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Hickman line

Hi everyone,
All is progressing well with regards to the STC. The BMT unit have got quite a few choices of donors & are just refining which one is best.
I am having the Hickman line put in place in 2 weeks time. It sounds very unpleasant. If anyone could share their experience of this procedure I would be most grateful. Did they use sedation? How were you afterwards, that sort of information would be good.

Sandy, many thanks for signing my guestbook and your offer of info regarding offsetting the effects of the drugs etc. You are so informed that any advice you have would be welcomed! Thank you.
Im please you had a very good holiday & enjoyed your well deserved break, you work so hard for all of us, Id just like to say Thank You for all you do.

All the best to everyone.
Ali.

Hi Ali

Having the hickman line in was actually fine. Much better than I thought it would be. I was sedated and really didn't feel anything. I felt very woozy for a few hours. I had mine put in when I went in for the transplant. I wasn't interested in my phone or computer for a good few hours! So I know that I was definitely a bit below par.
I had no infections with it but the wretched thing didn't give blood after about 10 days so still had to have blood taken in the normal way. It was needed to give drugs etc though.
Try not to worry and just deal with it all as it comes. Most of the proceedures are actually fine when it comes to it and you know what, it just has to be done!.
Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
best wishes
Susan

Hi Ali,
Actually, I agree with Susan- it was much less stressful than I had feared.

However, I did not have sedation- the reason being that they needed me to be alert in case there was a problem. The doctor that inserted mine was wonderful- especially given that it was the first time he had done this procedure! he was being led by his registrar and the whole team were very careful and caring.

I was glad to have the Hickman as it meant my more veins did not need to be tapped an poked about with- and chemotherapy drugs do play havoc with veins. Also the constant monitoring and blood samples are far easier to take from the lines- and if you need any medication they can get it in without any stress to you.

I will email you privately with more suggestions re: complimentary remedies to counter some of the negative effects of sct.

Sandy

Hi Ali
I had my Hickman line put in with a local anaethsetic - a little weird with the pushing sensation as it was inserted but no real worries.
My first one fell out while I was having a shower a week or so before my transplant! Shampoo was all lathered up and I had my eyes closed when I heard a clunk on the bath - when I opened my eyes I was shocked to see it layig on the floor. I was even more shocked that not a drop of blood came out.
Another was fitted with no problems.
The Hickman line was a God send for me as it saved having my veins jabbed too much. I also made friends with my Hickman line and gave each tube a name - Tom and Amber after my Canadian nephew and niece. I found the transplant experience less frightening for my children by introducing my new friends. In the end I felt a little sad when it came out some time after my transplant.
Good luck with all of your treatment - please keep us updated.
God bless
Peter

Hi & many thanks for the advic & info. As you have said the insertion was ok, wouldnt like doen too often though! had a bleed during sunday night so had to return yesterday to have the dressing changed. Its settled again now so all is well.

Bit of news, I am starting the conditioning a week today with the donor cells harvested a week later on the 16th.

wishing you all well.

Hi Ali,

I am sure everyone here will all be thinking of you when you start your treatment next week- I will visit your caringbridge diary to check how your are feeling.

From my own experience of pre-conditioning for RIC SCT- it was a bit of an anti-climax as the effects were very slow. I was given fludarabine (IV) with campath (IV)- this last one made me feel a little shaky but that effect only lasted an hour or so and wasn't that bad. The third drug was busulphan (oral) which is one of the oldest chemotherapy drugs but apparently still very effective in CML! That all lasted 5 days with day 6 and 7 drug free. Day 8 was donor stem cell day so became day 0.... a new birthday.

I am not sure if you will be given the same protocol as I had- it is a different centre and is 9 years on- although in the same month ;o)
I went in to HH on 13th October (lucky for some!) and had my donor cells on 20th- at least I think they were the dates- time plays with ability to remember details ;o)

Keep well, Sandy