Replies

• Tugar Senior Member Posts: 2,435 Senior Member

  September 2021 #2

  I did. Got Sepsis and did 7 weeks of home IV antibiotics.
  Tank tops for easier access.
  Medical tape to keep things in place while infusing the IV.
  Baby wipes to keep yourself clean. 
  Depending on why they added it, cargo shorts maybe. 
  
  Hit me up with any questions

  Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
  Winston Churchill

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• PFD Senior Member Posts: 1,734 Senior Member

  September 2021 #3

  Thanks Tugar!

  Little things like that are more than I knew  before.

  I saw these aftermarket covers that are like 30 bucks to cover your arm, do you think there is any advantage?

  I'm pretty sure mine is going in the arm, any tips or tricks to bathing?

  I may PM you with some questions as I learned more about what I need to know.
  

  That's all I got.
  
  Paul

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• Jayhawker Moderator Posts: 18,139 Senior Member

  September 2021 edited September 2021 #4

  Yep...I dealt with my wife's on a couple different occasions...biggest thing is keeping everything as sterile/clean as possible when dealing with it..
  
  For showering...covering it with a large Tegaderm dressing works well...You should get instructions when it's put in....ask lots of  questions

  Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"

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• sakodude Senior Member Posts: 4,568 Senior Member

  September 2021 #5

  PICC lines are always in the upper arm unless your getting a central line. Inexpensive tubex is good for keeping everything from dangling when not in use. Sterility is important, the lines can become infected. Never had one but I do insert them as part of my job.

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• Tugar Senior Member Posts: 2,435 Senior Member

  September 2021 #6

  I didn't shower for a while. That is where the baby wipes come in and works well. Used to carry them in the field during long Army deployments.
  
  You can give yourself a sponge bath easily enough. IF YOU DO SHOWER, use Glad Press and seal. You'll feel a bit like a saran wrap mummy. Good for a mental boost but a pain in the butt.
  
  One of things that were awesome where these there shower caps with soap already in them for your hair. Not sure where to get them. 
  
  Dry shampoo may not be a bad idea. It's not as good as wet but works.

  Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
  Winston Churchill

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• PFD Senior Member Posts: 1,734 Senior Member

  September 2021 #7

  How much will my mobility be restricted?

  The most strenuous part of my job is driving my van from school to school carrying a tool bag and doing troubleshooting on our cable plant, some cross connecting and things like that.

  I'm pretty sure I can work from home if that is too strenuous so if I have to just work from home for 6 weeks I can do that.

  I suppose I want to get this done right without any complication so I just may go with the work from home route.
  

  That's all I got.
  
  Paul

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• sakodude Senior Member Posts: 4,568 Senior Member

  September 2021 #8

  Short of strenuous lifting you should be fine for most activities as long as you wrap up the end ports to prevent snagging. It takes some effort to actually pull one out. Depending on which they use, a midline is about 14cm and a full length PICC could be up to 54cm in length. 

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• BamaakII Posts: 430 Member

  September 2021 #9

  My wife and mom had them.  Biggest thing I remember was them clogging.  You have to flush them a lot.

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• PFD Senior Member Posts: 1,734 Senior Member

  September 2021 edited September 2021 #10

  Thanks Guys!

  The gal that put mine in was extremely good at what she does and told me everything she was doing all the way through.

  Assuming you don't get a hack I think it's a whole lot scarier to read about them than to actually get one.
  

  Now I just have to go to training and pick up my 1st week's worth of drugs.

  I told her I would be careful not to get it wet and I would use glad press and seal to make sure if there was ever any doubt.

  She asked me where I got that from and I told her I have some pretty smart friends.
  

  After I get home and do the procedure couple of times I may have more questions but Thanks once again.
  

  That's all I got.
  
  Paul

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• Make_My_Day Senior Member Posts: 7,912 Senior Member

  September 2021 #11

  I hope you get well soon.
  

  JOE MCCARTHY WAS RIGHT:
  

  THE DEMOCRATS ARE THE NEW COMMUNISTS!

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• PFD Senior Member Posts: 1,734 Senior Member

  September 2021 edited September 2021 #12

  Thanks Paul, I think I have this self infusion thing down so hopefully in 6 weeks I'll move on to questions about biscupid/tricuspid heart surgery.  Apparently I have "vegetation" on my biscupid valve that has to go anyhow.

  Prayers that your wife's covid blows over quickly!
  

  
  

  That's all I got.
  
  Paul

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• PFD Senior Member Posts: 1,734 Senior Member

  September 2021 #13

  Ok, I'll scratch you off my list of resources for heart surgery. 😛

  (Thanks friend.)
  

  That's all I got.
  
  Paul

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• Gene L Senior Member Posts: 12,615 Senior Member

  September 2021 #14

  I've had open heart surgery three times, firs time when I was 32.  They've come so far in the last 10 years that you could be amazed.  It's no picnic, but it ain't the end of the world, either.  I was up and about within 3 weeks of my last surgery, not physically, but emotionally good to go.  I don't know about valve replacement, mine was for arterial blockage.

  Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
  

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• PFD Senior Member Posts: 1,734 Senior Member

  September 2021 #15

  Thanks Gene, it's nice to hear other people's success stories.
  

  That's all I got.
  
  Paul

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