PICC line

I would post a picture of Odette and her PICC line, however somewhere between here and the hospital I have lost my USB cable and hence cannot transfer pictures for the moment.  Eventually I will get another one and then I will have a whole post of pictures, but until then I hope you don't mind a lot of words.

Before we came home from the hospital, Odette got a PICC line.(Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)  She needed to get this to replace her central line that was removed due to infection.  It was suppose to be something that could be done "bedside" with minimal anesthesia.  However, Odette had the max dose of anesthesia and was still so wiggly that it was unable to be done. Since she maxed on the drugs, they had to wait until the next day to try again.  This time they took her to flouroscopy.  (No idea how to spell it, but it is where they use lights to see the veins.)  This time they were prepared for her and got it in quickly, even though she was still awake and moving.  Thank heavens!  Her poor arms look like they have been used as pin cushions.  (Oh wait, they had been-4 IVs and 4 days of blood draws!) 

The PICC line is temporary until it has been a few weeks of antibiotics to insure she doesn't get another infection with a new line.  It works the same way as her central line did.  We also need to decide, since she is older (I would say bigger, but she isn't) if we want another central line or a port.  A port would go under her skin and then she could play in the water all she wants and there is nothing for her to chew or pull on.  The downside is she would need to get poked to access her port at least once a week...there is numbing cream  though.  Right now, the PICC line is great.  I just cut a tube sock in half and pulled it over her arm and she doesn't even notice anything there!   Now our biggest problem is the diarrhea from all the antibiotics-2 antibiotics already for 10 days!  Her butt is struggling!  Thank heavens I have the greatest butt cream ever! (Thanks Dad)  I have tried 4 kinds of diapers and nothing seems to hold it in...the best are the Pampers Cruisers, but even they have their moments.  Oh well, once she is done ruining the carpet we can get hardwood floors!!