Hickman Line and showering

[marli]

Hi Dawn - I still have my Hickman line and will do until at least February. Still don't like it but learning to live with it. I have mine flushed and re-dressed at Chemo Unit each week and because I was finding some of the dressings irritated my skin I now have a Cannula dressing on , the sort they put on your hand. It is much smaller and does not irritate as much.

When I shower I put the line in a self-sealing plastic bag and tape it to my shoulder, opening side down and lying across the dressing. Dressing sometimes gets a little damp but there is no problem with it. I do have some spare dressings and anti-bacterial "lollipops" in case I need them. The unit give me them and have never had to buy them.

I have had no problems with infection at all.

Hope that helps. Good luck  Marli xx

[Cachetgal]

Hi Su

You wrote, in a message to Marli, that this dressing - 3M Tegaderm I.V. Advanced, 3.5incH X 4.5 inch (ref: 1685) dressing - was good for showers if you have a Hickman. I have been looking online all morning and I am just getting nowhere... ! I did get directed to a website that was selling it for $343.22 but I don't think I will go for that!

I have found a 3m tegaderm IV Advance Securement dressing ref 1681 on eBay but I cannot see what size it is but the picture doesn't seem big enough to cover a Hickman in a shower.

So my question is do you have any of the dressing you suggested and if so could you please advise me where you got it from? I would really appreciate if you could help me out or point me in the right direction so I can buy it.

Many thanks,

Dawn

[marli]

Thanks Mac66. Still not had a shower just baths. Nurses tell me I don't need a dressing but I feel happier with one so am going to ask for one even if I buy them myself. Must admit to being a bit scared of it but know that I must get used to it because I will be having it in until at least January. It feels bruised constantly - don't know if it is the little connector causing that as nurses say it looks fine. Sleep on my side with a soft pillow for support. xx

[MAC66]

I've had my stitches removed but still have a waterproof dressing put on at the chemo unit after every line flush, leaving the end but dangling. For baths/shower I stick the end of my line into a little food bag and seal it round the wire as best I can. I then use micropore tape to fix the bag over the dressing to cover it as best as I can, although I don't worry too much about that bit any more. My dressing always looks well ready for a change by the time flush day comes round but I've never had any problems and I've had it for about 6 weeks now. There is a website somewhere where you can buy a Hickman line cover but the bags seem to work just as well.
Good luck x

[jannie13]

I had hickman and also kept it covered with tagaderm.

[MrMunch1]

Hi Marli,

I have a Groshong line which is similar to Hickman line.  

I have my exit site dressed with a waterproof dressing once a week, the hospital insist on it.  The District nurses do it at the same time as they do the weekly flush. The Heart Unit did tell me to remind the nurses to remove the silk stitches from the 'exit buffer' (as I call it) after two weeks, but I deliberately don't bring it to their attention, I don't want the stitches out.  I had my first line fitted in Jan this year - the protocol then was to leave the stitches in for the duration of the line, but then in middle of Feb I had to have the line readjusted and they had changed the protocol and told me I needed them removed.  The nurses in chemo are non the wiser as they never mention the stitches either.  I read one person on here  who had some pain after the stitches were removed, so I figure it can wait until I have the pain of the line removal in total.

I would advise, if possible you have the 3M Tegaderm I.V. Advanced, 3.5incH X 4.5 inch (ref: 1685) dressing - I have been told it is standard for Hickman and Groshong. They are completely waterproof and showering is a breeze.

Some people get their 'dangly bit' fixed to the dressing, but I prefer to pop it in my bra when dressed and sleeping and use tape provided by the chemo unit to fix to my chest when I shower.

The dressing is really no bother, in fact provides me with extra mental protection being covered 24/7  -especially with VERY bouncy big dogs, always keen to greet me when I get home, get up, come out of the bathroom etc etc etc.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Love Su

XX

[marli]

I had a Hickman Line fitted 3 weeks ago and will need it until at least  the end of the year.

I would appreciate any advice on showering and washing hair while it is fitted. My chemo nurses tell me that once the stitches are out I do not need a dressing but wonder if anyone covers the site whilst showering. Also how to keep the end out of the way under clothing? Marli x