The PICC line

I am woken early and told I am about to be taken down for an operation to insert a PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) line. I am barely awake and for a while through a hazy fug I fight with this doctor about this. I know I react badly to anyone putting anything in my veins. But basically it’s tough shit. The nurses are going to be giving me daily IVs (tbc) and taking daily bloods. They need to do this somehow and a PICC is the best way rather than a daily stabbing. The PICC is allows bloods out and treatment in so it really is the best solution. I agree and am wheeled to theatre carrying Recky to squeeze throughout the op.

Once down in theatre I am warned of the risks: The PICC line can move out of position if it is not secured in place (with sutures). There is a risk of vein clotting (thrombosis) or vein inflammation (phlebitis). You may get an infection at the insertion site or in your bloodstream. The PICC may need to be removed and you may need antibiotics. I sign the consent forms.

I am then prepared for the op. They remove the old cannula. The docs clean my arm, and use an ultrasound machine to find the deepest and best vein to use. One doc injects my arm with anaesthetic and it fecking hurts. I grip Recky as tightly as I can with my other hand and squeal with the pain. My veins are so bad but luckily the doc gets the big bugger needle in first time to get the line in place. The other doc finishes off by doing an xray to make sure it’s all in situ perfectly (which thank goodness it is!).

If needs be the PICC can apparently stay in your arm for 12 months 😮, average is apparently 6 months. I’m only prepared to keep this in whilst I’m in hospital. It’s flappy and annoying. It’s restrictive and if when I’m out I’m not having IV chemo then why do I need it in. Whilst in hospital I’ll need the dressing changed at least once a week and a regular flush through.

Michelle comes to see me but I am fast asleep, she leaves some goodies for me and disappears without waking me. Bless her. I wake up to an awful smell, the woman in the bed to the right of me has shat the bed.... It really smells 🙈

 My arm begins to feel bloody sore already.

The temporary tape holding the PICC in place is really itchy but they have to leave the PICC uncovered for 24 hours after the op just to monitor it. 

Laura visits that evening and I am a bit more awake and talking than I have been before which is cool. She tells me about her cool visit to the USA and some exciting exploits she got up to! I remember really liking her jacket and weirdly I dream about it that night. 

The Op

Mum, Rob & I checked into the hospital at 07h00. We were there for about 15 minutes when a nurse came through & explained how the day would work. Then about 07h30 I was taken through to register with a nurse who ran through various questions with me & measured me for some sexy anti-DVT socks. Then I met with my surgeon's registrar who explained exactly how the operation would work.

About 09h30 I went down to the x-ray department. I had 2 mammogram photos taken & then 2 local anaesthetics (ouchy!) in lefty. They then inserted 2 wires, one in the area of the marker coil, the other in the area of microcalcifications. Feeling pretty tender I walked back to the waiting room and about an hour later I met with the Home Care nurses. The HCNs will be coming out to the flat for as long as I need them to check the wound, keep an eye on the drain, dressings etc & once they are happy I can officially be discharged.

About an hour later I met with the anaesthetist who explained to me how the GA would work. He said they would put a cannula in my hand & then I would have the GA injected. He explained my arm would ache a bit & then I would fall asleep. Having never had one before, I explained how nervous I was & he told me I would be very well looked after.

Then I met with my BCN Carole who gave me a pressie (shower gel, tissues, Polos, a pen, notepad, chocolates & a Get Well Soon card) & explained next steps (exercises to strengthen the shoulder & arm & that I was to relax lots) & that I might be a bit smurfy (blue face for a day or two, smurf wee for a day & blue boob for between 2 weeks & a few months) after the op due to the blue dye used in the SLNB.

About 13h30 I was feeling pretty hungry & thirsty having been nil by mouth since 20h30 last night. Then I was called to go for my operation. Eeeek! I kissed mum and Rob & walked down the corridor to get changed into my hospital gown, dressing gown, sexy anti-DVT socks & slippers.

I then walked down the next corridor & into the operating theatre. I lay on the operating table & they tried twice to put a cannula in my hand before finding a good vein. Once they had it in the anaesthetist chatted to me about my job & the next thing I knew I was coming round from the operation.

I don't remember falling asleep from the GA so it felt bizarre when I came round to be told it was all done. I vaguely remember Rob calling the recovery ward about 16h25 but was so foggy I couldn't be sure (later found out he did call & I wasn't dreaming). I was surprised to see I had a drain in as with WLEs you often don't need them but they told me I had a fair bit of oozing (yuck!) during the op. not sure how long it'll be in for but I can ask the HCNs tomorrow. After about 5 minutes I was sick a few times but this is a fairly common SE of having a GA.

The recovery team bought me water, a cup of tea, a sandwich & some jelly & ice-cream. I had a pretty sore throat from having had a tube in my mouth so couldn't really eat the sarnie but the ice-cream was great! Then after dozing a bit more I was taken downstairs (about 18h30) to see mum & Rob.

After waiting in the discharge lounge (sounds gross!) for about 15 minutes & having a smurf wee I was free to go home :) Michelle & Leanne kindly did Fagin duties so there were no stresses there whilst we were away.

I have a follow-up appointment on the 4th January to ensure they got 2mm clear margins otherwise I'll need another op. Fingers crossed!

Pre Op Assessment

Today I had my Pre Op Assessment. I wasn't really sure what this would entail but apparently it is something everyone has before they have any type of surgery to ascertain that they are fit and healthy enough to undergo an operation. From speaking to other people it seems that everyone's assessment is different but this is what happened in mine....

Before I had my appointment I had to fill in a questionnaire which asked me lots of questions about any operations I had had before, lifestyles, allergies and general health. When I got to my meeting at the hospital they went through my questionnaire, weighed me, measured my height, tested my blood pressure, took my pulse, swabbed my groin and up my nose for MRSA and they also explained what would be happening in my operation next week. They also tried to take my bloods but my veins weren't behaving so after a few attempts I was sent over to phlebotomy where they managed to do it straight away using a Butterfly Needle. I am going to ask for those all the time in future rather than be a pin cushion!