Hi
I am half way through my chemotherapy treatments and had a PICC line fitted this week. I HATE it - irrationally so. It is the first thing about this whole experience that has got me down … was ok with surgery, finding out that I would later need a mastectomy, side effects of chemo and hairloss. But for some reason I hate my line. I had my first day off work the day that it was fitted (other than my chemo days) even though it was done at 9am so that I could go in afterwards. But I was really teary and emotional. I am hoping it will wear off. But it is just there for everyone to see. I feel like my body has become medicalised. Sorry to have a rant.
Jacqui
Hi Jacqui,
I’m so sorry you are feeling so low at the moment. I had my PICC line since Sept and can see where you are coming from.
Having PICC line was the 2nd time I need a local anaesthetic (1st time being my biopsy), so I know what you mean by your body becoming medicalised. Further, having something alien in our arms just doesn’t feel right, huh? Let alone the precautions we need to take so that it won’t get wet in a shower or it won’t get infected.
I had to have mine done because my veins were giving up on me and I was only limited to one arm and my chemo was weekly. I couldn’t bear the pains of the nurses trying so many time before they could find one every week. I gradually tasted the benefit of it as my chemo went on and put up with the inconveniences.
I don’t quite understand why it’s just for everyone to see though. I wore long sleeve coat/tops to cover it up so that only those I’ve told know about it. Maybe with the summer coming, we’d be wearing short sleeves and that has made it extra hard? I certainly would feel uncomfortable about uninvited questions because of it.
Well done for coping so well this far! I’m sure this is just a “bleep” and as you said “it will wear off”.
Take care & hope you feel better soon
x
Hi there, Know exactly where you are coming from with this. I had my picc line fitted and hated it too. Didnt help that mother in law used to always suggest going for a long relaxing soak to make me feel better after chemo and had to dangle my arm over the side of the bath, hardly relaxing! However, I soon got used to it, dont get me wrong we never ‘bonded’ and I found myself looking forward to its removal as much as looking forward to finishing chemo. What I disliked the most was the tatty old tubigrip thingys that I wore over it to hide it, that made it stick out like a sore thumb. I did find myself mightly relieved every 3rd week when I had to have blood test and the chemo, some of the ladies were really suffering with getting the canulas in and keeping them in throughout the infusion without their veins collapsing. I have to say for me it was over fairly quickly, time went quick and before I knew it, it was being removed, that was a joyful day, finished chemo and got rid of that too so thats something to look forward to x
Hi everyone
Were none of you offered a portacath? I had a port inserted in December 09 as my veins were not co-operating. It is put in under general anaesthetic, takes longer than a PICC line to put in but is under the skin just under your shoulder blade. It sticks out but is always covered by your clothes. There are no restrictions on bathing/ showers/ swimming etc. It requires no looking after by me, the best thing to happen to me during this c**p journey.
I have had my picc line since December. It took while to get used to, and I admit sometimes now I look at it and feel a bit like a Dr Who monster. However I am also glad I had it. It has made chemo more bearable, as I have not had to worry whether nurses can find a vein.
I do find it a bit of a drag having to go to see the district nurse every week for line care, especially as I will have it for another year, whilst I have Herceptin.
Most of the time I forget I even have it. However I have been asked what is wrong with my arm a few times and I think when I am wearing t-shirts I will get more questions, but I am quite happy to show people, if they want to see. Most people are really intrigued by it.
I think when it comes out the first thing I will do is have a nice deep bubble bath, as that is the thing I miss most.
I too have a portacath which was fitted with local anaesthetic. I only have to have it flushed every 2 months and it will stay in indefinitely as I am likely to need more chemo by infusion eventually.
Kelley
Yup - me too - in France women with secondaries are automatically fitted with a portacath before their veins have collapsed, and have gone through the pain of them collapsing or playing find the vein. Mine is great, I can swim, no-one notices it, more importantly one is unlikely to get infections because it is underneath the skin. More and more women are having them fitted apparently.
Hi there
I have a hickman line so i know what you mean. For me I have to say getting rid of it will be just another milestone on this journey but one that takes on extra significance. It will mean the end of treatment. When i had mine fitted there was a lady before me who was also having one. Due to an infection and a stay in hospital she had to have hers removed and they are not going to replace it and she is absolutely ecstatic.
LOL
Wendy
x
I actually want one! The thought of my veins collapsing even more and pulling in the skin on my arm, the searching for a vein and needles put in for the next 8 chemos and at least 4 blood tests freaks me out more than the thought of the plastic tubing inside your body. I never thought I think that, just goes to show what you end up accepting.