Picc line

Hi , I am on chemo at the moment , by profession I place piccs, they are virtually painless to put in and have the benefit of protecting your veins for the future, also you will always have access for chemo so one less worry. You can do normal activity with them but no baths just showers. They should warn you of the potential risks when placing the line. Feel free to ask any questions 

Hi Anna,

I have a PICC line for 12 weeks of paclitaxel (just done week 9) and it’s not too bad. I brought a waterproof sleeve from Amazon to use in the shower and sleep on my back rather than on the arm with the line in.

Having it put in wasn’t painful and mainly it doesn’t cause any problems. You have to go to hospital each week to have it cleaned / re-dressed (mine is same time as having blood tests) and I did have a bleed from it one week, but they re-dressed it and it was fine. Important to keep it clean and dry.

Much better for me than trying to find my veins each week, which are rubbish - but also looking forward to it coming out and having a ‘normal’ arm again!

Good luck with your treatment x

Hi , thank you so much for your msg. Iam the same will have 12 weeks of paclitaxel plus trastuzumab every three weeks. How you find your weekly treatment as you already finished more than half ? How is side effects and are you using cold cup also. Lovely to hear from you , very best xx

Thank you for your advice, im booked for picc line with hospital and in the same time trying to find what ladies experience with this. I understand its much easier for nurses to deal with chemo as picc line its in place so mo hustle with veins. I understand that picc line will be inserted in opposite side of effected breast?how you feel with your chemo treatment? X

I opted for a port as some pts said whilst a picc was good they always had to be careful not to catch it and sleeping on it was awkward for some. It will go opposite to cancer so not to compromise circulation on the affected side. 
I am still managing to work , walk  for 1 1/2 hrs a day and ride. I have had ec followed by paxitacel I have been lucky no sickness. I find I am tired some days but if I push myself to walk energy come back also helps with digestion as chemo has slowed my digestion down. I would say the worst thing about chemo is the steroids preventing you from sleeping so I have a meditation programme and oils on my pillow. 

Very well done to you! Iam planning to take 3 weeks off from work but after i read your msg i will go for two :)work and be busy it’s important to keep moving around . I love daily walks too and this is the most important part of my life , free to walk be out and about. Sleeping its my big problem... half night sleeping half waiting for morning to come ... i love lavender smell ... 

Hi Annnna I have done 5 of my 12 paclitaxel and had my PICC put in after week one.  It is much easier than having to have a cannula each time. Mine is on the opposite side to my lumpectomy. I make sure I keep mine covered by always wearing tops with long sleeves and it has not been a problem at all. At night I just wear long sleeved pyjamas and it was an excuse to  treat myself to some nice new ones. I have managed to keep working so far too although I am increasingly tired so will reduce my hours for a bit. The only downside of the PICC is no repetitive movements so I have delegated the hoovering sadly . 

Hi Karen , iam so happy to hear that so many ladies still working while on chemo ! I hope i can manage well same as you and other ladies. I still have 10 days up to my first session :( worry time .Its lovely to know so many of you already half way less or more it make me feel less worry . Iam booked for picc line on 19 th but not date for chemo yet . Are you using cold cap ? Me same like you will reduce my working hours ...

Hi Annna, sadly my centre aren’t doing cold caps at moment so most of my hair is now in my bin! I would definitely have given it a go if it was available as I had a lot of hair and my hair loss has been even rather than patchy. I went to Macmillan centre yesterday and now have a wig ready for when I need it and am trying to be positive that trying new hairstyles as my hair regrows will be fun. I have found the hair loss issue far more stressful than the PICC line which I often forget is there. Stay strong in some ways waiting for the chemo to start is the worst bit because once it starts you can count down the weeks until it’s over.

I had a Picc line when I had primary breast cancer a number of years ago.  There was no problem with it being in, but found that nobody wanted to use it to draw blood - it was only used really for my chemo.  occasionally it wouldn't flush but nurses were brilliant and always managed to push it / pull it and would get it working again.  community nurse came every week to clean and put clean dressings on - which was a bit of a pain - but to be honest I was going nowhere at the time through chemo.  It certainly removed the stress of getting a cannula in which had started to prove difficult - so yes I would recommend it and save your veins.  x