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How long does a port a cath have to stay in? I've been in remission for over a year now and I want to get it out but half of me says wait just incase your cancer comes back and the other half of me says get it out its UGLY!!! Any suggestions???
My oncologist want me to keep mine for at least two years. I think it's because of the odds of it coming back.
I have a powerport. Is that the same thing?
I, too, still have my port in and wondered the same as you. I am in remission for over a year,too. I'm afraid to have it out because I don't want to spoil a good run! My port doesn't hurt or even look bad so I figured I'd just leave it in until my chemo dr says it's time to take it out. I have it flushed every month when I got for my vaccine.
Good Luck..
Congrats on your remission. Keep it up.
Jan
I was told a year but my numbers have been going up and I will probably have to go back on chemo at some point so I am keeping it. Having it installed was rough so I would rather just leave it in. I think the two years is a good guideline myself.
What is a power port and what kind of vaccine are you receiving?
I would guess about 2 years, but your doctor should know given your circumstances.
I just had a medi-port put in in August, but since I've been on chemo for 10 months, mine is going anywhere yet. It doesn't bother me - just is very visible because I'm thin - but who cares.
What is the difference between a port a cath, a power port, and the medi-port I have? Just curious. Are they really all the same but called by different names depending on when you got it?
There are some differences in the types of ports but basically they do the same thing. The power port has the capability of infusing solutions at a faster rate. For instance pushing the contrast during the CT scan. My doctor told me he was doing me a favor by using that because of all the CT scans I'll be having but funny thing is the facility I go to won't access my port for the scan. So I have to get stuck with an IV even with the port.
I think we want the port out to finally say THERE, DONE! But.... I have had four ports put in and 3 taken out not to mention the one the doctor put in and MESSED UP and had to re insert!
They woke me up on the operating table to tell me something went wrong and they had to re insert the port! They called the doctor back to the hospital He had already left the premisis while I was under anesthesia!
I think the removal of the Port is individually based. I, however, could not wait to get it out! My doctor agreed to surgically (out patient procedure - total procedure 1 hr.) remove my port within 3 months of my last chemo infusion - approx 1 yr. ago. As part of one's recovery, I believe it is important to mentally to rid yourself of the daily reminders - ie, the PORT. Yuk, recovery is difficult enough with daily reminders. The physical reminder of the port, I think, is not good. I remain a NED "No Evidence of Disease" which I affectionaly call myself a NEDy girl. THose of us in recovery, must remain positive that our bodies will NOT relapse and that the port is gone forever too.
Good luck - listen to your body.
PS: celebrate your 1 yr. recovery and rid yourself of the physical reminders. Does your body good :o)
I like "Lifeisgrand" - have a power port and have has PPC for about 14 months. I did the six rounds of Taxol/Carbo/Avastin. Due to a blood clot, I did not get to continue on the Avastin for the maintenance period. I choose a vaccine study and just completed six cycles. I was told just this week that they like to leave the ports for two years as this is this is the dangerous re-occurrence time. I personally don't give the port much thought - It is just a "quick" connect within my body that I can accept as part of my life. I guess that each of see life though our own filters.
My powerport doesn't even bother me. I just know it's there. It makes it easier to take blood and if I wish to put the contrast through on CT days. I go every 3 months. I'm on a study drug that is one it's last stages. So far so good! It's supposed to prevent the cancer from coming back or at least prolong it. B/C of the vaccine I go every month for this vaccine and every 3 months for bloodwork and a CT scan. I just figured why change a good thing! So far so good so I'll just leave the powerport in until my doctors tell me it's time to take it out! I believe in them! I listen!
You can't even see my port unless you really look. I even wore shirts and bathing suits over the summer and you couldn't see it!
Good Luck everyone on your journey! Stay positive! Keep talking!
Jan
I had mine removed after a year and a half. I was having some severe neck and arm pain and wondered whether it might be related. My port had long since stopped returning blood, and I had to take warfarin every day to reduce the possibility of blood clots. I wanted to get off the warfarin. Mine was also beginning to really itch.
If I recur, I want the power port. The only time anyone besides the cancer centers agreed to use my port was last December when I had my colonoscopy. The nurse told me it should have been used numerous times, that most of the departments just didn't want to bother to wait while the hospital found someone who knew how to use it.
Incidentally, I never had trouble getting blood drawn before cancer. Now, it's usually 2-3 sticks, often with the tech probing around with the needle until I make them stop. My doctor said chemo permanently damages your veins. On the other hand, one tech took a little longer to really feel the different veins and got me on the first stick!
I do like not having it; I wouldn't have thought it affected me that much, but I like not having the reminder. (Of course, my scar still itches!)
I had my power port put in in feb. 08 iam reaccuring with cancer and a on my second chemo of 6 to go. the port is wonderful noproblems.I had it put in by hickman him selfthe man who invented it. They say this power port has stopped thetube from separating fm the disk as the old ones sometmes do. You can get a higher dose of meds and I have all my cat scans done thru the port swell s blood drawls. they say I can keep it in for a good 5 years possbly more. goodluck Paula
I was supposed to have my ports (IV and IP) removed within 3 months after finishing the first course of chemo. Decided to keep them, and am glad I did because I relapsed 4 months later and would have needed a new one put in. I've had them for almost 2 years now and get a kick out of them. They don't show through my clothes, and I refer to them as the "Panic buttons"
My doctor told me to get it out after my trip to England in September of 2006, just 3 months after my last chemo treatment. He said, "You don't need it, I cured you." I liked his positive attitude! I had my port removed in October of 2006.
Hopefully, I am not jinxing myself here, but it has been 3 years with no recurrence...knock on wood! I felt that it was better to get the port out than to worry about infection, blood clots and having to take Warfarin every day.
It was the right decision for me, but everyone and every situation is different. First listen to your doctor, then listen to your heart. You will know what is best for you.
Stay strong,
Angel
Mine veins are poor so I kept my port after finishing my chemo in March of 2006. When I go for blood tests at the lab they use a small butterfly needle. I have it flushed every 8 weeks. Used it again when I recurred in Oct '08 and still have it. It does not bother me although I tend to lean toward v- neck tops so the it doesn't show.
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