Paul's been in the hospital since Tuesday. He has a bacterial infection, they think from the port. Port was removed yesterday and next chemo that was scheduled for this Monday has been postponed. He'll either have to have another port put in or a pic line. Does anyone have experience with pic lines?

We both thought the first chemo wouldn't be a problem. Guess we were wrong.

I had a picc line. PICCs are for more short term use, I had mine for 6 months though. Mine had 2 lines hanging out of my arm. You maintain it just like you would a port if the port is accessed. You still flush and heparinize it daily, clean the site weekly with a sterile kit. I instructed my husband on how to do this for me since I use to be a nurse. The big pain with piccs in your arm is that you have to bag it and wrap it as best as you can to prevent direct water contact when you take showers. I would use the cling Saran Wrap, some use plastic trash bags with tape. Piccs are something you visibly see and can get tangled in clothes when your changing so make sure it's got a protective sleeve over it so it doesn't get caught up.

Hope this helps, if you have any other questions, please ask away.

Oh my goodness.....Can they do another port on the other side? Kevin has his on his left side so he could shoot his rifle from his right shoulder. What a bummer. So sorry you are dealing with this. I think in the long run the port would be easier...but that's when they are done successfully!
Kathy

Ports need to be close to the heart.

Ive had a picc line for 8 months and it wasnt a big deal. I had a visiting nurse come weekly that took care of changing my picc line dressing. I gave myself the 3 daily doses of antibiotics. Mine was such a long term thing as I had some pretty serious issues after a mandibulectomy.

Best wishes To Kevin!

That's what I thought Christine; about the port placement. I was a little confused as to why there was even a choice when Kevin got his.
Anyway...Diane, please keep us posted on Paul.
Praying,
Kathy

My understanding is that they can do a port on the left side but they prefer the right where it was. Because of the bacterial infection, I'm concerned from that standpoint as to which one is least likely to cause the same problem, another port or a picc line. The doctor says they can leave a picc in for 6 months which should get him through the remaining 5 chemos. My thought is that anytime anyone accesses the port or the picc there is a chance of introducing bacteria.

Kevin's is on the left. I don't know much about a pic. So sorry you are going through this.
Kathy

Paul came home from the hospital after 6 days. There are conflicting opinions as to what caused the bacterial infection because of the timing of the testing. Port culture was negative but they had been using it to run antibiotics. Urine was negative but they didn't test it until after antibiotics were given. Guess we'll never know. They ended up postponing his 2nd chemo treatment for one week and removed the port. He had another one put back in today on the left side and will have chemo on Monday. The good news........After only one chemo treatment, Paul's tumor shrunk by 80% !!!!