Couldn’t agree more @sisters_of_percy
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I don’t have a PICC so I’m afraid I can’t help with that one but you could try asking in one of the previous months threads as there are loads of ladies with plenty of experience with them there. x
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@mssteel @daffodil10 @sisters_of_percy Another TNBCer here, due to start a similar regime on Monday 20th and really appreciate all the advice and encouragement that’s already been shared. Feels much better to be facing it with others, rather than alone.
I’m 34 and have been doing an emergency round of fertility preservation this last week to save a few eggs before starting chemo (I dont have any kids yet and my team have been great about trying to give me options for after).
Now my hormones are crashing at the same time that the reality of starting treatment is looming and I’m feeling all over the place. Think the uncertainty is the worst part though so absolutely want to get started now…!
Good luck to us all this week and in the weeks to come.
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@daffodil10 There’s a lady at my gym who’s in our club and going through treatment and she has a picc. A t shirt may cover it
My gym pal keeps it covered with a tube bandage.
I’ve had a look as i thought i would be getting ine but they are doing a port for me, however i did see that There are lots of options online, some very cute covers out there x
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Sending you huge hugs @leotee13
The uncertainty is awful, and our brains fill the gaps when we dont know the answers.
We can keep talking to each other and virtually holding each other’s hands.
Have you signed up to the Someone Like Me service? I had my call on Thursday and omg the relief it gave to just talk was incredible.
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Ah yes, thats a great reminder about Someone Like Me- I’d signed up but missed the first call and have been meaning to get back to them but it slipped my mind in the goings on. Glad to hear it really helped you.
Sending big hugs back. Let’s get through this together!
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Oh and also, this sounds daft but ive been sorting some other personal stuff out whilst I’m waiting for treatment to start like turbans and nail care things. I found a nice lady on vinted who helped me find the right styles for turbans and did me a deal - they’ve not arrived yet but when they do, and I’ve seen if they are ok (lol) I’ll share details in here.
I’ve also booked some workshops through Look Good Feel Good.
Sounds all a bit silly and frivolous but it’s given me a bit of control back.
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Hiya, I have a Picc line and when they do it they will probably provide you with a bit of tubigrip to cover it. My hospital tends to cut it long, and then they fold it once on, so it’s double. I also have a couple of picc covers. To be honest, in this heat, I find the picc cover a bit tight and I keep the tubigrip as a single layer. I have found that most my long sleeve tops are too tight on the picc line. Just check, if you wear a long sleeve top, that you can comfortably get it over your picc without it being tight on your upper arm. Short sleeves may be more comfortable. I don’t care if people see my tubigrip arm….It just looks like I may have a sprain LOL. No one seems to look twice at it.
After they have done your Picc, they send you for a chest x-ray to check it’s in the right place. Handy hint…if you don’t want to undress and put a gown on, wear a bra without metal if you have one etc…. in my hospital, you can spend ages waiting to get changed.
Your nurse will also mention the Limbo waterproof cover that you can have for free….but may take a while, my docs took 2 weeks to sort it…..yes you can buy it online more quickly….but if you want to wait….make sure you have a new roll of cling film to tide you over. LOL
Good luck, and don’t worry. You can do this 
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Thanks so much for the tips. Think I’ll stick to short sleeve tops then especially in this heat. How’s sleeping in it? Can you lie on the arm that it is in? Really appreciate the info and encouragement. Hope you’re doing well. X
Hey @leotee13 sorry to hear you’ve joined the club too. We’re in this together and will help each other along. Xx
To be honest I wouldn’t lie on it….I wouldn’t want to put that much pressure on the arm given the risk of blood clots….but check with your nurse, I may be a little ocd with that one. I asked about carrying heavy bags on that shoulder/arm and was advised not to.
I sleep upright on the sofa since chemo. I get chest tightening as a side effect ( I’m special lol), and find it more comfortable being upright. Also downstairs is a much more comfortable temperature for me in this heat. My bedroom is a sauna!
I used a squishy bean bag style pillow under my arm to start with, and still do occasionally. Hopefully you will find what works for you. My picc arm felt uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks….stretching the arm above my head felt uncomfortable. I read another ladies post and they were told it can take a few weeks to bed in. Mention anything you are feeling to the nurse that does the flush/blood test…and they can reassure you. Having a Picc is easier for bloods and treatment 
. I’m sure every method has it’s pros and cons.
I am starting Paclitaxel tomorrow….glad to see the back of EC this last one was the hardest. I had 4 cycles of EC and now will have 4 cycles of pac. Mine were all on a 2 weekly cycle. Good luck for when you start your treatment. Take one day at a time, and if need be, one hour at time on those bad days(if you have them), celebrate each good day, and hopefully you will have far more good than bad. We are stronger than we think 
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Thanks so much for the tips and support. Good luck with your treatment tomorrow, I hope the Pax is kinder to you than the EC. All the best. X
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Hi @daffodil10
Re your questions about PICC line
I was told by the the clinical nurse specialist that fitted mine that
- No need to keep it covered but you can wear PICC line covers if you want to
- Fine to sleep on that side
- Only exercise to avoid is lifting weights above your head otherwise all gym workouts etc fine
I just keep mine out of sight when I go out /go for chemotherapy with a looser T-shirt that has short sleeves to elbow or a linen shirt in this hot weather
The biggest pain in the butt with the PICC line is having to cover it for showers. They gave me a few disposable type plastic covers when mine was fitted and they work well for me so I just ask for a couple of new ones each time I go for chemo.
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Hi there how you coping with ec/I start mine 4/08 4 rounds but then only 4 rounds of pac…feeling for you and send best wishes
Hi I’m having some like you staring in August…you ahead of me now was it?any tips…diet/vitamins etc xx
Thank you @jock that’s really helpful. Now to find some T-shirts with sleeves long enough … mine are all too short.
Hi - I was warned EC could be brutal and they weren’t wrong. Never have I been so tired. Getting dressed is a major achievement! I’ve not suffered with nausea which is good but my bathroom is my go to place - if you get my drift. PICC care tomorrow so will see if I need something to calm my overactive system down. Horrendous heat hasn’t helped so I’m hoping cooler weather will continue now for a while. Your experience will probably be completely different, it seems EC affects people very differently. One plus (so far) is that I’ve not lost any hair. Whether the cold cap did its job or it’s too early to judge, I enjoy my locks while they last. I’m wishing a fellow breast cancer survivor to be, loads of luck with your first cycle. Let me know how it was for you!
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Hi, I’m starting AC on the 24th every two weeks if my surgery wound has healed. I’m a solo mum of an 8 year old and that is my biggest concern - how best can I get through it and support my child as much as I can. I don’t want her to see me struggling too much…
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I just wanted to reply to your message and send you some love and hugs. I start on the 24th, too.
Have you spoken to Macmillan about any additional support they can give as a single mum of a young child? There is so much support out there, it’s just knowing where to look. I am sure there are other single parents in this group as well who can offer solidarity and advice.
Lots of love xxxx
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Hi @strong_warrior just wanted to reply and say I’m also recovering from recent surgery and due to start 4 x EC on 4th August so not far behind you. Also mum to an 8 year old and trying to keep things as normal as possible for her but worrying how to navigate the holidays. So hard to plan when you don’t know how you’ll be feeling isn’t it
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