PICC Line

Hello Walks97 and welcome to the community. I am sorry to hear oy your diagnosis. My partner had a PICC line inserted just above the elbow into a main artery and fed to the side of the heart, this was done by a specialist nurse in day surgery and she was home in a few hours. maintenance is the important thing, keep it dry and once a week the tubes need flushing. dressings changed and access area cleaned. Walks97 you can have somebody in to do this, or if you have a friend you you would be happy to let do it, the nurse will show her how. My partner also wore a sheer blouse as well as the PICC line didn't catch on it. Walks97 if you click on "cancer forums" at the top of the page you will find two forums dedicated to breast cancer. i hope your treatment goes well, please take care, Eddie

Hi Walks97 and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your diagnoses.

I had a PICC line for my treatment, quick and painless to put in and made my months of treatment straightforward.

Navigating the cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who have walked the ‘exact same' cancer type journey can help a lot. (I have a completely different cancer).

The Community is divided into dedicated Cancer Specific Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend you join and post in our dedicated Breast Cancer support group. This is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.

To connect in with the group click on this link> Breast cancer then once the group page opens click on “Click to Join” when the black banner appears or “Join” under “Group Tools” (this all depends on the device you are using)

When you are ready you can introduce yourself by clicking “+new” or “+” in the top right next to the group title. You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

The Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00. This service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.

We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and give support to all the family.

Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community

Thanking you kindly Eddie

Really appreciate your response. 

Keep well 

Thanking you kindly Mike

You have helped my over active '3am wake up brain'.. worrying about the PICC line insertion.

Appreciate you pointing  me in the right direction, there has been so much to navigate, I am a little frazzled!

Keep well 

When I had me PICC put in I was busy talking to the nurse who was helping the Charge Nurse putting in the line I did not realise it had been put in place….. yes I felt the little sting when the area was numbed but that was it.

Get connected into the group as you will meet many people who understand the journey well ((hugs))

Thank you so much