After having lumpectomy and SNB in October, then full Axillary clearance in November, I was due to start chemo at the end of December, 3 FEC and 3 Taxatere. Trouble was they couldn’t find a vein on the day of my chemo, what a waste, so I’m now booked in to go into hospital on this Thursday 15th and I’ll be having a “Hickman” line put in the next day, then I “should” be having the chemo and “should” be able to come home.
I’m getting really nervous now. I was scared when I had surgery but thought I’d be alright with having the chemo. I don’t like the thought of having the Hickman line in my body and so close to my heart. Silly really because it has to be done and I’m sure I’ll be fine but it’s just that “fear of the unknown” again.
I have tried to stay positive during this journey but sometimes it gets difficult to cope with it all (Autistic son, Cancer, Arthritis, torn shoulder tendon, washing machine broken and no money)
Sorry for the moan, thanks for listening
Hello Helen,
You are up early…Just wanted to say when you are having your hickman line put in you can ask for some mild sedation .I am due to have a line put in @ the end of the month…not really wanting this…but will be going ahead as the benefits of having this means no more prodding about with needles…great!!! Try to relax as best you can .I know it must be hard for you but there is light @ the end of the tunnel.I can see it coming your way!!!
Re-your washing machine can you not apply for a Mc Millan grant…speak to your breast care nurse & she will give you a contact number.
All the best
Pauline xxx
I’ve had a Grouschon line in the past (and now have a Portacath). Try not to worry. I’m sure you will find yours a help. Lots of people do. The line can be a bit of a nuisance (dangly!), but SO much better than having nurses digging around for hours trying to find a vein.
It would make more sense to me if hospitals were less short-sighted and fitted everyone with a line/Portacath at the time of breast surgery, with patients able to ‘opt out’ if they weren’t comfortable with the idea. This would stop the pointless waste of staff/patient’s time, money and resources involved in retro-fitting them to patients whose veins cannot cope.
Hope you get that washing m/c fixed soon. Are you eligible for any financial help? - I think some of the cancer charities can help with loans/grants or applying to the State for them. Someone on here will know, I’m sure.
BTW - your user name - do you live in Herts? I spent my childhood there.
Hi Helen
I had to have two fitted as the first one blocked I had mild sedation first time but not the second,if I had the choice again it would be with sedation without doubt.
I was very nervous and took my sister with me for support but once it was done I felt fine and came home,there is a bit of discomfort at first and it must be kept clean,the District Nurse came to my home weekly to washout and change the dressings she also wrapped the line up so it didnt dangle around.
Although I had a few problems with the line it was soon sorted and the Chemo unit was always available to answer my worries day or night.
Looking back the Hickman line saved numerous needles being stuck into my hand or arm and I was pleased to have made the choice (had no choice really).
You will be fine and its OK to be nervous the Staff will be great Good luck and let us know how you get on
Hi Helen
So sorry you’re struggling to keep ur pecker up amidst all this and no matter how positive you think u are, sometimes it does get difficult to keep on being strong - especially when faced with yet more problems caused by this blimmin disease!
I echo Bahon2’s comments about fitting portacath’s at the time of surgery, not only saving time at chemo treatments but also all the needless extra worry for us, about performing veins!
U moan as much as u want - that’s what we’re here for and although I can’t help or advise you re the Hickman line or ur washing machine (wish I could), just wanted to give u support and tell u I’m sending you a big hug chuck ((( ))). The best of luck for Thursday and from what I’ve read, it’ll make the chemo so much easier once it’s fitted.
Lot of love and strength to u Helen
Sue x
Hi there,
I think you will find it much better having a line…I found that as each session came round I stressed more and more as they had more and more trouble finding a vein. By the end I was almost throwing up as I went into the ward, and it was just the blessed needles that were troubling me. My onc put me off the idea of a line, and I wish I hadn’t let him.
Still…good news is…it is all over for me now, and although at times it felt like it would never finish…it has, and my hair is coming back, and I feel a bit better every day, so look forward to the day
Thanks for all your kind thoughts, I’m feeling alot better already
My BCN has said I can get a MacMillan grant for the washing machine which is great!
Yes I do live in Herts. Near Northwood in the west of the county.
I phoned the hospital today and asked why I had to stay in Thursday night, they said I didn’t need too if I didn’t want, so now I’m just going in tomorrow afternoon for bloods and a chat then I have to be in before 8 o’clock Friday morning. That shouldn’t be a problem as luckily we only live about 10 minutes drive from the hospital, so I feel a bit more relaxed now.
I think I will ask for some sedation. I had a terrible time when I had my first op so had a pre-med before the seconed one which made all the difference
Congratulations on finishing your chemo Gillian. It must feel good to have one more hurdle out of the way
Hi Helen,
If you read the other Hickman line posts on here you will see that I was absolutely terrified of having the line in. But I had sedation and it went fine. The only thing I don’t like is not being able to have a bath, but honestly after the awful phlebitis in my arm the Hickman line was the best thing ever for me. I was in hospital after FEC 5 and was able to have all my antibiotics and fluids through the line, no more digging around with a needle 8 or 9 times trying to find a vein.
Good luck with it xxx
I had my Hickman line put in this morning. I’m so glad I had the pre-med though, I found the procedure very uncomfortable and the shaking hands of the doctor was rather worrying but it’s done now. After lunch I had my first chemo, I’m having 3 FEC then 3 Taxotere. I’m so glad the chemo is underway at last. I feel fine apart from a headache. I wonder what side effects I’ll have? I hope the anti sickness drugs work. Off to get some pain relief
Im pleased all went well ,although side effects can be different in each person I found the anti sickness drugs worked very well .My chemo was Epi - CMF so may be different for you.
