We visited the Davis Sutter Infusion Center today to get Roberto's PICC line cleaned out. He also had to get some blood drawn. The PICC line is a catheter that is inserted in Roberto's vein and goes all the way to his superior vena cava (main vein to the heart). I have the pictures below.
Just a warning, the pictures might not be for the squeamish. They are, however, totally for people who like seeing odd things sticking out of arms.
I warned you!
Still here?
The PICC line in all its glory!!! One step closer to the Matrix.
Usually, it's not just hanging out all loose like that since it could get caught on something and be pulled out of his body (yikes!). The nurse had taken off all the tape and gauze pads that were keeping the catheter snugly in place. This way, she could clean up the arm.
Action shot of the nurse placing new tape and this special bandage with a window on Roberto's arm. The window allows nurses to see if there is anything wrong with the PICC line such as blood seeping out or an infection.
Kinda blurry picture of the PICC line. The PICC line splits into two other lines. From what I can tell (and I might be totally wrong about this), one is mainly for administering the chemo drugs and the other is for drawing blood when necessary.
Speaking of drawing blood, here's the PICC line in action! Just attach the syringe to the PICC line and pull. The advantage of the PICC line is that Roberto doesn't need to be pricked again and again when he needs blood drawn and when he receives the chemo drugs. Also, one of the chemo drugs is very harsh on veins so the PICC line avoids the drugs interacting with the smaller veins of his arm.
Finally, the PICC line all nice and snug in gauze pads and tape. They place an extra mesh thing around it for added security.
This might be the last post for a while. Roberto is doing well although he has some back pain. He has some special configuration with a bunch of pillows when he sleeps at night. Other than that, his appetite is back and he doesn't sleep the entire day but does go to bed relatively early The second cycle starts August 12th and I'll definitely start updating regularly again by that date, if not before.
Robostrong!
(Cycle 1 - Day 12)
Just a warning, the pictures might not be for the squeamish. They are, however, totally for people who like seeing odd things sticking out of arms.
I warned you!
Still here?
The PICC line in all its glory!!! One step closer to the Matrix.
Usually, it's not just hanging out all loose like that since it could get caught on something and be pulled out of his body (yikes!). The nurse had taken off all the tape and gauze pads that were keeping the catheter snugly in place. This way, she could clean up the arm.
Action shot of the nurse placing new tape and this special bandage with a window on Roberto's arm. The window allows nurses to see if there is anything wrong with the PICC line such as blood seeping out or an infection.
Kinda blurry picture of the PICC line. The PICC line splits into two other lines. From what I can tell (and I might be totally wrong about this), one is mainly for administering the chemo drugs and the other is for drawing blood when necessary.
Speaking of drawing blood, here's the PICC line in action! Just attach the syringe to the PICC line and pull. The advantage of the PICC line is that Roberto doesn't need to be pricked again and again when he needs blood drawn and when he receives the chemo drugs. Also, one of the chemo drugs is very harsh on veins so the PICC line avoids the drugs interacting with the smaller veins of his arm.
This might be the last post for a while. Roberto is doing well although he has some back pain. He has some special configuration with a bunch of pillows when he sleeps at night. Other than that, his appetite is back and he doesn't sleep the entire day but does go to bed relatively early The second cycle starts August 12th and I'll definitely start updating regularly again by that date, if not before.
Robostrong!
(Cycle 1 - Day 12)
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