Getting a PICC line

Hello all,

We were up at 5 am to be at Stanford by 7:45 (made it!) and Ian started with a CT scan to the rest of his body that was missed last week, sigh.

While waiting for the CT, Dr. Neuman came to talk to us because we were not willing to have the PICC line inserted when we still hadn't heard final results and staging. She shared with us that as of now it's clear that Ian has no masses below his neck, but there is a small one opposite the side where the biopsy took place and also in lymph glands behind his face (sinus?). She was very reassuring and we agreed to move forward.

Then we met Dr. Donaldson and team (oncology radiation) who did another short exam and talked to us at length about the possibility of needing radiation after the chemotherapy. Ian was really tired at first, but pulled it together like a trooper. She, Dr. Donaldson, was clear that Ian's cancer is highly treatable and very likely will not need any radiation.

Back over to APU, Ambultory Procedure Unit, for insertion of the PICC line. There were an hour behind schedule so Natalie and Ian went to get a bite to eat while I went to check the car, which we saw hadn't been moved by the valet parking.

APU was really backed up and the procedure didn't start til 2 pm (2 hours late). After giving Ian a local they inserted the PICC line (purple!) which goes up his arm and ends just above his heart. Natalie was trained on how to clean and flush the line every day. Though I didn't think Ian would be able to handle this procedure with only a local (I'm not sure I could!) Ian handled it like a champ, though he complains that there's a tube sticking out of his arm!

Then off to Pulminary lab for a complete test to create a baseline. We were over two hours late and they were booked up, so we'll do it Monday morning at 9 a.m. when we come back to meet with team to have a final conference and then do his first round of chemo.

Natalie posted this last night on FaceBook: It's been a long day! But, we know Ian's cancer is low grade and only in the neck. He now has a PICC line for 8 weeks of chemo, starting Monday. Then, we re-evaluate and see if more needs to be done. Ian was a champ again and we are so thankful for a positive prognosis!

PS, the tire was flat and ruined, AAA put the donut on and I went to get a new tire. Tire shop pointed out that the front tires were unsafe and now we have 4 new tires! He did give us a good deal!