Chemo Port

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2nu2tnbc
2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
edited March 2017 in Breast Cancer #1

How long does the chemo port stay in after chemo?

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  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #2
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    Keeping a Port

    Having a port was a VERY good choice for me as I have tiny, next to invisible veins. It did, however, feel kind of creepy to me there under the skin. Because of that I had it removed (an in office procedure) very shortly after my last round of chemo. I know many people on this board have kept it for years. As long as you have it flushed regularly it is perfectly safe to keep it in. It is simply a matter of choice. 

  • booksandnumbers
    booksandnumbers Member Posts: 30
    #3
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    Port removal

    Hi, I,m new to this site. LIke Jessiesmom1 said, removal largely depends on your and your oncologist's preference. I just had my first 3 month check up after chemo, surgerey, and radiation (Stage 2 IDC) in that order. I finished radiation the end of October 2016 and I'm finally having my port removed today.

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    #4
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    Mine was removed two weeks

    Mine was removed two weeks after chemo. I think it depends on whether you need it for anything else. You MUST have it flushed at least every two weeks and I guess that could become a pain in the patoot if you're not going in for regular treatment.

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
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    Personal Choice

    It's a personal decision for most of us.  It can be days after last infusion or years later (if ever).

    Some want their port out ASAP - some of us keep ours.  As long as they are kept flushed can be kept for years.

    My port was put in Aug 24, 2009, the day before first DD A/C infusion.  It is still in and will stay there.   I get it flushed every 8 weeks as it is not used so a flush is necessary. 

    I choose to keep it as it is already there and if it were to be removed and then a port needed in the future, it would require another surgery to put a new one in.  A new one would have to be implanted in a less desirable (to me) place than where it is now - my upper left chest   Upper right is not an option as right UMX.   I'm not at all obsessed that a recurrance/mets may happen BUT it's there so why get rid of it?

    Also - I have a vivid/weird imagination.  I visualize my port as a little Soldier standing guard with rifle at ready so the Nasty Cancer Monster will not try to attack.  But if stupid Monster should ever try to attack, Soldier is there with rifle loaded to begin whatever battle is needed.

    Peony. - a port does not have to be flushed every 2 weeks.  Even while in TX some have infusions every 3 weeks.  According to the paperwork I got from Bard when my port was implanted in 2009, they said when not in use to flush every 4 weeks.  The time frame for flushes has now been extended to every 8 weeks/2 months.  7 yrs and no problems.  No I do not 'need' it for any reason as I have great veins in left arm still thanks to having my port durring 4 DD A/C neoadjuvant and 12 weekly Taxol adjuvant.

    Winyan - The Power Within

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited March 2017 #6
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    Keeping my port as long as I can

    Bilteral mastecomy w/ lymphedemia in both arms.  Which means no bp, no iv, no bl test ever in any arm.   So they want blood, they can use the port because taking it from my feet does not appeal to me at all.   

    Hug,

    Annie

  • MrsTZ
    MrsTZ Member Posts: 1
    #7
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    Individual Decision

    Keeping the port is an individual decision. If you decide to keep the port, you will have to get it flushed every month. There are pros and cons on keeping it or having it removed. I decided to have mines removed. When the cancer returned, I had to get another port. 

  • oodlesr
    oodlesr Member Posts: 1
    #8
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    port

    I am very new to this and have not yet started treatment.  Is a port always done, even if your veins are good?  Going to have ACT treatment, probably starting in 2 weeks or so.

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    edited March 2017 #9
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    MrsTZ said:

    Individual Decision

    Keeping the port is an individual decision. If you decide to keep the port, you will have to get it flushed every month. There are pros and cons on keeping it or having it removed. I decided to have mines removed. When the cancer returned, I had to get another port. 

