A peripherally inserted central catheter or “PICC” is a thin, soft, flexible tube — an intravenous (IV) line. Treatments, such as IV medications, can be given though a PICC. Blood for laboratory tests can also be withdrawn from a PICC.
Lee had struggled for a little while with IV sticks and blood draws it was decided that a PICC line would be good for him because of the weekly labs and paracentesis that requires an albumin infusion. While Lee was in the hospital last he had an IV go bad while they were infusing blood this is the result.
1-16 Lee was scheduled for his TIPS procedure We arrived at 10:30 and Lee was taken in to his procedure I was warned that it would take several hours but 4 hours into the procedure I of course became worried. Just about that time the doctor arrived and told me everything went perfectly. They also did a paracentesis where they removed 7 liters of fluid off of Lees abdomen. I think that is the most fluid he has ever had removed. With the TIPS procedure he should have a decrease in the ascities that develops, but it could also cause an increase in the encepholopothy. Lee was then admitted to the Transplant floor for just an over night stay. Lee did super well with the procedure and recovery. Lee was super happy to be home and on the road to recovery.
Later that night Lee had a fall and hit his head, he started to complaining about numbness to his face so I took him into the ER to have his head checked out. Come to find out he really has a brain and there is no damage. Just kidding he was ok there were no bleeds and no other damage. He was sent home and had a good nights sleep. Since the fall and the over night stay Lee has been working with PT and OT and getting stronger every day.
1-18 Lee had an appointment for a blood transfusion he had 2 units of blood at Utah Valley Hospital. He was happy they gave him a room with a bed and he was able to take a nap for a couple of hours.
1-24 Lee had an appointment with Doctor Boshard to talk about the balloon dilation. There are many risk to Lee during this procedure, including the risk of rupturing the esophagus that will require emergency surgery the risk of bleeding and the risk that it will not work and Lee will have to keep the feeding tube longer. After talking about all the risks and benefits we decided to go forward with the procedure. Here is why if the achalasia is not treated Lee has too high of a risk of aspiration to go forward with the liver transplant so essentially he would be removed from the transplant list and would be medically managed with a mortality rate of 5 years with medical management. If he goes forward with the balloon dilation and there are severe complications it could essentially end his life but that is in extreme cases. We both feel that there is a acceptable rate of risk and this is a lower risk than being removed from the transplant list. The Balloon dilation has been scheduled for Tuesday 1-29 so keep him in your prayers and I will update when I can.
My name is also Lee.
ReplyDeleteToday I came home with a PICC line. The nurses came daily to administer medication.
Being out of hospital has 2 major benefits, being away from significant infection risk, to home where infection risk is lowered.
The other benefit, is to free up a bed for another patient. I don't know how long I will have the PICC line, but it's the 3rd one for me. I've had positive out comes every time.
I hope you are feeling well now.