Rollercoaster

I think that pretty much describes today. We went to get my PICC line inserted this morning. The sister explained everything, signed consent forms then I was put in a gown and laid on the bed. It felt like a water bed, I’m assuming it was so comfy as the PICC department have a bed on ICU, not because they need to be it’s just where they ended up four years ago and now have squatters’ rights!

The first thing they did was scan my veins. Instantly she could see a problem. She was showing us the vein that she’d usually use had thrombosed. We were nodding and agreeing but the screen just looked like I was looking under a merky sea. She couldn’t use this one but said there was another she could look for. She found this one but it was pretty much attaching itself to the artery. She said she would try as my veins were not looking good at all.

Local given and she went on with the needle. Didn’t really hurt but could feel a bit of prodding. Once the needle was in she had to thread a wire through the vein – I think the catheter then goes inside the wire. She started tutting and had to remove the wire. You could see when it was out that about an inch on the end had gone a bit wobbly where it was getting stuck. Was also feeling a bit painful. I was getting the odd shooting pain down my arm where it caught the nerve. Apparently I shouldn’t have been brace and needed to tell her when this happened!

She said she’d try again as the vein was showing a bit clearer. The wire managed to get as far up as my shoulder before it caught on something and had to be removed. Apparently only 2/3 people a year have to have it aborted. I am very special.

All is not over as she booked me in to have it done next week. That time it will be done by a consultant radiographer and in theatre. He will inject a dye to show up my veins and hopefully that will work. She was so lovely and apologetic but it’s just one of those things.

Once home I was feeling a bit deflated. I have chemo again on Friday so we were back to struggling to find a vein. The sister said she was going to let the unit and my oncologist know what has happened this morning and suggest they get an anesthetist to cannulate me. I went to bed feeling sorry for myself.

I was woken by the phone ringing. There had been a cancellation for the morning and could I go. Yes! It would be done before Friday! Rob phoned worked to let them know he’d only be in a few hours. I was so relieved but was short lived. An hour later the phone rang. The consultant had been sent home with d and v. Tomorrow was cancelled.

Although I’m very disappointed and feeling sick about Friday, they also had to cancel nine ladies who were booked in for their wire incision before their breast surgery tomorrow. It will be worse for them and I’m still booked on for next week.

Yesterday I finally went back to the opticians. After last time (which I’m not going to dwell on again) I’ve been putting it off but by eyes are terrible and I miss not reading. Yes I need glasses for reading. He also showed me the bleeds at the back of my eyes so really need to stabilise sugars as the bleed by my right eye is by my central vision.

Trying to choose  glasses was a nightmare. Looking at myself in the mirror with different glasses on when I hate the way I look and do not recognise myself was not ideal. I just chose anything.

Not much to report today but at least you all know now how a PICC line is sort of inserted!