Hi
Three years ago I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer which involved year long treatment. Chemo which reduced quite a large lump so I only needed a lumpectomy, followed by radiotherapy.
The chemo resulted in me being left with very ropey veins. Trying to get blood out or anything in proved quite challenging for many nurses.
in December I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in the brain. Again I was fortunate that caught it small and was operable. I then had 3 stereotactic radiotherapy sessions.
Yesterday I started the first of nine weekly paxitaxel chemo treatments along with three weekly targeted treatment. On Tuesday I had to give blood sample which resulted in three attempts to fill three vials, leaving me with some nasty bruising. Then yesterday four attempts to get the cannula in. During one of the flushes I noticed my vein looked bruised and puffy. The nurses thought the cannula had pierced my vein so they had to move to another area. As I had nodes removed from my right side they can only use my left side.
I had previously spoken to my consultant about my veins and she did recommend getting a line fitted. I said I would see how it goes before deciding. Needless to say, it was a nightmare, for me and the nurses, so I am going to speak to my consultant about getting a line. My nurses also recommended this.
What I would like to know is how others have who have had a line find it? Which would they recommend?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Y
