For those that had a port, how long after chemo did you wait until you finally got your port out?  I don't want to take it out too early and have to put it back in, but the sooner this little sucker comes out, the happier I'll be!!  My onc said about a month.  Was anyone in the middle of rads when they had it removed?  Wondering if rads will affect when I can get it out?
 
Thanks and many hugs!!
Kim

RB:dx 3/08 @ 37
IDC Multifocal 1.3cm Stg 2
ER/PR+ Her2-
4/09/08 RB Mastec, Lat Flap 
2+/12 nodes
5/15/08  TAC-6 rnds Done 8/28!!!!!
9/08 started Tamoxifen
10/7-11/13/08 Rads 28 rounds
BRCA2+
2/10/10 TLH/BSO 
5/5/10 left mastect & lat flap 
Um, am I done yet!?!

Hi Kimmi,my Dr said that about 4weeks after your last chemo ,i don't need to do rad so i not sure about that
 
                       Hope that help you,Kelly

My onc told me 2 years, just to be on the safe side in case of a reoccurrenc.

diagnosed 2/13/08
dbl mastectomy 3/03/08
BRCA 2+
IDC ER/PR- Her2- triple neg
Stage IIb
3+ lymph nodes
tumor in breast 2.5cm
starting chemo 3/25/08
4AC/4 Taxol
chemo finished 7/1/08 rad done 8/29/08
ovaries removed 10/3/08

I kept my port for almost a year after chemo.

Wow, great question.  I thought  they would take it out right away.  After my chemo is over I'm hopefully going to start reconstruction and I figured we'd take the port out then.
 
huh....interesting.....

Dx IDC 6/11/08
The day after my 33rd bday
ER+ PR+ Her2+++
Stage I Grade II  Nodes Negative
BRCA Negative! Finally, good news!
RB Mastectomy & Port 7/17/08
Carboplatin & Taxotere x 6   FINISHED!!!
Heceptin until 8/09  FINISHED!!!
Tamoxifen for 5 years starting 1/09
Lat Dorsi Flap Reconstruction w/ Expander 4/29/09
FINALLY, Implant Swap 9/18/09
Headlights turned on 12/18/09

Wow...so anywhere from 4 weeks to 2 years......goodnes.......that is a large span of time.   I guess I'll have to play it by ear.
 
Thanks!
Kim

RB:dx 3/08 @ 37
IDC Multifocal 1.3cm Stg 2
ER/PR+ Her2-
4/09/08 RB Mastec, Lat Flap 
2+/12 nodes
5/15/08  TAC-6 rnds Done 8/28!!!!!
9/08 started Tamoxifen
10/7-11/13/08 Rads 28 rounds
BRCA2+
2/10/10 TLH/BSO 
5/5/10 left mastect & lat flap 
Um, am I done yet!?!

Rads won't make a difference in the removal of your port. Some onc's like to keep it in a while as "insurance" in case anything happens, in this case it still has to be flushed every 4-6 weeks though.  In my case I think they were so busy with chemo patients etc they removed it two weeks after my last herceptin. I was nervous but very glad to get it out and felt happier too in my onc's confidence I would'nt be needing it too soon!!

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

My port was removed four weeks after chemo and one day before rads.

Hug,
Elaine

 A person's greatness is the power to stand alone;to be able to make her own choice; in action,to write anew her own law; to choose her own sacrifices; run her own dangers; win her own freedom; venture her own destruction; to choose her own happiness 
 

Mine was removed after rads were finished.

DX 10/04/2007 @ 41 yrs
IDC stage 1 grade 3
Lumpectomy 10/28/07
SNB=neg, Triple neg, BRCA=neg
Chemo 12/13/2007 - 3/26/2008
3 FEC followed by 3 Taxotere
36 Rads- Finished 7/08
My faith in God brought me through, and keeps me going!!!

I'm keeping my port for awhile and here's why:  I get CT scans every 3 months and if anything should show up, I'm all set.  I thought when chemo was over that was it too, but when I realized I'd be scanned for a while then I was glad to have the port.  I don't want to wear out my veins which started to get hard to hit when they did blood draws before my port was installed.  So my opinion is if your after care includes things that could be done through a port then I'm for keeping it.  Steph

48 yo gal from Texas!
ILC
Stage 2A, grade 3
node neg. triple neg.
Lumpectomy 6/6/07 2.7cm tumor
chemo AC x 4 every 2wks begin 7/16/07
followed by 12 weekly treatments Taxol
6wks rads starting 1/14/08 Done 3/1/08!