Amie's Breast Cancer Journey #11 July 29, 2015
Mom and I headed back to the Walker Family Cancer Centre again today. I was to be there for noon. Today I was going to have my PICC line installed. I was nervous about this procedure but I figured with everything that has been done to me, how bad could this be? A PICC line stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. This PICC is surgically inserted in the lower third of the superior vena cava, the large blood vessel above the heart. Yikes that sounds scary. During the chemotherapy infusions the PICC line allows the nurses to quickly access me. The PICC line allows the chemotherapy drugs to be placed right by my heart and into my blood stream. It also makes it easier to have my blood tested. My blood has to be tested one day before every chemotherapy session. The PICC line went in on my right arm fairly high up. The nurse numbed the area and used ultrasound to find the right spot to place the line. I did not feel any discomfort. The nurse that I had was excellent and clearly she had performed this procedure many times before. The sterilization set up for this procedure takes longer then the procedure. Once I was set up I was able to see the PICC line in my right arm. I was given a neat arm band to wear over the line to protect it. I was instructed no heavy lifting with the PICC line. Once a week a CCAC nurse will come to my house to flush my PICC line with saline and change the dressing. I attached a picture with my new PICC line so you can see what it looks like and a selfie of mom and I with my new PICC line.
– Amie Banting