Have been told that I will need a central line put in for the rest of my chemo as I have rubbish veins. Was ok with the idea until the chemo nurse gave me a nice leaflet with lots of scary looking pictures in it. Just wondered if anyone out there had any advice advice for me!! xxxx
Portacath, portacath portacath! it’s the only way. It’s a godsend, no dangly bits, discreet and no more digging for veins!!!.
Good luck xxx
Dear Woolly,
I was in that boat a few weeks back- very scared - lots of irrational thoughts especially when they tell you the possible risks…I was convinced I would end up staying overnught in hospital with a punctured lung or bleed to death etc!!!
I can tell you it is not as bad as you think it is going to be…it is the best thing I have done and wish I had done it earlier to prevent the sore, gnarled ,dark veins etc.
It is great just walking in - getting blood taken out of the line and then the chemo in…that was the most distressing bit for me (4 goes each time) and I would wake up on chemo day with that gut turning worried feeling. NO MORE!
wishing you all the best whatever you decide
love
Kay.
Hi Woolly,
I’ve had my line in for 6months… It was put in under local and I was sick with fear about having it done. But it really wasn’t a big deal I shouldn’t have worried. It does make the chemo process much easier and not at all painful.
A district nurse comes twice a week to clean and flush it. Again painless. I wear a crop top to keep it tucked in and comfortable.
I have only experienced occasionaly a small amount of discomfort when the stitches have pulled but this is
quickly corrected.
Margaret
Thanks for your messages - you have put my mind at rest. Took 3 cannulas before they could get my chemo through yesterday which was just not nice! Suppose anything is better than that! Only one question - do they use any big knives? Needles don’t bother me but not big on the scalpels!! Can you be sedated as well as local? Think I am talking myself out of it AGAIN!! AAARGH!
xxxx
Hi woolly
I had a Hickman Line put in 10 days ago and had my first chemo throgh in after just 2 days. It’s fine. A wee bit uncomfortable going in but not sore and you don’t see a thing. I have got used to mine already.
Jackie B
Hi Woolly,
I was given sedation by my Gp to take before I went, this helped a lot. Placed one on my tongue and kept six more in my pocket in case it wasn’t enough!!!
I can remember only a few comments made while the op was done. I can remember that there was a type of cover so I coudn’t see what was happening. I was so out of it, nothing at all was frightenening and absolutely nothing hurt.
It is a good idea to let them know just how scared and worried you are because they will help you as much as they can. I was very honest about my fear.
Margaret
I had a PICC line for 3 months. I wouldn’t recommend it. it was easy enough to care for though. Oh was trained to do the weekly flush and dressing. I just hated it with a passion
I’ve had a Hickman line for the last 6 weeks, after FEC No2 I got phlebitis and iv antibiotics and the veins gave out. I was terrified about having the Hickman fitted, but absolutely couldn’t do without it now. Got the line fitted in the morning and 3rd FEC though it in the afternoon! No problems getting bloods out, chemicals in etc. The flushing is very simple and not as gruesome as it sounds at all. OK, it’s not very attractive having a cable hanging out of my chest, but I wear crop tops in bed to hold everything where it belongs, and you wouldn’t know it’s there. I wish they’d given me the line from the start, knowing I don’t like needles! Another plus is the chemo is actually quicker to administer as its a main vein and flows quicker. I also found I didn’t get the side effects as badly, no nausea AT ALL after FECs3 &4!
Go for it, you’ll wonder how you did without it
Sue xx
Hi girls.I also have a Hickman line in place since 10may08 and will have it for the rest of the chemo treatment.You soon get use to having it and it is so convenient for blood tests and chemo sessions.No more looking for veins hiding nor dead veins…so distressing when attempting to stick needles where no veins good enough.I wish I had this line put in 3 yrs ago when i had my right breast cancer,mastectomy and right nodes clearance.I had chemo in 2006,went back to work for 1 year then unfortunately, i got cancer cells now on my left side,upper breast and left nodes clearance too.
