Port removal

J2P · New User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

My MIL had breast cancer 4 yrs ago and had a port put into recieve her meds. She also had a mastecomy (sp?). My question is this, does the port stay in forever or should it be removed?

Also does anyone know if ther is a place that helps with the cost of a prosthesis, hers is 4 yrs old and is starting to leak and as she is on a limited income, she has no way to pay for a new one.

thank you,
Bekah

BFagan2067 · Experienced user Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 54

Bekah, If your mil has had her port for four years then the answer is that she can have that removed at any time. I personally have had my port now for over 5 years. However I hate IV's and maintain it by having it flushed every month. I hope that she has hers flushed monthly too. Insurance should cover the cost of her prothesis and they should also pay for mastectomy bras as well... I can get mine replaced every one or two years. however, I have one prosthesis that I have used for years now.. it is called a boosom buddy, the most comfortable that I have ever found and it was also the least expensive, I actually bought it myself. at any rate... they also have them in the TLC catalog at reasonable prices as well. She should however make an appointment with a person who will fit her for the prosthesis and tell her exactly what size she needs... they will also help with the insurance papers depending on the insurance that she has. Any other questions please post them so that we can help her to find one that is not leaking. If you have any specific questions please feel free to email me at BFagan2067@aol.com just make sure that you put the cancer forum in the subject line so that I will know to open it.. Best of luck to you and your MIL!
HUGS!
Barbara

J2P · New User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

The ins. my MIL has is medicare, she is on disability, and the medicare just kicked in, she is unsure as of yet, what they will not pay or pay for.
About her port, she wasn't even told the it should be flushed. I tole her about a friend that had one and that it got infected, because she was unable to get it flushed (due to other health isues), and my MIL was very surprised to hear that it should be flushed monthly, when she asked the drs. they told her that it should be flushed, but it was ok to do it every 3-4 mths.
Let me tell you I have been very unimpressed by her cancer care, since wshe was uninnsured at the time of her diagnosis, she had to go on indigent care, and I think one of the reasons she had a mastecomy,is they didn't want to pay for the prolonged treatment of trying to rid her of the cancer cells,(just my opinion).

Does anyone know if medicare will pay for prothesis?

Or for a port removal?

Thanks so much for any information, my MIL has no computer, so she has no way to ask these ?'s, and I am not sure if she would anyway, she is very private about these things, and wiol even put herself in joepardy at times.

Bekah

Anajo · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Port removal

info@nationalbreastcancer.org

J2P - Try sending your email to the above address. I feel for your MIL having to still have this port in her.
Good luck
_________________
JoAnn

Divine1 · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:23 pm Post subject: port still in!

Hi Hun,
I had my port in alomost 1 yr ago and I am finished with my Chemo and my Recomstruction is done and things are Great! I am 43 yrs old.
But the drs do not want to pull the port yet.
I am a horrible stick and No veins.
I have a double Mastectomy so really I can't use my arms, so there for my port is there for that...

I have no problem with my port I have it flushed once a month and at that time I usally have my blood drawn too.

So you see everyone has a different story in their life.
Good luck to you and your Mil.
God Bless,
Tammy

leo · Owner Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

It is excellent that ports can be kept in for a long time, and the risk of infection is low. But if there is no plan to use it the best option is to pull. Low risk does not equal zero, and an infection in a port like that is a big deal...you will not only need it taken out urgently, but you will need to be admitted and put on IV antibiotics. If you need it, keep it in. If it's not being used at all, why take the risk. My 2 cents.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

BFagan2067 · Experienced user Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 54

Bekah, Medicare should pay to have her port removed. I can't really tell you about the flushing stuff as that my onc and onc nurses have always gone with the once a month flush. Which I follow all the time. I also have crohns disease and due to my staging with the breast cancer and various other problems I use my port all the time for different tests... just used it monday for a cat scan of my abdomin and pelvis area. I will also use it on friday for my much dreaded colonoscopy. I aLso believe that the medicare will also pay for a prosthesis... so you need to encourage your mother in law to contact a place that fits prosthesis, usually a medical supply place, or even a mastectomy boutiique.. my daughter lives in chicago and she tells me that the department stores there also have mastectomy shops , but none the less she needs to be fitted and also needs to find out what the medicare will cover for her prosthesis and mastecomy bras. Feel free to email me and maybe I can help you out.. Bfagan2067@aol.com just make sure that you put the forum in your subject line so that I will open it.
Leo, you do mean that you have to be admitted and put on IV antibiotics to have it pulled should you have an infection right? not just to have it removed right?
I will also add that I love my port and always treat it kindly Very Happy

Best of luck to your mother in law.. and I hope she appreciates how much you care for her and how wonderful you are to be researching all of this for her!
HUGS!
Barbara

Anajo · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Port removal

My surgeon removed my port at his office. It only took about 10 minutes. I must say, though, that it hurt A LOT! with about 5 needle insertions to numb the area. Once I was numbed it was OK. I would have preferred that he used some kind of sedative or topical cream like Lidocaine before the needle insertions. Anyway, it was a simple procedure. My skin had grown to it after 6 months and that was the most difficult part.
_________________
JoAnn

Minnlady13 · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: Port removal

Ouchie, ouchie, JoAnn. I am sorry that you had so much pain Sad

, but glad everything is done. Take it easy and let your body do some mending until you feel better. Gentle hugs, Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

J2P · New User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

and she is still having major problems finding out what medicare will and won't cover, she is very frusterated, does anyone know of anywhere that can help her get answers?

Bekah

Minnlady13 · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Port removal

You might try the Medicare web site. I found it using Google. It says Medicare part B will cover a breast prosthesis following mastectomy. I do not know if it covers replacements. But, it does give you a place to start looking for some answers. Good luck. Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

J2P · New User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

I will check this out,

Bekah

hhmv73a · Experienced user Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 95

Bekah,

Try http://www.medicare.gov/Coverage/Home.asp for more info on medicare coverage.

Jay

J. Jay Lu, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncoogy)

J2P · New User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

Thank you,
she is trying to understand the medicare, but so far is very confused.
Bekah

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