Port to stay in

[Linda2]

Hi everyone. I am new to this site and am amazed at how many of us with the HER2 gene are out there. I have found this site to be very helpful in my days of panic.

I just finished my yearly Herceptin and figured that is was time to have the port taken out. My onc wishes me to keep it in for a year or 2 longer; just get it flushed every 6 weeks. She tells me it is easier to keep it in than to have it taken out and then put back in.

Is she trying to tell me that there is a good chance the cancer will come back? My tumor markers were at 15 after chemo and now they have risen to 30. Does this mean that the cancer is starting to grow again?

God bless everyone. Thanks in advance for any opinions on this.

[Barbara2]

My onc told me the same thing after I finished my "late" herceptin in June. When I asked if the port should be taken out, he said, "Why don't you hang on to it for a while?" It made me think he felt there was a good chance it might come back, so why not keep it. He's pretty good at talking both ways, though, so he quickly added, "If you want to take it out, go ahead. It can always be put back in if needed."

I kept the port and am now getting the montly (or longer) flushes. My first port never did feel right, but this one is more comfortable, so I guess I don't mind keeping it. Not too crazy about having to continue the coumadin, too, but guess there's not a choice regarding that.

I don't know about your marker numbers. Did you have the tumor markers taken during the year of herceptin at all, to know how the markers were during that time? Maybe after a time away from herceptin, they will drop a little. I'd ask your onc what she thinks about the marker numbers.

[Linda2]

Thanks Barbara, I will ask about the markers. They did not take tumor markers during my Herceptin.

I know the oncs kind of double talk. My onc won't come out and say there is a good chance it will come back, but I can tell by some of her remarks that she is expecting it to.

[Soccermom]

Dear Linda2,
I completed my one year of weekly Herceptin July 18th,2006.My Onc advised me to keep my port in for 6mo-1 year. I was taken aback, and felt the same way as you do now.However, its been 6 mo. and I get it flushed every 6 weeks and to tell you the truth I sometimes forget its there! They forgot to schedule my last flush ahead of time and in a panic I called and they got me in Dec22nd ,just at my six week mark...shessshh!
Hope this makes you feel abit more comfortable with keeping it for awhile!

Marcia

[mindersue]

Hello,

I just finished my 1 year of Herceptin yesterday. My onc had said previously that before I have my port removed he wanted to "see where the dust settles" on my blood counts (they're low) and the tests I'm having done. I have to go in monthly for blood test. Otherwise I'm glad I learned here that it has to be flushed every 6 weeks. : ) Yep, I was thinking the same things you all were...does he think I may be needing it again soon?

Take care.
Mindy

[Linda2]

I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one. The port doesn't bother me at all. It's great when they need to draw blood, because there is no pain. Thanks for all your responses. I feel much better.

God bless you all.