What is a PICC line?

I get a ton of questions about what a PICC line is. Here is just a short post that may help. A PICC line, or Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter, is a long flexible tube that is placed in the upper arm, threaded into the chest, and sits at the top of your heart. PICC lines require special sterilized care. It can be used for many reasons including: chemotherapy, long-term antibiotic treatment, if drawing blood from veins is not possible in someone who has hardened veins, or in my case for TPN.  TPN stands for Total Parenteral Nutrition and is personalized IV nutrition that bypasses the GI system. When you are on a PICC line you have a home health nurse that will visit you each week to take your blood and change your dressing. The pharmacist who makes the TPN will receive your lab tests and consult with your doctor to make a personalized nutritional recipe. TPN is delivered once a week, along with an abundance of medical supplies, tubing, saline, alcohol, glucose monitoring supplies, batteries, pump and more.  I am so thankful to live in a day and age where these medical marvels are available to me and others with unique medical needs.

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.  The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

Psalm 42.1-3