Post PICC Process

I had my PICC pulled on December 2nd.

On the first week, I used both Nasacort & DoTerra Coconut Oil often.

The first two days i used Nasacort twice daily (once in morning & once before bed).  I used the Coconut Oil 6 times a day.  Once after the Nasacort dried, three to four times in the day and then once in the middle of the night.   Then I reduced the Nasacort to once daily (since I realized it was only supposed to be used once per day per directions on bottle). I used the Coconut Oil four to six times per day and the Nasacort once per night for the rest of the week.

On December 5th, my arm started swelling in the center (insertion point) and itching, but by next morning it felt much better.

On December 9th, I stopped using the Nasacort and only used the Coconut Oil.  I used it 3 to 4 times per day depending on how itchy my arm was.  I did this for one week.

On December 16th, I stopped using Coconut Oil multiple times per day.  I used the DoTerra Unscented Lotion twice daily (once upon waking & once upon going to bed).  If I had an itchy spot during the day I would put a little bit of Coconut Oil on it.  Some point during this week, my dry spots improved.  It still itchy & you can still see a bit of irritation.  However, compared to the first week it feels amazing!  I plan on taking a picture of my arm on Tuesday (3 weeks post pull). – I forgot to take pictures.  My arm looks pretty good.  There is a slight itching every now & again and it’s a little splotchy in spots, but overall it’s doing well.  🙂

PICC Line Removal in photos

Morning of removal & my special dressing

Right after I got home from having my picc line removed

Wednesday, the morning after picc line removal

Thursday morning after picc line removal

the picc line

Friday morning after picc line removal. This was the worst day of itching & burning & swelling.

Saturday after picc line removal. Much better today, but still rashy & dry.

It’s OUT!!

My arm feels so absolutely weird.

I had an appointment at 10am and my nurse called me right back for my blood work.  After filling up a lot of tubes, I got to pee in a sterile cup.  THEN – I laid down one last time for her to undo my dressing.  Now last time, I had mine taken out while sitting up.  This time however, they had me lay down and look right.  I had to take a deep breath and then she slowly pulled it while I held my breath.  Truthfully, it feels a little weird, but it doesn’t hurt during the process.

Typically they use some sort of tegaderm with sterile gauze, but with me – that’s not an option. So she put the sterile gauze on and mummified my arm with coban.  She said when I got home I could remove it.  I did. It looks so weird! It sort of hurts right now so I’m going to keep it covered for the rest of the day with a small once inch strip with sterile gauze, but the insertion point definitely looks better than it did the last time.

I’m sure it will start to feel more nornal as the week goes on. I called my best friend and said there was something missing from my heart.  😉 Priscilla now has a friend –  Nick.  Nick the PICC treated me much better than Priscilla the PICC. Thank you Nick!