RitaR!!!

[Doodles]

Rita--
Thank you for your kind words and pm's. We all appreciate the support on either side! Lots of warm, soothing thoughts and prayers coming your way for tomorrow. Can't wait to hear from you from the other side. Stay positive! Janet

[osumike]

Good luck tomorrow Rita...Ill be packing the car tomorrow and we're heading to St. Louis on Tuesday for some pre-op stuff with Dr. Bridwell. From everything we've heard and read about those surgeons out in St. Louis, you shouldnt worry about a thing!

[RitaR]

Thanks Mike. St. Louis docs rock!!!!! Everyone here has been so nice so far!!! These guys are professionals. There's nothing to worry about here!!! Dr. Lenke walks on water!!!!!!!

[Sharshe]

Lynnete,
This may help explain what a central line is along with a couple of other things that you may come across. You don't really feel the line in you as veins have no nerve endings, but may feel where it enters a bit when you move it may pull some. I had a PICC for 10 weeks, no biggy just a pain to shower as you need to keep the area dry. Though my PICC was inside, middle of my upper arm not in the crook.
#
Cannula – a small tube inserted into a vein in your arm or the back of your hand.
#
Central line – a thin, flexible tube inserted through the skin of the chest into a vein near the heart.
#
PICC line (a peripherally inserted central catheter) – a thin flexible tube passed into a vein in the crook of the arm and threaded through until the end of the tube lies in a vein near the heart.
#
Implantable port (also called a portacath) – a thin, soft plastic tube that is put into a vein. It has an opening (port) just under the skin on your chest or arm.

[mgs]

Rita, I'll be sending up lots of little prayers for you all through this week.

You're in good hands, and the recovery time will pass. . .I just hit my 6 months mark. . .it doesn't seem possible. One year ago, I wasn't even considering this surgery.

Barnes is a well-oiled machine (I worked there, and was also a nursing student there, in the early '80's). . .eat healthy, sleep well, and walk, walk, walk. . .and all will be well.

[RitaR]

Thanks Mgs! This place is soooo huge!!!! I appreciate the encouraging thoughts and prayers!!!

[LynetteG]

Sharshe - Thank you so much for the great explanation there about the central line and all the other lines!

Rita - I can't wait to hear all your wonderful news about how great you will feel once you're passed the surgery. I'm thinking of you and know that you will do great!