Hi, anyone out there who like me is waiting, feeling very sick already, about the thought of chemo. I’ve read so much that is good but also scary but one thing that stands out is the group support when ladies are having their chemo around the same time. I’ve read about PICC lines and anti-sickness in particular because these are my two phobias. In all blood tests so far nurses and flobotamists have struggled to find my veins and I’ve been left bruised before I even start chemo so the PICC line sounds better but my onc said it would have to be put into my inner upper arm which sounds REALLY tender area and I can’t see any veins there - does anyone know if that’s right and whether it hurts a lot - sorry I do sound feeble! I was really really sick in hospital after my mastectomy 2 weeks ago and then got Norovirus from my children’s school so I’ve absolutely had enough of being sick and I’ve always been prone to sickness - travel, bugs etc. People seem to talk about Emend as being good for anti-sickness but weren’t offered it automatically because it’s expensive. Do you suppose I can ask for it straight out? Just hoping that there’s others out there about to start the same process because I’m becoming more and more scared.
I was pretty squeamish at the thought of the PICC line, but the insertion is painless. They use an ultra sound to reach a larger vein which isn’t visible on the surface. You don’t feel it going in or up, thanks to a local anaesthetic. You may feel a little dizzy immediately afterwards, and then you have a chest x-ray to make sure it is all in the correct position. Because it is easier to retract the tube than to push it in further, the nurse tends to go as far as is safe and then pull back if necessary. This is not dangerous, but can give palpitations and dizziness until adjusted.
You may well feel discomfort or some pain when the anaesthetic wears off; I was told to apply heat and take paracetamol if necessary. There may be a bruise and a little bit of bleeding at first, but after a while it settles down.
I have found it helps to have a stretchy sleeve (but not too tight) over the lot, to keep the plastic attachments from rubbing or pulling, and while some people can keep it all dry in the bath or shower with clingfilm or taped up plastic bags, you might prefer to buy one of the covers which are meant for casts, dressings and devices like the PICC.
So far I have found the standard anti-sickness drugs are adequate for me; these can be adjusted if they aren’t quite right the first time. I speak as someone who had three bouts of truly monumental morning sickness. You can do a lot for yourself, as well, by eating small meals and having very light snacks at regular intervals in between. I find munching small amounts of fruit helps–a few grapes, a couple of satsuma/clementine segments–or a biscuit, etc, plus sipping drinks. Most people reckon that if you drink extra fluids for at least a day before the treatment, while waiting and then when you get home, this helps your system generally.
If you find you are really nauseous or actually become sick, you will have numbers to phone so you can get additional or stronger medication. If you have minor problems you can discuss them at your next appointment.
Do tell the oncologist about your problems with sickness and your worries, and he/she may give you something stronger in the first place.
Best wishes
Cheryl
Hi, Cheryl
Thank you so much for info about PICC line - I hadn’t known anything about finding a deeper vein etc. so it was really helpful and I feel better being forewarned etc. (I realise I posted my message in wrong place as I’m new to this so you’re a star for finding it and replying, Thank you. I’d really like my mastectomy wound and arm to be better before starting chemo but my wound area is still bigger than the breast that was removed and bigger than the other one, despite having had fluid drained twice - they don’t want to do it too many times because of risk of infection, but it’s really swollen and my arm is still really sore from clearance. I was hoping to feel fighting fit before chemo but not sure that’s realistic. Got to have CT and bone scans this week too because 6 lymph glands affected so the stress doesn’t really go away does it?!!