Hi Jane,

I went for a preassessment appt yesterday, and expressed my concerns to the nurse. She explained to me that as I do not have very good accessible veins on my right hand (my left can't be used due to the SNB) this is why it had been recommended.  However, she suggested that we try the canula on the first chemotherapy session and see how we get on with that.  I must have been more worried about it than I thought, as it felt as quite a relief to have this said.  If I need it later, then so be it, but I now feel as if I have been given a choice.

Regards,

Chocolate

Hi.

Just wanted to say I had  picc line and it is a very simple procedure putting it in. They numb the top of your arm, make a very small incision and use an xray to help them guide the line in to the right place. The whole thing takes less than half an hour. The care after is easy too. i had a district nurse come to me once a week to change the dressing and flush the line, she also takes blood ready for chemo. The hardest part is keeping it dry in the shower....I managed by holding the shower head!

The only problem I had is, it turns out I am allergic to the dressings!! Caused a bit of a problem for me and i actually had the line taken out yesterday. I am now booked to have a port fitted before my next chemo in 2 weeks. I think the port will suit me better as my chemo is weekly and will be ongoing for several months to come :-(

Good luck with the canula, remember the Picc is ok too. good luck with your treatment

Elsas-mum xx

Hi Chocolate

My mom has a PICC line in for her chemo and is getting on ok with it.  She said it was strange at first having it there but she soon got used to it.  Shes not really had any problems with it.  The hospital told my mom its best for her to recieve chemo through the PICC line rather than using veins as its better to preserve the veins.  I hope this helps, and good luck with your treatment.

Love Snowpea xx

Hi I've got a pic line in now, putting it in is OK don't feel only thing I found is I usually sleep on that side so had to change sleeping habits most of the time you can't feel it just sometimes it catches, but would still have it makes having chemo easier as your veins do play up I usually have great veins but they struggled xx

Did you not get a prescription shower sleeve x