Surgery on the 14th

[tishbite]

surgery on the 14th

nervous. i go in for my pre-op appointment on the 7th. i guess my protein and nutrion levels are still down even though i have been eating like a pig in the past couple weeks (protein bars, lotsa vitamins, carbs, you name it) but still they are talking about giving me a picc line on monday. i'm really nervous about that. the idea of having something stuck up my vein for longer then a week makes me wanna hurl. i also have this bizzare rash on my stomach. it looks veiny? anybody know what it is/had anything similar? it doesn't itch, isn't raised and doesn't hurt. It doesn't feel different at all. i started humira about a month ago if that makes any difference. i usually get a rash similar to this when i'm in a hot bath or have the heat pack on my skin for awhile but this time it just isn't going away..

 

[Crohn's 35]

I was just gonna say, looks like the heating pad on too high too long. How long has it been this way? Not sure if it is concerning I would see your doctor.

Anyone???

 

[Sailorluna]

I just wanted to chime in on the picc line. I had one for two weeks in the hospital and it was not so bad once it was in. Getting it in took two iv techs and some manuvering - no more painful than getting an iv started though. Showering was irratating since they would not disconnect it from the drip.

I have never seen a rash like that but I am with Pen, it might be best to have it looked at. Good luck with your surgery on the 14th.

 

[David]

No idea on the rash but also wanted to chime in and wish you all the best with the surgery

 

[shamrock15]

Picc lines aren't all that bad. I had mine for about 4 months to ensure that I was getting adequate hydration when I had my ostomy. It needed a bit of wrapping up to make sure it stayed clean. I didn't experience anywhere near the discomfort that came with and IV line, and for the most part I barely notice them. I was able to keep strength training and cycling with mine in so I could get my conditioning back. Was even able to learn how to take care of mine completely so that the homecare nurse wouldn't have to come every day, so I got a whole lot of freedom back.

 

[Misty-Eyed]

It looks like mottled skin to me. My down's syndrome sister used to have it a lot when she was a child. Something to do with blood vessels, I think. I'd get it checked out.

Good luck for the op though!

 

[tishbite]

I just spent the night in the hospital and received pain and nausea medication along with some much needed iv fluids. for the past 2 days i haven't been able to keep ANY food down except for one candy bar yesterday afternoon oddly enough (maybe i should eat a bunch of surgery stuff being it is the only thing that seems to want to stay down these days my body is so bizarre) anyway, thank you for all your kind words and well wishes. I really appreciate them. I am still really freaked out about surgery. It will be my first operation ever and hopefully my last but I know that is unlikely. I guess with the picc line I am mostly worried about infection and sinse I am on both Humira and methotrexate infections really scare me >_< The rash has seemed to have died down almost completely but it still hanging around in some parts. I plan on talking with my GI doc about it it monday which is probably the day I'm going to receive my picc line :/ Thanks again for all the kinds words.

 

[Nyx]

I had a picc line when I was in the hospital, and it was great. They could draw blood from it as well as use it as an IV. When I was first admitted, I had 2 IV poles, and the picc line cut that down to one...lol I was also having blood drawn 3x a day so it really saved my veins and didn't hurt a bit.

Good luck with your surgery!

 

[ChrisP]

Definitely don't worry about the PICC line. I prefer it to an IV. As Cindy said, they don't have to stick you for blood, they can just pull it from the PICC. I found it much more comfortable daily than a typical IV. They gave me a mesh sleeve that kept the ports from flopping around, and I really didn't even notice it after a short while.

On the other hand, the triple lumen catheter I had previously in my neck was no fun! Eeek! God bless the PICC!

Good luck with everything. I just had my first surgery this month as well. There were up days and down days. My best advice is take it day by day and keep your head up.

Chris

 

[tishbite]

Thanks everyone. You definitely cooled my jets about the whole picc line situation. i just hope i get all the nutrition my body needs and quick!