My husband had a Hickman line inserted a month ago. He has had primary bowel cancer and now has liver cancer - with operations over the last two years, he is now on Chemo again. This time he has a Hickman line. He is having trouble as he also has a ileostomy bag on the same side. He hasn't had a shower yet ( That's fine he's not smelling!) He spends a lot of time taping the line up with little success as he has a hairy chest! Could anyone let me know how they cope with a Hickman line and how to keep it up, keep it dry or any other handy time and tricks! Thankyou very much.
Hi Buntin and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I'm sorry to read that your husband has two primary cancers and is struggling with his Hickman line.
As the community is divided up into different support groups I'm going to recommend that you join the bowel cancer and liver cancer groups which are both great place to ask questions, share experiences and get support from others in a similar position. You might also like to join the ileostomy support group too.
To join just click on the links I've created and then choose 'click to join' or 'join' (depending on the device you're using) on the page that opens. You can then introduce yourself and post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could pop something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
If you have any difficulty navigating the community just drop me a reply and I'll be pleased to help
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Buntin and welcome to the Online Community although I am so sorry to hear about your husbands diagnosis and ongoing challenges.
I have had 2 Hickman - Double Connection Lines over my years of treatment for my blood cancer. They were both in for about 4 months each time.
I had no real problems with them. I had showers every day including over the total of 70 days in hospital. My team told me that the dressings were waterproof….. just not to let the shower head hit the lines directly and not let any shower gel linger on the end of the lines…… then pat the dressings and the lines dry with a soft dry towel.
As for the dangling lines I used a neck line that you hang your glasses from. I found an all plastic one so could give it a good clean everyday with the two ends of the neck line cone Ted to the Hickman Connections. It helped when I was sleeping as this was contained behind a T shirt……. and no sticky dressings!!!!
The New to Community area is like our reception desk where we can signpost you on to our various cancer support groups and other services so can I recommend that you consider joining our supportive Liver cancer and Bowel (colon and rectum) cancer groups.
These groups are a safe place to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions, get support and talk with others who are supporting family and friends on their journey.
If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the Green link I have created above. Then once the page opens click on the black banner that says [click to join] at the bottom, or the [Join] button under "Group tools."
You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go.
You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post and as always you can reply to existing ‘Discussions’ by click [reply].
When it comes to the practical challenges of supporting someone on their cancer journey you may benefit from joining our supportive Carers only group where you will connect with others supporting family and friends
The Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or via Webchat and Email too. This service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear. You may also find our Ask an Expert section helpful but do allow a few working days for a reply.
Talking to people face to face can be very helpful but during these strange times it’s not that available but do check to see if any Local Macmillan Support in your area has opened up. Do also check out for a local Maggie's Centre in your area as these folks are amazing.
Always around if you need further help in navigating the community.
All the very best ((hugs))
Hi Bequest, first you may want to join and introduce yourself to our dedicated Stem cell transplant support group where you will connect with others like myself who have been through SCT…. in fact I had two SCTs or others who are supporting family on the unique journey.
The ones I had, had little loops at the ends with small sliding O rings. So once the Lumins were through the end loops I would slide the O rings down both ends holding the lines in place…. if that makes any sense 
Remember the SCT group, we are a friendly bunch 
