Picc line for chemo

OG - a port definitely does not cause problems with implants. I had one put in for recurrence 16 months after completion of my reconstruction. However it sounds like that information is too late to help. A PICC line should be fine, it's jut more work keeping them clean & flushing them.

If you use Glad Press N Seal and wrap all around your arm, no water will get inside. I showered after surgery with drains by wrapping this around my mid section.

asThere are other sites than just the upper chest that ports can be placed if needed. They aren't quite as unobtrusive but are 'do-able'. That is why I have chosen to keep my port in just in case it's ever needed. To have another one implanted would mean another surgery and for a new port to be in a less than idea place. So I get it flushed every 8 weeks and look at it in a bit of a 'childish' way. I visualize it as a little soldier standing guard to keep the Monster from trying to return BUT if it does decide to try to 'attack' - he's there with rifle at ready for the battle if needed.

PICC line - I would not have agreed to one. They take quite a bit of care and have a high potential for infections. No, I never had one but back when Laetril was 'the cure for all cancer', a friend of mine's younger brother was taken to Mexico by their parents for the 'great cure'. It didn't work obviously. By the time they got him back to Shands, a PICC line was used to try the best they could. Dealing with the PICC was not easy at all and infections did happen even with scrupulous care.

If you need more long/shoulder length 'exam' gloves than they gave you, they can be gotten in boxes, like wrist length disposable gloves, in feed stores, vet supply stores, large animal clinics, or on line if you live in a city where there are no horses, cattle or other animals.

PICC lines do take some babysitting. If I had to do it again I might wear a cover or sleeve. There are many commercially available. I stayed quite active throughout treatment and sometimes did and extra wrap with a tensor bandage just to keep it protected.

I haven't had any problems with infections with my PICC. It is covered with a "sleeve". The weather is freezing here so I am in long sleeves all the time anyways. It hasn't restricted me too much in my daily activities and I'm pretty active. Showering is the toughest thing esp the prep if you are alone. I will be doing the happy dance when it comes out though! I'm hoping that will be right after my last chemo in 5 weeks.

OG56,

Mine took a few weeks to settle in which the Homecare nurse told me was normal. It was sore for sure sore (1 out 10 on the pain scale) for about a week. I did have some blood around the insertion site which during week2 which worried me but again I was assured it was normal. They cleaned it up at my dressing change and never came back. If the whole clear around the entry point is filled with blood then that is a different story. See someone right away if that happens! I keep mine covered with a stretchy gauze sleeve but make a point of checking that all is well daily.

Gail

Not sure if this is done a lot in the US, but you can also have your port implanted in your forearm. The silicone tube goes through the Brachial/Basilic vein to the heart. Implantation was completely painless.

I did this as my veins had already suffered during my first chemo a few years back (I had no port) and I did not want another scar on my chest. The port I have is called Vital-Port and it is a little smaller than the ports that get used for the chest. Here is a picture on how it looks like: