Had the PET scan yesterday, now I look like a Heroin addict!

SIROD said:

Hereditary Component
I believe there must be some sort of hereditary component to veins. I had an uncle who told me how hard his veins were to access. He was dealing with multiple myeloma at the time. My sister is just like me, a hard stick but, neither of my parents have the problem.

I ask that those monthly blood test go to six weeks instead of 4 weeks. My oncologist gave to ok to do this back in December. I was afraid that those few veins I had would in time become worthless. It is so nice not to have to go in every month. I would be the first to know if something is really off kilter anyway.

CC your the kind of nurse I would request, someone who does pediatric veins. Thank heaven for people like you.

Doris

Lol Doris, you definitely
Lol Doris, you definitely don't want me! I am scared to death of adults and only licensed to take care of infants < 1 year (neonatal NP). Starting an infant's IV is very different from stating an adult's IV.

Scalp IV's in infants look terrible, but they can be so imporant. Scalp veins don't have valves, are more visible, and can be secured better (infants move their heads less than their hands and feet). And I always explain to parents that a scalp vein is peripheral and not on the brain side of the scalp, so brain damage is not an issue (we are not infusing into the brain). The biggest risks of a scalp IV are infection and infiltration--the exact same risks of any IV site. Often, a scalp IV can save an infant from many unnecessary sticks and, although I always try everywhere else first, if I think the scalp vein is the right choice for my patient, I am doing it. I love my babies and I know what IV sticks feel like.

jamiegww said:

Oh CC......
You just brought me back in time to when my little baby girl (now 33 years old) was hospitalized when she was eight days old because of a staph infection. They put an IV in her head and placed a small paper cup over it. She was my firstborn and delivered by C-Section so it was all very traumatic for me to see my beautiful little baby girl with an IV in her head. I worried that it would cause permanent brain damage. Did you know that's what parents worry about? Anyway, she grew into a very intelligent woman and I am so grateful that someone was able to get an IV into her tiny little veins so she could survive that awful infection. Just wanted to let you know that you are not mental......you are remarkable.

HUGS!!!
Jamie

Jamie, you are so sweet. I
Jamie, you are so sweet. I do know that parents are scared of scalp IVs and I spend a great deal of time educating parents about them. I hate to use them, but my babies come first and, if a scalp vein will help them get better and home to their parents, I will use the scalp vein. I am glad your daughter is fine now! That must have been a very scary and difficult time.

Oh Renee,
I've been in the same situation and it is not fun! I have bad veins. For one of my shoulder surgeries 12 tries were made before they decided to put a shunt in my chest. I'v had IV in my neck and foot too! Besides being stuck I hope the PET scan is normal. {{hugs}}
Char

missrenee said:

Thank you all so much for your replies
Yeah, it sucked, but it's over. Just getting through the weekend now. I do know about hydration and I did drink tons of water and never do caffeine (arrhythmia). As I said, this has never happened before, so that kinda makes me think a bit of incompetance on the part of the techs.

I so appreciate all of your good wishes for a great report. Tonight, steak dinner with twice-baked potatoes and sweet corn on the cob, chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate frosting and, of course, some great Chardonnay.

Love you all.

Hugs, Renee

Thinking of you Renee and
Thinking of you Renee and wondering if you've gotten your results yet.


Praying that we will read good news!


Hugs, Kylez

SIROD said:

Hereditary Component
I believe there must be some sort of hereditary component to veins. I had an uncle who told me how hard his veins were to access. He was dealing with multiple myeloma at the time. My sister is just like me, a hard stick but, neither of my parents have the problem.

I ask that those monthly blood test go to six weeks instead of 4 weeks. My oncologist gave to ok to do this back in December. I was afraid that those few veins I had would in time become worthless. It is so nice not to have to go in every month. I would be the first to know if something is really off kilter anyway.

CC your the kind of nurse I would request, someone who does pediatric veins. Thank heaven for people like you.

Doris

I hate when this happens,
I hate when this happens, but luckily, it has only happened a couple of times to me.


How were your results Renee?


Hugs, Angie