Yes I’m cold capping, nearly turned it off in first few minutes but then it was ok.
I haven’t felt well this afternoon, got this awful hangover feeling and been in bed all day. Hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better. I haven’t slept today so hopefully ill sleep ok tonight xx
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How do you chose between a PICC line and a port? I really want to be able to continue to play Padel tennis when I feel up to it but I know you can’t with a PICC line.
Not sure if you can with a port.
I think one or the other sounds sensible tho.
Thanks for the tips
X
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I was only offered the picc line but any repetitive sports like knitting can make the picc line coil. I would ask your oncologist if you can have the port then you’ll be able to continue with your sports. It’s a bit of a longer procedure but less instructive up to have it on your arm. I really hope you’re ok. Always around if you want to drop me a message. It’s a really stressful waiting to start treatment. Even though I don’t feel great, I’m glad I’ve started: believe me the fear of the unknown is worse than reality.
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I actually had a chance to chat more with a nurse about it today during my chemo.
She said they offered PICC line by default because port is more expensive, requires special personal to insert it that the waiting time is longer.
But overall risks are lower with a port. I play volleyball and can’t do it with the PICC line but I would try if I had port… And ofc that clot that I developed. 
it’ll take several months to go away, I have to do daily injections. I’m definitely going for port but it seems many don’t have troubles with a PICC line, so it’s very individual
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@warmfuzzies @chita i had my port last Tuesday and 2nd EC yesterday. It is intrusive having it done, it was scheduled for 3 hours it took them 1hr 15 mins to get it done. I’ve done mine via local it’s doable but it’s painful, I had to ask for codeine because paracetamol was not doing the trick. They also offered it to be done in sedation but the waiting list is longer. That’s why I brave it to be done on local. So ladies if you are looking to having port done ideally it should be a week before you’re chemo day because it is sore the dressing can be only taken off after 7 days. And having the chemo side effects and soreness on the neck and chest is another thing to deal with. Mainly I cannot sleep dealing with chemo side effects plus am not comfortable to sleep
I can’t sleep on my side it hurts a lot (my port is on the left side, breast CA right side)
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@chita @warmfuzzies Just to mention after asking tons of questions about the differences of PICC and PORT, Statistics wise they told me they only one case (oct -dec 2024) of someone having an infection compared to patients with PICC line wherein infection is very common.
I have 6 yr old boy whose very active so Also I choose to have the port
And about the physical restriction I was told do not carry heavy weight about my head and that’s it.
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Thanks @jaa2019 thats really useful to know. Do you need to get the port flushed too?
If I might be able to play Padel tennis at all during chemo it would be worth it to have the port.
I’m still waiting for my appointments to come through so I currently don’t have anyone to ask about that.
Thanks for your help x
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It’s really good to get the info on the picc and port, seems the port would be better for you.
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First night last night with injections, woke up at midnight with a massive headache: took paracetamols and it went. Then had a good sleep. I’m hoping tomorrow the bad hangover feeling will lift a bit x
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How are you feeling today? X
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Had a bit of a headache last night too and took a while to fall asleep but once I did I slept through most of the night. Feeling fine this morning got up and got the kids sorted for school. Have had breakfast and taken all my meds. All good. Beautiful day so will get out for a walk shortly and take advantage of it. Thanks for asking. Hope you feeling a bit less hungover today 
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So good to hear. I feel fluey today but think it maybe the injections. I’m going to have a shower and try and go for a walk around the garden x
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Take it easy. My first injection isn’t until tomorrow. Not looking forward to it.
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I was advised to take a couple of paracetamol before you have the injection x
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I would go for a port. I can’t have another PICC as I got a DVT and Sepsis from it. They don’t do PICC’S at Bristol so I think that it is because it is safer than a PICC. I did have a PICC previously too in 2018 with no probs. I had a Hickman line when my PICC was removed for the daily pumps to give me antiobiotics which is what I will have if I need treatment again due to having a DVT which means it’s 80% likely to recur.
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Hi Linda im also in bristol. I had a picc line fitted last Friday at bristol oncology. It went well. Blood tests will be carried out by gp surgery which will save a trip to oncology! As its a nightmare parking x
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Ah OK interesting. I am private and was told they don’t do PICC’s so I guess it’s down to money. I actually live 60 miles away approx so am having some treatment locally.
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Hi everyone,
Joining on here as I start treatment tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing ok with all of your treatments. What a bunch of strong women you are. It is giving me comfort and strength reading everyone’s stories.
I have tnbc and am starting my treatment of Pembro/PC-EC tomorrow. Very nervous. Had my port fitted on Monday and am still a little sore. Interesting reading the discussion about port versus picc. I wasn’t given a choice (just told I was booked in for a port fitting) but maybe that is because my treatment is so frequent being weekly? I am a very nervous patient and although they were very good during the fitting I can’t say it was enjoyable. I just cried after I left the appointment with the reality of it all hitting me.
When they inserted the port they said they could use it straight away so not sure if they are going to use it for bloods and treatment this week. @jaa2019 did they use yours after having it fitted or did they wait the 7 days for it to recover. Pretty sure they said the chemo nurse would remove the bandage and use it. Feeling sick just thinking about them poking into it with how sore it is at the moment but my veins don’t behave much better either so bit of a lose lose there. I was told to only take paracetamol as anything else would make the bruising worse.
For those with ports any advice on what to wear for access during treatment. Currently can’t wear a bra or anything with straps as it is rubbing against where the port and bandage is. A low v neck or something with buttons so I can undo it to get access?
Thanks everyone for all the tips here. Am currently just trying to drink loads and stay hydrated today reading that it helps before and during the treatment. Really hope you’re all doing ok.
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@wren8 yup they used the port, I had it fitted Tuesday so I ask for the needle to be inserted (where they connected my infusion) only because I don’t want to be poke the next day for chemo without anesthesia. So yesterday I was given lidocaine cream to used on my next bloods and chemo. I was told to apply the cream and put the tegaderm 1hour before the poking. So ask your chemo nurses for that tomorrow but I was told i need to wait 3 weeks before I can used the cream.I’m doing Ec every 3 weeks so it’s fine. I’m still swollen and if I can turn back the time I wish that I had the port fitted not so close with my chemo day.
And wear something with buttons much easier.
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@warmfuzzies I was told it only needs to be flush once if i’m not using it for 8 weeks.
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