Friday, March 6, 2009

This Is A Picc Line.....Who Knew....


Bernie has graciously let me photograph is arm for you!!!!! When we found out that "normal" chemotherapy would not be enough for Bernie, and he would need the "heavy stuff", we were told that he would have to have a "Picc Line" inserted permanently. This involved a trip to theatre, and a permanent line being inserted at his inner arm up into a vein, then up inside his arm to his shoulder, around his shoulder and down near his heart. On the outside of his arm he has two ports and so this means that he can be hooked up to two pumps at once. This Picc line can stay in for up to twelve months if it is looked after. We have to have it drained and re-dressed every week. I call it Bernie's service and tune-up. When he needs bloods taken now, they can just put the syringe into one of the Ports and it means no more pricks. When we arrive at hospital for his chemotherapy, they just hook him straight up to the "beetlejuice" through his ports and away he goes. At first it looked so scary, but now we realise how wonderful it is and it means no more jabs trying to find a vein, and the "beetlejuice" can go straight into his system and start working straight away. There you are, you are now an expert on a Picc line!!!!!

5 comments:

Draffin Bears said...

It is so amazing what they can do with modern medicine now.
Thanks for sharing Christine.

My thoughts and prayers are with all your family and I am sending my best wishes.


Hugs
Carolyn
xx

Patty B. said...

Christine, I'm so sorry to hear this news. I'll be following Bernie's progress and you and Bernie will be in my prayers.

lapousmor said...

Christine, that is very kind of you to share this with us. Actually, i am glad I have someone to share my worries with, as you know my brother too is fighting a cancer.
i really hope we can stay tuned to each other because it will help a lot.
Lots of hugs to you and your hubby...
Sophie.

FenBeary Folk said...

My heart and prayers are yours

Sue xx

Pauline said...

Dear Christine,

Keep thinking about you and your brave hubby and you are all in my prayers each day

Pauline