Post Pic Line & Name that Picture

I was downloading a funny picture from my cell phone that I took at the grocery store the other day (I’ll place it at the bottom of this post) and found a nice picture of Jeff and Emily.

This was from a day in March when we went to dinner at Emily’s favorite place (a buffet). She loves watching all the people in this restaurant.

The Pic line was put in yesterday. It was quite a long day but Emily did great. Jered watched Grace for me while nurse Trish and I took Emily to the infusion clinic.

We got to infusion clinic and Emily’s arm was measured (so we know if it is swelling once the line is in place). The nurse used an ultrasound to view possible insertion sites and found a good one inside her arm above the elbow.

We dressed in sterile blue with the yellow masks and Emily was draped. The nurse used a bit of anesthetic on Emily’s arm before she actually inserted the line. After a minute or two the line was placed and just needed taping up.

Before being used the Pic line needed to be x-rayed to make sure it was in the proper place. That meant a trip up one floor and then back down again.

Once placement was approved the nurse brought Emily’s first antibiotic infusion and set it up. Emily relaxed when she knew that it wasn’t going to hurt anymore. Then while the antibiotic was infusing the nurse taught us to hook up and care for the Pic line.

As I talked to the nurse about the Pic line I found out that so long as the line is intact and not infected Emily can keep it indefinitely. Wow, what a wonderful revelation! Its basically a central line, just not surgically placed. Emily will be able to get her antibiotic through it for now, but it can also be used any time she needs to be in the hospital or have tests or procedures (like the lithotripsy) where she needs an access line.

When the infusion was complete we were able to pack up and go home. We will need to go back next week to get more medication and have the dressing over the Pic line changed. At that time we’ll learn to do dressing changes.

Last night Emily was looking at her arm and frowning. I asked her if she was upset that she has that IV line in her arm. She continued to pout. I showed her the bag of supplies and talked to her about being able to give her medication to her at home now, she wouldn’t have to go back to the hospital to get her medicine. With that thought she stopped frowning and we were able to get on with the evening.

Today is our day off. I’ll take care of housework and spend some time with Grace. Tomorrow will be a busy day with the Lithotripsy.

Ok, now for the funny picture. Click on it to enlarge. Anyone have a good caption for this photo? I’ll turn this into a give-away and send a hand tatted cross to the person who gives me a suggestion that hits my funny spot. The winner will be announced on Sunday, 12 July 09.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers ~

Michelle