[wesley]

Palindrome catheter or IV for stem cell harvest?

by wesley on Sat Jan 11, 2014 11:22 pm

Greetings all:

Just got home today from pre-transplant workup. I start Jan 31. My transplant center always does the chemo (melphalan - two doses, I believe) with a Hickman catheter. But I am in the twenty percent with good enough veins to do IV harvest. I have asked for a Palindrome catheter for harvest, however. Otherwise I get stuck four days in each arm. And one of the sticks is a rigid steel needle. Rather uncomfortable - because you cannot move that arm once it is in (bend it, anyway). Harvest apparently is a five hour adventure each of four or five days early in the process. The center is complying with my request - they didn't seem to care one way or the other. So I plan to have a palindrome catheter in my chest followed by Hickman. (Are these central lines or ports??).

Any of you here thoughts on whether this is a sensible choice OR should I just stay with an IV in each arm for harvest?

Thanks,
Wesley

[dnalex]

Re: Palindrome catheter or IV for stem cell harvest?

by dnalex on Sat Jan 11, 2014 11:24 pm

I think you will be much more comfortable with the lines, as opposed to an IV.

[Wayne K]

Re: Palindrome catheter or IV for stem cell harvest?

by Wayne K on Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:38 pm

Don't forget you will have stem cells returned and probably some transfusions. The catheter is also there if needed quickly. I don't think I would even think about not having one. I've had 2, one was in for 5 months, and while not something to ignore the discomforts are minimal.

[Guitarnut]

Re: Palindrome catheter or IV for stem cell harvest?

by Guitarnut on Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:45 am

I did my harvest a few weeks before transplant. It was done through my arms and I must say, not pleasant. Very difficult to sit without bending your arms for 6 hours. However, once it was over I didn't have to deal with the Hickman until transplant. I didn't have any pre-harvest chemo other than induction.

[NStewart]

Re: Palindrome catheter or IV for stem cell harvest?

by NStewart on Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:47 pm

I had a central line placed for my harvest and it remained in until discharged from the hospital following the transplant. So, it was in place for about a month. I'm glad that I had it since it made harvesting, adding IV'S, taking blood, etc so much easier. The week that I was home with it I had to flush each of the external catheters, 3 of them, once a day with saline. It had to be covered while taking a shower. All of this was worth not being stuck multiple times over the course of harvesting and transplant.

Although they prepare you for several days of harvesting to get enough cells for one, or more, transplants, you won't necessarily take that long. I had enough cells harvested in one day.

Nancy in Phila