Hi y'all,
  Being stuck in the house for the past week with Tropical Storm Fay stalled out over us has given me the chance to catch up on the board.
   I just wanted to share our experience with PICC line vs a port. I didn't have to have chemo for my BC, but my husband is currently undergoing chemo for his 3rd stage 4 cancer. he had ports inserted for the other 2 chemos and he reported they were uncomfortable and couldn't wait to get the port removed. We also encountered radiology and cardiology hospital staff unfamiliar with the port, and ended up getting stuck for special tests outside of oncology.
   With this cancer, the PICC line was inserted by a infusion nurse bedside with a topical anesthetic when he was admitted for his first 5 day inpatient chemo. It is used the same as the port. It will stay in for the duration of his treatment. We flush it nightly. It is not uncomfortable at all, and he says it feels like having a big bandaid on his arm. His blood labs are drawn from it, his CT scan contrast is delivered thru it and his chemo is delivered thru it. So I just thought I would share this info as I don't see many women asking about them as an alternative to a port.

dx 3/07
onward and upward.

Rory what put me off having one was I had heard they are easier to infect than the port and must be kept very very clean. I was concerned it may hinder my movements too in swimming or showering but thanks as I'm sure this is and will be a favourite option for some.

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Hi Tricia,
  My husband restores vintage cars which is very physical (wrenching, cutting metal, etc). The PICC line has not restricted his activity level at all.
  They also sell "sleeves" so you can shower and swim. It has elastic on the upper part that you slip up around your upper arm. It is closed at the end where your hand is so water can't get in. The infusion nurse and home health nurse say PICCs are less prone to infection then ports too.
  The PICC has been a much more positive experience than the port.

dx 3/07
onward and upward.

Rory, I am so glad to see you posting. I have missed you.  I hope things are going well for hubby. I know being a care giver is a BIG job. Hugs to you both.

Susan in TN
dx 3/09/07
IDC 3 cm.,10% DCIS/Stage IIB/T2/G2
6/9 + lymph nodes
ER+ 90%/ PR-/ HER2-
A/C,Taxotere
Simple rt. mast.
Arimidex 
Radiation
carepage:blackeyedsue

Hi Rory,
 
Long time no see!  Hope your hubby is doing well and glad that the PICC line is working well for him. 
 
My sister (lives in Satellite Beach) has also been stuck in the never ending storm!  They finally left yesterday and went over to her oldest son's in Tampa since they had no electricity and were getting a bit bored sitting around doing nothing.  Hang in there girl and hopefully Fay will see fit to move on soon!
 
Alison
 

Alison, 45. Woodland, WA.
DX 08/14/06, Left Mast, Nodes13-/1+, 4-AC/1-Taxol/3-Taxotere, Rads, BRCA neg.,Tram flap. Medullary carcinoma, triple negative.

Hi guys,
  I've been so busy with his care I haven't been here for a longgggg time. Good to hear from you!
    Things aren't going great. He has had 2 rounds of chemo (5 day hospital stays with 3 different chemos) with IV hydration infusions at home for the next 5 days. The tumor is stable but hasn't shrunk. He has developed some neuropathy (numbness in his fingers, visual disturbances) as this is his 3rd time receiving massive doses of cisplatin. The 5fu resulted in some cardiac spasms and required cardiac workups. He had a negative reaction to nupigen after his second chemo and ended up in the ER with arythmia so he can't get any more nupigen. He already had radiation to the base of his tongue 8 yrs ago so re radiating the pyriform cavity near the base of the tongue is an iffy proposition... we are running out of treatment options. Becasue of the neuropathy they have had to reduce the amount of chemos he will recieve and he goes in for his last chemo next week, so keep him in your prayers.
  thank you for your kind words and hope all is well for you!

dx 3/07
onward and upward.

Hi all,  Being a PICC nurse I thought I'd chime in...
 
POrts are easier usually to care for in that they need be flushed once a month (or 2) and don't have a dressing to care for.
That being said, a PICC line while needing more care, can sometimes be a good alternative to a port.  However both lines can be used for CT scans and other tests if they are the right kind.  There is such thing as a power port that can be used in a CT scan, MRI, or anytest requiring power injection.  There are power PICC lines that can do the same thing. 
The main thing is with PICC lines there is a dressing that cannot get wet, cannot come loose for any reason, and must be changed for these reasons or once a week.  It must also be flushed every day vs once a month(or2) for a port.  PICCs with good care can last up to a year, ports up to many years....
 
The choice is made between you and your DR depending on what tests you may need in the future, your comfort and the care you can give the access.
 
There are alternatives and you can find the right one for you.
Ruth (chose a port myself)

Paw Paw MI 
6/06 IDC,7/06 IBC (Inflammatory BC) RT
2 lumpectomies still no clear margins
chemo 8/06-12/06 
Bilat mast 1/07
rads 2/07, arimidex 6 mos, 1/08 femara, 10/08 aromasin
6/10 tamoxifen, now Rheum Arthritis
Pet scan NED x3 yrs

 Hi Ruth,
  I haven't been on in awhile and it's nice to catch up with everyone. I hope all is well with you.   He had the power port last time but found CT and MRI techs unfamiliar w how to use it ,so they didn't use the power port and stuck his veins despite the power port. He also coded during his second chemo and the nurses on the cardiac floor where he ended up didn't know how to use the power port either and kept sticking his veins.  He's a good sized guy but found the port uncomfortable when he rolled over sleeping, with a seat belt and said it "stung" all by itself often.
  He has said compared to the ports he's had the other 2 times, he prefers the PICC hands down. The PICC care is a breeze. The daily care is no biggie...I flush it before bed every night. It takes less than a minute. He has a sleeve that he slips on so he can shower, bathe, swim. We hadn't been told about PICC lines before this cancer , and it has turned out to be such a postivie experience I just wanted others to know there is an alternative to ports and it is not a "port or nothing" decision. P.S. Fay is finally moving away from us in Brevard county! YEA!!!!!!

dx 3/07
onward and upward.