Hi all. I am celebrating NED at the 2 yr mark. Now my onc says I can and should remove my port. I feel both happy and sad about this. I thought I had another 12 months with it but alas no. A small part of me sees it as a superstitious insurance policy in that I think while I have it my cancer won't come back. Another part of me is happy that I am finally moving on from being a cancer patient. Bottom line is I know it should come out and I will deal with those silly feelings about giving it up. In the mean time, for all those ladies who have had theirs removed, is there anything I need to be aware of? Was recovery when taking it out easier than when you had it put in?Still plagued by neuropathy and the horrid hot flushes. Wish I could give those up instead.

Hi Nadi - nice to see you on the forum and yay to NED! Take care and best wishes from Christine x

Glad to hear you girls can now move on after having your port removed . Im still keeping mine as Im on continues I.V. Abraxane, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. I still think its the best thing since sliced bread. I'm just about to celebrate my first year of having my port inserted. Any excuse for a celebration !

Hi there @Nadi I had triple neg last year no lymph nodes involved and scans all clear but was lucky enough to get my port out a month after I finished my chemo and I was glad to have it out as I had lost a lot of weight on chemo (10kg) and it stuck out like a second head lol had light sedation when I had it in and out and local anaesthetic and I recovered both times really well I healed quite ok but I was left with a bit of an ugly keloid scar which I have been putting silicone tape on and it’s helping a bit and only heard about that option recently and I believe I would of benefitted from it being used from the start so maybe ask about it when you get it out. The gp clinic where I work has it so it’s started to flatten out a bit now. If you live brisbane north side you can come and have an appointment and get some if you like?. Margie x

I had mine out last Tuesday. In hospital with vascular surgeon who put it in, but only under heavy sedation apparently with a local anaesthetic. I didn't know any different from a regualr anaesthetic, but it was quick. Probably 1 1/2 hours from being wheeled to the theatre to sitting up having a tea and sandwiches. Same restrictions with food and water prior to surgery.A bit woozy for the rest of the day, no pain.it has been rather tender in the area for the last week, and some bruising. Two small incisions, no stitches. No swimming until healed.One thing I have noticed though is that I am healing a lot more slowly than I expect to.Not sure if that is still a result of treatment or because I am now on Femara and Palbociclib (Pallas trial) One end of the larger incision is a red spot and sore.I am going to the GP today anyway, so I will get it checked.I did check with my Oncologist several times that I should not be needing it again.The vascular surgeon said that if I ever needed it again, he could just put another one in.Or course, I won't need one ever again!Anyway I am very pleased to no longer have to go and have it flushed out every four weeks.Psychologically it was a boost, it signified the end of treatment. Yay.

The Dr who put mine in was a vascular surgeon. He refused put it in under light sedation, hense my reluctance to have it removed in a hurry as I've already had 3 general anaesthetics. But as nobody else will touch them at my hospital I am looking at travelling to either Adelaide 500k or Mildura 300k. So presently I'll keep getting it flushed. Removing a port is simple but still has some risks. Our hospital is strict about it. Even to have my nipples done next year I have to go through the whole process again (and travel 500k). I doubt they could coordinate a vascular surgeon attending that as different teams. On I go. I'll sort it. Kath x

The time has come to say goodbye to my port and our love hate relationship

17 Replies

Nadi
Member
8 years ago
Hey @wendy_h67 even though I had a few issues with mine (it flipped and needed second surgery and it got blocked about 6 times) I am still very very very glad I got it.

hey Christine @iserbrown , I am not on the forum as much these days weekly rather than daily. Guess it's a sign that life is getting back to my new normal. Hope all is well with you.

Hi Cath @socoda Not planning on celebrating much. Just grateful things are moving on. When I think about how much of a mess I was when I was first diagnosed and then going through treatment, I shudder. Now things are soooooooooo much better. Still bloody frustrating at times with joint pain and hot flushes, but better.

Good to know about the tape @onemargie . I've already had two incisions on the same spot for my port - the first to get it inserted and the second to fix it after it had flipped. This will be the third incision. So far the 1 inch scar is flat and a little indented. After putting bio oil on it for 18 months I hardly notice it. I hope it doesn't look too bad after being cut for a third time.

Those 9 sessions will go quick @MKitty68 !
Fiona2
Member
8 years ago
Mine's scheduled to come out this Monday which pleases me no end ie another milestone in the rear view mirror. However, I've only been told to just turn up in the afternoon and it will be removed in radiology, no sedation, no fasting etc Got me a bit worried now as it went under a GA and it seems that most of you ladies in this position have been taken to theatre or under some sedation. I hope it goes ok. Fiona
onemargie
Member
8 years ago
Hi there @Unicornkisses I got it from work but if you go to the independence Australia medical supplies website and in the search bar put silicone tape you will find it mine is starting to work now but it should work a treat if yours is a new wound. One piece lasts ages and you can peel it off for showering or leave it on and put it back on several times before it stops sticking I get a couple weeks out of just the one piece. I tried to put in the link but cant work it out lol. It’s worth a try and pretty cheap to buy too. Margie xxx
MKitty68
Member
8 years ago
i'm looking forward to having mine removed, but I was told i had to wait until after radiation. Only 9 more sessions to go!
Unicornkisses
Member
8 years ago
What is silicone tape @onemargie ?
my scar is starting to granulate according to the GP, it is tender and lumpy.
where would I get it from?
socoda
Member
8 years ago
Yayyyyyyyyyyy, Congratulations Nadine that is excellent news. FREEDOM!!!! Bit scary but I'm sure you'll get used to it quickly. How are you going to celebrate? Removal of port and 2 years NED - I can hear that particular door swinging shut behind you :) Big hug. Xx Cath
onemargie
Member
8 years ago
Hi there @Nadi I had triple neg last year no lymph nodes involved and scans all clear but was lucky enough to get my port out a month after I finished my chemo and I was glad to have it out as I had lost a lot of weight on chemo (10kg) and it stuck out like a second head lol had light sedation when I had it in and out and local anaesthetic and I recovered both times really well I healed quite ok but I was left with a bit of an ugly keloid scar which I have been putting silicone tape on and it’s helping a bit and only heard about that option recently and I believe I would of benefitted from it being used from the start so maybe ask about it when you get it out. The gp clinic where I work has it so it’s started to flatten out a bit now. If you live brisbane north side you can come and have an appointment and get some if you like?. Margie x
Unicornkisses
Member
8 years ago
That is interesting @primek.
mine was put in under general anaesthetic, but removed under sedation, by the vascular surgeon.
Same anaethetist too.
primek
Member
8 years ago
The Dr who put mine in was a vascular surgeon. He refused put it in under light sedation, hense my reluctance to have it removed in a hurry as I've already had 3 general anaesthetics. But as nobody else will touch them at my hospital I am looking at travelling to either Adelaide 500k or Mildura 300k. So presently I'll keep getting it flushed. Removing a port is simple but still has some risks. Our hospital is strict about it. Even to have my nipples done next year I have to go through the whole process again (and travel 500k). I doubt they could coordinate a vascular surgeon attending that as different teams. On I go. I'll sort it. Kath x
wendy_h67
Member
8 years ago
Glad to hear you girls can now move on after having your port removed . Im still keeping mine as Im on continues I.V. Abraxane, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. I still think its the best thing since sliced bread. I'm just about to celebrate my first year of having my port inserted. Any excuse for a celebration !