Almost ready to start. Wondering about PICC line.

Hello Rainieday,

Well done on getting all your scans done and hopefully you’ll get a firm plan and start date very soon now.

I finished treatment 14 months ago, and my chemo was given by IV and orally so I didn’t have a PICC line. I do know this varies though depending on where you are being treated.  
With hair, I had thinning but nothing more, so hopefully it will be the same for you.

Wishing you all the best for the start of treatment and I hope you were able to sort something out with transport as remember you saying it was a long round trip. Xx

Hi Rainieday i had a picc line for my chemo, it was inserted a bit above my elbow crease. I bought a limbo sleeve for showering and it worked really well i even managed to get my chemo pump and wires in it. 

https://limboproducts.co.uk/product/limbo-slim-elbow-picc-m45/

The above is the one i bought. 

With regards to hair loss, i had a little more come out than normal when combing after washing but nothing that anyone else noticed.

Sending hugs. X

Hi ive got a picc line in my arm and can't feel it I would strongly advise

They gave me a we've do no problem showering and a cover to keep on at all times 

Good luck xx

Hello Rainieday,

Hopefully things will get moving for you soon.

I had my chemo as tablets, apart from one infusion of Mitomycin right at the start so you may not have a picc line, but that is something you could find out when you meet with the oncologist. I didn't lose much hair, not enough that anyone would notice.

It might help if you use this time to prepare for your treatment, so have a look at what you might do about food - although you can't predict what your appetite will be like, it might be helpful to have some light meals and snacks as you might find you just can't be bothered cooking or eating a lot. 

Good luck with it, and please stay in touch.

Hi Rainie, I saw your message about piccs for chemo, mine was just below my elbow and i had various covers for showering and bathing, I even went in a hot tub, though the picc line nurses definitely don't recommend that! 

Thanks PEB24. I hope to get the transport sorted on Monday. They do have an outside organisation who provides this if you qualify. Hopefully I do and that will help the situation.

I hope they'll do any intravenous stuff in the arm, as my hands always react badly and I've had some bad experiences on the back of the hand. I think I will try and be firm about that unless there's some medical reason for it.

Rainie

Thanks Bungle. That's a useful link and I will get one if that's what I end up with.

Rainie x

Hello Weekend Walker,

Thankyou for your support. It sounds like the arm is the place to have it.

Rainie x

Hello Mrs Vanilla,

Yes, I have been thinking about meals- mainly for my husband I have to say, so I have put some ready meals in the freezer for him in case I can't be asked. I also did a few bulk cooks and have some stews and chilli etc. in portions ready to go.

I can see me living on toast with various things on top. I don't suppose you feel like eating much if your head is in a bucket and you're sitting on the loo all the time.

I have bought various things in readiness such as a sitz bath, disposable bedsheets and disposable Tena pants with a built in pad - will try these to see how comfy they are/effective. Bit concerned about possible embarrassing incidents en route to and fro after treatments. I have an old cereal container with a flip-up lid for possible vomito incidents! The other end is also a worry, especially as I might be in another car and not my own.

It's like getting ready for a military campaign.

Rainie

Hello Salis,

A voice from a forum before. So glad to hear you again and hope the intervening years have been kind?

Dealing with this new cancer has been a blow, but I am steeling myself to get through it. It seems the elbow PICC is the way to go, if possible. Must say, the idea of a relaxing hot tub sounds great, but I'd settle for a shower instead of a strip-wash.

Rainie x