Good morning Millsy
With regard to the PICC, I’ve found it to be a bit of a double edged sword. On the one hand, every time I need chemo, antibiotics, blood tests etc. I’m so thankful that I have it. I’ve watched others struggle with needles and feel so grateful to have a PICC. The major downside for me is the need for weekly flush and dressing change. It means that I cannot avoid the hospital on my good weeks. Also finding well fitting pretty covers has been a pain. I tend to wear long sleeves to hide it. I do miss a long soak in the bath but that’s a treat I’m looking forward to when this is all over, along with a swim. If I was given the choice knowing what I do now, I would have the PICC. ?
all the best
Jacq x
Hi Millsy, I’m from June thread, so half way through. I have a Picc line and find it no bother at all. I have a Limbo cover for the shower/bath, which keeps it completely dry. I have lovely well fitting covers from Etsy which people think I am wearing as a fashion statement. I live in a rural area so my flush and bloods are done by community nurses at home. I think the benefits outweigh the negatives, for me anyway. Hope that helps. Kx
Hi Ladies
Sending all my love and best wishes to everyone having chemo this week.
So glad to hear you are feeling a bit better this week Georgie Gee. Do you have your Picc fitted this week too?
Second EC on Friday for me. Really not looking forward to it after how hideously ill I felt overnight last time I had it. Saw omcologist and have to say he wasnt very empathetic. He said first one sometimes bad bc its the first time for the body and subsequent are better?? - I’ve not heard that from anyone else but bow to his judgement. Hope the nurses might have some suggestions.
The weather looks like it will be a lot cooler than last time so will be curious to see how that affects the nausea in the days after. Hopefully in a good way ??
Good luck ladies ???
Hi all,
and Multitasker, yes I have picc going in tomorrow. Not looking forward to it but am told they numb the arm. Will be having next chemo on Thursday - like everyone I am wondering what this will be like compared to last time. Like others, I have not found that the oncologist is very empathetic or even shocked or ‘sorry to hear…’ about the treatment side effects. Today I asked her whether she knew about the hospital stay for sepsis, and she said ‘of course, but that’s quite rare but like the other side effects, is one of those things…’. Not impressed.
I pointed out that I have lost weight since last time, and she said that she might slightly reduce the dose because of this.
Sometimes I wish they could see us during treatment - or even feel the side effects for half a day - but we must press on mustn’t we…
love to all and and best wishes for fellow chemo-ers this week.
G G
Hi ladies - hope you are all coping ok
Millsy, multitasker & cat67 - I had similar side effects to you, my breast care nurse contacted the chemo unit & for my 2nd chemo today, they have changed my anti sickness & steroids meds + got a tablet for heartburn & a mouthwash so hopefully I won’t feel as bad - update to follow?
The company I work for have been great, I’ve got a sick note for the duration of my chemo but can do odd bits from home as & when I feel ok
Hope you start to pick up soon
Jude x
Hi Augusters… been to gp today and gave meds for oral thrush so hopefully will see some improvement soon. The best bit of advice i had on here is do not suffer in silence! If you have hard SEs then callcall hot or nurse as they have all sorts of meds to try. Push if you have too this is hard enough without pajn and sickness! Big hugs .kip xx
Unfortunately the drugs don’t work ?
Had very bad heartburn in the night & several bouts of sickness!
Jude x
Hi Georgie
Good luck with the picc line!
Sorry to hear that you don’t feel you are getting the suitable response from your oncologist - all we want is some empathy & understanding.
I feel that I’ve been lucky as I have had the suitable responses & support from the beginning
Good luck for your chemo on Thursday
Jude x
Hi Jo
The nausea & sickness is so debilitating, I’ve just managed a bit of toast which I’m hoping stays down
I don’t have to do the wbc injections but I did notice that before the first chemo my neuts were 4.22 & yesterday they were down to 1.07, so will need to be careful next week
A third of the way though but it seems a long haul until the last cycle mid November
Take care
Jude x
Hi lovely ladies,
Hope you are having a good day.
Jude1962, yes we all seem to be having very similar SEs don’t we and like many of you I am hoping that next time round they change the anti sickness so the SEs are not quite so bad. I even ordered sea sickness bands today as heard on another forum that they may help…worth a try!
