Discussion
Anyone had one of these? My last - cycle 2 of 6 - of chemotherapy it took them 2 hours and heaven knows how many attempts to get a cannula in me, to the point where they nearly gave up - and so the decision has been made to install a Hickman line for next cycle.
No-one's really told me what it is - I gather it needs regular 'flushing' and is installed using ultrasound and terminates in the chest area, but frankly I'm scared - and asking questions of busy oncologists over what seems probably a trivial matter doesn't seem right. Can anyone help me here - any info gratefully recieved - and yes I know I could google it but I'd rather have 'real people' answer my question!!
No-one's really told me what it is - I gather it needs regular 'flushing' and is installed using ultrasound and terminates in the chest area, but frankly I'm scared - and asking questions of busy oncologists over what seems probably a trivial matter doesn't seem right. Can anyone help me here - any info gratefully recieved - and yes I know I could google it but I'd rather have 'real people' answer my question!!
Edited by Broomsticklady on Saturday 18th July 22:54
My cousin had one for his chemo treatment. It is basically a permanent cathetar that goes into a vein in the chest. Apparently it does take a little getting used to but makes things a lot easier in the long run. It needs to be flushed, I think, a few times a day but they teach you how to do it and when you are in hospital the nurses seemed to do it but my cousin prefered to do it for himself.
hi Broomsticklady
a hickman line is an indwelling central venous catheter, or a line that can stay in over a long period of time- it means that blood can be taken from you wthout the need for needles/venepuncture and that your drugs eg chemo, antibiotics or fluids can be given without you having to have numerous cannula insertions.
They are put in generally under ultrasound or x-ray guidance with a local anaesthetic- and apart from the local injection you probably won't feel much during the insertion apart from a bit of pulling and pushing!There may be a little soreness in the 1-2 days after it has been put in, usually controlled by simple painkillers
They are tunnelled a little under the skin to help reduce the risk of infection.
They do need taking care of, generally weekly flushing or as recommended by your hospital, and careful dressing and observation of the exit site to help prevent and identify infection
Most people are a little apprehensive about having them put in but generally appreciate the benefits of a line when they require less needles to take blood and have drugs given to them.
I think cancerbacup will have some general info about hickman lines- I would recommend that you ask to speak with a specialist nurse who can explain it to you, the pros, cons and risks and maybe show you one.
good luck
a hickman line is an indwelling central venous catheter, or a line that can stay in over a long period of time- it means that blood can be taken from you wthout the need for needles/venepuncture and that your drugs eg chemo, antibiotics or fluids can be given without you having to have numerous cannula insertions.
They are put in generally under ultrasound or x-ray guidance with a local anaesthetic- and apart from the local injection you probably won't feel much during the insertion apart from a bit of pulling and pushing!There may be a little soreness in the 1-2 days after it has been put in, usually controlled by simple painkillers
They are tunnelled a little under the skin to help reduce the risk of infection.
They do need taking care of, generally weekly flushing or as recommended by your hospital, and careful dressing and observation of the exit site to help prevent and identify infection
Most people are a little apprehensive about having them put in but generally appreciate the benefits of a line when they require less needles to take blood and have drugs given to them.
I think cancerbacup will have some general info about hickman lines- I would recommend that you ask to speak with a specialist nurse who can explain it to you, the pros, cons and risks and maybe show you one.
good luck
jessica said:
Hey whatever it is. I wish you well............
anything must be better than two hours to get a line in.........
You're right, it was not fun - I think 3 tries in the back and side of one hand, 2 in the elbow joint, then onto the feet, and finally I was left with the choice of let them use the hand of the arm with no lymph glands (a No No) or go home and try another day ... Lorazepan (sp?) is a marvellous thing - 4mg of that over the period and they could do what they liked!! But you're right, it was not a good start to what is a pretty stressful experince anyway! anything must be better than two hours to get a line in.........
But hey, I'm a woman, I can do these things!!
A Hickman is one example of a central venous line - it allows access to larger venous spaces within the chest - the tip usually lies in the superior vena cava which is the last large vein draining blood from the upper body, head and arms before blood enters the right side of the heart. The flushing is to prevent clotting in the tube and is done with either sterile saline of a solution of dilute heparin (prevents/reduces clotting). One of the advantages when using it for chemotherapy is that the chemo is given into a larger blood space, so minimising the risk of damaging smaller veins on arms etc. The main risks are bleeding and infection.
Definitely beneficial for repeated cycles of chemotherapy, and a lot easier to manage at home.
The very best of luck with the treatment - I hope it goes well and you make a full recovery.
Definitely beneficial for repeated cycles of chemotherapy, and a lot easier to manage at home.
The very best of luck with the treatment - I hope it goes well and you make a full recovery.
central said:
I've had two. (7 courses of chemo and 2 bone marrow transplants)
Nothing to worry about at all.
Feel free to PM me.
It's the 'installation' process which worries me most - once it's in , it's in - but you have laid my worry to rest re the use of 1 vein over and over - if it's a biggy they access then that's not so bad!! Broomsticklady said:
central said:
I've had two. (7 courses of chemo and 2 bone marrow transplants)
Nothing to worry about at all.
Feel free to PM me.
It's the 'installation' process which worries me most - once it's in , it's in - but you have laid my worry to rest re the use of 1 vein over and over - if it's a biggy they access then that's not so bad!! Hi Nina.......... My wife Sue had one fitted. Dependent on the surgeon it can be done one of two ways. Sue opted to be put under general as didnt want to know what was happening. Of course there are small risks with the opp but there are with any opp. It caused her no pain after other than a little soreness. She had a small incision ( An inch long.) above her right collar bone and the tube was only visible where it came out from under the skin about 5 inches below. Nothing visible which she liked. As far as maintaining the line, just follow the guidelines from your specialist. The main thing to remember is that it is into a blood vessel therefore an anti coigulant is left in the line to stop it blocking with any clotted blood. This is then drawn out before use and a small amount of saline solution put through to flush it before treatment. When anything is injected down the line the most important thing to remember is that you must always clamp the line off under positive pressure. ie close clamp whilst still pressing syringe.Stops anything backing up into the line. It really is simple once you have done it a couple of times. It must be done done under strict conditions though.Keep everything clean at all times with surgical spirit and wipes plus always wear sterilised gloves. Good luck sweetheart and hope this info helps. If uncomfortable cleaning/flushing line im sure if you talk to Macmillan they will be able to liase with your team to sort home visits weekly to do it for you............ Best wishes.. Steve Mitchell x.
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