Removal of port, please provide information

Marie G · 04-06-2007, 07:29 PM

My husband has stage IV HER2+ BC and his last treatment will be 4/12/07. He plans on leaving it in until the Herceptin is finished and a little beyond. I think it matters what stage you are in, how you responded to treatment and your chance of reoccurence. Keeping a positive attitude helps, but he was so ill that leaving it in a little while longer until he gains more confidence is our reality. Great work and keep us posted on your recovery>>lol>>SMILE>>Waiting For A Miracle>>Marie G

Kimberly Lewis · 04-06-2007, 07:41 PM

HI- just wanted to voice my experience - My port got a bad infection while I was in Hercepting treatment - had it pulled, healed and then had a new one placed during an LAVH procedure. I am keeping mine as a safeguard, I don't like having that hard place in my chest but I like less being cut open again so soon darn it! I will keep it for a year and then see how I feel. Go with your what makes you comfortable - the insertion isn't that big a deal if it is done at a good hospital. When they put my second one in they cleaned up quite a bit of scar tissue from the first. Have a good Easter!

Bev · 04-06-2007, 09:23 PM

Hi Maria,

Had mine out end of Feb, 3 months after completing H. The Onc thought it odd that I waited that long. My skin is still hard and raised where the cath and port were. Guess it will take awhile. I was never all that fond of my port because I don't have experience of doing chemo without port.

You could also not get it flushed and have it removed with implant surgery. I guess if you don't keep up with flushing schedule it becomes unusable after 2 months. Should you need it 6 months from now, they can pull the old and put in the new. If you don't need the port it can just sit there dormant without flushing until you do implant surgery. BB