Hi Chriss,
as if chemo isn't bad enough the complications it brings are a real nuisance. Like you, I ended up in hospital for a week with no neutrophils, no veins and a picc line. Be ready, because of all the injections to kick start your bone marrow, with the next round of chemo + injection the hip & back pain really kicks in. Make sure you have strong pain killers on hand.
As for the picc line, I was so sick of several failed attempts at Iv then bruising, the picc just made chemo so much easier. I wish I'd had it in at the start. Really important to keep it clean & dry, and of course no swimming. The good news is they take it out minutes after your last dose chemo, YAY!!!
just a thought, the salt water gargles are a really good antiseptic for your mouth & tonsils. Perhaps you could do them more often to protect yourself? Good luck with the next round of chemo, let us know how you go. In the meantime I hope you enjoy Christmas, family & rest.
kind regards, Tracey ??????