Just got a call from hospital to confirm they want to put in a picc line before 2nd EC chemo on Tuesday- gotta say after u ladies experience I am really not sure I want it - I’m really nervous about it . Thing is they say I should have it as I only have 1 arm they can use as the other had all nodes out . Really not sure what to do
Once you loose statutory sick pay you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and your team can complete a form to give an idea when you will be well enough to return to work.
You can also apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as a disabled person. You have to put in your side effects and how your life is impacted by your disability. This form is very long. ( working age)
Attendance Allowance is available to anyone over retirement age.
Advice can be found at Maggie’s, Citizens Advice and MacMillan.
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I’m getting mine in on Mon before cycle 2 on Wed. If it helps, one of the chemo nurses whom I know personally recommended I should get it. They struggled getting my cannula in at the first cycle so I’m keen to get the PICC line. Another couple of friends who’ve been through chemo also said they were so glad to have one when they ended up admitted to hospital needing loads of IV meds and blood tests. I guess if there are issues you can always have it removed, but I think it’s pretty standard practice in a lot of cases so I’m not worried about it at present.
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I know poor luckyduck and sunshineandunicorns have had problems with theirs bless them, but I’ve had no problem with mine (touch wood). For me, it is so quick and easy; I’ve been in the unit when the nurses have really struggled with cannulas on other people and I feel so sorry for them. I think it’s doubly hard when you can only use one arm due to node surgery - they have to do my BP on my forearm!
I get it’s a worry though, I was super jittery getting mine 
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Today’s desktop calendar - fitting! (Apologies for language…my sister gets me an offensive desktop calendar for Christmas every year…suffice to say this stays in my home office 
)
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Mine in fairness has settled down. It’s still twingey sometimes and I can feel it but not as bad as the first few days, I just assumed it was me acclimatising to it and it settling. It does make the whole process easier and I had a right flap about leaks on cannulas and as @sharlou said I’ve seen people have issues with those when things have been administered having said that I know piccs are also problematic.
I’m the same had to go in my left arm as right arm I had auxiliary clearance and both arms now a bit fragile or impeded in some way because of these two things. But when the piccs out at the end I’ll celebrate for sure and I won’t miss it at all.
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@sharlou I think you’re being polite @sez this is the first time in my life I’ve ever used the NHS, the first time ever I’ve needed medical assistance and I’m appalled at the level of money that is wasted in the NHS machine. Don’t get me wrong the service I’ve received throughout has been prompt, supportive, informative and dealt with great empathy. The staff are the asset in the NHS machine, well maybe one nurse who blurted something out to me before my surgeon had had a chance to talk to me 
. Just too much unnecessary waste which could be used for salaries etc…….
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I’ve worked with the NHS twice in different capacities now (NICU and now as a GP receptionist, don’t worry I’m a nice one who fights back fiercely at our bad rep and me and my colleagues have really good reputations for being kind, empathetic and patient with our patients) but never needed anything from the NHS in the past (other than brief period support in my pre-teens, brief dermatology stuff in my teens and regular ailments like earaches and infections and stuff) so this is all new to me too.
There’s so much waste and underinvestment, the Tories have a lot to answer for.
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NHS nurses, doctors and allied professionals are totally overwhelmed by demand and underinvestment despite this as you say deliver life saving and compassionate care. It’s too easy to blame it on waste.
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I actually work as a business manager in NHS finance and it’s so hard to see a constant theme of taking from Peter to pay Paul (I’m just a lackey, not a decision maker ). It’s a constant hamster wheel of trying to plug a thousand gaps with one soggy loo roll. I so believe in the ideal of the NHS but the reality can be woeful…not the medical or nursing or admin staff (not in the main anyway) but the lack of resources and investment is so sad. Best stop there as it’s one of my favourite soapbox topics 
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Good luck @epic1 , I hope it goes ok. I have had a Port fitted, it was sore for a couple of weeks but hopefully this means less likelihood of complications and it seems easier for the nurses too.
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Ffs the Paxman machine packed up whilst on the cooling off period so lost about half an hour. They are sorting it hopefully but just hope it doesn’t cause extra hair loss as on 6th one today and it was all going so well. Has this happened to anyone? It said socket/s on the fusebox which tripped. It’s a new house so still under warranty. Can anyone ask an electrician what socket/s means? Is there a problem with the socket/s? It’s a double socket and I had an extension lead on the other one with 2 heat pads and the IV plugged in to that.
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Love it, your artistic flare shining bright eyed
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Hahahaha I feel like he needs a name…Cyril?
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I think Cyril suits him
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Oh no! My brother in law is an electrician, I will try to message him but he is notoriously bad at responding…I’ll nudge my sister too.
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My brother in law says turn as many appliances off as possible and reset the switch on the fusebox. If it trips again he said try a different socket. Hope that helps!
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I can’t try another socket as they put a box over the double socket so you can’t move the machine. I got my Little Lifts box today on the upside and it’s half way. The onc said he’s not heard it happen before in 20 years re the machine! Just had Covid jab and they asked if chemo was for ever. I said no just 6 weeks. They said call the hotline if your temperature goes above the figures given and say you have had a jab.
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Haha, well I love the creativity there. He definitely needs a name. He looks like Hagrid!
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