Mothers, and other wise ones, I have a mature 14yr old started with picc line next week.
Would you let her take care of infusions under your supervision?
We are considering let her wash up, set up tray, and flush line, hook up to infuse. We sit there and watch.
We will have the ball/pump rather than IV pole.
She is responsible. I worry of course about anything getting contaminated...She is clumsy, but I am terrible.
Daughter had some tremendous nurses in hospital last yr and has considered being a nurse.
She is homebound right now and needing to have some control over a part of her life.
Keep looking for opportunities to encourage kids and give a chance to do something.....Life gets weird when the fun part of the day is when you flush the little line...
posted
Having been a mother & having the picc line infusion also, I don't think it matters how old you are - as long as you do it right. Since you said you would watch - by all means let her do it. I know as a mother you want to do your part in healing her, but you understand that she wants some control over her illness and her life also. Just watch. You have to follow such a list of instructions! My husband did mine. I didn't think I could follow that many instructions (but I had BB about 7 years before diagnosis). Our prayers are with you.
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valymemom
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posted
I used to watch my 22 year old son do his infusions but don't any more - he has the routine down perfectly. Yes, I think a responsible teen could do this.
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Worthless tests & labs, a dangerous vaccine, insurance companies refuse to pay, undertreatment the norm, all about money. MO. Posts: 281 | From CT | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
i'd have her write-out the instructions longhand,or typewritten, make a copy, and have it at hand. this is a hedge against reversing the order of steps in the sequence of steps to follow in setting up and doing the infusion, flushing the line, and so on.
have emerg. numbers at hand, not in a folder somewhere were you would have to then hunt for it in an emergency.
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mlkeen
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posted
Absolutely, let her do it if she can. The novelty will wear off soon enough.
Perhaps a check list that includes each step so that you both can see where you are in the process when she or you get distracted or forget.
When I did my picc I often had a had time twisting the line or syringe on, so family around is helpful. I lost most of the strengh on my hands for a time.
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
lyme_suz, I wasn't a teen when I did my first infusion and neither am I a mother. That said, I found doing the infusions myself great.
I had a very good IV nurse show me, write out basic steps and observe me. I found this was something I could concentrate on when there was little else I could.
I'm very good at it, who knew? I was fascinated by the whole thing, still am. I watched and asked questions when they placed the picc.
I think it would be a great thing for your daughter to be able to do this for herself.
I also had a ball thingy the first time. I would run the line inside my clothes, put it in a fanny pack and do other stuff while infusing. Heh, it also warmed the meds on their way into me and prevented me from getting the tubing caught on anything.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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NP40
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posted
My 14 year old could do the infusion in his sleep, flush, heparin, the whole enchilada. It became very routine. No problems at all.
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posted
Congratulations to your daughter! Yep, be sure to watch for awhile until you're sure she's got it all down right.
Tell her she's awesome!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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arg82
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posted
I'm a little late jumping in here but still thought I'd put in my own experiences. I wasn't a teenager anymore when I first went on IVs (I was 20) but I always did all my infusions myself. The nurse originally taught me and my mom both and I thought she would be helping me with them but I decided I wanted to do it by myself. It's nice to feel that you're in control of one thing, a little independent when you feel so dependent on other people for so many other things. At this point, I know the routine so well that, like NP40 said, I could do it in my sleep. It's not that hard once you learn how to do it and practice it a few times.
It's hard to be so young and have Lyme just at the time when you're "supposed" to be spreading your wings and becoming more independent. It's a rough road but hopefully she'll get a lot better with the IVs and she'll be able to assert her independence soon!
posted
My daughter was 17 and did her IV's from day 1. It is the one area that I have never had to exert control. She likes doing it; she took ownership of if, therefore has been impeccably responsible with it. I wish I could get her to become as involved with her oral meds, diet, etc.!
Posts: 422 | From Herndon, Virginia | Registered: Oct 2005
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char
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Member # 8315
posted
Thanks everybody!
So refreshing to see we can give her a little independence and something she can DO.
Mlk- I know what you mean about the twisting problem and hand strength issue from before.j
I think it will be good for her to be forced to use her hands as she doesn't as much as normal because it is hard and discouraging.
Of course the twisting makes me nervous, but that's ok.
posted
Anyone infusing themselves, teen or adult, is risky, but is a reality of our illness. Something we sometimes take for granted (like breathing air), and minimize the seriousness and complications of running an IV.
However, supervising your teen and empowering her is important as well.
Before I started my infusions by myself, I was under my Doctor's supervision for the 1st month. And I am glad I was. The first month was the toughest, and had some pretty severe reactions which required immediate intervention.
So if at all possible for (teen or adult) I would still recommend ... that for the first month or so to be supervised by your physician or IV nurse. If any adverse reactions occur, then they can be addressed rapidly. At minimum ... have an emergency plan set up, epi-pen handy, etc.
And when switching to a different ABX, it is still good to run the first few times under supervision. Though you can develop serum sickness or an allergic reaction at any point in the therapy process, typically ... if your going to react ... it usually occurs during the first few infusions.
Anyways good luck - Your Little Girl has a lot of courage. So sorry she has to go through this.
Posts: 38 | From Seattle, WA | Registered: Oct 2001
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char
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posted
Infusing going well by proud daughter. Thanks again.
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