Page 160 - She's One Crazy Lady!

Sue’ and had arranged to see her in the chemo suite as we found our appointments (Sue’s first) were on the same day and close together timewise. As it was, we were both called in at the same time so it was a very brief introduction. The poor nurses! It was very apparent that Sue did not like needles and she was quite verbal. Then there was me, complaining how much it hurt when, once again, they had real problems getting a cannula into my arm. It really did hurt and my veins were having none of it so they told me I would most definitely need to have a line inserted so that the drugs could be given that way. They also said that because the Taxotere would be a much stronger drug, and with my veins so poor, a line would be so beneficial. They said they would have to abort today’s session. No chemo today!!!! I was incredibly relieved but worried in case it would stop the drugs doing their job by delaying a session. No, apparently it wouldn’t. Fiona, another lovely and friendly member of the team told me, having made several phone calls, arrangements would be made for me to be admitted to Talbot Butler ward the following week and the line would be inserted in theatre under local anaesthetic. I was to take an overnight bag as one of the nurses would come to the ward the next morning to give me my chemo – through the line. In addition, I was told that I would have to have District Nurses involved to flush the line on a weekly basis and to take bloods. There was a lot of information to take on board, but I felt happy and couldn’t wait to get out, telling Sue I would ring her to see how she got on and to resume our chat. We went on to have many, many ‘chats’ and quickly became good friends and confidantes.
Imagine Marilyn’s face when I suddenly appeared saying we could go – she asked for her card back!
So, another procedure, another theatre trip. But first, what was a Groshong Line?
I read that a Groshong line is a type of tunnelled intravenous catheter used for central venous access and is used when long-term intravenous therapy is needed, such as chemotherapy and can be left in place for quite some time. It has three valves which allows liquids to flow in or out but remains closed when not in use. Usually done under local anaesthetic it involves two incisions, one at the jugular vein and one on the chest wall – the catheter inserted into the vein, advanced to the superior vena cava and then tunnelled under the skin to the second incision. The first incision in the neck is then stitched and usually a stitch is used on the chest too, to ensure the line does not move until it has settled in. An ultrasound and X-rays are taken to ensure the line is positioned correctly. Details of keeping the exit site clean and the need to have it flushed regularly were also explained...
It sounds complicated but to me, whatever it entailed, it meant there would be no more needles or cannulas during treatment!
One week later I found myself as a patient on the Talbot Butler Ward in my own room that even had a little fridge. As per usual, different staff came to see me to run through what would happen and I was prepped
“The poor nurses! It was very apparent that Sue
did not like needles and
she was quite verbal. Then there was me, complaining how much it hurt when, once again, they had real problems getting a cannula into my arm. ”
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