I nearly bought crumpets yesterday after your post. 
Will definitely get some in. I use to love them drowned in honey. Why did I stop buying them??? 
I will see how that PICC line goes and try out your extended arm idea. 
Thanks for the tip.
There is hope out there if we search hard enough in the smog.
Im noticing a lot of creativity creeping through in these Posts.
(Drum Roll) Xx
Thank you for creating this subject! I’ve been so nervous about having the Picc line, but I’m feeling much more confident about it now 
. I’m having mine put in next Tuesday.
One question, does the hospital give you a waterproof cover for showering or do we need to source this?
Depends your area, some NHS trusts will give you a prescription to take to your GP and they will provide the Limbo shower cover for you but others don’t. The person who installs your line will let you know if it can be prescribed or not. Unfortunately, I’m in an area where GP would not provide it and I had to buy it myself.
Good to know @hopeful2025 . I get mine in Tomorrow. Frustrating that Trusts are so different when we live on an Island !!! 
.
Will post tomorrow to say how it went. Xxx
Good luck for tomorrow @poppy261 xx
Thank you so much @alannah172
. Getting very real now
Hi @alannah172 @hopeful2025 and Co.
Just had my PICC done today. I cant say my experience will mirror other peoples. Mainly because my Hospital were being trained in using another PICC system when I went. This meant my PICC took nearly 2hrs to put in, as the Nurse was being trained by the Reps from the PICC supplier. 
.
The new system means that I didnt need an XRay to see if the PICC was in the correct vein. They used an on-screen wavelength chart that helped the Nurse navigate my veins. It was more High Tech. More precise. May also be the same as other Trusts, but new for my Trust.
So I was a Guinea Pig for my Nurse. . But she was lovely, and very conscientious and apologetic when things took time to navigate.
So forget the time span, as this was not a normal insertion.
Re the PICC. I was so surprised at how thin the line was. It was a fraction of what Id envisaged.
And it was very flexible. This was a huge relief straight away.
They numbed my arm with Local Anaesthetic. So all I felt was really the odd tug and pull. The odd time I did feel a tiny prick, but that was more to do with the Nurse being new to inserting the line using a new method.
Once the vein was accessed, the line went in easily. I couldnt feel it at all. She needed 3 attempts to push it towards the main artery and I had to put my head down and to the side, to help her navigate a junction better. But that was all. I just had to be patient and give her time.
They realised they needed a longer line, as I am tall and so my arms are longer, so they had to also get a new line, after the first one was cut too short. But it was all a learning curve and all doable.
We chatted, laughed, she apologised, they discussed, I layed there totally at ease. 
.
Id warned them that normally things dont always go to plan for me, and we joked about me being the problem . Rather than it being the Nurses fault. . This meant the whole process was actually very positive. It was like going out for coffee, having a chat with a group of people (4), with the only difference being I was layed out on a bed. . .
The insertion site has bled a little bit, so the gauze is half red! But that was expected as the site gradually heals up. This will be changed tomorrow at chemo.
They had to flush each new line a couple of times, but I couldnt feel anything.
Do I feel the line? No. I did feel a touch tired afterwards as I do have M.E. and it was a long session. So glad I hadnt drank lots of tea before I went . As I couldnt have gone to the toilet. So make sure to do a loo stop before you go in.
Luckily I had only had a light breakfast as well. However, I think once they are skilled with the new system they will insert the line so much quicker.
Id gone in and hour earlier for a cancellation slot. But we needed the full two appointments. So it was good I went in earlier.
How do I feel now? I am sore obviously, it was a long time. Not normal. And the Nurse apologised for the inevitable bruising that will happen. But hey, if they dont practise, they cant help us, so I see practise sessions as really important for Nurse Training. I could have refused to have them test the new system out on me, but I dont see that as helping progress.
I did joke with the Nurse saying “ I bet you wished I was under General then I would be oblivious to your efforts”. We laughed. .
Re Pain on insertion…with all the fiddling, attempts, veins collapsing due to not wanting to play ball, I was still far less painful that giving Blood. Due to the Local Anaesthetic.
I looked at the screen a few times out of interest, but I didnt want to put pressure on the lovely Nurse. It would have been like reversing a car and a back seat driver coming up with cute comments. . So I chatted to the Reps and distracted myself. Much more enjoyable.
Can I dig in my garden? No. Can i lift heavy things? No.
I can enjoy sitting and letting my friend dig . I can have a wonderful excuse not to do things 
We do have to be more careful, of certain activities. But generally I was told to carry on as normal.
I got a prescription to take to my GPs for a limbo shower cover. That saves £17+. But it will take 4 days to come. But that is OK. I can use cling film until then.
Do i want the PICC covered? Yes. I feel I want to make sure it doesnt catch on anything. But the Nurse said it didnt need covering. She said if I bought a posh cover to make sure it was not tight, as this could cause blood clots. So get the area properly measured. Presently I have a loose beyond thin type of tubi grip. But not the ones used for bad joints. Its not supportive. It simply covers. Very loosely. I would be happy with a roll of this in all honesty.
So, next challenge Chemo first session tomorrow.
The Nurse told me how well they manage the sickness etc now and not to worry. . Just make sure I have the 24/7 phone number to hand and use it anytime. Dont worry about asking questions. Xxx
Oh @poppy261 I’ve been thinking of you today!
It sounded a lot, but like you faced it with a smile and humour 
I’m so pleased it went well and thank you for the detail as it makes it less scary for us still to come.
Good luck tomorrow, I’ll be thinking of you again. I really hope it all goes smoothly xx
Thanks so much @alannah172 . One hurdle accomplished.
The Team were lovely. If you want to ask any questions dont hesitate to ask. Xxx
Thanks for the info and glad you were able to get the showerproof cover. My picc bled too after insertion but a lovely nurse in the ambulatory care centre at my local hospital kindly cleaned area and changed dressing. I couldn’t go to my chemo centre as it was a Sunday.
Thanks everyone,
@hopeful2025 mine has bled since yesterday. But no pain, no rash or stinging. I rang 24/7 for advice this afternoon. They said to see if it bleeds more first. As its only a 1cm area. Not much. Probably tiny bit in reality but has spread under the cover.
She told me to mark it with a “Sharpie” pen. To see if there is more seepage in the next few days. If not, she said it can wait till they flush the PICC next Friday. 
Xx
I finished chemo with PICC in February, so here are some things that worked for me:
If you are unable to get the limbo shower cover, I and some other people on forum just used something like these:
Disposable Arm Sleeves Waterproof PE Protective Covers Food Safe Blue 02-2000 UK | eBay UK https://share.google/evZ0D45qH3ZaV14rV
I found they kept water out perfectly well, although I was always fairly cautious with showering. I saved big hair/head wash for morning of line care, just in case, but never had a problem. I had been given a limbo cover, but found it too difficult to use. Found cling film impossible and maddening !
I just used the tubi grip they gave me in hospital when they redressed it weekly, and asked for a spare piece or two to take home with me. I ordered a cover online but found it too tight and uncomfortable. You definitely need to avoid having an overly tight cover .
Hi there !
If you’re at all worried call your picc line service . I did on one occasion and the pic nurses were lovely and I got booked in that day. Don’t try to change anything yourself ! . I would not have been without it !!