April 29 2004

Main Page • John's Journal (2000-2003) • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

It would be interesting to know the number of blood draws, IV's, injections, etc. that I have had over the past ten years. I assume the number would be outrageous. Well, as hip as piercing is these days, I've had my fill.




Yesterday I had outpatient surgery to put in what is known as a Hickman line. My friendly nurse explained that a Hickman line is basically a long tube that is inserted into the sub-clavian vein above the heart. Half the line goes under the skin and into the sub-clavian vein and the other half of the line hangs out the chest. There is a collar half way up the line which the skin actually attaches to after a few weeks of healing. Once this skin attachment takes place, the Hickman is pretty secure. The main purpose of the line is to allow doctors and nurses to access the two ports (red and white) for giving/drawing blood (red) and administering chemo, IV meds (white). Most importantly, however, the line will be used for giving me the new bone marrow stem cells. Once I have the Hickman in place there will be no need for additional pokes. My veins are thankful.


When you are at the SCCA (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) it is comforting to know you are at the best transplant facility in the world. Naturally, if you are going to have a Hickman line put in, you should have the most highly qualified doctor in the world put it in. So, Dr. Hickman himself put my line in today. Actually, he pretty much puts in all the Hickman lines at SCCA. SCCA asked him to come out of retirement to help them put the lines in. Dr. Hickman developed the Hickman line back in the 1960's as a way to help children not to have to experience so many painful needle pokes when undergoing cancer treatment.

Dr. Hickman was assisted with the surgery by a wonderful group of nurses and surgical assistants. Everyone was so professional and caring. As always, the staff at SCCA do their best to make a tough experience much easier.

On my way back from recovery I asked the nurse to stop for a moment as I saw a picture of Lance Armstrong on the wall. Naturally, since Lance is a cancer survivor himself, I get a lot of inspiration from him. I just had to snap a shot of the poster.

Overall, the day went well. However, my neck and chest are pretty sore from the surgery. Everything should heal up and feel much better in a couple days. I'm leaving in a few minutes for an 8:00 am appointment in Seattle. Today is my last day at home. Tomorrow I will start living up in Seattle as I begin chemotherapy. I will need prayer for it is going to be very difficult to leave home tomorrow, knowing I won¹t be home for at least three months. Fortunately, Seattle is only an hour away from home, so I know I will be seeing my family and friends alot which should make the whole transition a bit easier.

 

 

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