PICC line

A PICC line means "peripherally-inserted central catheter"...basically it's an IV inserted into your arm in the inner elbow area or upper/inner arm, except the tubing inside the body is very long...long enough to thread up into a larger portion of a vein nearer the heart. The purpose of this long IV is so that the vein does not become so irritated from the medication that he needs daily (bigger veins can handle more/stronger medicine). I assume he will be getting an IV antibiotic for several weeks, and this is why he has the PICC...to avoid multiple IV starts during the therapy. Some PICCs can even be used for blood draws. Doyle probably has a Urinary tract infection involving the kidney, ureter, bladder or all 3. There would be much inflamation from the size of the stone you described being removed. I wonder if he will make a pendant out of that "pee"-sized rock he's passed? Ick...poor doyle. i think kidney stone pain for a man is the equivalent to childbirth pains for a woman. As far as homecare, it's pretty neat. We have really cool IV gadgets now that don't require any pump machine...they are self-collapsing bulbs. amazing technology. well, enough gabbing. glad to help educate y'all. -Sara