An answer to my PICC line prayers!

This is probably only of interest to other people who have PICC lines...

I've not had the easiest time with my line. I do have a video diary taking shape about it and I promise I'll post it soon.

The line has meant that I've had to deal with less needles but during the first few times I found the cleaning process slightly stressful... although that's getting easier now that the exit site is healing and is less tender. My skin also reacted badly to the initial dressings. I had an allergic reaction and my skin bubbled up which I found quite stressful.

The newer dressing, which is called Tagaderm Film, actually seems to be a lot better, which is a massive relief! The nurses have also found an alternative fastener to hold the line in place because, although they'd switched to Tagaderm the original fastener still had the initial taped adhesive which was causing me problems.

The only problem with the film though is that because it's a bit gentler it's also not great at keeping water out, so showers and baths haven't been that relaxing. I've already tried wrapping cling film round and taping it but not only is this fiddley but I don't quite seem to have the knack. However, after a bit of a google search I came across the Limbo elbow cover: LimbO Products - LimbO Adult Elbow Cover - M65. I haven't tried it yet, and there may be other products, but I'm planning to order it on Monday. Apparently they can deliver it quite speedily and it's reasonably priced at £11.45. Fingers crossed it works as I still have at least a couple of months of this line... I may even have it till the new year. I'll let you know.

Bye bye Hodgy!

Scan shows I'm all clear and have no cancer left... So just 2 months of chemo before another scan. So relieved!!! Video post on it's way....

Please give to a very good cause

My all time wonderful friend Katherine (yes we do share the same first name!) and her fab boyfriend Ade are running a 5K run on Sunday in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. It's a charity that's close to my heart as my mum had breast cancer three times and I am very touched as they apparently running in my honour. Please visit this link and give generously: http://www.justgiving.com/Katherine-Howells

Many thanks,

Kat. xxx

Vote for Maggie's, London... it'll only take a minute.

Please vote for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre, London to win £6,000 from Natwest & RBS. It's free to do and only takes one minute. http://bit.ly/rbI9qS. Help us spread the word and ask your friends to do this too.

It is such a good cause. They provide an amazing service. Since I was diagnosed I have had general advice in a session and on a one to one basis, I've done yoga and just finished a nutrition course. It's this last course they are looking for funding for. I learnt so much about how food can help fight cancer and help in other ways. I was also treated to some very tastey treats.

I would be grateful to anyone who votes for Maggie's. They help so many people. Thanks.

Thanks

As you can see, I've just posted my seventh video diary from the end of August. It's taken a bit of time as I had to work out how to get the footage off the camera and into the edit. I just want to say a big thank you to my colleague Gareth who very kindly showed me how to do this. I also had the added bonus that I got to catch up with friends at work. To all of you who are reading this... Thank you. It really was great to see you.

Other thanks have to go to the lovely people at Maggie's who really are amazing. I love the London building. It's a complete oasis of calm and the wonderful people who work there are so hospitable and helpful. I had the pleasure of having a potter around their library, reading in the sun on their leafy balcony and then having a massage. I have to say, that is one of the things that makes this whole experience a lot easier to deal with.

Just to let you know that I have two more video diaries to follow shortly... the footage is actually on my computer so it shouldn't take too long to edit it and get it on YouTube.

Thanks again for checking my blog out. x

Video Diary 7: My Second Chemo Sesh (ABVD)

I've actually managed to edit the footage from my second chemo session. I've borrowed a Flip Cam so please excuse the shakey cam!

I'm currently undergoing ABVD chemo for stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma. This combines four chemo drugs:
Adriamycin
bleomycin
vinblastine
dacarbazine

This video shows my lovely mum and aunt who have been a great support to me. You can also see me picking a wig whilst receiving treatment as well as the dacarbazine being administered.

This is my seventh video diary on Fri 26th August, 2011.

This is purely my own personal experience. If you have any questions or concerns about your own health, please contact a medical professional.

An update...

Hi,

Thanks again to everyone who's been checking out this blog. I am so moved by the response that it continues to get from family, friends and all who stray onto these pages.

I must admit that I've been pretty exhausted during the past week but thankfully my energy levels are picking up a bit now.

I have been getting used to the PICC line that has been inserted into my arm to make the chemo easier. Many of you will know that I was pretty nervous but thanks to my aunt and cousin's presence during my appointment, along with the patience and true professionalism of the nurse, I managed to get through the procedure with only a few tears... apparently I was brave... although I'm still waiting for the sticker to prove it ;)

Cut up stripey socks...Chemo Chic?!

My next chemo was indeed much easier and I have cut a stripey sock up to cover the line in true Kat style.

I've filmed my chemo session after I had the PICC line so I'll be posting it as soon as I've worked out how to get the footage up from the new camera.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that my fourth chemo session next week will hopefully be a half way point in my treatment. I have a scan booked for the start of October to find out how I am responding and whether I'll need any more.  I'll let you know when I hear.

In the mean time, I am orgainising a singaround. I've grown up singing traditional folk songs and since music is a great tonic I am hoping to get an evening sorted in November. It'll be a chance to enjoy myself and raise funds for some Lymphoma charities that are doing incredible work.

It's funny how something like ill health can impact on life. I know that a lot of people are worried about me but there are some really positive things coming out of this. I feel incredibly loved and massively motivated. This blog and hopefully my music evening can be very beneficial results to come out of all this. I just thank my lucky stars to be experiencing this at a time when the medical world is so switched on with the way it treats patients like me. It also seems apt that as it's Lymphoma Awareness week I thank Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, Lymphoma Association and also the fantastic Maggies Cancer Care Centres for their support and the strength they give patients like myself. I really am very grateful.

Love, peace and good health to you all,
Kat. x

Ps. I promise to respond to all the lovely messages that I've received since my diagnosis. I have been a bit slack so far but I really want to sit down and give them the time they deserve. They have meant a lot to me.