Catheter Ripping [total: day 108/ chemo-cycle 3: day 6]

Submitted by Marcus Döring on 23 May, 2001 - 17:00

"As the blood check this morning reveals still no improvement I learn that the fifth day of this chemo-cycle will be fully skipped. The liver is still too toxic to justify another infusion. It's just too risky as A. says during the round.

I ask B. whether there is a need to stay in hospital then. He disagrees that I could leave as my blood has to be closely monitored. Another day in paradise! But what about my central venous catheter? He agrees that it could be pulled out and will arrange it with the nurses.

Later that day it's nurse Be. who will perform the task. I get quite nervous as the neck location is still very sensitive. She pulls the plaster off very carefully, disinfects the area and is about to pull the catheter out. She cuts the stitch by which it is fixed to the skin; or at least tries to do so. When pulling the catheter off we learn that she hasn't fully succeeded in cutting. It hurts like hell. Another cut allows her to pull the catheter off. I hate these catheters!"

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