Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th

Nothing to report for Tuesday the 27th. Shannon had a doctor appointment on Wednesday the 28th and we met with Dr. Abuasab for the first time in several weeks. He just returned from visiting family in Jordan. He confirmed that cell counts look good and he definitely wants to admit her on Thursday the 29th.

Thursday 29th

Shannon got the call from around noon that her room was ready at the hospital. We packed up quick and headed in. Shannon got registered and into her room on the 20th Floor (Oncology Floor) pretty quick. The next hurdle was making sure Shannon gets the appropriate line placed. The last two admissions they have placed a tunnled and cuffed central line in her chest. These lines are really meant for long-term use, months at a time, but Shannon only needs her line for about 1 week at a time. Dr. Abuasab spoke to the attending, Dr. Althreya, and they advocated for her to get a PICC placed into her arm. (PICC – Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter). PICC lines can also be for long-term use, but they also can be removed by the nurses on the floor when it’s time to discharge. The previous line type (tunneled/cuffed line) has to be removed by Interventional Radiology. Also, on the cuffed lines, the body’s tissue starts to grow onto the cuff of the catheter, which helps secure it in place. However, when it’s removed, that tissues basically get ripped when they pull the line out. So the PICC is a good line for the chemotherapy and it can be easily removed by her bedside nurse. Another good thing about the PICC is that it can be placed by the VAT Team at the bedside instead of Shannon having to go to IR.

A nurse named Ceasar from the VAT Team came to the room to place Shannon’s PICC. (VAT – Vacsular Access Team). Ceasar was awesome and got her PICC placed on the first try, no issues. Shannon is going to request him for future line placements.