Hickman line - OUT! (part 1)

Jason had a line coming out from his chest since end of September (3 months). It's called Hickman line - please see "Hickman line" in October 2011 post. One of our questions to the doctor & nurse was when Hickman line will be taken out. They said it will be pulled out around Day 100.

Well, it was a quite a procedure to put it in. I hope you saw the X-ray picture on the Hickman line post, as you can see, it goes right by the heart-connected to a major blood vessel, and at least a foot long in Jason's body. It was handy when he had to have blood drawn and IV everyday, but after things started to slow down, it was pain in a butt (in Jason's word) to maintain it. He had to flush the line once a day, he had to rap and cover the line when he took shower, and just think rubbery tube hanging out from your chest... not too exciting. Also, we were told that if it breaks, blood will gash out-must be careful. We were VERY careful all the time.

We were waiting to see on the weekly schedule from the hospital when the procedure would happen. I was thinking that I had to find a baby sitter for the day, what to do while I wait during the procedure, etc. But we didn't see it on the schedule, so we asked again when that would happen. The nurse said maybe next week or tomorrow if we wanted. What?! We didn't see it on the schedule... where and how do you do it?


We thought doctors and nurses were kidding when they said "pull it or / yank it out". We were laughing "yes.... you yank it out... funny... " . But it was not funny when we realized they were really going to yank it out in the regular examin room. The nurse said "it comes out easy and we put pressure on it for a little bit, put band-aid on it, and done!".


The nurse must saw a fear in my face, and she said "Don't worry, Mayumi. We've done many times. Only 5% goes down to operation because the line breaks in the middle, we'll make sure a surgeon will be in the hospital". Uh...OK.... what happens if the line breaks?! Gush of blood or blood spraying all over the clinic from the tube just like water from a yard hose goes wild?


Jason was excited/nervous to get the line out. He decided to do it the next day. It was Wednesday - half day school for Ty. We asked Ty if he wanted to come see it. He nervously said "yes...". I was proud of him. He has been with Jason for major events from the beginning of the BMT. He had to come see it. Since Ty was coming, Tommy had no choice. It would be a big family event. "Yank out Daddy's Hickman line!"



To Be Continued...


Love,
Mayumi