Thank you for the replies. I have no mucus or anything so really don’t think it’s an illness. I did think about the nasal being the reason for the runny nose.
@zebramoon I would definitely take that help for a couple of weeks. I found it really difficult not doing anything but to heal properly you really do need to rest x
I have no doubt she will be only too glad to be helping. I think our nearest and dearest would probably all share the same thing around feeling powerless. Your aunt is a Goddess (as are you). x
Now having PICC line fitted next Monday, making best use of delay in treatment ( due to cough). No new date set yet, as waiting for oncologist say so .
So question for PICC experts. I’m having it fitted on Monday, and now just been sent appt to have it flushed on Tuesday. Is that normal for flush straight after fitting? And been told to have bloods taken 2 days before this. So not sure if this should be the Friday before or the day before, Monday, same day as fitting? All v confusing.
And then I’d love some advice on good PICC line covers and waterproof covers for showering ,if you have any?
Apart from that , hope everyone manages to have as good a New year’s eve as they can, and that 2026 , the year of the horse, is much much kinder to us all than that nasty snake has been !!! 
Xxx
I haven’t had my PICC line fitted yet but the nurse at the chemo unit gave me a voucher which I had to give to my GP who issued a prescription for a waterproof cover
@cornwall1234 oooh lucky you! That didn’t get offered to me. Bought a massive bag of disposable ones. I’m not disposing of them though, I’m saving them as they will make great overshoes for the allotment!
Oh my goodness. I wonder why different trusts offer different things, you shouldn’t have to get your own. Not exactly something you want to have is it. Great idea for recycling though x
Were they from Amazon? Easy to get on and off?
I have the limbo brand one which the hospital gave me but can be bought on Amazon. It works well and is waterproof providing I remember to push the wrist end above my elbow where it’s fatty enough to create a tight seal.
I find tubigrip itchy so I have cotton picc sleeves that are similar to T-shirt fabric - sadly they were quite hard to find and the website doesn’t have any left but they wouldn’t be difficult to make.
Glad you’re getting the picc sorted while you’re stuck waiting. I’ve only had mine flushed weekly since it was out in sometime in August, don’t remember having it flushed the day after.
Hiya @nib32 popping over from October. My trust issue you with a cover on the day you get fitted but i also bought a back up from Amazon which was the same brand
Hospital will put a tubi bandage over the top to keep your ‘tampon’ in place - the way they wrap the lines 
. I bought picc covers but found them uncomfortable. I then bought tattoo sleeves, yup, kind kids like. Stretch easily over the picc can be doubled over or bunched up. You can stetch ends so it fits comfie, plus funky colours and designs.
Hope that helps 
Thank, @lumpybyebye good info there, and I like the idea of the tattoo sleeves, nice to have things to cheer you up.
@nib32 yes very easy indeed. I reuse mine, just let it dry out. Then will save them as mentioned earlier.
Before end of working day, I got confirmation of rescheduled chemo appointment for next Thursday, so that’s a relief. My busy week is PICC fitting Monday, flush tuesday, chemo Thurs, plus my partner’s cancer treatment falls on the Wednesday. Amazed we didn’t end up with a clash!!! I am also amazed and impressed at how the oncology team have got everything sorted and rescheduled in such a short time . Hooray for the NHS!!
Hi everyone and happy new year. Like most of the rest of you not sure how to feel about new year except not too fussed to see the back of 2025!
I got three PICC line covers from Etsy here, you have to measure your arm and choose the size 1 inch smaller I think, they’re very comfortable.
Oh thanks very useful info!
I know what you mean, I didn’t feel like seeing in the new year as it’s not like its immediately going to be better , but it will be eventually,!!! Just glad to say good bye to 2025 !!!
@nib32 we were the same. It was just another day for us. 2026 is going to be a long haul, so our focus is on getting to the end of this year and closing the door on the whole thing. That’s when the real celebration will happen.
Aaagh!! All change again!! Phonecall from chemo scheduler to say consultant has asked for a further week’s delay to make sure I’m properly over this cough. My poor addled little chemo brain is struggling to cope with filling in the correct dates on my calendar.
And its playing havoc with giving availability to work. All the dates I’ve given are now defunct and I’ll have to turn down work assignments I’ve been given. But it is what it is, everyone’s trying their best to make things work, and I’m grateful for that.
But it’s sure not easy making ends meet on chemo , esp when youre on a zero hours contract.
@nib32 Sorry you’ve had another delay, it’s such a worry! Sorry it’s messing your work up to, I can’t imagine working during chemo, I could probably manage half a day once or twice a month! How are you feeling in yourself? Hope you recover quickly and can get on with your treatment x
Did anyone do prehab exercises to get fitter before surgery with the aim of making recovery easier? I wasn’t very fit before this started and I’ve lost a lot of muscle and strength so I feel like I could use some exercise even if I can’t manage it for a couple of weeks.
Had my third (of 4) EC treatment plus keytruda immunotherapy today. Meeting the breast surgeon again just before the last treatment for final planning and booked the dentist on January 15th (next clinic with the practice owner who is a dentist plus max fax surgeon and does wisdom teeth but also works with oral cancer patients). I don’t think I should have anything that day but thought I could get an examination and X-ray so he could make a treatment plan - thanks everyone for the information and advice.
Thanks @zebramoon , I’m actually feeling a lot better, just frustrated at delay. Seems my consultant is a a bit risk averse, but maybe that’s a good thing. Anyway, it is what it is.
I did do some pre surgery prep in terms of trying to lose some weight as I knew that could impact re blood clots, breathing issues etc, and I did need to lose weight anyway. Also felt like one small thing I thought I could control. Managed to lose about half a stone, so I felt pleased with myself.
It’s probably always worth trying to do more exercise, but not by overdoing it. In my case I decided to join a gym, over estimated my abilities, and badly pulled a muscle which really didn’t help!!! Not so pleased with myself then!
Think walking a bit every day is the best thing really, and improves mood too for me. I think someone else recommended practising the arm exercises ahead of surgery is a good idea. I also do yoga with a lovely app called Down Dog. You can select all sorts of different gentle options, and choose the music and voice you prefer.
Glad you’ve got a dental appointment booked now, and can get teeth sorted soon xx
