It takes a long time getting chemo through an IV line in one's arm, because the vein there is pretty small. It's also painful getting constantly poked. So, it's helpful to get a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line, an always available portal, that is connected to a very large vein near the heart. It's threaded from near the bicep to the heart.
Graham got a picc line today. It took about an hour. The portal is near his bicep in his left arm. He has to keep it clean and dry, so he'll have to wear a plastic bag over that part of his arm whenever he showers.
It will be so much easier for Graham to give blood for the bi-weekly blood tests, and easier/faster to receive the chemo. They just pop a needle into the portal of the picc, and voila, they're ready to start!
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