been doing ok since the stricture stretches stopped a few months ago. that is until early june when I had a infection in my chest and neck on the side where my hickman has been for about
4 years. NOT line related, just lucky me. in the icu for 6 days and then regular room for 3. because the line was under the infection they had to remove it after much hand wringing. still needing my TPN I had to forgoe it for 3 weeks, just getting vitamins and saline. I had to drive to seattle everyday for my infusion of antibiotics and vitamin solution. when I was healed well enough a new line was placed and I could resume my life. I have had hickman catheters for most of the last 18 years but this was a new type for me. instead of tunneling just under the skin, this one is much deeper. I can not feel it at all past the insertion point.
the IR drs and my GI, told me this is the last spot. they dug and probed for 3 hours to get this line in.just to much scar tissue on both sides and clot on the right. did I mention I was awake the whole time.. yep my resistance to fentanyl and versed is my curse now.
finally got it in at the 4th spot. seems on the CT of my veins, I have a narrowed kink in just the wrong place now. under the collar bone area. yea for me!
so that's my update. missed my trip to sell stuff at an Idaho military swap meet. good thing it hit right as loading would have started. hope everyone is doing good. I read some most days but don't post often anymore. randy