PICC or Port?

[MrsL40]

Hi all,

A bit of a random question… I’m due to start chemo on Monday and have been told that I may benefit from having a PICC line or Port. I have an 11 month old baby and 5 year old, so am a bit worried about dislodging things etc… as they clamber over me quite a lot. Does anyone have experience with these/any thoughts about what might be better?

Thanks,

Gini

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear GiniIt is understandable your concern about the practicalities of having young children with either a PICC or port in place. So sorry to hear you are having treatment for lung cancer with such young children.

This link details the PICC line from Macmillan support who explain it very well: macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...

This link details the Port for chemotherapy from Macmillan support: macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...

It may be something that the chemotherapy team will discuss with you what would be the best one. These options are usually well secured to allow for movement and to keep as normal life as possible, but I can appreciate that you have different circumstances with young children that will be wanting to cuddle into you and climb over you.

However, this is something that the chemotherapy team will have attended to in the past and am sure they will be able to advise you.

Hope you hear from others in the forum who have perhaps had experience with this.

Ensure you have plenty support from family and friends to assist you during your chemotherapy, and do not be frightened to ask for help. Many people are glad to help out and feel it is something that they can do to support you.

Be good to yourself and if you would like to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600.

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Locket39]

Hi, I would say it depends how often your chemo is. Mine was every 3 weeks so I didn’t bother but my friend had chemo every week so she had one! Wishing you all the luck in the world xx

[sassassas]

Hi Ginihope you are doing ok.

My husband didn't have either, his chemo was through a canula (and his immunotherapy is given that way too). These other options weren't discussed with him.

Like Locket, his treatment was every three weeks. He had no issues with IV except one time when a vein collapsed. It was dealt with straight away and the treatment continued in his other arm. He would leave the hospital with a little plaster over the puncture hole, so whilst our girls are too old / cool to clamber over him now, if they had wanted to it would have been fine!

Hope that helps. Look after yourself this week.

Sarah x

😘