    8 weeks

    When I first started having flushes after the end of chemo, the protocol for flushing an unused port was 4 weeks.  In the years since, it has changed and the protocol is every 8 weeks.  The last time I,had my port flushed they said that therei is some research showing that every 12 weeks ma y be fine for a port that has been in place for a longer period of time with no issues may be adequate.

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    edited March 2017 #10
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    oodlesr said:

    port

    I am very new to this and have not yet started treatment.  Is a port always done, even if your veins are good?  Going to have ACT treatment, probably starting in 2 weeks or so.

    Port to keep veins great

    I had/have great veins and there was no way I was going to take a chance on 'messing' them up from chemo.

    I did 4 DD A/C neoadjuvant and 12 weekly Taxol adjuvant.  For the A/C, I still had both arms that could be used for infusions as it was neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) but the Taxol was adjuvant (post surgery) so only 1 arm could have been used for it (or leg/feet veins if arm vein had problems) - IF I hadn't had a port.

    Adriamycin (the A in A/C), aka Red Devil, is very rough on veins and any tissue that it might get on if it 'leaks' around the IV needle site. 

    Has your Dr mentioned/suggested a port?  From Day 1, it was mutually decided - I'd have a port to keep good/great veins in the non-surgery arm.  Not everyone does a port - it's personal between ''you' and your Dr.   My port was implanted the day before first A/C (you can read my others posts in this thread).  There can be medical reasons that a Dr might not want to do a port - in that case, a PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is an option to protect your veins.

    Still have great veins in non-surgery that are very easy to hit for draws or use.  But still have my Little Soldier (port) just in case chemo might ever be needed again.

    7+ yrs since IBC DX and (as far as I know today - no reason to think otherwise) still NED (No Evidence of Disease)!

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    #11
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    Rague said:

    Personal Choice

    It's a personal decision for most of us.  It can be days after last infusion or years later (if ever).

    Some want their port out ASAP - some of us keep ours.  As long as they are kept flushed can be kept for years.

    My port was put in Aug 24, 2009, the day before first DD A/C infusion.  It is still in and will stay there.   I get it flushed every 8 weeks as it is not used so a flush is necessary. 

    I choose to keep it as it is already there and if it were to be removed and then a port needed in the future, it would require another surgery to put a new one in.  A new one would have to be implanted in a less desirable (to me) place than where it is now - my upper left chest   Upper right is not an option as right UMX.   I'm not at all obsessed that a recurrance/mets may happen BUT it's there so why get rid of it?

    Also - I have a vivid/weird imagination.  I visualize my port as a little Soldier standing guard with rifle at ready so the Nasty Cancer Monster will not try to attack.  But if stupid Monster should ever try to attack, Soldier is there with rifle loaded to begin whatever battle is needed.

    Peony. - a port does not have to be flushed every 2 weeks.  Even while in TX some have infusions every 3 weeks.  According to the paperwork I got from Bard when my port was implanted in 2009, they said when not in use to flush every 4 weeks.  The time frame for flushes has now been extended to every 8 weeks/2 months.  7 yrs and no problems.  No I do not 'need' it for any reason as I have great veins in left arm still thanks to having my port durring 4 DD A/C neoadjuvant and 12 weekly Taxol adjuvant.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    I'm just going by what the NP

    I'm just going by what the NP told me when I left chemo.

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    #12
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    Port- 3 month check up

    3 month checkup was very positive!   My blood work was very good.  The Oncologist told me that I can have the port removed.  This is 4 months after I finished chemo.  I have mixed feelings........Excited, but nervous at the same time!! I'm thinking, What now that I'm done with All treatment!!!

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    edited March 2017 #13
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    2nu2tnbc said:

    Port- 3 month check up

    3 month checkup was very positive!   My blood work was very good.  The Oncologist told me that I can have the port removed.  This is 4 months after I finished chemo.  I have mixed feelings........Excited, but nervous at the same time!! I'm thinking, What now that I'm done with All treatment!!!

    Girl, it's time to celebrate!

    Girl, it's time to celebrate!

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