Forum Discussion
So scared about surgery tomorrow
I don't know what is wrong with me but I am sitting here in almost a full on panic attack from having my port out tomorrow. I know stupid right? I was so much calmer for my breast surgery.
I think it didn't help that my surgeon who placed the port disagreed with the oncologist's recommendation to get it out. He told me it was a very difficult process to insert it, that he would be keeping it for 5 years. It's only been 2 and my onc says I don't need it anymore, it's gotta come out. I don't care if it stays in and I have to get it flushed. Anyway, my general surgeon said he would defer to my breast surgeon as to whether I should keep it. She said I don't need to keep it, so I am booked in for tomorrow at 7 am.
But now I am freaking out, full on sweats, rapid heart beat and everything. I am worried about possible bad outcomes - blood clot, pain that never goes away, a big hole in my chest where it used to be. I guess everything else is going so well for me at the moment that I don't want to tempt fate.
Please, anyone who has had theirs removed, please tell me your good stories.
I think it didn't help that my surgeon who placed the port disagreed with the oncologist's recommendation to get it out. He told me it was a very difficult process to insert it, that he would be keeping it for 5 years. It's only been 2 and my onc says I don't need it anymore, it's gotta come out. I don't care if it stays in and I have to get it flushed. Anyway, my general surgeon said he would defer to my breast surgeon as to whether I should keep it. She said I don't need to keep it, so I am booked in for tomorrow at 7 am.
But now I am freaking out, full on sweats, rapid heart beat and everything. I am worried about possible bad outcomes - blood clot, pain that never goes away, a big hole in my chest where it used to be. I guess everything else is going so well for me at the moment that I don't want to tempt fate.
Please, anyone who has had theirs removed, please tell me your good stories.
17 Replies
- Thanks for the suggestion @onemargie. The original incision/scar was so thin, but it gaped open under this plastic skin like protective patch they put on when I turned over in my sleep. My breasts are rather large (even after my lumpectomy) and the weight of them pulled the scar apart so the scar isn't as thin now. How long did you use the Silicone tape for? I also lost a lot of weight, 32 kgs from me heaviest while on chemo and my port was much more noticeable when the weight was gone.
- Hi there @Nadi I was lucky enough to have my portacath out a couple weeks after I had finished my chemo. I had triple neg bc and I was so glad to get it out. I lost a heap of weight during chemo which was nice but the bloody thing stuck out like a second head so was glad to see it out. Get yourself some silicone tape to put on the site it will reduce your scarring and help it heal. You can get it from an online store called independence Australia and it comes in a roll. I think it was around $10 ?? We use it at work all the time and I used it on my portacath site and still do as I got a keloid scar but I didn’t find out about it until this job I’m at now. it has made a significant difference. It’s funny as my mastectomy scars are awesome. Margie. Xx
- Well done @Nadi, make sure you take it very easy. I think you were really brave - hey, I was too chicken to even get a port put in! Hugs xx
- Good to hear. I've been thinking of you, wodering how it all went. Sending hugs
Lyn - oh Nadi so pleased to hear it went well for you..... remember to be gentle with things this week and if something doesn't feel right stop doing it
Just for you.....
hugs soldiercrab - Hello @Nadi,
Great to hear that all is well and that the port has been removed. Time to recover now, take care - Thanks for all the support. I put my girl panties on and went through with it. All went well. Although from what the surgeon was saying my anatomy was a bit 'challenging'. Wasn't as simple as we thought it would be. Had a general but it still took over an hour to get it out thanks to a wonderfully twisted artery which I never knew I had but was apparently the reason it was so hard to have it inserted in the first place. You girls that had a local are brave as. I have an indentation in my chest but they said that in time it will fill in. Lots of swelling and bruising today. Can't lift my arm above my shoulder yet. They took a biopsy of the muscle which he tells me is routine. Scar is about 6 cms long, and as soon I as i can I will get the bio oil on to that. Also surprised that I was told to refrain from driving, raising my arm to wash my hair, or lifting anything heavy for a week. All because of the stitches they put in the artery. Anyway over and done with now, time to move on.
Best wishes to all. - Hope it all went smoothly for you today. X
- Hi. Hope it all went well for you. Yes I also (like Zoffiel above) had mine with local. They told me originally I would have to have a general. No way. I wanted to celebrate after. So local for me. The only thing was they had a towel placed over my face and then the nurse had to hold it up because my breathing was affected. Haha. Didn't want my beady eyes looking at what they were up to. All good in the end.
- Hoping you went well today, thinking of you. My port came out last November, I’m happy it’s gone and hope I never need one again
