Picc line error

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robertjuy
robertjuy Member Posts: 45
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
At Stanford and it's almost 3am. We got here at 11:30pm. Wife noticed red mark near picc line bandaid and they are doing culture tests to make sure its not infected.
Note:
She was just here at 4pm pst to have the dressing changed. She showed it to the nurse who changed the dressing and she said it could be an allergic reaction or stress or something. The nurse ignored it. I am about to rip this hospital a new a hole for what continiues to be cluster f's of plain stupidity.
Tips:
Get a second opinion at the time of noticing something wrong. The doctor we called at 11pm and insisted we go to the emergency room. This trip could have been avoided if we followed our insticts that something was wrong.

Also meet with the doctor before discharge. My wife had so many questions about the meds and non made sense. The doctor would not write any notes down. I had to write it myself because of liability issues I guess.
Too tired and irritated to write anymore. The stupid picc line is now stuck so they can't draw any more blood cultures. They are going to change it out. Thanks for listening to my 3am rant.

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
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    Been there
    I guess we have all been there when things go wrong, just hold on and try to get some rest. You are so right on dealing with our situation we are the ones that need to follow our instincts on what we need to do, kept me alive for 6 years now. I did find that doctors don’t like advice, all they do is to roll there eyes like if we don't know what we are talking about.

    Wishing you well
    Hondo
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #3
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    prayers and thoughts
    So sorry to here your wife is having to endure this unnecessarily. We pay outrageous prices for the knowledge of experts and still can't trust their diagnosis. I guess we sould get a second opinion on everything, and some times a third. My husband had a swelling in his jaw and the radiation techs, nurse, and doctor on call all said normal swelling from radiation irritation. Two days later, in hospital with severe infection on interveneous antibiotics for a week.

    You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Debbie
  • robertjuy
    robertjuy Member Posts: 45
    #4
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    jim and i said:

    prayers and thoughts
    So sorry to here your wife is having to endure this unnecessarily. We pay outrageous prices for the knowledge of experts and still can't trust their diagnosis. I guess we sould get a second opinion on everything, and some times a third. My husband had a swelling in his jaw and the radiation techs, nurse, and doctor on call all said normal swelling from radiation irritation. Two days later, in hospital with severe infection on interveneous antibiotics for a week.

    You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Debbie

    Thank you
    I just needed to vent over something that seems so simple. The picc line was clogged and they redid the entire thing. Had a lab tech complaining how she couldn't pull anymore blood. Lady you just pulled 10 viles the size of pill bottles and you're complaining how hard your job is? She was once again stuck with low potassium again. They gave her an iv and potassium and she's fine now.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #5
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    My cousin is being treated
    My cousin is being treated for breast cancer. She had to have her port removed, mega problems. Then the put in a picc and more problems. Not fun. I didn't have to have one, cause I didn't have chemo.

    I did however, struggle with low potassium through radiation.

    Come here when you need to, and vent away! I hope it makes you feel a little better. Hope your wife is doing better tonight.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
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    robertjuy said:

    Thank you
    I just needed to vent over something that seems so simple. The picc line was clogged and they redid the entire thing. Had a lab tech complaining how she couldn't pull anymore blood. Lady you just pulled 10 viles the size of pill bottles and you're complaining how hard your job is? She was once again stuck with low potassium again. They gave her an iv and potassium and she's fine now.

    Robert
    Glad to hear the wife is now doing well.

    PS: It is OK to vent here anytime you need, believe me we all understand.

    Hondo
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #7
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    PICC line error
    I know just how you feel. When Buzz ws hospitalized twice during treatment, I felt I had to keep an eye on everything. I have the advantage (or disadvantage)of having been an RN so I know too much. Sometimes your care boils down to the nurse you get. Some are really good and some don't really care. Go ahead and rant all you want. Karen
  • robertjuy
    robertjuy Member Posts: 45
    #8
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    buzz99 said:

    PICC line error
    I know just how you feel. When Buzz ws hospitalized twice during treatment, I felt I had to keep an eye on everything. I have the advantage (or disadvantage)of having been an RN so I know too much. Sometimes your care boils down to the nurse you get. Some are really good and some don't really care. Go ahead and rant all you want. Karen

    updated
    Hospital advocacy has taken a strong look at everything. every one that works with us has been notified. If you feel you're getting treated improperly at your hospital. Look for this department. Call Guest services to double check. Although you're just one patient out of thousands you still deserve the best. It's your life and your dollar that keeps hospitals afloat.

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