November 1, 2025

-

Older picture below

When he first had the PICC line put in, Marlon was disappointed and would have rather have had the port.

Back in November 2022 when the port was removed.  It was internal with no parts sticking out unless he was accessed.

The doctors had a couple of reasons for Marlon getting the line.  First of all, this time around treatment would be shorter.  When first diagnosed back in 2020, he was in treatment for two years.  Start to finish this time around is approximately eight months. 

Also when the line was first inserted, Marlon's platelets were quite low so a more extensive surgery was not recommended. 

It took him quite a while to get used to having the line.  He didn't want to move his arm much at all for a couple of months..

Over time he has adjusted and the other day he was swinging an axe.  He was splitting wood, not yet back at axe-throwing.  He was also digging a hole in the ground for T.

He has also been able to appreciate that with the PICC line, he does not get poked every time he is accessed.

However he is looking forward to being able to shower without having to have his arm wrapped in plastic.  Being able to go out in the rain and not worry about his arm getting wet.

The pros and cons

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

November 10, 2022 (2)

-
Image
Today, I dropped Marlon off at outdoor school and met up with a friend I have only seen a handful of times in the last 20+ years.  She was in the area for the passing of a family member. i then went for a walk with Mina.  I watched and she poised herself in hunting position and pounced.  I saw a squirrel run up a tiny little tree but also heard this pitiful whining.  At first, confused, I wondered if she had pounced on a nest in the ground.  But the dog ran to me, crying and whining, holding up her paw.  We were a ways from home and she hobbled carefully home after we sat for a while and she calmed down.  She will often run the perimeter of fields, running this way and that.  I saw her longing to run the field as we made our way back but she was uncomfortable and limping. A short while later, I went to pick up Marlon and watched in amazement as he hobbled to the car.  Yes, he had hurt his foot within an hour of the dog hurting herself.  ...
Read more

April 17, 2025

-
Image
It is shocking to see how sick he is. Not sick in the vomiting sense but so zapped of energy that he will wake up, walk to washroom, back again and sleep. Sometimes awake for 20 minutes like when the doctor came this morning to let us know his treatment plan. Chemo has started and I hope he comes back to life. Right now the leukemia is destroying him and it is so hard to see. I still can't believe he is back here again. The doctor said that in the past, they may have blasted the relapse very aggressively with chemo. Now it isn't nearly as aggressive a treatment. Well until you get to the bone marrow transplant (BMT). Chemo and steroids have begun and will continue for four weeks at which point they will check his marrow again. Once levels are better, immunotherapy will begin and continue for two months. Then comes the bone marrow transplant.   His brother and sister are first choice as possible donors. Blood needs to get typed and see if there is a match. All three ...
Read more

July 5, 2022

-
Image
Decision was made that Marlon was to go check blood counts on Monday.  We drove down to Hamilton together, quick finger poke, and then leave again.  A couple of times, we drove around the parking garage for almost a half-hour looking for a spot, but Monday was smooth.  Busy place. Blood counts are good so dental work begins.  Marlon's doctor was impressed with the dentist when she spoke with him last week.  In support, I sit next to him in the dentist's room and hope my own anxiety, discomfort, and fear don't affect him. Halfway through the drilling of four teeth which was quite intense, they took a little break to check in with Marlon and see if he was up to continue.  He agreed to do more but said he was most concerned about the tastes of the filling material.  With the pain and discomfort of the first part, one would think that would be the least of his worries but he is very sensitive to taste and flavour.  As it turned out he didn't gag or re...
Read more