gettimg my PICC line done

Surgery is tomorrow. My blood bank armband fell off somewhere AMD is lost forever, so I had to have blood redrawn for type & screen. Bummer.

A PICC line? Is that something that your surgeon typically does for this surgery, or do you have other issues that make it a necessity?

oh my why are you getting a PICC line?

Good luck on your surgery.  What do you need a picc line for?

My surgeon requires PICC line placement for all his patients before surgery in case they need quick access to veins during surgery, have to give blood or need parenteral nutrition (TPN).  Many morbidly obese patients have terrible veins and they don't want to mess around sticking people in the event of a crisis. They can also use the PICC line to deliver medications and draw blood.

I did okay, but I got queasy. It really didn't hurt, other than the shot of lidocaine to numb the skin. Veins themselves don't have nerves so I didn't feel the PICC line being run up my arm and they had me draped heavily so I couldn't see it. But just got light-headed and felt icky--I haven't eaten all day, only clear liquids. They got me some apple juice and let me just lay there for a few minutes until I felt like I could leave. I had to have them wheel me out in a wheelchair, though, because i still felt woozy and I didn't want to fall down or pass out.

I'm an RN, 36 years, but i am a total wienie when it comes to procedures. I guess I know too much.

The PICC line is not a bad idea.  My IV came out after the first day and I got stuck 4 times and was getting dehydrated by the time someone finally got it back in.

I'll tell you what, this thing is really sore. I don't think the site is swollen. There's some bleeding at the site. But wow, is it uncomfortable!  I wasn't prepared for that.

Hang in there, Mustlove, I hope tomorrow will go great for you!  Have a great day!

Wow, that sounds really intense. Good luck tomorrow. I'm also having surgery, in the morning. :)