And we had another infection! Ugh! I just got back from Denver last night. The doctors there removed the infected catheter (I requested pain meds this time!) and will put a new one in again in 3 weeks. I finally convinced them to try a different catheter. The ones they have used in the past have all had a silver anti-biotic cuff on it, and I think that is the issue. I am hyper sensitive to metals in my body... I can't even have surgical stainless steel! The manufacturer said I can't be allergic to it... but when has that stopped me?!? Haha!
So Saturday I was all set to go to a bead show, and spend some time with Joan and a friend, Paula. After my shower I did a dressing change and there was major discharge. For a few days prior the site had been sensitive, but I didn't think it was going to get infected. So Mom and I went to the ER and they did cultures and put a PICC line in my arm. That actually wasn't bad! The guy who did it was awesome at it!
The nurse had me go back in on Sunday to make sure I didn't need to be admitted before I could get to Denver. When he came in he told me that the cultures didn't grow anything. :( That is what happened the last time! With that news, Dr Bull didn't think he needed to take it out, but he still wanted to see me on Monday. Pat and I left Sunday evening and stayed with my brother.
Then Monday afternoon I went in to show Dr Bull. He palpated along the tube and got discharge and immediately decided to remove it. I asked him and my nurse to make sure they give me a little pain meds. The doctor doing the procedure didn't want to, but was told they needed to, thank goodness!!! That was so much better than the last time!!!
I am on antibiotics for 10 days, and then I have to wait another 7 days to insure the infection is gone before they can put a new line in. So, I go back in 3 weeks. Damnit.
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