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Nadi's avatar
Nadi
Member
9 years ago

How long after Herceptin did you get your port removed?

For HER2 positive ladies, how long after Herceptin finished did you get your port removed? My Onc is recommending I keep mine until 2 years after Herceptin finished (which would be Dec 2018). I thought I might have been able to get it out 2 years after chemo finished (Feb 2018). Has anyone with early breast cancer kept theirs for longer than 2 years after treatment by choice?

I am also going on a 20 hour flight and wanted to know if having a port will be an issue for such a long flight.

Thanks

Nadine

9 Replies

  • @primek I was negative for ER and PR,  only HER2 positive.
  • @Nadi yes my prolifetation rate was 69% I think. (Or 71...both high either way ) I did some research and the only stats I could find of recurrence within 2 years was without chemo and herceptin. And yes all the research papers stated how much they responded to chemo. Was yours es+ also like mine?
  • @Primek. Yep I am- I mean I was also grade 3.  Just wondering, did your onc give you stats on recurrence in first 2 years after treatment? My onc said that's when the chance of recurrence is the highest, but overall the risk is still low after chemo and rads. I think your proliferation rate was high like mine? Mine was 71% which is really good for chemo which kills those fast dividing suckers.

    I am fortunate I guess because it doesn't cause me too much bother now. I don't really feel it at all and it's no problem when I have a cross body bag.

    @HIT the ghost pain is interesting. I've already had two ops on it and have a rather large scar because they cut it twice. To get it out will be a third incision. And if I need another one I'll have even more scars. So maybe it's not so bad to keep it for a while longer. 

    Don't know why I find it so hard to make decisions about these kinds of things lately.
  • Hi Nadi, I suppose all docs are different.  I had mine out quite quickly, can't remember exactly but only had two flushes after hercepton finished.  I did ask my surgeon and he said no worries, if I need it again he'd just put another in.  I really wanted it out, it wasn't uncomfortable really but you were always aware of it.  (Saying that at the beginning of treatment it took ages to settle down).  Funnily enough I still get "ghost" pain from were it was - minor and I've never mentioned it to surgeon so don't know if that's normal.

    Pam
  • Well Nadi mine was a grade 3  Her2 es+ cancer.  I wouldn't read anything in to it. Just different Drs.  I just thought...well if it comes back I'll just get a new one put in. I'm fed up with the little things about it...sleep positions. ...too much swimming makes it a bit sore, I can't wear a bag across my shoulder. Little stuff but a reminder it's still there. 
  • Hi Nadi - I'd imagine if you were able to offload the port you would really feel like you are moving on!  I assume you've asked why? Check with Drs about your flight, last thing you want is as Bevkk just mentioned a DVT

    Take care 
  • Hi Nadi
    i finished Herceptin in June and my Onc suggested I have it removed as my cancer was low risk. I am thinking of having it removed after my next visit at the end of July. I unfortunately got a DVT at the site and have been on blood thinners so I'm more than happy to have it removed. 
    Bev
  • Thanks Kath. For me, having it in is kind of tying me to chemo unit. It's no great hassle to get it flushed but it is a reminder of the time when I once had cancer and I am keen to move on and put this all behind me. It's interesting that your Onc wanted to whip yours out while mine wants mine to stay in. Not sure what to make of that.
  • Mine wanted to whip mine out as soon as treatment was done (which was stopped early) I was honestly too anxious to do that and now not keen on using my time off work for another flippin anaesthetic. But I plan to do it later this year which is before the 12 month mark. Getting it flushed is no great hassle but keeping it keeps me more in the fear mode...so it's time for me to give it up I think. I can't imagine any hassle with flying. I had a port card to carry through airports...but hey...haven't really gone anywhere except Drs appointments.