Now looking back I probably should have kept it for a while. My veins are small so it makes it difficult to have blood draws without it. I see we have a common interest in Harley's. Unfortunately due to multiple surgeries over the last 2 years I have been unable to ride. I'm hoping for a riding season in 2010!
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #9
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    slsouth59 said:

    Sam, I couldn't wait to get
    Sam, I couldn't wait to get my port removed because it was painful. Now looking back I probably should have kept it for a while. My veins are small so it makes it difficult to have blood draws without it. I see we have a common interest in Harley's. Unfortunately due to multiple surgeries over the last 2 years I have been unable to ride. I'm hoping for a riding season in 2010!

    Sam, My port
    Sam,
    My port was put in March 2009 and I will have Herceptin treatments until the end of August 2010. Mine does not cause me any pain. I don't know how long mine will be in after the Herceptin treatments are finished but I would like it out soon after that so I don't have to be so careful and make sure things don't hit it or have to take a small pillow with me to put under the seat belt if I am a passenger in a vehicle.

    I do love my port for the blood draws and would not want my port taken out too early and then have to either have another put in or my veins in my right arm messed up.

    Margo
  • Kathy09
    Kathy09 Member Posts: 99
    #10
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    Port
    When I asked they said probably will have the port in for a couple years.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #11
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    Haven't thought about it
    Counting tomorrow I have 5 more weekly doses of Taxol and though I haven't asked about having port out I doubt that either chemo Dr or surgeon is going to suggest taking it out anytime soon. As I have IBC which was quite large with lymphnodes involved, is very aggressive possibly 'deciding' to turn up somewhere else, I have a feeling that they are going to want to leave it in, which is fine with me. It's not at all painful or worrisome - very seldom even realize it's there. Haven't had any problems with seatbelts in any vehicle (sub- compacts up to and including my 3/4t 4X4) I've been in or driven. I have great veins ('tupid last guy who did a blood draw said "Based on how good your veins are, I'd have said they had to be a man's veins." Yeah WRONG!) so blood draws are no prob. I've never had them use my port for a draw (never was suggested) or anything other than chemo. For surgery, they used a vein in my hand.
  • TLynn0102
    TLynn0102 Member Posts: 86
    #12
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    Rague said:

    Haven't thought about it
    Counting tomorrow I have 5 more weekly doses of Taxol and though I haven't asked about having port out I doubt that either chemo Dr or surgeon is going to suggest taking it out anytime soon. As I have IBC which was quite large with lymphnodes involved, is very aggressive possibly 'deciding' to turn up somewhere else, I have a feeling that they are going to want to leave it in, which is fine with me. It's not at all painful or worrisome - very seldom even realize it's there. Haven't had any problems with seatbelts in any vehicle (sub- compacts up to and including my 3/4t 4X4) I've been in or driven. I have great veins ('tupid last guy who did a blood draw said "Based on how good your veins are, I'd have said they had to be a man's veins." Yeah WRONG!) so blood draws are no prob. I've never had them use my port for a draw (never was suggested) or anything other than chemo. For surgery, they used a vein in my hand.

    Herceptin and Port
    This is a stupid question, but I have to ask because I love to learn. What exactly is Herceptin and why is it used? I am a triple-negative receptor with negative nod biopsy. Is this generally used for nodes that test positive or in cases where people are not the TN receptor? As for the port, mine bothered the heck out of me and was plucked out during the reconstruction surgery last January. The Doc did it from the inside out so that my scar would remain the same as it is now. I do notice now that the cold winter temps are here (WI) the place where my port was hurts every now but I think it is because of the temperature change. Two birds with one stone is possible, remember to tell them if you decide to remove it that you want it done during your surgery. I almost forgot and the plastic surgeon it was not automatic that he would take it out.
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    #13
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    port
    i was told i would have thre port 2 years it was put in 07 and take 09.
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #14
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    TLynn0102 said:

    Herceptin and Port
    This is a stupid question, but I have to ask because I love to learn. What exactly is Herceptin and why is it used? I am a triple-negative receptor with negative nod biopsy. Is this generally used for nodes that test positive or in cases where people are not the TN receptor? As for the port, mine bothered the heck out of me and was plucked out during the reconstruction surgery last January. The Doc did it from the inside out so that my scar would remain the same as it is now. I do notice now that the cold winter temps are here (WI) the place where my port was hurts every now but I think it is because of the temperature change. Two birds with one stone is possible, remember to tell them if you decide to remove it that you want it done during your surgery. I almost forgot and the plastic surgeon it was not automatic that he would take it out.

    Herceptin is used when
    Herceptin is used when you're HER2+. It disables the growth protein HER2 so it can't attach itself to cancer cells and make them multiply faster. Since you're triple negative you wont have to have it.

    I'll have herceptin every 3 weeks until Oct. 2010. My oncol dr said I could have it out the next day after my last treatment. I don't know what my surgeon will say as I haven't seen her yet. Like the rest here I want mine out ASAP.
  • Jacque101
    Jacque101 Member Posts: 75
    #15
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    ladybug22 said:

    port
    i was told i would have thre port 2 years it was put in 07 and take 09.

    Hummm...interesting info
    Hello, I'm new here and new with BC. Getting a port on Jan 7. I guess it's always a surgery to get the port...but what about removing it? Another day-surgery? What about swimming and showing..any prob w/ that?
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #16
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    Jacque101 said:

    Hummm...interesting info
    Hello, I'm new here and new with BC. Getting a port on Jan 7. I guess it's always a surgery to get the port...but what about removing it? Another day-surgery? What about swimming and showing..any prob w/ that?

    jacque
    It's a minor surgery. They put you in a twilight. It's not to bad at all. You can swim and do whatever you want. I still have my port and I will for a long time. I have to do Herceptin as well. It can be a pain at times, but better than dealing with the veins. As far as removing it, I don't know how they do that, but I am sure someone here will jump in with that answer.
  • shortscake
    shortscake Member Posts: 228
    #17
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    port
    I plan to keep my port for as long as they tell me i need it, have not had any problems with it don't like the way it looks but other then that i am good with having it.
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    #18
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    port
    they took port out in the doctors office . took maybe 20 min to removed,
  • Sam726
    Sam726 Member Posts: 233
    #19
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    ladybug22 said:

    port
    they took port out in the doctors office . took maybe 20 min to removed,

    awesome
    Well arent u ladies just full of "port" knowledge!! lol...love it! Given me some great info...more than any doctor, thats for sure. But it seems we all know more cause we have actually been thru it huh?
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #20
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    port
    my port never worked, so I had the sucker yanked as soon as I could make the appointment after the picc line was removed. They took that out immediately after my last chemo treatment. Talk about a weird feeling having that line pulled and feeling it from your chest all the way out your arm....
    sorry I am no help to you.
    Cat
  • scout5000
    scout5000 Member Posts: 94 Member
    #21
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    Port removal
    I finished chemo at the end of July. I could never have blood draws through port (had to use a lab) and they wouldn't use it for anesthesia for colonoscopy... It was only used for chemo. I had mine removed, in combination with mastoplexy two weeks ago. My surgeon does port removal under general anesthesia. He said he usually waits at least a year after chemo but did mine early because I had stage II.

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