I Suck At Inserting A Central Line

today is a big day for my little dragon (braden).

braden was born extremely premature at 23 weeks. everything about him is underdeveloped. to help him survive, braden needs a central line inserted into him. unfortunately, i suck at inserting a central line. lucky for me (and braden), i personally don't have to perform the procedure.

for those who are curious... according to my friend, wikipedia:

"In medicine, a central venous catheter (CVC or central venous line or central venous access catheter) is a catheter placed into a large vein in the neck (internal jugular vein), chest (subclavian vein) or groin (femoral vein). It is used to administer medication or fluids, obtain blood tests (specifically the 'mixed venous oxygen saturation'), and directly obtain cardiovascular measurements such as the central venous pressure. Certain medications, such as inotropes and amiodarone, are preferably given through a central line."

yes, i know... it's the same quote i used in my previous post. i'm just too exhausted right now to look for a new quote. the doctors cannot keep infusing little braden through the umbilical chord because of inevitable infection and the risk to his liver. so, i am hoping that the doctors today can successfully insert the central line into braden.

performing the procedure today is a surgeon from children's hospital. he has a very greek sounding name, but goes by "gus". i have no idea why he goes by "gus" because there is no "gus" in his greek name. incidentally, the staff here at the hospital does not know why he goes by "gus" either.

anyway, gus will be doing a cutdown to insert the central line, which according to the american pediatric surgical association is when "an incision is made in the skin and the catheter is placed directly through a hole, or incision, made in the vein. Veins often used for a 'cutdown' include the facial, external jugular, cephalic, or saphenous veins."

i hope the very best for braden... and i must say... it is quite nerve wracking waiting for the procedure to finish.

UPDATE:

unfortunately, gus was not able to insert the central line into braden because braden's veins are simply too small. my little dragon is out of options for a central line. without a central line, he will die.

the current option being discussed now is surgery to which braden will most likely not survive. even if braden does survive, he still has a whole list of other things that need to happen for him to live.

needless to say, karen and i are not doing too well. i keep hoping for that miracle to save my little boy from all of this. as a parent, it pains me to not be able to do anything for my son. i can only sit and watch the events unfold... hoping that all those dreams that had for my little braden can still come true.

it's extremely heartbreaking to even have to think about the possibilities of braden not making it. and as geeky as this sounds... the quote by theoden from the lord of the rings is so true. "no parent should have to bury their child."

i'm not at that stage yet. i still remain hopeful. unfortunately, i fear time is running out.