Re: Central Lines /

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/24/2002 11:39:05 PM US Eastern Standard Time,

mpri410507@... writes:

> >>>My son is 8 years old and has a central line, double lumen ...extra

> work to maintain it, but is well worth it considering you don't have to

> watch your child SUFFER! His line was actually placed while he was put out

> for an ERCP. Prindle (Mom to ) <<<<

Thanks for sharing your positive experience about 's DLCVL (double lumen

central venous line). As an RN and definitely as a patient who has had one

(mine was a triple lumen) I feel that it is one small step for mankind to

improve the quality of our lives.

It was important that you address the fact that it does take extra work to

maintain, because there are complications to central lines, the number one

being infection, which can be fatal. That shouldn't be a decision to not have

a line placed, it just means that I rarely let anyone touch my line except me

or someone I trust implicitly to use meticulous infection control practices.

As a nurse, I have (sometimes) seen poor technique. If closed technique is

broken the nurse often says that it is okay, that won't be a problem, I

washed my hands. And it is just like that air bubble in my IV line, it never

seems to bother the nurse, but I don't want that air bubble in my IV line.

The problem isn't that the 'closed' IV system is broken that much, or that we

are exposed to severe infectious agents, it is because our immune systems are

so compromised that we are susceptible to everyday organisms that healthy

people cohabitate with. The primary example of this is the organism

" Staphylococcus Aureus, " a very common skin microbe.

Another problem I encountered with myself is that, as my susceptibility to

infectious agents increased, my resistance to the antibiotic regimens

increased as well. Every time we take antibiotics the common microbes in our

bodies become stronger so they can fight the antibiotics.

Now that I have posted what may seem to be a negative post towards central

lines, I want to close in saying, that if I had to do it again, I would.

There are risks in everything we have to contend with in treating this

disease. The focus of my care plan is not to dismiss or not utilize the tools

modern healthcare. The forefront of modern medicine is continually working

towards a goal to irradiate such terrible and catastrophic disease, such as

Pancreatitis, but also to improve the day to day quality of our lives as we

learn to live with our disease.

I think that healthcare providers are beginning to understand the

interrelationship of the mind/body/spirit. When we don't have to repeatedly

be poked and prodded to, and as you said, " blood draws, intravenous meds,

anesthesia, protonix, dye injections for radiology procedures, etc., " we

don't have to hurt......physically, mentally, or spiritually. This, in itself

is wonderful. But, the true benefit comes from the increased boost to our

immune system that occurs when our bodies are able to experience positive vs

negative stress. And, it is our immune system that is pivotal to achieving

optimum wellness.

Karyn E. , RN

Founder / Executive Director

Pancreatitis Association International

Corp. Office: Indps, IN, USA 1-