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Central line - what size shower shield?
I am getting a central line installed. I know that it must be kept dry so I am shopping for shower shields. They come in several sizes so I am wondering which size works best.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Central line - what size shower shield?
Hi there -- I just thought I would reply as to what my experience was. I had a hickman catheter placed prior to when I had my stem cell transplant back in November of 2011. At the time, I didn't know that we could purchase any sort of sterile dressing (tegaderm) on our own, so I tried to use saran wrap and tape, which didn't work too well, as you can imagine. Since that time, I found out through the internet that I could purchase the tegaderm sterile dressing in Walgreens. I purchased the small ones for my port o cath that I currently use, but I think if you got the largest size it would cover the hickman catheter very nicely. If that is what you have. Not sure about dressing cover for a central line, though? Good luck with finding something that will work for you 
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anonymous_today
Re: Central line - what size shower shield?
Hi Goldmine, I am sure that the nurses at your cancer centre will give you suggestions for how to care for your hickman catheter. what the nurses suggested to me was to buy a small baby sock and cover the lumens with one. You attach it with a ponytail hair band elastic. When I wanted to protect the lumens from getting wet, I would then cover that with a disposable type of shower cap, and use an elastic to keep the plastic in place. That worked fine! The baby sock served the function of protecting the lumens and also preventing chafing on the skin. Hope that helps and good luck with everything!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Central line - what size shower shield?
My husband had the tri-port placed. They recommended Press n Seal Saran Wrap. It works perfectly. He bathes daily with no issues. His line has maintained itself well. He has had it since December 13th (almost a month).
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LadyLib - Name: LadyLib
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Central line - what size shower shield?
I had 2 different tri-ports and I used cheap sandwich baggies and tape. It's very important to keep the entry sterile. I had an infection from my second one that manage to get in through the entry. I though I had kept it in good condition, but if I get a second I'll use a lot more hydrogen peroxide.
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Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Central line - what size shower shield?
The nurses recommended that we use press and seal. It worked fine. Of course, you also have to be careful that you're not letting the shower water pour out onto it.
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darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
6 posts
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