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Nadi's avatar
Nadi
Member
8 years ago

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

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.

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  • Unicornkisses's avatar
    Unicornkisses
    Member
    8 years ago
    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.

  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    8 years ago

    @primek I had my port out under a local at the hospital here, just used a general surgeon (who actually let his minion do it). I still had to go into theatre but I had no sedation or general anaesthetic  so there was no pre-op appointment and I went home two hours later after a couple of rounds of obs and a cup of tea. I didn't want to have a line put in--that was the whole point of having the port, my veins are shite!

    I can't say it was a pleasant experience and may not be something that everyone would be comfortable with, but I've had to do a great many things I don't like in the last ten years. I can tolerate nasty stuff if I know it is only going to last for  half an hour or so. The main thing was convincing the surgeon I would be OK.

    Anyway, if you get stuck it might be worth considering. We can be tough old chickies when we have to be :) Marg xxx

  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi Nadi - nice to see you on the forum and yay to NED!  Take care and best wishes from Christine x
  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    8 years ago
    @KatyJoy Glad to hear it was pretty straight forward. I would love to go with glue rather than stitches.

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    8 years ago
    primek said:
    Hey Nadi I was only thinking about you this week. I'm stuck with mine for a bit as the surgeon here has resigned so it looks like travelling either 500 or 300 kms depending on which hospital I choose. So annoyed as I am ready now. Sigh. I might ask my breast surgeon when down in Adelaide if i could have it out there. It's not the op but the pre op stuff which is the hassle as its 2 trips. 
    Hey Kath, the travel is a bummer. It should be easy for a breast surgeon to get it out. Here's hoping.
  • KatyJoy's avatar
    KatyJoy
    Member
    8 years ago
    I had mine out in July prior to starting the Pallas trial as they didn’t want me to have to have a break from the palbociclib to have it out and I’m on the drug for two years. Having it out was very quick. I remember my husband was shocked as I was only gone from the ward for about 15 mins and wide awake and ate and drank as soon as I returned to the ward. I went home 1 hour after that and felt fine. I don’t think I even had dissolvable  stitches, it looked like they just glued the incision back up. It was handy having it though, now I have to have blood tests the regular way again
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hey Nadi I was only thinking about you this week. I'm stuck with mine for a bit as the surgeon here has resigned so it looks like travelling either 500 or 300 kms depending on which hospital I choose. So annoyed as I am ready now. Sigh. I might ask my breast surgeon when down in Adelaide if i could have it out there. It's not the op but the pre op stuff which is the hassle as its 2 trips.