Day +56 Clinic day
Day +55 CVL removal surgery

Recap on clinic visit

• WBC: 2.91
• HGB: 9.4
• Platelet: 193
• No medication changes, continue all current supportive care

Most BMT patients keep their central lines for several months after the transplant but Victoria was cleared to have it removed on day 55 post transplant. I was thrilled about her speedy recovery and knowing it's simple surgical procedure.  But as a parent, it was nerve wrecking for sure. Also, Victoria has not been herself in the past week: headaches, tummy aches, feeling tired and sleeping earlier than normal, feeling warm.  I addressed my concerns to her doctors and surgeons and they assured me that there wasn't any reason to postpone the surgery.  I just prayed for a successful surgery and a peace of mind.

Just before the surgery

Waking up afterwards. Surgery took only 30 min including anesthesia

 "eating popsicle is the best part of surgery" Viki said

Surgeon had to make two incisions because the lines were broken and placed too high.

The upper stitch couldn't hold and it bled overnight.  I panicked and called the ER at 4:30 am and they said it would be okay to wait until the morning since it wasn't bleeding heavily.  Glad that we had a clinic appointment at 9 am.

 Taking off the dressing and putting the sterile tape was so painful.  Looking at all the scars on her tiny chest and her crying, broke my heart.

Viki had a rough day but, all done and cleaned up!

One of the reasons why I write this blog is to have Viki achieve a sense of understanding.  I want her to read this blog when she grows up and never forget what had happened in her early life.  So this way, she would have a positive perspective on life and truly appreciate the value of "normal" life.  I can picture myself in 10 years, telling Viki a story of her central line days.

This was what the CVL looked like

Perfect pajama to put the lines when she slept. She rolled over a lot.

Bathing her was a big hassle and work. We literally wrapped her torso like this every day. Huge thanks to daddy and Press n Seal for keeping her dry while bathing.

Home-care supplies for weekly CVL care

Mommy became an expert in line flushing, cap changing, skin site cleaning and dress changing.  We're so proud that we took good care of CVL without any infections.

The CVL was part of her body for the past 61 days.  It always stuck out of her clothes and hanged. Viki told me this morning "I was habitually looking for my lines, they're gone now".

Good-bye!