Chemo question - PICCs and Ports.
Hi lovely people, I did my second dose of chemo (AC/T dense dose x 8, every two weeks) on Monday, and all is going quite well. But I was just learning to deal with the canula each fortnight (I’m...
Forum Discussion
Hi @HelenlovesSnoopy
The Picc line has dangly bits and from memory needs to be flushed every week or two (and you need to keep it dry in the shower too) but the port is put in just under the skin (a short procedure, sometimes with light sedation, sometimes under a local) & is very tidy and waterproof once it has healed - you can swim etc ....
All your bloods get taken thru them, so it saves your veins - particularly from some nurses who aren't good at 'finding the vein'! :( They should also put a little 'anaesthetic sticker' onto the surface of the port before commencing chemo to deaden the skin - they gave me a few so I could put them on at home before leaving, so we knew it was 'deadened' - (ie putting the 'needle thingie' in) so there should be no discomfort whatsoever.
It is often in the upper chest area - so have a think about seat belts possibly annoying it .... if you are the main driver, maybe have it put on the side the seat belt won't have impact (whether a driver or passenger!)
This is a post I put up when hubby ended up having both, but the Port was the best one .... also with some tips on clothing for 'easy access' to the port/Picc ... my sister made us a few shirts, with zips like this. It made it SO much easier.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/205373#Comment_205373
Which ever you choose (look seriously at the Port) I am sure you'll be happy with it.
take care & all the best with your decision making. xx
The Picc line has dangly bits and from memory needs to be flushed every week or two (and you need to keep it dry in the shower too) but the port is put in just under the skin (a short procedure, sometimes with light sedation, sometimes under a local) & is very tidy and waterproof once it has healed - you can swim etc ....
All your bloods get taken thru them, so it saves your veins - particularly from some nurses who aren't good at 'finding the vein'! :( They should also put a little 'anaesthetic sticker' onto the surface of the port before commencing chemo to deaden the skin - they gave me a few so I could put them on at home before leaving, so we knew it was 'deadened' - (ie putting the 'needle thingie' in) so there should be no discomfort whatsoever.
It is often in the upper chest area - so have a think about seat belts possibly annoying it .... if you are the main driver, maybe have it put on the side the seat belt won't have impact (whether a driver or passenger!)
This is a post I put up when hubby ended up having both, but the Port was the best one .... also with some tips on clothing for 'easy access' to the port/Picc ... my sister made us a few shirts, with zips like this. It made it SO much easier.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/205373#Comment_205373
Which ever you choose (look seriously at the Port) I am sure you'll be happy with it.
take care & all the best with your decision making. xx