I have a question for anyone who has started to wear a wig. Is a wig liner sufficient or is tape needed to keep it on securely? I will be losing my hair soon and have my wig ready but have visions of going outside and a gust of wind blowing it off…it landing on the neighbours dog who runs off with it…okay over active imagination! :smileyhappy:
Also, how do you know what your neuts are? Nobody has spoken to me about this but may be that is because I have only had one chemo session so far? I am at the hospital tomorrow for PICC line care so can mention it to them then.
Thanks…wishing you all well.
Onwards and upwards.
Xxx
Hi Jo
Your neuts are quite low then especially as you have been having the injections
I’m not sure what the cut off point is on neuts to stop chemo but I think I’d seen on an earlier post that if you are admitted due to an infection they don’t let you out unless they are above 1?
I’ve only had 2 lots of toast but debating some soup & bread!
Hope we all have a good nights sleep
Jude x
Hi Cat
They changed my anti sickness meds & steroids & added in heartburn tablets but not really helped - think it may just be a case of getting through the first couple of days after chemo & just accepting that you will feel shocking ?
My wig is fine & comfortable with a wig liner, it doesn’t budge at all & even when it’s windy & blows up you can’t tell it’s a wig. I’ve braved the shave & it is a better fit without a lot of hair
With regard to the neuts - my chemo unit give you a booklet that they fill in every time with your blood results, chemo drugs & medication to take home
Good luck with your visit tomorrow
Jude x
Hello all,
had my PICC line put in today… eventually ?.
First time they thought all went well and well and commented on how relaxed I seemed.
Had X-ray but was then called back to the picc room. It had gone into my neck instead of down into chest and heart area.
Second and third attempt, still in neck.
Fourth time around, in place and confirmed by X-ray. They did say I was rare though… ? Trust me! It is usually quick and painless…
I now now have a very sore arm, and have to go to the hospital aGAIN tomorrow to check the dressing… so 4 times for me this week, including chemo on Thursday. The hospital car park is doing very well; today was £6.90 as was there from 1.15 to 5.15. Wonder what it will be on a full chemo day?..
oh dear…
but it is nice to come on here and chat to others who know what a picc is, and to see that we all have our various struggles and muddles.
Georgie xxx
Thankyou, feeling finally normal! Has been a rough 10 days which included an overnight stay in A&E with a raised temperature which was due to injections and had doubled my wbc. Seen oncologist today who was very sympathetic and changing treatment slightly and meds for next cycle. X
Hello Georgie / All
It might be worthwhile asking your breast care nurse if your hospital offers concessionary parking for chemo patients. I was told about this by a friend whose mum had cancer treatment and they found out about it by chance. The hospital I’m at don’t advertise it but it seems if you ask you get. I now just pay a £1 per visit irrespective of length of visit.
Hope this helps
Sue x
Hi Jude,
Thanks for the advice. I hear you re the SEs. I was prescribed Omeprazole for heartburn and it seems to have worked a treat and Benzydamine for sore mouth and that has helped too. I plan to ‘brave the shave’ as soon as I see signs of it falling out…not too long now.
Hi Georgie,
You poor thing, sounds like you’ve had a right time of it! The PICC line has worked well for me so far so hopefully you will start to get the benefits from it soon.
I was surprised to hear about the hospital car park charges - where I go the car park has a Reg No. recognition system and I have been told that I can give my Reg No. to the reception and they will sort it for me, otherwise I agree it will become very costly!
Hi Subee,
Pleased to hear you are over the worst and feeling better.
Xxx
Hi Georgie
It doesn’t seem to be getting any easier for you - will be thinking about you
I’ve got a 6 month parking permit which covers up to 2 cars by registration - it might be worth asking if your hospital does anything like it. This covers me for the hospital for chemo & the hospital (which is a bit nearer) that I go to for blood tests
Take care x
Hi Subee
Pleased you are feeling better, enjoy the next 10 days until it starts all over again!
Jude x
Hi Cat
Good luck when you brave the shave, it does seem a bit overwhelming & scary but I did feel better afterwards as if I’d taken some control
Jude x
Thank you all for your encouragement and understanding… it helps to have buddies here who ‘know!’…
I will indeed go to the hospital reception desk tomorrow and ask about parking charges! The number of times we have to go per month is quite considerable isn’t it.
Love to you all, and especially to those with poisoning this week ?..
Gee x