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Hi Jody,
Evan had a portacath as well and it was wonderful. They could draw blood work, give blood products and use it for regular IV's as well. He never had to have it accessed for more than a week at a time (i.e. continual IV during week long stay in hospital for ATG) and it never let us down. We applied numbing cream 30 min. before a poke was required and Evan never felt a thing.
Word of caution to all re: blood work:
When getting blood drawn, especially for kidney function while on cyclosporin etc., NEVER allow the lab tech. to leave the tourniquet on or the manual blood presure cuff inflated while obtaining the blood samples. It's OK for them to place the angiocath into the vein BUT they must release the pressure on the vein before they get the tubes of blood. Potassium (K) results will most certainly come back higher if obtained with the tourniquet on than if it was obtained with the tourniquet released.
Best wishes to your son,
__________________
Nicole, mom to Evan (20); diagnosed SAA November 2007, hATG mid-November 2007, no response after 6 months, unrelated 9/10 BMT June 2008, no GVH, health completely restored thanks to our beloved donor Bryan from Tennessee.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/evanmacneil
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