Port or pic line?

Hi Elvira 

I got a port because it was importantly to me to be able to continue to attend water based classes during treatment. I also react to most dressings so the idea of having a PICC dressing didn’t appeal. Not all hospitals can do them and it’s sometimes not possible due to waiting lists. I have found it absolutely fantastic. At the time I had it fitted in 2022, I thought it would be with me for 6 months and then gone, but my cancer turned metastatic and I still have it. It isn’t currently in use so I just get it flushed every 6 weeks. 

My blog entry from the time describes the day it was fitted. 
I’ve got the power

Thank you, I like to swim 3/4 times a week so I think that the port will be the way forward if I can have it as I would like to be able to continue x

My advice would be to stress how important exercise is to you. My oncologist was a bit sniffy about me using pools due to the risk of infection but I never had a problem. Oddly she was happier with sea swimming despite the problems we have down here with Southern Water discharging sewage.

Hi Elvira,

If you’ve been offered a choice that’s great! I had a picc line for my first lot of chemo back in 2021 - there’s lot of extra line care appointments you need to attend to keep it clean and you can’t go swimming, so I chose to have a port fitted on the right side of my chest this time around and I’m finding it so much better and less intrusive. its nice not having all the tubes on show in my arm.