**DECEMBER 2021 - MARCH 2022 BREAST CANCER CHEMO**

The trouble is you don't always fancy what you would normally eat. On EC I hardly ate any fruit and salad (my usual snack and lunch options) and just ate what I fancied. 

In can go in either arm as long as you haven't had surgery on that side.So my lumpectomy was on my right boob so the PICC is in my left arm.

I have to go up to the hospital every week to get it flushed & have the dressing changed. Now I'm on weekly paclitaxel that's not an issue because pre-bloods can also be taken at the same time. 

I was getting to the stage where I was dreading anyone coming near me with a needle. 

EC questions-

I’m starting 3 EC next month when I finish my 12 weekly Paclitaxel (+ carbo). 

- how long is a session of EC? I’m wearing the cold cap too.

- has anyone here tried ice mitts or socks to reduce neuropathy? If so any tips or recommendations?

thanks in advance

I am doing ice mitts/socks bought fr Amazon.

I get the centre to put them in freezer till time to have the taxol. Half an hour b4 during and half hour after. I am not sure how good but better to prevent than cure. I am  not sure about EC. 

Cx

Morning,so care of the piçc line is done by the nurses or we still have to flush it?I know it has a dressing but is it covered in any other way or does it just dangle,and how do you shower with it?

Thanks for your replyClaud272, are the mitts socks reusable? 

Hi Moco

I was scared to have the picc but you know what it was fine. I didn’t look when they inserted it. They numb your arm and watch it go in using a machine. I found it interesting but I would cos I like how things work. You’ll get used to it I promise. Better than being a human pincushion!

Hope it goes well xxxx

Hi

I bought actually two pairs of socks and use one on my hands lol there are cold packs which can be inserted into the pockets holding them on the socks itself. Mine was a velvety maroon one but can't seem to find it now. I have an ice bag and used ice packs to keep the inserts cold during transport.

C x

At my trust the nurses sort out the PICC but I do know some hospitals train partners in how to flush and change dressings 

This is my PICC, cover and the limbo sleeve to shower with. The cover you can get from loads of places and limbo waterproof sleeve,I was given a prescription but you can buy them off Amazon.

MiddPoppins

EC is quite quick as the nurse pushes the drug through by hand. It's all the pre-med, setting up the saline etc going through which takes the time.

I was usually there about 2 hours. I felt quite woozy, drunk like after mine. I've found the paclitaxel much easier to manage, I haven't felt as spaced out. 

Are you having it every three weeks?