Chest Line Pain

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Since my three sessions of plasma at the start of this week, I have been in pain, under the skin, just above the exit site of my permanent chest line.

My wife will often ask me “Are you okay?” this week, 97% of the time,  I have replied "No, I am not" 

For the past 7/8 years, I have endured pain, the greatest pain of my life to date for prolonged periods of time.  I know I am very strong both physically and mentally but I’ve always really struggled with having blood taken due to the depth of my veins.  As many nurses, doctors and consultants would take several goes both emotionally and mentally this would effect me greatly.  As time went on, I struggled more and more.  Having no venous access meant the chest line was fitted as a permanent solution to allow me to have the ongoing treatment I needed. 

It's odd because going to theatre and having temporary Vas Caths fitted in my neck while I am under local and therefore awake and going to theatre to have the chest line inserted under local and therefore awake, did not bother me at all. I suppose it's because I could not see it, because I couldn’t see it, I responded only to the physical sensations at the time and not the expectation of pain and discomfort.

Most things that I have endured during the last 7/8 years aren’t nearly as bad as I was told about beforehand or read about or given the time - imagined it would be. In fact, sometimes they’re pleasantly surprising and are over incredibly quickly with minimal fuss. 

My chest line has given me a sense of freedom and possibility that I haven’t felt in years, it allows me continuous treatment currently three sessions over three days every fourth week. The pain underneath the skin is intense at the moment, although the plus currently is that the skin is not red and the skin is not warm so I know that I have no infection.  During the second and third session the line felt strained and pulled and it feels as if the cuff under the skin has torn.  

If the pain continues, I know I will have it checked, I don't leave things, not now.  Above all else, my job is to preserve and maintain this line no matter what. I am not afraid of the future, I know we can’t always be certain where paths may lead us, but I can choose not to hurt myself as I walk towards what will be.


Comments

  1. UnknownSaturday, 27 January 2018 at 06:02:00 GMT

    Because varicose veins are acquired over a lifetime of lifestyle habits, and through a genetic predisposition, they won't heal overnight, but utilizing this natural, non-surgical varicose vein treatment will get to the root of the issue, and take care of it for good. That way you won't have to worry about the varicose veins. broken vein treatment

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