How long do IV ports stay in?

[Dee345]

I've completed IV and IP chemo and had my IP port removed. My gyn/onc wants to keep my IV port in for a year.

For ladies who've had IV ports, how long after chemo finished did you keep them in?

Thanks, Dee

[kittie]

I have mine in four years this December. I had my first recurrence after twenty two months in Jan 2015 and second recurrence in April this year I am glad I left it where it was. Kittie

[Rosewall101]

Hi Dee. I had a port in 2008 and took it out straight after treatment ended. I didn't want to be reminded of chemo. This time round I plan to leave it in. My oncologist suggested I shouldnt rush to remove. I think a year or 2. I know I'll get to a point when either I'll feel comfortable in my recovery or have to use it for further treatment. visiting hospital every 4 weeks or so doesn't seem to troublesome.

I have to admit to not liking to touch the area over my port but it does a great job. I've read on this site that some ladies have them in years.

Good luck with your decision.

T. X

[lesleysage]

Morning Dee,

My port was last used three years ago and my oncologist is so sure it will be needed again, she said it wasn't sensible to remove it & it just needed a saline flush every 4 to 8 weeks to prevent infection or getting blocked. My GP decided it could be part of his 'PDP' (Professional Development Plan) so one of the nurses taught him and he now flushes it out every couple of months to save me going back to the chemo clinic nearly an hours drive away.

I'm just hoping the oncologist is wrong!

Hope the day is good. Lesley

[LesleyGreengran]

Hello

I've had mine in for a couple of years now but I've recurred twice. Mine's a chest port so flushed every month. It doesn't bother me as I can shower and swim with it.

Lx

[Bluehen]

I have had mine in for 18 months and thankful I haven't had to use it. I get it flushed every three months.

[coalole]

I have a PICC line. It has been in since April and I'm planning to keep it in until the Avastin treatment has finished. It needs flushing weekly.

I know this is not what you asked about but I thought it might be useful as a comparison.

Diane

[Dee345]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies, it's good to have some reference points. It does make sense to keep it in though on the other hand I agree it is a constant reminder of the whole experience.

I'm very aware of mine and it's visible with certain necklines or when I wear a swimsuit. I also don't like to touch it - like something alien protruding from my chest area. Also its right where the seatbelt hits on the passenger side of the car.

Still... in the scheme of things it's really not a big deal and I only have to drive 20 mins every 4-6 weeks to my onc office for flushing.

Thanks again and I hope there will be zero recurrence for any of us, making our ports superfluous to requirements

[Minniemay in reply to Dee345]

I agree with the seat belt thing...pretty annoying. I've seen on a website I've saved to Pinterest that there is a small quilted "pocket" that can be slipped over the shoulder part of the belt to cushion the port area in the chest. I'll try to look into it.

[hgeroka16]

I really don't know but I'm planning to keep mine atleast 5 years after chemo if I can, I don't wanna go through that again

[Minniemay]

Hi...new here, first comment! I was told my port could stay in for the rest of my life...just hoping & praying that I have a few years of life left