Page 1 of 2

Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:59 pm
by AussieAssCancer
This time in 6 hours I’ll no longer be part bionic man. Hopefully they’ll (a) Sedate me (who doesn’t like a good propofol nap); and (b) let me take my Port home.

Have been so looking forward to this day, although obviously it’s not without some anxiety (what if it comes back and I have to have it out back in) but it’s for the best.

I’ve told my wife I’m looking at novelty tattoo ideas for the area where the Port was so if you have any ideas, fire away :D

Cheers to all

AAC

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:08 pm
by Lee
AussieAssCancer wrote:I’ve told my wife I’m looking at novelty tattoo ideas for the area where the Port was so if you have any ideas, fire away :D
AAC


Good luck, with the removal. Mine was in for 2 years, and did not want to leave. Surgeon really had to pick at it to get it out.

Some people add a blue ribbon tattoo.

Lee

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:16 pm
by Maggie Nell
Sidney Nolan's bucket head Ned Kelly

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:44 pm
by Soccermom2boys
I think this will in all likelihood be the easiest part of all you have been through in the past two years! :lol:

I can only speak for my experience, but I was not in any way sedated for the removal—just a heavy shot of something to numb that area. I had mine in for a full year after treatments finished, but was diligent about going for port flushes every six weeks. It took my surgeon about a half hour in total to complete the process—it was encased in there pretty good he said. Can’t go swimming for a week or two in case you have a holiday planned, but otherwise an easy recovery.

I was so excited to lose it because I hated seeing it and feeling like some alien was living under my skin, but I too am always worried that I may need another one. Oh well, cross that bridge if/when needed, right?! Congrats—one less tie to cancer! :D

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 4:29 pm
by weisssoccermom
Just two small pieces of info.

1. You usually are not sedated for the procedure. It's really easy coming out so I've only heard of people getting a local (novocaine) for port removal. Mine was done that way. Some tugging and it was a little creepy to hear the surgeon ask for a scalpel...I mean my port was on my left side....heart side. Didn't like that part. Best part of the local....you get up off the table...and go home. No need to have anyone drive you, etc. Worst part for me was the nasty stinging when they injected the local

2. Very unlikely that they will let you take it home. There are rules/regulations about diseases, tissue disposal, blah blah blah with stuff like that. Mine was infected and I got to see it....there was some 'tissue' around it. They would have considered that a 'hazardous' something or another and it would have had to have been disposed of according to all those pesky rules. In addition, if you really want to keep it, you had better look carefully at what you sign when you are admitted. Most often, you sign away your rights to the removed items when you sign all those papers. Just read each and every line very carefully.

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:02 pm
by NHMike
Congratulations on getting it out as it likely means you don't need infusions any longer.

I had mine put in with painkillers only and it didn't take very long. I'd assume that it comes out faster than it went in.

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:39 pm
by Rikimaroo
I am looking forward to this day as well, but I just started :(....Slowly but surely. Glad yours is coming out and stay NED forever my friend!!!

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:36 pm
by Tdubz
no better feeling then getting the port removed. Kinda makes you feel normal again without the big bump on your chest. My surgeon knocked me out for the procedure. Took like 15 min or so.

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 10:09 pm
by Basil
Congrats. I finished active treatment in late 2017 (NED) but my onc wants to keep the port for a year. All my appointments, cancellations and reappointments were monitored through an MDANDERSON phone app. I’m used to seeing a string of them waiting before me but the only one I have now is “Port removal - 10/18/18”. (Note, my surveillance appointments with my onc will be jumping in there from time to time).

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 4:00 am
by AussieAssCancer
Thanks guys. Back on the couch watching ‘Suits’, sans port :wink:

Took FOREVER to get into theatre and then my little friend had made himself well and truly at home and was a pesky little bugger to get out. Lots of scar tissue holding him in.

No sedation of any kind, and needed two lots of local anesthetic. The second was required because the forceps slipped and went a little deeper than the anesthetic which brought about more than a yelp, I can tell you :shock:

Anyways, it’s out, and they let me keep it as a souvenir. Funny how something so little can do such big things.

Cheers again guys

AAC

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:39 am
by rockhound
AussieAssCancer wrote:Thanks guys. Back on the couch watching ‘Suits’, sans port :wink:

Took FOREVER to get into theatre and then my little friend had made himself well and truly at home and was a pesky little bugger to get out. Lots of scar tissue holding him in.

No sedation of any kind, and needed two lots of local anesthetic. The second was required because the forceps slipped and went a little deeper than the anesthetic which brought about more than a yelp, I can tell you :shock:

Anyways, it’s out, and they let me keep it as a souvenir. Funny how something so little can do such big things.

Cheers again guys

AAC


Congrats- I wish I would have asked to keep it (forgot). I got mine removed during my ileostomy reversal surgery, which was nice.

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:40 am
by horizon
AussieAssCancer wrote:No sedation of any kind, and needed two lots of local anesthetic. The second was required because the forceps slipped and went a little deeper than the anesthetic which brought about more than a yelp, I can tell you :shock:


My hat's off to you members that can do things like that. I'm a giant baby and told them there would be problems if they didn't knock me out for the removal! :oops:

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:43 am
by weisssoccermom
The removal was, IMO, a piece of cake. The shot itself hurt more than anything else. A little tugging/pulling but it was over so quickly and the ability to just get off the table and be able to DRIVE home without any help (hubby was still there) was a huge motivator for me. The doctor removing it had a nice conversation with me about our kitchen remodel.

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:08 pm
by juliej
AussieAssCancer wrote:Anyways, it’s out, and they let me keep it as a souvenir. Funny how something so little can do such big things.

Congrats, AAC, on your "deportation"! :D :D :D

I'm due to have mine removed soon so I don't really like hearing all the convo about tugging, pulling, etc. :shock: But I am looking forward to being able to wear low-cut tops again without a bump showing!

You're right - it's amazing something so tiny can do so much. It saved my veins from oxaliplatin and for that alone I'm grateful. But it also makes every CT scan or blood draw easier. I'll kind of miss that.

Re: Port Removal

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 7:05 pm
by thubler
Congrats! Enjoy the moment. I had mine removed in November after having it 1 1/2 years. I lost a lot of weight since being diagnosed so it really poked out and was uncomfortable. The procedure was a piece of cake for me. I received the propofol so I was out of it and was sore for a couple of days. I was also thinking of getting a tattoo. I’m a big Pitt fan and a kid named James Conner was diagnosed with cancer while he was playing, beat it and was drafted by the Steelers. The kid was amazing. He would put crazy beast mode work outs in while receiving chemo. It was unbelievable. When interviewed he always said “fear is a choice” and he chose not to fear cancer. I just kept using that as a motivator and still do daily. Anyways long story longer, I wanted to get “fear is a choice” above my port scar.