So having nodes on both arms, hence I got the hickman line this time…
Veeluz/Rose
Hi
I had a Hickman Line and it was my best friend. Flushing it was easy enough too. I was asleep when they fitted it as they did it at the same time as my mastectomy but I was awake when they removed it and with no sedation or anything and it was not sore at all and I mean that. They removed it in a hospital room and it was a very simple procedure. My 4 yr old Nephew also had it and he was great with his too.
We both experienced stiff necks for a week or two after having it put in but that soon passed.
Best wishes
Neenie xx
Do you know whether you’re having a hickman line, Picc line or portacath? I’ve had my portacath for 4 years and had no problems with it at all plus there’s very very little chance of getting an infection with it.
Ta for all your advice - that leaflet they gave me at the hospital scared the life out of me but I think I will have to just be brave especially having seen the state of my hand this morning after all the digging for veins on Wednesday. The leaflet they gave me was about Hickman lines but I am seeing breast care nurse soon so will be able to ask about the other types. xxxx
Hi
I have had a PICC Line in since April 8th. Apart from a little bit of Phlebitis in the beginning its been fine i even forget its there sometimes.
Good Luck
Jill
Hi
I have a port in my chest which is totally covered in skin, so need for any extra flushing or nurse visits at all. Mine was put in under a general but I went home the same afternoon. A port is less likely to get bugs in but they cannot see it so I had teething troubles but second dose they went in first go and that was really quick. Everything goes through the needle thing into a fast vein so side effects are supposed to be less and they flush it at the end of the treatment in about 40 seconds and off you go. I am not allowed to have blood out of mine so still have stabs oin the inner elbow so check what they do in your area. I was really scared about having it because they went through my neck and the thought of a tube in my heart really frightened me. As usual it always sounds worse but I do have 2 more scars in very visible places and I have to sleep on my back or the port really hurts the surrounding area. Worth having a big chat to know which of the 3 options will suit you best but having the treatment through it is a brilliant advantage that you will be very pleased with.
Good luck and try not to worry, the op is very minor
Lily x
I am still considering which one. First FEC last week. 2 attempts to get vein. Gave me leaflets which have scared me. Talk of infections. Lack of showers with Hickman - with back to shower! DVT in arm with PICC. I am going to ring and postpone at moment. But I have to have Herceptin so years of injections.
But does sound easier and saves the risk of messing up another arm in the long run - others I know finish up with messed up veins - ? is it permanent once they are?
Hi Starfish
I had a PICC line for heceptin as chemo messed up my veins.
I have DVT in my arm after having a Picc line in. I had it put in on Monday, by Sunday my arm was very swollen and two weeks later diagnosed with DVT. I am now having to take Warfarin - Rat poison. for three months. my arm is still very bruised.
I had a PICC in from January to April with no problem at all though.
I chose a Picc line because they would take it out after 3 mionths so that I could go swimming on holiday. That wasn’t possible with a Hickman. If I wasn’t concerned about going swimming I would have chosen a Hickman.
Good Luck
x
Starfish - I had a Hickman line in for about 6 months and I showered everyday (the proper way, not with my back to shower) without any problem, I used to take the tape off and let the line dangle but be careful when you wash around that area in case you accidentally knock it. Whenever I went for my chemo sessions or had it flushed by the district nurse they all complimented on how clean it was and there was never any sign of an infection.
The only thing I would recommend is that you keep the line coiled and well taped to your chest to avoid any accidental pulling as that can be painful and tuck the dangly bit (no not THAT dangly bit) into your bra
HI Starfish
If you have a portacath fitted, technically it can remain there ‘forever’. Mine has been in for 4 years now without any problems, I can’t feel it, can sleep on the side it’s in and also have my bloods taken from it although it sounds as though there are a couple of people on here who’ve been told that they can’t get their bloods from theirs.