Take things slowly and try a few methods to protect the central line if swimming is something you want to try to do. Over the last several years we have become more comfortable with this as we have had more and more success with keeping both his line and site bone dry even after swimming for several hours. For us it started with baths.
Then the baths got deeper. Then Sam played in a sprinkler and with a water table. Three years ago we added a four foot deep "pop up" pool to our backyard that we could chlorinate, filter and maintain. Once we realized that we were able to consistently keep his line and site dry we have let him go into the river where we camp for short period of time and he has also spent a few days at the beach with us. He isn't into things that don't look clean, so he really doesn't enjoy a lake or river as much as a pool.
This helps because he doesn't really submerge past his waist much if he is not in a pool. While in our pool we do not keep as close an eye on the dressing for leaks, but outside of that we check frequently and pull Sam out of the water for a replacement guard if any leaking is detected.
We tried a few different ways to cover Sam's line and this is what we have found works best for us. We then arrange and tape down his line on top of the paper. Using the tape to cover any "sharp" edges such as the clamp or cap will prevent it from tearing the Tegaderm and causing leaks..
Labels: Bathing with a central line , swimming with central line. No comments:. Newer Post Older Post Home. Subscribe to: Post Comments Atom. First a bit about Sam's dressing. Sam's normal dressing is gauze and cloth tape. We have been through many types of dressings in the last five years and so far this has kept Sam's site the healthiest.
If you get an infection, your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics. If the infection does not get better, the line may be removed. It is possible for a blood clot thrombosis to form in your vein at the end of the line. You may be given medication to help prevent this.
If a clot does form, you will be given some medication to dissolve it. Your line may have to be removed. The inside of the line can sometimes become partly or completely blocked.
If this happens, it can be difficult to give treatment or to take blood tests through it. The line may be flushed with a solution to try to clear the blockage, or it may need to be removed. It is important not to let any air get into your central line.
This is an uncommon problem but could be very serious. The clamps should always be closed when the line is not being used. The line must not be left unclamped when the caps or bungs are not in place. They have a special valve inside the line that stops air getting into it. It is important that the central line is not broken or cut. Do not use scissors near the line. Only use the clamp on the thicker, strengthened part of the line. It is not very common to get a cut or split in the line.
If this happens, try to clamp or tie your line just above the break. This is to seal it between the split and where the line comes out of your body. Contact your hospital straight away. The nurses may be able to repair the line.
If this cannot be done, it will be removed. When you do not need the central line anymore, it will be taken out. A doctor or specialist nurse will do this for you. It is usually done in the outpatient department and takes about 30 minutes. You will not usually need a general anaesthetic. Once you are lying down comfortably, the skin over your chest will be cleaned with antiseptic.
The doctor or nurse will then numb the area around the cuff with local anaesthetic. They will make a small cut to release the cuff, then slowly remove the line. You might find this uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. Once the line is out, your nurse or doctor will put a dressing over the exit site. You will be asked to stay lying down for about 10 minutes until they are sure there is no bleeding.
Central lines. On this page. What is a central line? What is a central line used for? A central line can be used to give you treatments such as: chemotherapy blood transfusions antibiotics intravenous IV fluids liquid food if you are not able to eat.
You can go home with the central line in and it can be left in for weeks or months. How is a central line put in? Already a member? Sign in now. Not a member yet? Register now. Search for discussions or people. Does anyone have any tips or ideas? Best wishes, Jenn Cancer Chat moderator. Show per page: Palliative radiotherapy muscle invasive bladder Chemo for breast cancer - its not all bad. Why am I trying to ruin everything since my
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