I was declared bug free on Friday and had a new Hickman line inserted. As you would expect with me it didn't quite go as straight forward as it could but it's in and it's working. The problem was that I wanted to have some sedation for the procedure but to get sedated you need a cannula and to get a cannula you need a decent vein. And I didn't have one. Numerous doctors tried at various times of the day and night. I even had an A&E trauma consultant come up with an ultrasound machine to try to locate a suitable vein! He did manage to get a tiny cannula in after spending 30 minutes looking for somewhere to put it but within an hour the vein had given up and the cannula tissued. After feeling exhausted and like a human pin cushion the final straw came when they said the only vein left to try was on the sole of my foot! I've had cannulas in my feet and ankles before but I drew the line at the soles. Could you imagine how painful that would be? You know what it'
Life's not been easy since losing my large bowel in 2009. Technically I didn't lose it in the same way you might lose your phone or your wallet- it was removed in an emergency operation after my bowel perforated due to Ulcerative Collitis. Since then I've been on a journey to get back to normal and still don't quite seem to have made it. This blog is a place to share some of the ups and downs, tears and laughter and hospital horrors that make up my life. Enjoy!