Hi Helen, like you had a WLE/SNB in Oct followed by clearance in Nov and have my first chemo tomorrow.Also 3 Fec and 3 Tax/ I am glad that yours is underway in spite of the problems you are having.
I am getting nervous now, mainly about the side effects afterwards. I feel that I am just getting on an even keel after the two ops and really dont want to be useless again. How are you feeling now?
Well after my report 4 days ago on the Friday I had the Hickman and chemo I went downhill very quickly. My hubby went to work at 8 pm thinking I was fine, by 9 pm I started throwing up, felt absolutely awful. Spent most of the night standing next to my bed vomiting, shaking and sweating and wetting myself, ugh !!! Obviously any tablets I took weren’t in me long enough to help. Felt very scared.
Saturday 9am I phoned hospital, they told me to phone GP. Emergency only on Saturday, they were very pleasant on the phone said it was busy but would send someone as soon as possible. 5pm a doctor arrived, gave me a prescription for an anti-sickness tab to put between lip and gum to dissolve. Dear hubby went off to late night chemist and got my tabs. Result !!! Vomited subsided. What a horrible experience though. I don’t want to go through that again so I’ll make sure next chemo I have more anti-sickneness before it gets that bad.
I’ve improved slowly and actually went out today, got tired very quick but starting to get my appetite back. Just need to keep the headache and the contipation under control at the moment.
My next chemo is on Monday 9th Feb
Hi Yogibear, I hope your day went better than mine Let us know how you got on ?
Hi Helen,
your chemo suite ought to have given you an emergency contact no - mainly in case you get a temeprature/infection It seem extraordinary the hospital ‘fobbed you off’ and you had to wait for the emergency on call service. It must’ve been scarey. Do ask for more anti sickness meds next time - i think they can give you some before the actual chemo so they are already in your system. hope the next one goes better
cheers
caroline
Hi Helen, you poor thing I do feel for you. I was ok till about 1 hr after getting home… felt sick so took some pills and went to bed, woke up at Midnight and vomited all through Monday night. I managed to keep some pills down then but have been very nauseous so like you I will be asking for stronger anti sickness…and have a headache that isnt shifting in spite of being fed pills every 4 hours. I am going to have a bath now and go back to bed as very shaky.
I do hope that you pick up from now, I thought I was suffering but you are really going through the mill! My next Fec is also Mon 9th Feb.
Try and rest if you can, I know you have your work cut out more than most.
Take care and thinking of you x
Hi
Just read your thread and thought i pop on i had bad sickness on my first chemo 7 hours and then next day very shaky the tablets they had given me were coursing there own side effects ask for diffrent tabs they can give you one that makes you sleepy and they are really good they give the cheapest one first don’t suffer.
Hope you pick up soon
Poppet x
Well it’s been a week now since 1st chemo. I still feel a little nausious at times, but am coping with that. My healthy diet has “gone out the window” at the moment, just can’t eat the foods I normally do. Instead I fancy things like crumpets with Marmite and cheese and choc fudge pudding and custard ;).
I had the stitch over the entrance site of Hickman line removed yesterday, and the line flushed. I have an itchy, raised rash over my chest area and I seem to be reacting to the see-through dressing that’s still over the exit site. I’ve got some Piriton and Calamine lotion for it.
I find the “fatigue” very difficult to cope with. It is hard work to just do something as simple as sit up and put some slippers on. I find it annoying and frustrating! I’m getting a bit bad tempered as well!
One good thing, I cut my hair to a no. 2 length on Wednesday and picked my wig up on Thursday. Friday night made the effort and went to friend’s house for dinner (Vegetarian stew and dumplings. nice) I wore my wig which they thought was great. It was nice to go out and feel normal
I’m so glad I made the effort.
Hang on in there ladies!
Hi poppet thanks for advice deffo getting stronger anti sickness next time.
Helen…
Am on day 9 post 1st chemo and have only really just started doing normal things again. I can relate to the tiredness and frustration and worry about this sedentry lifestyle that I have taken on.(i too adore marmite at the mo) To think only 3 months ago… anyway just wishing you guys all the best. Havent cut my hair yet,… any day now…x
Well I had my 2nd FEC chemo on Tuesday and only threw-up for 12 hours non stop this time which is better than 30 hours last time. They gave me double the amount of introvenous anti sickness drugs this time. Still not enough it seems. The headache has gone today, with lots of help from co-codamol.
The allergic rash on my chest to the Hickman dressings has at last almost gone. I had the last stitch at the exit site removed Monday which has helped as well.
Is it just me or has anybody noticed there heart beats harder and faster now? cos mine does.
One more FEC to go then it’s 3 Tax. It can’t be worse that the FEC can it?
Hi Helen,
Sorry that you were so poorly again. I had my 2nd Fec on Monday and am not as sick this time but sooooo tired. Cannot keep awake.
I dont have heart beating fast, just heartburn. There is a thread about Taxatore which gives us a bit of feedback on what to expect.
Good luck with it all !x
It’s been a week since 2nd FEC and still feel totally washed out. Just spent ages doing the washing by hand (the washing machine packed up before Christmas, hope to get new one soon). It took so long, I had to have a sit down every 5 minutes, was feeling so weak. I’m getting so bad tempered as well. A good nights sleep would help. Anyway late night moan over NN
