Getting the port removed

[stupidcancer]

Hi All, hope you're having a relaxing Saturday!
I'm supposed to have my port removed Wednesday (woohoo! I've hated this thing from day one!)
Has anyone had this done yet? I'm nervous that taking it out will bring back the cancer, I know it's silly but weighs on my mind a lot.
Dr says it's simple,done in his office with an injection to numb. That sounds painful but totally worth it!
Just very nervous and hoping others could put my mind at ease.
My daughter kinda wants me to wait a while but I'd rather have it put back in if I have to and feel "normal" for a bit.
Any insight would be great!
Hugs and prayers
Cora

[nitebreez]

I'm keeping mine in for awhile. Guess it makes me feel better to do so. Like one of the really crazy oncologist nurses said "Wards off the evil spirits!"

I get the port flushed every few weeks, and intend to do so for awhile longer.

[Voxx66]

I think it's a bit early to remove it but in the end it's your choice. Personally I would wait at least 3-6 months.

[Lee]

I had mine in for over 2 yrs. Had it removed because a mammogram caused the port to move and could not be accessed anymore. I was suppose to be put under, but surgeon talked me out of it. Said if I was awake, I would be leaving in 20 mins. Putting me under would be a 2-4 hr in hospital stay. I was hungry and opted for the 20 min procedure.

Nurse had to hold my hand, other than that, no pain, just felt an occasional pull.

One thing to consider, if you do need to have another port put in down the road, some people do have scarring issues/problems when they have that 2nd port put in. Thus 2nd port is removed and place somewhere else. You only have so many options where a port can go.

Best of luck,

Lee

[Coppercent]

I still have mine in and my last recurrence was a year ago. My surgeon said there were less issues keeping it in than getting a new one so I chose to go with his recommendation. I get it flushed at my three month oncology visits. I usually don't notice it but occasionally I notice it when getting dressed. It is a reminder of how strong I was while going through treatment. It's a personal choice to keep it or get rid of it. My surgeon said when I get it removed it's just a quick office visit so I figure what the heck. I will keep it for awhile. Maybe I will get it removed at my next annual check up with my surgeon. From those I talked to who have had it removed it's a simple procedure. Good luck!

[AngieN]

Had mine removed three weeks after finishing chemo due to both a malfunction with it and blood clots in my arm. My oncologist wanted it out so I could get off Coumadin. I'd have preferred to keep it a while "for luck" but she insisted and said that if I needed one in the future we'd deal with it then. That port had been painful for the entire 7 months I had it.

My surgeon insisted I have to done with just the local and being a big baby I was terrified. The worst part of it was definitely the fear - the procedure itself wasn't even remotely what I imagined. The smell of the cauterization wasn't pleasant and a bit scary, but other than some pushing and pulling I didn't feel anything. I was in and out of there in exactly a half hour and had very little discomfort afterwards, unlike how I felt when it was put in.

Good luck with your "deportation" , but if I got through it without a nervous breakdown anyone can! You'll be fine. It's not as bad as it sounds.

[CRguy]

Any insight would be great!

Here is a topic which also gives a little more feedback for you How many stage 3 b to c's have port still in?

In my case I had one put in for a recurrence and kept it for nearly 3 years as I had NO problems with it at all.

Only YOU can decide if the "what if" of a recurrence outweighs the "what is" of you wanting to feel "normal" ... whatever the heck THAT is ????
I deliberately waited longer than the Onc wanted to ( him : 4 clear scans .... ME : 7 clear scans and one year longer than his "superstition" !!!! )

My body ..... My life .... MY decision.

Whatever YOU decide, be at peace with the decision once you have made it because there is really NO wrong answer,
only a decision you can be at peace with yourself.

Cheers and Harmony
CRguy

[GreenMonkey]

had mine taken out during my takedown. I too hated mine from the get go. I need to believe, with all my heart, that I am cancer free. Releasing the port was part of that.

[seasnail]

My husband got his out literally a month or so after he finished chemo. Apparently the stitches never fully healed, leaving a little hole in his skin where you could kind of see the port still, which worried the docs about getting an infection with a direct line to his heart. So out it came with 24 hours notice. It was a simple procedure - went to the surgery center, had it numbed, and was out it about 30 minutes.

[dianetavegia]

My onc had me remove mine immediately after my chemo ended. Three years later I had a small liver met but they aren't doing chemo after hepatic resections for single mets. It was so nice not to have that reminder poking out my chest or having to go back for flushings.

I had quite a bit of scar tissue built up around my port even tho it had only been in place for 7 months. It was removed in office with just the numbing shot but it was a bit traumatic because of all the tugging and snipping of scar tissue. It's been out for 5 years in Aug.

[stupidcancer]

Thank you all for the insight, good to know the worry is worse than the deportation!!
I too want to believe the cancer is gone for good and my feeling is taking it out will finally be a victory in this journey!
My Neurologist says I had a stroke back in February which explains a lot (horrible vision, little to no reflexes in my right leg, gray spot on left side of the brain, permanent neuropathy, stuttering and drooling, no driving, the list goes on and on LOL) and I've got to get an EMG to see how severe the nerve damage is and start blood thinner.
Good ole chemo, the gift that keeps on giving!
To get the port out and as Forest says "one less thing" is utmost in my mind right now.
Thanks again and as I've said many times YOU'RE ALL WONDERFUL!!!
Hugs and prayers
Cora

[gtownguy]

I, too, had my port removed at the same time they did my ileostomy reversal. That took place about 3 months after I'd finished chemo.

[-Sophie-]

I had my port out with my reversal. 1 month post my last chemo. I wanted it out as I knew the regular visits for flushing would not let me put this is the past. My onc said it was fine so it came out then. I do understand I could need another one but I chose that option, my decision.

[MarkS.]

I had mine removed approximately 8 months after my first treatment, but had to get it back again about a year and half later. I had it again removed last summer due to blot clot issues. I'm currently NED now and hoping it stays that way!