Hodgkin's Lymphoma Support Group

We just met with the oncologist for my son and he asked the Dr if he could still play basketball while he was taking the chemo and he said that if he has the energy it should be ok but he just has to be careful not to fall and get cut or scrape his skin because of the bleeding. He said that he didn't want him doing any weight lifting or heavy lifting.

But you should probably check with your Dr before you do anything.

ya that makes sense when your platelets are low. Does your son have a PICC line too? Thats the only reason i can think why he wouldnt want him to do heavy lifting

I asked for a second opinion, going to get a response on moday

thanks though.

He goes on March 7 to have the picc put in. I'm really curious about the picc, does it actually stick out of your skin? If that is the case I can't understand how people don't bump it or end up pulling it while they are asleep. Do you have any problems with yours?

Yes it does stick out a little bit and divides into two tubes ( one for drawing blood, the other for receiving medicine,etc.) I mean if you grabbed it and yanked it as hard as you can, it could come out. But every week when you get it changed the put this thing called an anchor on your arm which the main tube snaps onto and makes the picc line very secure. In addition to that they give this netted cloth to you which covers all of the picc line, to prevent like you said,pulling it in your sleep. But i had no problem with it getting infected or being pulled, its just a good amount of maintenance between flushing it and wrapping it for showers.

I have a port in my chest, is that the same thing? It looks like a little hockey puck that sticks out just below my collar bone. It gives me the weebie jeebies, but it is so much easier than IV every time or needle pricks for blood draws. ANy thoughts form anyone else would be greatly appreciated. I really feel in the dark and I am so excited to talk with others who are going throuh the same thing. THank you!!

Ya basically. I mean its just more direct. and probably a lot less matinence. I remember my home nurse saying something about being able to exercise more with a port-a-cath ( im not sure how it is spelled). But im no doctor, so you should check with your oncologist.

Ya its a great alternative to always being poked, and it was safer to get chemo through this way than through the skin (it leaks underneath at the site)