Picking up the iX20

[Tippon]

Ed P wrote:

House Doctors are also pretty useless at cannulas as they do not do it often enough. Ambulance crews and phlebotomists are ace at it.

At the beginning of 2011 I was in the hospital regularly, as were a lot of the patients on the ward. We got to know which doctors and nurses could get a cannula in, and who liked a bit of target practice. Depending on who walked onto the ward, you could see the regulars cringing and the newbies looking really confused, until it was their turn ?

 

Bob Williams wrote:

Thank you Ryan, very useful information, if a bit worrying! But helpful.

Bob, it’s honestly not as bad as it sounds. I imagine you know what a cannula feels like by now, but the PICC lines are not painful, just strange. As it’s a procedure, you do get the painkiller injections (Lidocaine in my case), and they tend to be uncomfortable for a few seconds. After that, it’s that odd pushing and pulling feeling, similar to the dentist after the injection starts working.

I had to turn my head for the lines in my neck and chest, so I couldn’t see anything, but watching them put the line into my groin was fascinating. It was a bit disturbing though, as the doctor doing it was a young and extremely attractive blonde. I didn’t think anything of it when they told me she’d be doing the procedure during the morning rounds, until one of the other patients later pointed out how pretty she was and where her head would be at the time. Then not so subtly said ‘I hope you don’t get *ahem* excited!’ Paranoid was an understatement! ??

 

@steviep It sounds like you’re going through a lot at the moment. Good luck, and I hope things settle down for you soon 🙂

 

[Richard]

The one through the thigh into the heart is interesting, I watched it on the monitor as it travelled up as they slid it into the right place and then the dye diffused. Exciting? No I would not call it that, I was partially clothed , perhaps I am too old; fascinating perhaps. I must stress that none of my experiences involved chemo. I found them fascinating though I was more interested in the mechanics of how. I found the groin line easier than the cannula in the back of the hand, especially if you bend your hand the wrong way. Many of these procedures can have their, shall we say interesting sides. The TV camera in the lung was interesting as it was done without sedation, odd sensations but nothing too much. I suspect a dash of gallows humour helps everyone along a bit when the procedures are a bit tricky or stressful.

[Bob Williams]

All good and encouraging information guys, thank you all.

Stevie P. I read your story with that feeling we all get when reading about someone who is going through one hell of an ordeal. I sincerely hope you come out the other side intact, all my best wishes to you for a good recovery.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Richard]

Steve P I read your account in the detached way that some read any accounts of past events without really reading between the lines of the personal battles being fought, I am sorry. Bob brought home to me the long drawn out struggles you are facing. One procedure is a challenge, to have to face years of such challenges on an ongoing basis is more than an ordeal. I regret I did not pick up the personal issues behind your account and I am sorry for my insensitive reading of your troubling account. Like Bob I must wish you the very best outcome from your trials, tribulations and life sapping experiences.

[StevieP]

Thank you for your good wishes, quite a few of us seem to have either problems ourselves or with our loved ones. I suppose that I am one of the lucky ones in that I have had very little actual chemo, mainly relying on monoclonal anti-bodies. Because of this I have not suffered, like most, from the side effects that some patients get.

From my wife’s perspective she advises anyone who is supporting a patient who has been prescribed high dose steroids to get a good set of headphones. Apparently all I did was talk constantly and what I talked about was total squitter. In fact I once had the classic “Shut the f*** up”.

Best wishes to all and don’t let it beat you.

[JayCeeDee]

That’s a similar treatment regime to mine for the Lymphoma.

I’d have 2 anti-body treatments, first one in the afternoon and second on the following morning. A quick lunch at the Marsden cafe then a chemo in the afternoon/evening before driving home. It actually took just long enough for me to miss the rush hour journey home.??

That was only for six sessions – one a month – followed by a 2 year maintenance of one dose of the anti-body every two months.

It was however brought home just how vicious the chemo could be by spending the days with fellow patients in the Medical Day Unit.

Good to hear things are progressing for you – long may it continue.

[Richard]

JayCeeDee wrote:

It was however brought home just how vicious the chemo could be by spending the days with fellow patients in the Medical Day Unit. Good to hear things are progressing for you – long may it continue.

I think I know what you mean, we had the 50 cent tour last week to see the chemo lounge where it all happens, those in progress were not in a good state though those in one of the waiting rooms were in brighter spirits. Every one there had been called in an hour early and then kept waiting for more than an hour – that was a bonding exercise and a half.

[Richard]

StevieP wrote:

Needs to be cleaned regularly and this was done by the nurses prior to one of my treatments. Some people found it awkward to shower with one in. Easy, get some cheap cling film and wrap it round the line. That would usually last long enough to take a shower.

We have just returned from the hospital PICC line insertion, it went very well and from arrival to departure we were there for less then 60 minutes. My wife said it was a bit uncomfortable but far less than the line in through the groin into the heart area.

Usual speeches about cleanliness, but they had no shower/bath covers. I said I heard from someone who used cling film, phew they nearly needed new windows as the nurse practitioner who did the line nearly burst a blood vessel.

She went a lot further than suggesting it was not recommended under any circumstances, citing a long list of infection potentials.

We have now ordered an approved item, they were out of stock at the hospital

[Author]

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