Hannah again - here's another update from mom.
"We
were not able to get an actual PICC line placed. The PICC team (who
were AMAZING) worked on Noah at bedside for a long time then finally
took him down to radiology where more people worked on him. After more
than two hours of people trying, it was clear that his blood vessels
(subclavians in specific) are far two damaged and that no "tricks of the
trade" we're going to work. The line simply could not be threaded into the subclavian.
A jugular line would possibly work but would need to be done in the OR
which was slammed today - and we really need to get this broviac OUT.
After lots of discussion Noah was given a "midline." This basically
means they took a PICC line setup and threaded the line as far as it
would go, which was only to his shoulder.
This is a bit better
than a regular IV and not nearly as good as a PICC line. We can use it
for meds but not TPN, and that is where the plot thickens. He needed a
new bag of TPN right as they finished his line, so instead of pulling
the broviac they are still using it for TPN. The pharmacy is working on
a sort of "TPN Light" that has less calories than regular TPN but is
better than nothing. This should work (the regular TPN would destroy
the blood vessel they are using but this should be light enough to
work). We'll have to watch his labs more closely and do finger sticks
every 3 hours instead of every 12.
Once we get the lighter TPN
from the pharmacy, they'll move everything over to the midline and then
finally pull the broviac. Then we can start our countdown of at least
3days until he can have surgery for a new broviac central line.
Despite this being FAR more difficult than anyone imagined, Noah did
INCREDIBLY WELL. It really was a peace that passages understanding as
there was a good bit of discomfort. He she'd very few tears and was an
absolute trooper while being worked on for hours. He never had to be
held down (said he promised to hold still if they gave him a chance- and
he did!) and was very compliant even though he was scared . I told him
every story and fairy tale I could think of but turned all of the
characters into octopuses, sharks, etc. and as long as I could keep the
stories coming he would keep looking in my eyes and stayed calm.
Our sweet pastor came for a visit and prayed with Noah right as the
PICC team got here. I know this was a huge encouragement to Noah.
Thank you all for continuing to pray!!!"
