Hi,

I have had a PICC line inserted after receiving a letter to attend an appointment. No one is clear as to why I have got it in - my oncologist is currently away at the moment.

I had surgery a couple of months ago but the gynae-oncologist is planning to take me back to theatre to check for any further spread etc as she didn't remove the tumour, although there was no visible cancer left. The alternative is potentially chemo but she is reluctant if it's not necessary which I totally appreciate. I went for the pre-op and they couldn't get blood because my veins are poor and the one good vein had been used the previous week for another blood test. I told the nurse that I had had a PICC line put in towards the end of my stay as I was vomiting and the cannulas had been removed etc and they couldn't get them back in. The nurse said that they would probably take the bloods on the morning of my admission and maybe get a doctor to use an ultrasound etc but that I should mention to the anaesthetist about the PICC line.

Obviously I haven't seen the anaesthetist because I haven't been admitted. My CNS doesn't know why I have it either but both she and my GP say it's highly unlikely that the PICC line has been requested ahead of potential surgery just because I am difficult to bleed and hard to cannulate. They both suspect it might be for alternative treatment - as this would fit with the use of a PICC line more.

I was just wondering if you have come across a PICC line being requested ahead of any admission for surgery and without trying cannulas etc? Is this common?

Would you also be more inclined to agree with the CNS and GP?

Thank you.