Port a cath removal

I know there aren't many in here who have had ports, but thought I would throw this question out. What should I expect fromt he removal?
I'm scheduled to have my Port a Cath removed in 2 weeks and am very very nervous, but excited. I've had stable platelet counts (250k!) for 9 months now and recently have had some problems with a mild reaction to getting my port flushed. I haven't been getting it flushed as often as I should and now that I am no longer using it my docto thinks it's a good idea to get it removed since it seems that the splenectomy has put me into remission. I just learned from my surgon that they don't typically put you inder for the removal. You get local sedation, and that's it. Honestly this is making me more nervous then getting it put in in the first place. At least then I was asleep. Does anyone have any experience with getting one removed?

As a side note, I in no way regret getting it in the first place. It served me well, saved my arms and made all the IVIG, Rituxan, and other IVs much more tolerable. I highly reccomend getting one if you are having constant problems with arm IVs like I was.

sorry for my ignorance but what is a Port a cath?

You will guess I will have never had one removed never mind inserted as don't know what one is though guessing from your description its a tube they use or iv drugs in your case ivig

I had spenectomy but didn't need that thankfully or like you I wouldn't have been good at keeping it flushed

Rhiannon,
no need to be sorry, I was fairly ignorant before I got mine as well. A port is a medical implant that is used for IV infusions. Mine is in my right sholder, under the skin. Whenever I need a blood draw, infusion, etc the nurses use a special needle an poke me in my sholder insted of taking it out of my arm veins. I got mine 3 years (ish) ago and now that I'm in 'remission' from my splenectomy I am getting it removed. Hard to expalin what it is but here is the wikipedia entry for it goo.gl/QDm8P . It basically saved my arms as I was having constant IV problems when I was doing IVIG. The skin above mine has numbed so I literally feel nothing when they insert the needle now.

Hi there barrelgal

I have seen them often enough on other patients on the heamatology ward but never knew the name for them now that you have explained it.

If anything like removal of the urine bag they use when in operations or are too ill then it is straight forward and painless though a slight discomfort may be experienced.

I have vague memories that some have a mild local anethetics but I may be guessing and don't know what it is really like as some people will ut a brave face on things and claim it nothing etc....

Anyways am glad you are having it removed. Am sure there many a doc/nurse probably wished I had one as my vains look promising and the needle gets inserted and the vain shrinks away. Thankfully as I say, I haven't got one because there must be times you are more than aware of it etc, I would be at least.

Anyways congratulations on getting it removed and one big step in the right direction. Well done

Pretty much the same as it was going in -- local anaesthesia, you will feel some pressure but no big deal. Demerol for a day or two, in my case.

It's the local anestesia that makes me nervous. I was put completely under when it went it, I've never been sliced open with only local. Do they give you valium first so that you don't care?

In my case, no, but I didn't ask for it. If you are nervous, by all means ask.