Please talk to me about pseudomonas, nocardia and aspergillious

I had aspergillus. I had fusions twice a day for I can't remember how long but it didn't work so they went in through my back and took out my two upper lobes of my right lung. That was in January 2020.

following

How was your experience with the PICC line? I will probably need IV treatment in the next few weeks for pseudomonas- any advice for a first timer?

The PICC line was a challenge because it's like having another appendage that needed constant attention. Mine had a medicine ball that was changed every day. Because of that, the nurses were very careful about keeping it clean and dry. That was helpful. I'm not sure if you'll have the "ball" or if you'll go in for infusions. I slept with the ball, took showers with it. Showering was also a pain inbthe rear because the line, with or without ball, needs to be kept dry. I imagine without the ball it will be much easier.

Just remember, it's temporary and is life saving. Take plenty of time for yourself, listen to soothing music, read, whatever works for you to be patient. I wish you the best of luck and am here if you need to talk.

Can you stay at home with a PICC line or do you have to go to the hospital? Sooner than later I am going to have to get one with as many infections that I keep picking up. Thus far, have been able to take pills and inhaled antibiotic to kill off the bacteria.

The nice think is, I was able to stay home and just go to hospital each day.

Would you be willing to answer a few questions? My understanding is that I will have the infusions at home that must be done 3x a day, that's all the information I have at this point. How often did the nurses come to your home?
Were you able to make other doctor appointments, do grocery shopping, etc. while you had the PICC line?
Did you wear one of those plastic sleeves to shower - did it help keep it dry?
Did you use one of those bands/sleeve covers to keep the PICC line things that dangle in place-if yes did it help?

I went to the hospital to have the 24 hour antibiotic ball changed out, nurses didn't come to my house.
I was free to go anywhere and do just about anything, except bathe.
I tried the shower sleeve and for me, it didn't work. It was so tight it was painful. I used Glad press n seal with painters tape on the ends to be sure it stayed on.
I was warned against the sleeve covers because they didn't want anything too tight around the PICC line. They used gauze and cohesive bandage so it wouldn't flop around.
When they do put yours in, please tell my how they do it with you. It could be be very different.
Hope this helps.

I'm just following up, how was your PICC line and treatment?

Thank you for following up. I started last Thursday. I do an infusion at home 3x a day - 6 AM, 2 PM, 9:30 PM. This is to last 3 weeks to treat Pseudomonas. The company supplying "Option Care" sends the required medication and supplies weekly. They sent a nurse to train me. An at home nursing agency is coming once a week to take blood and do the dressing change. They are available 24 hours for questions and emergencies.

So far the only side effect is looser stools. The first few days I felt much better, but the last 2 days, I have been tired. I think that is due to getting up in the very early morning hours to take my other antibiotics for MAC, then go back to bed until 6 AM, but not getting uninterrupted sleep.

Is the infusion helping? Not sure I can only say I have less sputum and it has a little less yellow stuff in it. I was hoping all the yellow would be gone by now. Overall, other than the timing of the infusions, it's not as bad as I thought.

I did my first shower today, right before the nurse came to change the dressing, just in case I got it wet. The hospital who put in the PICC line gave me this plastic arm glove to cover the whole arm while showering. I used the handheld shower head holding it in the arm with the plastic glove, to wet and rinse myself, thought this would lessen the chance I would get the arm wet. l went very well. I did not get the dressing wet.