Our pleasure Jill. Take it easy. S ... View more

Hi All, Bloods can be taken from Picc lines. Soemtimes they are a little obstropolous (spelling?) but for most people they work quite well. After about 3-4 months mine stopped being able to draw blood and when they took it out they realised that it had curled up at the end. Apparently very strange. The nurses had never seen it happen before. Typical. it gave me no pain and I presume that it worked even though it was a little wonky. good luck with the decision. S ... View more

Compared to some of you guys I am on easy street but that bloody piece of string doesn't go away does it? Hang in there Teach. S ... View more

Because you are human and life has dealt some aweful hands lately. Take care, S ... View more

Hi Jo, My Picc line also went in with only an ultrasound to guide the radiologist.No pain whatsoever. Apparently mine was essential as the toxicity would have blown my veins apart and I came home each fortnight with a portable "jet pack" for slow release of the 5FU. Mine was in for 6 months and yes it did require some maintanance as it had to be dressed. I had water proof dressings so while I had to be careful in the shower I didn't need a plastic bag. I found that my skin became quite irritated under the dressing (the sticky part) but the nurses were awesome and always did what they needed to relieve the irritation. It was the least of my worries, however and just became part of the routine at the hospital.There were some weeks when an extra visit was required to help with the dressing. You sound as though you are doing it tough at the moment. Take care. Samex ... View more

Great photo Teach.Did you raise what you wanted? You seem to be able to face these ongoing dramas with such resilience. An inspiaration to us all, especially when the bloody turkeys get us down! Samex ... View more

I've used QBE Travel Insurance. They don't cover the cancer but cover me for aqnything else. Thank goodness I had Income Protection Insurance before diagnosis. Samex ... View more

Thanks Teach. Not a lot of other options other than see how it goes!! Oh and spend half the weekend marking essays! S ... View more

Great news Jules, and a TV start to boot.Woohoo Cancer does sometimes make us do things we may not have otherwise have done. I went to New York!! Bloods etc next week. My turn on this site to be a bit anxious but all should be good. That's how it seems to me. We all just take turns on this merry-go-round. Oh well. S ... View more

My phone call wasn't nearly as dramatic but the Gp's receptionist rang to tell me that my LFT (worked than one out to be liver function test)was elevated and that they would like it to be redone. Not something a bowel cancer patient wants to hear. Response in the staff room - melt down!! Others response - cuddles and a cup of tea!! And I'll take your next class. Thank God for supportive work mates. All a false alarm of course.All within range, Just an overly cautious GP. My husband's b'day today. Pecan pie for us. Bloods and checkup on Thursday. That anxious week awaits. S ... View more