If I have port removed...

[Peggy]

I had my port removed in the Doctor's office...it was not a big deal. It was also in my upper arm...actually I've had two, the other was in my chest. Neither was a problem to remove. They numbed the area, waited a few minutes and took it out. The nurse actually did the procedure.

About veins...I've had them use my wrist, my hand, and my foot...none of which are great options...I have no idea where they go after the foot...

Peggy

[janet11]

It's always amazing to me how much USEFUL info I find out here. I just realized it's been 8 weeks since my port was accessed (am on 'hiatus' from Herceptin due to low LVEF). So I just phoned my onc nurse to ask 'shouldn't I have my port flushed?'.

If I had PLANNED to go off for an extended period, I'm sure they would have said something. But I've just been getting 3 week delays time after time (well, since May 1), so they probably never thought of telling me. Anyway, am asking. Thanks for bringing that up, Andi.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Janet,

It makes my heart smile knowing we have each other's backs! It is stupefying to me how much trouble one can get in to just DOING AS TOLD, OR NOT...

Once a friend, Myrna, was taken off Taxol for a while, as she was having such a tough time. I said to her, But you still get the Herceptin, right? Uh. No. He didn't say anything. Well, my onc says NO MATTER WHAT YOU STILL GET YOUR HERCEPTIN. Maybe you should check w/your onc. Myrna thought about it over the weekend and called first thing Mon. AM and asked. Oh, no! That's a mistake. Yes, you should definitely come in for your Herceptin.

Another friend, Dorothy, told me she as on estrogen. I said, With progesterone, right? No. Do you still have your uterus? Yes. Well, it's my understanding that if you have your uterus and go on estrogen you must also take progesterone, for safety's sake. I have full confidence in my doc. I'm sure she's right. A week later Dorothy called me to say she thought about what I said and, after having taken estrogen for 6 mnths, she called her wonderful doc she trusted so to check. Sure enough -- oh, no. That's a mistake. You should definitely be taking progesterone too. I will call it in. Dorothy called to thank me.

I KNOW I am not a medical professional, but I listen to the experts on MSNBC, the Today Show, PBS, Larry King. I read. I do the best I can. I can only hope when a doc messes up I catch it -- or one of YOU WONDERFUL, WELL-INFORMED WARRIOR WOMEN will tell me!

I JUST LOVE THIS SITE! And all of you, my sweet Sister Souls... ANDI

[Becky]

Chelee

I have never had a port even with over 2 years of IV treatments but they will find a vein if they need one - I assure you. Get rid of that port and get your body back. The cancer gods have taken enough as it is my dear girl.

Hugs and kisses to you