Hi
I am in a bit of a state
I am half way through a 6 block of carb/taxol
Nurses are struggling to get cannulas in.
The only option I have been told is a Hickman line which I don’t want. They won’t do anymore chemo until I get one.
I want to refuse all treatment but nurses don’t seem to be listening
Any advice
Hi Countrychick,
Well....if they COULD get cannulas in, I presume you’d continue, so maybe the nurses are ‘listening’ to what is behind what you say.....if that makes sense?
So....I wouldn’t particularly want a Hickman line BUT, (as a nurse), I know they are put in very carefully & are usually very successful.
I know some ladies on here have benefitted from them & it hasn’t been as bad as they anticipated.
Linda xoxo
Sorry you are faced with this! I suspect that the nurses have to carry out the instructions of your consultant to the best of their ability and it not in their gift to agree to end treatment. My guess would be that you should go back to the consultant and discuss your wishes with them. Meanwhile you can walk out.. all treatment must be done with your consent... if you withdraw it they cannot carry on. xx
Hi lovely,
I had 6 months carbo/taxol and towards the end, they had a lot of trouble getting the cannula in and it so hurt and I was so bruised and battered. It became the worst part of the whole treatment and I dreaded it.
Looking back, I would have gone with a Hickman line to save myself the pain, I certainly wouldn’t have stopped treatment.
I hope you take this kindly, I feel in a position to advise, since I reached 5 years NED on September the 1st.
Obviously you have to do what is right for you, but please give yourself the best chance,
Lots of love,
Carole xx
I had a port fitted well over 2 years ago, never given me a problem, I would highly recommend one. I still have it now 18 months after last treatment, I have become rather attached to it !
Once upon a time I was almost like you.
After a spillage during my first Chemo infusion, I was prescribed a PICC line.
It sounded terrifying and disgusting to me and I tried my best to wriggle out if it.
But in the end it was wonderful.
Made the infusions effortless and a nice District nurse would visit every week to check it.
I have also had a port, but I preferred the PICC line and I do recommend this, if you are allowed to switch.
You have family who need you. Refusing treatment is not an option.
Go with the flow.
The Chemo team actually do know their job.
Best wishes,
Laura
Hi
I had the same problem collapsed veins, extremely painful session trying to insert cannula. I asked how long before I get a line put in and they agreed that was the answer. I had a PICC in my arm dealt with by the X-ray department. I was nervous but it worked like a dream. The only downside was having to go to the hospital every week to have it flushed out and dressing changed. That was a bit of a pain but worth it not having the cannula experience.
Good luck
Maureen xx
Thanks for the replies
It all seems a lot more confusing now as I’ve been told a port or picc line is not an option yet I see many in similar cases having these
If you like swimming there is one for you, that may help, I think it is a port, get advice, it may be best
Xx
Get a port! It will stop all the digging and prodding in your collapsed veins. I've had my port for over 4 years and not had a single problem. It only needs flushing every 6-7 weeks. There is a lidocaine ointment to rub on it 30 minutes before accessing it. You can shower and swim with no dressing or complications. I imagine the pain and cruelty of repeatedly having a cannula jammed into my veins and think I too, would simply stop treatment to avoid such misery. Get a second opinion if you need more information.
I had trouble with cannula as many of us do but managed to keep going. Chemo gives you the best chance of avoiding an early reoccurrence and a good chance of a longer survival. I didn’t realise I had a choice but on reflection, I would not have done any different. Just hope you can resolve your dilemma soon.
I was in exactly the same situation as you regarding getting cannulas into the veins, would take 45 mins of discomfort.
I opted for a portacath and can honestly say you won’t feel a thing.
Before the port I had a Hickman line, but find the port far easier and tidier.
Hope you get sorted and you carry on with your treatment. X
I was persuaded to have a portcath a few months ago just before i finished my 6th line of chemo - like you was not keen, but it certainly makes things easier from the point of receiving chemo. My oncologist also told me that in the States it is the law to have one fitted because of the dangers of chemo escaping into the tissue around the vein and causing irreparable damage - not sure if this true or it was to persuade me!!! Understand you, but as said above your family need you. Xx Anne
Hi lovely, I can’t speak as somebody who has had a Hickman line, but I was really struggling with cannulation towards the end of my treatments as my veins were becoming really rebellious but I have said since that if I had to have further treatment that I would seriously investigate a line to make the delivery of treatment easier and potentially speedier.
There are Hickman lines and also picc lines that are inserted in the arm. I’ve met lots of ladies who have had lines fitted (both types) and all have agreed they have helped them and the long term is the ultimate goal.
I think that you really should investigate this further and discuss it with your oncologist and specialist oncology nurse, I am assuming you would most likely continue with the treatment if cannulation was possible. I know that this is an added hurdle for you to jump over but you’ve already jumped the biggest ones so would it be a good idea to look to clear this last one?.
I hope you get the answers you need lovely, take care ❤️Xx Jane
I agree with others. I have a port without which I wouldn’t get far on treatment. Veins are awful and having had breast cancer too can’t use the side I had my mastectomy. I would recommend it instead of the bruised and battered arm every time bloods taken or treatment given. Your choice obviously but discuss options.
Good luck. X
Have you asked to get a port?
Apparently the only thing they can fit is a Hickman line but I don’t know why ?
I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. Getting through chemo and all it’s unpleasant intricacies is not easy. And having it thrust upon you out of the blue can only add to the trauma. It sounds like your treatment planning was very badly handled by your Oncology Team but do not compromise your health because of their failings.
Personally I find that being mentally prepared is the most important part of getting through chemo. For me seeing a Clinical Psychologist has helped me enormously. But it can still take me some time to get my head in the right place and it sounds like you did not get this time.
I think having a frank conversation with your Oncologist is the way forward. In my experience there is rarely a desperate urgency to do chemo immediately. Perhaps you could take a break from chemo, get ready mentally and physically and then start afresh?
Juliax
Get a port!!!
It's your body, you have the right to refuse treatment. I did. 
I too had awful problems with trying to get cannulas in and got very upset at the mere thought of a line. I ended up having a PICC line, and I wish I'd done it earlier. I went straight to having a PICC line when I had a recurrence, and even attended my daughter's wedding with it, and no one was any the wiser. It was so much easier, not just for chemo, but when having scans and sedation for surgery.
I had the same treatment as you of carbo/taxol. I was diagnosed with Stage IV uterine cancer back in February, 2017 and, at that time, I had a port put in. It was completely painless and I haven’t had any problems with it at all. It makes receiving my chemo so much easier than if they had to stick me every time. Please reconsider getting one.
Deb52
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