What's the story on port removal?

Sharon_D said:

Good Question
I have no nodes on the left side. Finished chemo the end of Nov 2009 and immediately asked about taking the port out. NO, not yet.

So I waited and asked again. Finally, the oncologist said "OK" and we're set up to remove it Monday. Then I developed some "bowel issues" and I'm having a colonoscopy NEXT Friday.

So, remove the port now and take the risk of having it put back in or leave it and see what happens? To do or not to do!

I guess we'll never be 100% sure that we will never need it again, but if I do, it's coming back. Port is the way to go as far as I am concerned!

That doesn't answer your question, but it didn't answer mine either. ;-)

To Port, or Not to Port...
The port is a real hot button issue on this board. Some love it, some hate it, some don't care. I love my port and hope to keep it as long as I can. Finished chemo in Dec 09, still have blood draws etc. from port as well as it gets flushed every 4 weeks. Put Emla cream on an hour or so before appt. and feel nothing. I have no veins to speak of so this is a blessing. I had 4 surgeries, lots of blood test and a stress test prior to the port and it was agony finding a vein. Now, with only my left arm avail for a draw I'm really sunk cause my best vein for a blood draw is in my right arm!

I have never heard of any superstitsion regarding the port, maybe if you remove it too soon it will have to be put back in? Some of the girls on this board have the tubes from the port in their necks, mine goes into a big vein by my heart. You can't see it and I can't feel anything. I was hospitalized for 4 days (bowel issues from chemo) and my IV was in my port. What heaven to have my hands free. Again, a colonoscopy (same issue) iv in port.

My onc has not mentioned it coming out, I am due to see my surgeon for a follow-up and I am going to find out how long I can keep it....I've been told by the chemo nurse that a port is good for 2000 pokes...that's a lot of pokes.

Check with your surgeon...I think mine say it's ok to keep it as long as it doesn't bother me and I'm not having any problems with it. The alternative for blood draws and IV's if you can't use your arms is your legs, feet, neck etc. I had to have the blood pressure cuff on my leg when I was having a stress test because the IV was in the "good" arm and the pressure from that cuff was very painful. If I had my port, the IV would have been in my port and the blood pressure cuff on my left arm.

Love my port, but you'll hear from others who feel totally differently about it. Just my opinion and how I feel about it.

Good luck with your colonoscopy, it's true what they say about it not being a big deal.

Hugs, Judy :-)

Double Post....
*

port
I had to be clean 2 years befor they would take it out.
I loved my port. they took my port out in the doctors office.

Rague said:

My port is staying for some time!
I have no intention of having my port taken out anytime soon - ALL my Dr's agree that's at least a year and probably 5 before we talk again about it coming out. Would I rather have never needed it YES! But I did and though as of now I'm fine - reality is that because of my cancer (IBC) there is a 'fair' chance of needing a port in the future. I have a port now so why would I want it taken out and have to go through surgery to have another one put in? If it is taken out now and has to be 'redone' in the future there will be scar tissue in that area that has to dealt with.

Yes - blood draws and BP should not be done in the arm(s) affected arm. Not a superstition but fact - Didn't your Drs./Nurses tell you that?

We are all different so talk to your Drs about what time frame is right for you for port removal.

Mine was removed after radiation
I think medical oncologist is the one who decides weather or not keep or remove port. Ask your oncologist. In my case I had blood biomarker test done twice before we decided to take it out. Some patients do scans to be sure the port is not needed anymore. For some reason my port was removed by different surgeon. It was implanted by vascular specialist and taken out by breast surgeon.
New Flower

I'm sorry but this really makes me angry.
It is your body and if you don't want the port to remain in your body, it should be your choice. We lose so much "control" when we are diagnosed with bc without our doctors taking away what little we have left.

Port
Not only have I heard of the superstition, I was the one to bring it up when my medical oncologist told me I should have the port removed. I finished chemo 10/09 and radiation 1/10. My oncologist told me he was also superstitious but that between having the port flushed and the risk of infection, it was better out. My breast surgeon removed it in her office and I'm so glad it's out. I was also able to feel it when I slept on that side and it kind of made me feel like a character from Star Trek or something.

MyTurnNow said:

Tawney, I did not personally
Tawney, I did not personally have a port..I have good veins (heard that one before?)...but I have read on this board answers to just that question. My recollection is that it depends on your doctor and possibly your situation, too. I'm sure several of the ladies with ports will post their experience shortly. Good luck.

I didn't have a port, as I
I didn't have a port, as I didn't have chemo. Just want to say hi and looks like you have some good advice from those that did! Good luck!

Sher43009 said:

I'll be done with my port in
I'll be done with my port in Oct.2010 and plan on having it out ASAP after that. 90% of the time it doesn't bother me but it's really ugly looking. My oncol. said it's up to me when I feel comfortable to have it out.

In my case, the port was a
In my case, the port was a pain in my side (literally)., and I wanted it out as soon as possible. One week after completing chemo, my breast surgeon removed it in his office. No anesthesia was needed, and there was no pain. A local shot in the area, and it was out in no time. Glad to have the port removed, and more relieved that so far I haven't had to have it reinstalled. Each of us has tolerence levels of our own, and mine was breached with the port. So glad it is gone, and would do it the same way again if needed. Good luck. Hugs, Judy

padee6339 said:

Port
My surgeon wanted me to keep it in a full year after treatment, but I wanted it out. It was uncomfortable - I have good veins and felt as long as it was in I would be waiting for the cancer to come back. Take it out, and the cancer was gone. All mental on my part. He reluctantly scheduled me to have it removed so I had it out between chemo and rads. I haven't regretted it being out at all.
Hugs - Pat

My port
My port was place on Jan. 14th and I began chemo on Jan. 18 for 6 rounds of TAC for every 3 weeks. I asked my oncologist and she said I have to wait 2 weeks after I finish chemo, I will also have radiation after chemo. She also said my port was required for the adriamyacin, because they don't like to transfuse that directlty into your veins. So, every 3 week blood draws are still through my vein. Also, I asked my breast specialist who did the surgery and she said I'll need to wait 10 days after chemo. Oh, well after May 7th, some 10-14 days later I'll be in surgery!

rene9